This Car Sucks: A W223 Review
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 146
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From: NYC
W212 E400
Not true. If you were not aware, you can now speak to the car to do almost anything without touching anything or taking your eyes of the road. Simply say “Hey Mercedes -- increase fan speed”. Or you can be more specific “Hey Mercedes – set fan speed to level five”. You can do a million other things with your voice, including activating heated seats, opening sunroof shade, all climate control, radio, nav, etc. This is no different than talking to Alexa or Siri to do something, and it gets used to your voice and habits over time.
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,142
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I’ll admit that I know very little about the voice command feature, as I have never used it. That said, having to say “Hey Mercedes” every time seems a bit ridiculous. Might they have a small, dedicated button on the steering wheel, that when pressed, just allows the voice instruction to be heard without saying “Hey Mercedes?” Simply press the button, then say something like “lower fan speed” and it does it. Saying “Hey Mercedes” over and over just seems nuts and there should be a simpler way. Maybe there is? I really don’t know.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 947
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From: SF Bay Area
2021 E63S Wagon 2019 S63 AMG Coupé 2015 S Coupé Edition 1 1970 Chevelle LS5
I’ll admit that I know very little about the voice command feature, as I have never used it. That said, having to say “Hey Mercedes” every time seems a bit ridiculous. Might they have a small, dedicated button on the steering wheel, that when pressed, just allows the voice instruction to be heard without saying “Hey Mercedes?” Simply press the button, then say something like “lower fan speed” and it does it. Saying “Hey Mercedes” over and over just seems nuts and there should be a simpler way. Maybe there is? I really don’t know.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 737
Likes: 188
2021 S500 (Mojave Silver), MB S400 (wife), BMW 750Li (passed on to kids)
I’ll admit that I know very little about the voice command feature, as I have never used it. That said, having to say “Hey Mercedes” every time seems a bit ridiculous. Might they have a small, dedicated button on the steering wheel, that when pressed, just allows the voice instruction to be heard without saying “Hey Mercedes?” Simply press the button, then say something like “lower fan speed” and it does it. Saying “Hey Mercedes” over and over just seems nuts and there should be a simpler way. Maybe there is? I really don’t know.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 804
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From: US
2018 E400W4 EU Delivery 1999 E320 2022 E53 COUPE
"Disclaimer #2: I consider myself very much “tech-savvy.” I am in my early 30’s and enjoy improvements in technology and cool-factor or even gimmicky tech"
Many tech-savvy android users cannot figure out an iPhone.
Many tech-savvy android users cannot figure out an iPhone.
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 391
'25 S63 AMG E Performance, '26 CLE 53 AMG
Thanks OP for your credible review.
I remember when you reviewed your prior 2014 and your 2018 (I think) S classes since you did European Delivery on both of those and my my 2014 S class and my 2019 S63 AMG were also European Delivery cars (my 2016 S class was not Euro Delivery). It is clear that your love for the brand has declined significantly due to the w223. I may be keeping my '19 S63 for some time. I have owned three w222 S Class cars. Based on what I am hearing it will be hard for me to own three w223s in their life cycle unless something changes. Thanks again OP for your review!
I remember when you reviewed your prior 2014 and your 2018 (I think) S classes since you did European Delivery on both of those and my my 2014 S class and my 2019 S63 AMG were also European Delivery cars (my 2016 S class was not Euro Delivery). It is clear that your love for the brand has declined significantly due to the w223. I may be keeping my '19 S63 for some time. I have owned three w222 S Class cars. Based on what I am hearing it will be hard for me to own three w223s in their life cycle unless something changes. Thanks again OP for your review!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,350
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From: Birmingham, AL
2019 S560, 2022 Audi S8
Thanks OP for your credible review.
I remember when you reviewed your prior 2014 and your 2018 (I think) S classes since you did European Delivery on both of those and my my 2014 S class and my 2019 S63 AMG were also European Delivery cars (my 2016 S class was not Euro Delivery). It is clear that your love for the brand has declined significantly due to the w223. I may be keeping my '19 S63 for some time. I have owned three w222 S Class cars. Based on what I am hearing it will be hard for me to own three w223s in their life cycle unless something changes. Thanks again OP for your review!
I remember when you reviewed your prior 2014 and your 2018 (I think) S classes since you did European Delivery on both of those and my my 2014 S class and my 2019 S63 AMG were also European Delivery cars (my 2016 S class was not Euro Delivery). It is clear that your love for the brand has declined significantly due to the w223. I may be keeping my '19 S63 for some time. I have owned three w222 S Class cars. Based on what I am hearing it will be hard for me to own three w223s in their life cycle unless something changes. Thanks again OP for your review!
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S350d 4matic
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From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 284
Likes: 64
2015 S-550
I have looked at the new S-500 many times but have a problem with the same things you mention. Have owned 4 S-Class and expected more/better from the new S-500. Driving a 2020 CLS 450 now, been thinking about the S-500, but probably get a slightly used S-560 with 19 inch wheels.
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 3,360
Likes: 1,529
From: Washington DC
No more MB:(
I finally got to see one up close in my dealer the other day. I remain unmoved. While I'm sure the driving experience is unmatched the lack of substance (did not feel as solid as previous) and quality in the interior was as several others had described. Personally the ambiance is one of luxury, however the quality of materials feel lighter and cheaper, not to mention the single stitching on the dash leather made it all feel regressive. The Tesla screen takes over the interior and while I did like the screen for a laptop/tablet, I did not care for it on a car. Just too much.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
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2011 E63, 2013 CLS63
The new dashboard layout is disgusting. The screen belongs high up and widescreen, that's what made the W222 jawdropping. The interior in the W222 is way way better and the exterior is better too, although not as profoundly as the interior. What a disappointment.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 385
Likes: 92
From: Bognor Regis UK
Alfa 159
I would expect none of them....why would they have bought it if they dislike it so much!!??? LOL. I've never been in one and its well outside my price bracket.....But I don't like what I've seen in the pics and YouTube reviews to be honest. It almost looks like they were trying just a bit too hard to change the interior look with changes for changes sake rather than for any functional advantage. Not for me.....but then there are very few current car models of any brand that appeal as much as older models....maybe I'm just getting old!!
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 284
Likes: 64
2015 S-550
I don't own a W223. I have owned 4 S-Class cars: CL-500, S-400, S-550 and S-450. And 4 other MBs. Currently a loaded 2020 CLS-450C. I eagerly waited for the W223. I have personally looked at the car several times at various dealers. Frankly, I expected more. The car looks cheaper and less 'classy', but the price is higher and the MBUX system is more distracting than the Command system in the previous model. I could go into details but others have already done that, so no need for a repeat. MBUSAs arrogance regarding option selections does not help either. Why isn't 10 degree rear axle steering available with the inline 6? Why only available for the S-580 with the V-8 engine, which BTW has worse gas mileage than the V-8 in the S-560? The car is not as classy and is less user-friendly than the S450/550/560.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 737
Likes: 188
2021 S500 (Mojave Silver), MB S400 (wife), BMW 750Li (passed on to kids)
I would expect none of them....why would they have bought it if they dislike it so much!!??? LOL. I've never been in one and its well outside my price bracket.....But I don't like what I've seen in the pics and YouTube reviews to be honest. It almost looks like they were trying just a bit too hard to change the interior look with changes for changes sake rather than for any functional advantage. Not for me.....but then there are very few current car models of any brand that appeal as much as older models....maybe I'm just getting old!!
I do too; with only minor (first world complaints).
