2018 S-560 One-year Update and Technology Question
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S560
2018 S-560 One-year Update and Technology Question
Happy New Year!
Now 15 months of owning a 2018 S-560 daily driver (my first S-Class, had a 2008 E) and absolutely love it. The insanely quiet cabin, plush ride, and smooth acceleration are just luxurious. We hunted for months before finding a low-mileage (21K) car with our minimum equipment desires. It's now up to 33K miles and our indy mechanic said (1) it's the cleanest oil change he's ever done (verified by professional oil analysis), and (2) it's mechanically in superior shape. My daughter lives like a queen in the back seat. That said, it's not really my preferred color (gray/black) and I truly wanted the 3D surround sound system. But those are minor sacrifices in the grand scheme of things given the (still) low miles and exceptional mechanical condition.
All that said, the technology suite is really getting outdated. MBRACE is being shut down with no replacement. There's a decent amount of lag and latency during startup and switching between functions. I'm concerned this technology erosion may continue and am unsure what that may mean functionally.
So my questions are this: What are your experiences? Are there any technology update options? And, assuming the technology remains functional enough, it makes no sense to consider upgrading to a 2020 while the car is still mechanically superior with very low miles, right?
Thanks as always for your expertise and advice. Wishing you all a wonderful 2026!
Now 15 months of owning a 2018 S-560 daily driver (my first S-Class, had a 2008 E) and absolutely love it. The insanely quiet cabin, plush ride, and smooth acceleration are just luxurious. We hunted for months before finding a low-mileage (21K) car with our minimum equipment desires. It's now up to 33K miles and our indy mechanic said (1) it's the cleanest oil change he's ever done (verified by professional oil analysis), and (2) it's mechanically in superior shape. My daughter lives like a queen in the back seat. That said, it's not really my preferred color (gray/black) and I truly wanted the 3D surround sound system. But those are minor sacrifices in the grand scheme of things given the (still) low miles and exceptional mechanical condition.
All that said, the technology suite is really getting outdated. MBRACE is being shut down with no replacement. There's a decent amount of lag and latency during startup and switching between functions. I'm concerned this technology erosion may continue and am unsure what that may mean functionally.
So my questions are this: What are your experiences? Are there any technology update options? And, assuming the technology remains functional enough, it makes no sense to consider upgrading to a 2020 while the car is still mechanically superior with very low miles, right?
Thanks as always for your expertise and advice. Wishing you all a wonderful 2026!
Last edited by DHutt; Jan 3, 2026 at 02:18 PM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,451
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
This is not specific to the S Class, but the short answer is there's no technology upgrade path outside of third-party Android based head units mostly from China. What you've got is what you've got. mBrace going away means, the connected car services are going away, such as remote start, remote locking etc. live traffic as far as I know has already been discontinued for mBrace several years ago, and mBrace never had online map update capabilities. mBrace got replaced in 2019 with the new Mercedes me connect platform, but older models prior to that have no migration path. These services still exist on the new Mercedes me connect platform. Your only future proofing option is essentially CarPlay/Android Auto, which I believe the 2018 S Class has. Even though my current car uses Mercedes me connect, I've recently let the subscription expire and am in no rush to renew it. I don't drive enough for starters, so for now I'm just using CarPlay when I need navigation.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,844
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From: Pacific Northwest
2001 S600 V12 Sold, 2011 Jaguar XFR Sold, 2017 S550 4-Matic, 2018 S63 AMG Sedan
I also have a 2018 S-Class and agree with what SS said above. Only difference is I'm extremely disappointed with the mbrace shutdown. I used it several times a week and liked the features a lot. My favorite thing was to not travel with a key when I parked my car at the airport while traveling. I just left my key in the car inside an RF pouch and unloced the doors with the app, reduced the stress of keeping track of any keys. But I also used remote start, find my car, and send to benz regularly. I hope some 3rd party person comes up with the ability to use some of those functions, especially remote start. I'd consider upgrading to a 20 but they are really hard to find, especially with low miles and highly optioned.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 56
Likes: 21
From: Phoenix east valley
2018 MB S560, 2018 Ford F150
Another new as of 12/05/2025, 2018 S560. Likewise I am very unhappy with the MBrace shutdown. I never dreamed that there would be an issue with remote connectivity with a top of the line MB vehicle. When my lowly 2018 Ford F150 pickup has remote capabilities, it stands head and shoulders above MB in this area. What a disappointment! Come on MB is this the best you can do?
Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 112
Likes: 33
From: Mt Pleasant, SC
2018 S560
The 2018 S class has wired Apple CarPlay. CarPlay will be your best option to retain tech features like updated navigation maps and live traffic. There are wireless CarPlay adapters available if you prefer not to plug in your phone.
As for audio, the W222 S class is one of the best platforms for aftermarket car audio that has ever been built by any car company. They are compatible with both mObridge and Nav-TV Zen preamps, which allows you to keep the factory source whiile extracting an optical digital output which can feed the DSP, amplifier(s) and speakers of your choice. The factory speaker locations in the W222 are excellent, with both midrange and tweeters located high in the doors and right near each other, and the factory midbass are in the front firewall above the kick panels.
I own a car audio speaker brand and will be using my W222 as a demo vehicle for speaker sales. Hope to have my install underway in the next couple of months, and will post an extensive build log.
As for audio, the W222 S class is one of the best platforms for aftermarket car audio that has ever been built by any car company. They are compatible with both mObridge and Nav-TV Zen preamps, which allows you to keep the factory source whiile extracting an optical digital output which can feed the DSP, amplifier(s) and speakers of your choice. The factory speaker locations in the W222 are excellent, with both midrange and tweeters located high in the doors and right near each other, and the factory midbass are in the front firewall above the kick panels.
I own a car audio speaker brand and will be using my W222 as a demo vehicle for speaker sales. Hope to have my install underway in the next couple of months, and will post an extensive build log.
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Joined: Sep 2019
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From: U.S.
Current/Last 5-years:GLS;G70;Alpina B8;X7;Accord. Sold:X7,TeslaS;S560;S550,X5;530e;L.Navigator;LS460
That's awesome. I had a facelift W222 and really loved the car all around. I didn't care much about the technology at that time until I co-owned other cars with better tech. You only miss what you know. However, that car is so refined that am sure you'll forget about the tech part of it. I would not consider an upgrade form a 2018 to 2020; it's probably a very expensive upgrade for not much benefits other than the app. I'd rather upgrade to a W223 if I were in the same position now and willing to pay extra money cause of the old tech.
Wireless carplay adapters are becoming very reliable now from what am hearing/reading in the Lexus and Honda forums, unlike 4 and 8 years ago when I had my two former W222s and struggled with those adapters, so that shouldn't be an issue now.
The Mbrace thing is really disappointing. Can't imagine not using remote start in cold days after a long working day or early morning. I still wonder why Mbenz doesn't allow remote-start from the physical keyfob... it is really dump. I read some security concerns or whatever but it just doesn't make sense when everyone else is offering it.
Wireless carplay adapters are becoming very reliable now from what am hearing/reading in the Lexus and Honda forums, unlike 4 and 8 years ago when I had my two former W222s and struggled with those adapters, so that shouldn't be an issue now.
The Mbrace thing is really disappointing. Can't imagine not using remote start in cold days after a long working day or early morning. I still wonder why Mbenz doesn't allow remote-start from the physical keyfob... it is really dump. I read some security concerns or whatever but it just doesn't make sense when everyone else is offering it.
Last edited by S_W222; Jan 4, 2026 at 03:26 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 573
Likes: 179
From: Half Moon Bay, CA
2016 S550e, 2005 Nissan Xterra 4x4, 1984 300ZX
Having driven a brand new E-Class in 2022 for a week as loander the tech was for sure better than my 16', which doesn't even have Android Auto (there are options to install, but I cannot do it myself, and local places want $1200), but the ride, power and experience was still not the same. I tried all of the services that came with the 2016 and they were terrible and didn't renew after free year ended, but the Bluetooth works great, it connects immediately, and so for that I have no complaints. There are plenty of folks that did upgraded audio, but at this point of my life the regular Burmeister is good enough for me (I have aftermarket stereo systems that sound better in my other cars). Unfortnately the W233 is a far different car and while it has some advantages with tech I cannot get over the outside look at having to use screens for everything.
I looked at a flip before I bought my warranty 2 years ago, and just decided, given how much I drive now (retired in 2024), the steep loss (orginal owner lost more 2x more than I would) and costs of a new car (with insurance, tax, tag, etc) I am going to roll my current until 2031 when I will probably go all electric.
I looked at a flip before I bought my warranty 2 years ago, and just decided, given how much I drive now (retired in 2024), the steep loss (orginal owner lost more 2x more than I would) and costs of a new car (with insurance, tax, tag, etc) I am going to roll my current until 2031 when I will probably go all electric.
