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The 222 interior is really something, much different than 221 I feel cocooned in 222 which is what I always wanted from a car. A cozy isolation from the outside world.
Drove my w221 today to get kids, that engine nite is something else. I was always surprised MB let that engine be so throaty.
is there a way to save favorite XM radio stations so I can flip through those only? I had that in 221 I can’t figure out how to jump between favorite stations .
Yes, you can add any channel (AM/FM/XM) to Favorites, then scroll through with the wheel
Well it happened. I sold the w221. I’ll miss it, but 222 is better in many ways. The feel is what I’ve been looking for my whole life. Very solid feel and the power is just insane.
figured how to save favors stations. Massages were already saved.
Well it happened. I sold the w221. I’ll miss it, but 222 is better in many ways. The feel is what I’ve been looking for my whole life. Very solid feel and the power is just insane.
figured how to save favors stations. Massages were already saved.
Congratulations! Welcome to the W222 club..
Exciting that you found what you wanted..
OP Now that you have your 222 car.... Get ahold of Peter... AKA BenzNinja and have him do some software changes that will make the car that much more enjoyable. Look in the headlights.... Says LED Intelligent Lighting System? If so have Peter jailbreak 'Intelligent Lighting' and be ready for a very real treat when driving at night with high beams on. You just have to drive one so equipped. 'Last Mode remembered' is another worth doing. You have it in Sport mode and turn off Stop-Start and it doesn't just default to 'on' and 'C' with a re-start. Hot climate A/C programming is a nice thing for me. I live in Arizona. 'Additional modes' for the transmission is another worth doing. Changed how mine shifts for the better all the way around even though I very rarely use Sport +. He has quite a list of software changes available. Well worth it. Get the membership and Xentry. Money well spent.
Thank will do. I have to look at Ninjas list and see what I’d like to add or change.
Drove the car some more, took family out for dinner. Kids love the colors of ambient lighting and rear shades. I’m amazed how much smoother and stronger the engine is, how relaxing it is to drive the car. I can feel the advancements that were not so obvious to me before. Wife loves the car too and is happy that I’m thrilled.
Sound system is amazing compared to w221 Harmon. As an audio nut I’m thrilled about that.
Figured out how to switch to preset radio stations of my liking. Sd card loaded with my music library. I got to buy a w221 spare donut to keep in the trunk. No way I’d risk going on a long drive without a spare.
Thank will do. I have to look at Ninjas list and see what I’d like to add or change.
Drove the car some more, took family out for dinner. Kids love the colors of ambient lighting and rear shades. I’m amazed how much smoother and stronger the engine is, how relaxing it is to drive the car. I can feel the advancements that were not so obvious to me before. Wife loves the car too and is happy that I’m thrilled.
Sound system is amazing compared to w221 Harmon. As an audio nut I’m thrilled about that.
Figured out how to switch to preset radio stations of my liking. Sd card loaded with my music library. I got to buy a w221 spare donut to keep in the trunk. No way I’d risk going on a long drive without a spare.
Again, I thank you gets a lot.
Benz Ninja Peter can easily expand ambient light to 64 colors.
OP Now that you have your 222 car.... Get ahold of Peter... AKA BenzNinja and have him do some software changes that will make the car that much more enjoyable. Look in the headlights.... Says LED Intelligent Lighting System? If so have Peter jailbreak 'Intelligent Lighting' and be ready for a very real treat when driving at night with high beams on. You just have to drive one so equipped. 'Last Mode remembered' is another worth doing. You have it in Sport mode and turn off Stop-Start and it doesn't just default to 'on' and 'C' with a re-start. Hot climate A/C programming is a nice thing for me. I live in Arizona. 'Additional modes' for the transmission is another worth doing. Changed how mine shifts for the better all the way around even though I very rarely use Sport +. He has quite a list of software changes available. Well worth it. Get the membership and Xentry. Money well spent.
I agree.
ILS is a kick!
I chose to buy the laptop and the MB Star setup instead of renting from Benz Ninja. While the modifications I wanted have been done, I keep the equipment in my trunk to have if and when something comes up.
Well it happened. I sold the w221. I’ll miss it, but 222 is better in many ways. The feel is what I’ve been looking for my whole life. Very solid feel and the power is just insane.
Wait until you get into and experience the AMG's. It's on another level. I'd reckon, once you experience those, there is no way you can settle for the regular models. The performance is addicting and the "worst" part is how daily drivable and compliant they are.
Wait until you get into and experience the AMG's. It's on another level. I'd reckon, once you experience those, there is no way you can settle for the regular models. The performance is addicting and the "worst" part is how daily drivable and compliant they are.
I'd have no problem "settling" for a non AMG. When I had my 17 S550 I was literally scared at the level of acceleration that car had.
The first time you find yourself needing 4-matic you'll thank yourself for not going with an S65, unless you have an S63.
Then when you drive for a while and need to get some gas, then you're head will explode with the thirst. Only to follow when there's a need for maintenance or repairs...then you wallet will explode!
Non-AMG S-Class cars are the pinnacle in the balance of power, luxury, elegance, and "affordability".
Last edited by carlosinseattle; Mar 19, 2026 at 11:21 AM.
Wait until you get into and experience the AMG's. It's on another level. I'd reckon, once you experience those, there is no way you can settle for the regular models. The performance is addicting and the "worst" part is how daily drivable and compliant they are.
WOW..I had no idea that I have been “settling for” with my ‘15 550 4matic. I thought that it was more than I had ever wanted or needed in a car. I had no idea that regardless of the $122,000 factory build, the car fell short on many levels. While appreciating and respecting the attributes of AMG models, up to now my driving style and enjoyment was more than satisfied by the “regular” model. Thanks to you, I have seen the error of my ways. How naive to think that loving my regular S550 was actually settling for.
Last edited by SSBN629 Seattle; Mar 19, 2026 at 12:44 PM.
LOL, I really didn't mean it that way. My apologies if it came across like that. The AMG difference is not subtle, is what I'm trying to say. I don't recommend anyone driving one of those out of fear of wanting one, afterwards. I'm perfectly content with my W222 as a non-AMG car. However, I have my W221 to fulfill my AMG itch.
Carlos are you really using 'S-Class' and 'Affordability' in the same sentence?
Thanks for the laugh; friend.
It was a rather weak point on my part. Guilty as charged...
My point was to say that ALL the S-Class variants are special, and I think we forget that sometimes.
PLUS, I love to poke you when the opportunity arises...LOL
Last edited by carlosinseattle; Mar 19, 2026 at 12:16 PM.
It was a rather weak point on my part. Guilty as charged...
My point was to say that ALL the S-Class variants are special, and I think we forget that sometimes.
Agreed. But careful about that first hit of AMG Crack! The test drive is free but then you're hooked. Spend a week in one and any car guy is utterly ruined for lesser cars.
I'm currently suffering with a rather horrible case of withdrawal from AMG Crack as the car is at the body shop to deal with damage that happened when the landscaping truck (that clearly has been meticulously maintained!!) spat it's driveshaft from under the truck.... A Nissan ran over it in front of me... I avoided the driveshaft easily enough but the bearing race for the driveshaft center bearing that was in halves nailed the facia down low and bounced around under the car + countless other ish that hit the nose of the car and generally tore it up.
So I'm in a rental. An utterly hideous Nissan Versa with a CVT that takes about 2.5 hours to accelerate to 60, rides poorly and has drum brakes in the rear. It has collision warning for sure as that is yelling anytime the sun is shining due to commuting East in the morning and West in the evening. It is PROOF POSITIVE there is more to life than good fuel economy.
Yeah. Withdrawal.
Last edited by JohnLane; Mar 19, 2026 at 12:25 PM.
Make sure you drive an AMG S class on your actual roads where you live. They are famously stiff to the point where you and your passengers say out loud "this is an S class???".
The HP hit is awesome - the ride sacrifice to hit .93g for magazine tests is not.
It's stupidly hard imho and not in character with the rest of the car. They hit a bullseye no one was looking for.
Make sure you drive an AMG S class on your actual roads where you live. They are famously stiff to the point where you and your passengers say out loud "this is an S class???".
The HP hit is awesome - the ride sacrifice to hit .93g for magazine tests is not.
It's stupidly hard imho and not in character with the rest of the car. They hit a bullseye no one was looking for.
You Sir; need to drive one with Magic Body Control. Yes; firmer than S-550 but watching cars in front and behind me toss their occupants up, down, side to side as I feel... virtually nothing driving behind them.... No body roll when rolling through high speed turns.... Priceless. Please note that MBC does its best work during daylight hours. The cameras need to see the road ahead to prepare the car for what is coming. Even in 'Sport' for MBC it isn't harsh.
Last edited by JohnLane; Mar 19, 2026 at 01:18 PM.
Agreed. But careful about that first hit of AMG Crack! The test drive is free but then you're hooked. Spend a week in one and any car guy is utterly ruined for lesser cars.
I'm currently suffering with a rather horrible case of withdrawal from AMG Crack as the car is at the body shop to deal with damage that happened when the landscaping truck (that clearly has been meticulously maintained!!) spat it's driveshaft from under the truck.... A Nissan ran over it in front of me... I avoided the driveshaft easily enough but the bearing race for the driveshaft center bearing that was in halves nailed the facia down low and bounced around under the car + countless other ish that hit the nose of the car and generally tore it up.
So I'm in a rental. An utterly hideous Nissan Versa with a CVT that takes about 2.5 hours to accelerate to 60, rides poorly and has drum brakes in the rear. It has collision warning for sure as that is yelling anytime the sun is shining due to commuting East in the morning and West in the evening. It is PROOF POSITIVE there is more to life than good fuel economy.
Yeah. Withdrawal.
Wow, that accident sounds pretty scary. I'm happy it wasn't worse and nobody was hurt. I had a shovel fall off a landscaping truck several car lengths in front of me bounce up and shatter the windshield on my Nissan Maxima many years ago. Scariest part was the airbag went off and talcum powder filled the car, all while traveling down I5 at 70+mph. Glad you're OK.
But dude...Nissan Versa? What did you do to **** off the car gods??? I literally laughed out loud when reading your post. I'm sorry to poke at you while you're dealing with one of the toughest car transitions anybody could imagine.
Wow, that accident sounds pretty scary. I'm happy it wasn't worse and nobody was hurt. I had a shovel fall off a landscaping truck several car lengths in front of me bounce up and shatter the windshield on my Nissan Maxima many years ago. Scariest part was the airbag went off and talcum powder filled the car, all while traveling down I5 at 70+mph. Glad you're OK.
But dude...Nissan Versa? What did you do to **** off the car gods??? I literally laughed out loud when reading your post. I'm sorry to poke at you while you're dealing with one of the toughest car transitions anybody could imagine.
What happened with the truck has to have been really scary. I'm motoring South on HWY 303 at usual 80mph (speed of traffic). Landscaping truck enters freeway from onramp before my exit. I see him moving around in his lane... Smoke coming out of the cab.... Then the rear half of driveshaft is spat out the rear of the truck. When the center bearing for the driveshaft failed (that bearing is HUGE!! It has to have been yelling for YEARS to fail the way it did) the driveshaft tried to turn 90 degrees at the center of the driveshaft which made enough of a shock to the truck that it fired both airbags. The front half of the driveshaft got ripped out of the transmission (at 65+mph so spinning at a good clip!) and tore up all the mounting points at the transmission output and broke the output housing. The front half of the driveshaft ended up next to the transmission on the driver's side. Rear half of driveshaft looked like it tried to pole vault the truck at the front of it; breaking the slip yoke into parts. The Nissan in front of me who ran over the driveshaft lost a pair of wheels, tires, damage under the car. I caught all the shrapnel. Thankfully no injuries. I see far worse when clients have run over a ladder (all too common on the freeways!).
The Nissan Versa. The Sun shines here in Arizona Carlos. Spring Break is happening. This is the only car Enterprise had. Seems I must have been really naughty or something for this to be my penance. Yes; a rather bitter taste + scent of Sulphur.
Last edited by JohnLane; Mar 19, 2026 at 02:22 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.
