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Big car guy here and recently sold my 2007 s550 with 70K miles (w221) about 6 months ago. That was my first mercedes and I loved driving it. I loved the comfort, the large rear seats, the smooth power and just the full MB experience. However, there were some issues that it had that I could never resolve. It always had about 10-15 various error codes when I plug in the OBD reader. The side bolsters would work on and off and the worse was that the rear left passenger door would not open from the inside or outside unless I lock the door and open it via comfort access. If it wasn't for these issues (and my fear of the cost$ to fix it), I would've kept the vehicle.
Since i've sold it, I bought a gx550 but started to miss having an S class... so the questions for the w222 owners, are yours generally reliable or are there any "ghost" issues? Like I mentioned, I am a big car guy and try to DIY as much as I can but electrical issues/glitches are not my forte and my fear is it will happen again. Any input is appreciated.
For me a 222 S65 replaced a 221 S-65. The 221 car required constant babysitting with myriad issues. Yes; pneumatic seats among them. Nothing quite so aggravating as driving along and PSE decides you need a football in the left bolster that stays inflated as long as it sees fit. Front suspension arms and engine mounts annually... brakes were forever warped.... modules that quit were big fun to figure out.
Mercedes got it right with the 222 with more features that are not always failing. You will enjoy the seven speed and Intelligent Lighting. Have Benz Ninja give it some software magic to unlock features it has that didn’t get enabled for us.
Last edited by JohnLane; Dec 28, 2025 at 09:19 AM.
If you're a regular reader of this forum, there aren't a whole lot of serious problems discussed on here. A few one-offs here and there, but appears to me most people have good experience with the W222. I'm on my second one and it does have oil leaks that are annoying, but otherwise rides and drives very nicely. BTW, they look good in white, don't they?
2+ years and 34k miles. (64k total) with zero issues in my ‘19 S450. I’ve enjoyed this car more than any other I’ve driven before.
My recommendation is to find a well-maintained car, get a PDI, then pull the trigger and enjoy every mile.
Mine is a daily driver, and I can’t ever envision going back to something lesser.
@dmatre , looks great... during my research, I did read that the 19 s450 engine was the most reliable. Glad you're enjoying it!
Originally Posted by JohnLane
For me a 222 S65 replaced a 221 S-65. The 221 car required constant babysitting with myriad issues. Yes; pneumatic seats among them. Nothing quite so aggravating as driving along and PSE decides you need a football in the left bolster that stays inflated as long as it sees fit. Front suspension arms and engine mounts annually... brakes were forever warped.... modules that quit were big fun to figure out.
Mercedes got it right with the 222 with more features that are not always failing. You will enjoy the seven speed and Intelligent Lighting. Have Benz Ninja give it some software magic to unlock features it has that didn’t get enabled for us.
@JohnLane , wow... would love to see some pics of your S65. Yes... I was so tired of all these modules with errors and things not working randomly. I really loved the w221 but was always concerned it would leave me stranded.
Originally Posted by Tom in Austin
If you're a regular reader of this forum, there aren't a whole lot of serious problems discussed on here. A few one-offs here and there, but appears to me most people have good experience with the W222. I'm on my second one and it does have oil leaks that are annoying, but otherwise rides and drives very nicely. BTW, they look good in white, don't they?
@Tom in Austin thanks for your input. I haven't been on here much other than recently. Oil leaks... is that a common thing? My w221 had it also but I never bothered to fix it. White looks great! But if I get one, I think I'd go for black
Originally Posted by JohnLane
Tom black is the correct color!
@JohnLane - Black with black trim and some nice silver wheels would be the look I'd go for as well
@JohnLane - Black with black trim and some nice silver wheels would be the look I'd go for as well
Edwin
My S-65 is Designo Black with Porcelain (White hides) with Piano black wood. My first car with white hides; makes a lot of sense here in the Valley of the Sun.
Bought a 2016 in 2019 CPO, mine is a S550e plug-in hybrid. I have had a few issues. I did invest in an aftermarket warranty after the CPO and MB extended warranty ended, i had 2 issues under those warranties and then this year under the aftermarket warranty, my AC Compressor and motor mounts needed replacement. I love the car, and since I have 5 years of warranty left and only 47k on the clock I plan to drive it for 5 more years as I don't drive a lot anymore so I expect to have warranty coverage until 2031.
Everytime I drive the car I am amazed what a great car it is and now friends, family and wife are all saying "can we take the Mercedes?" when we go somewhere. I say find a good one that has solid maintence records, you can consider a "face lift" 2018+ to get Android Auto/Apple Car play and a few other goodies, but I really like my solid buttons and you can add those for $1k or less if you can install it yourself. And do buy a warranty as these are very expensive to repair.
Unless your V8 in in an S63, then the V12 is going backwards...LOL
I’ll bite! Carlos have you spent any time behind the wheel of an S-65? I get that you need the safety blanket (parka?) that is all wheels driven.... We moved from Washington in large part to see the sun daily. You can have all the months of gray skies and RAIN. If ever we cross paths you will have to try mine. On dry roads. You will giggle. As I do every day. Yours is more fun to 30. The bent-12 will reel you in from there and make you a believer. Mine gets turned up next week. Should be fun. I expect the limited slip to get moved up the list of priorities after.
I’ll bite! Carlos have you spent any time behind the wheel of an S-65? I get that you need the safety blanket (parka?) that is all wheels driven.... We moved from Washington in large part to see the sun daily. You can have all the months of gray skies and RAIN. If ever we cross paths you will have to try mine. On dry roads. You will giggle. As I do every day. Yours is more fun to 30. The bent-12 will reel you in from there and make you a believer. Mine gets turned up next week. Should be fun. I expect the limited slip to get moved up the list of priorities after.
Happy New Year everyone.
Originally Posted by Mitch Alsup
Maybe power wise, but not refinement wise.
Originally Posted by subterFUSE
A V12 engine is one of Earth's finest luxury items.
Thanks for taking the bait...LOL And John, you're 100% corerect, I need my AWD safety blanket on the constantly wet roads of the PNW. If I were in AZ, I'd probably choose an S65. I had a 2001 S600 in the early 2000's and it was both my favorite and least favorite car of all time, up until I got my S63. It had been my favorite for obvious reasons, and my least favorite for even more obvious reasons...$$$. Mitch,99.9% of the time they both leave you wanting nothing that I'm not sure I'd want more power or refinement. My car scares me with it's power sometimes and it rides like a dream on most occasions, however I do wish it soaked up the bumps better. I'm at a happy place now and glad to share it with you guys. @JohnLane I'll look you up next time I'm in AZ, mid April. I'll be there for 5 days, mostly in Tucson, but also in Gilbert.
Last edited by carlosinseattle; Jan 6, 2026 at 01:11 PM.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
