I'm pretty sure I'll hold onto the car until I see an electric car that I really like. Sadly, the exterior styling of the W223 is anemic, but because I don't have any quality/mechanical issues with it, I'll probably hold onto the car for at least a couple years.

If I *do* get out of my S-class, my options are limited: EQS? Tesla? Taycan? I'm not a fan of the EQS styling (either the swollen-looking sedan or the soccer-mom-looking SUV). I would *never* get a Tesla until after Musk leaves. Porsche Taycan is nice ... but my impression of Porsche is that they're needlessly pricey ... the irony of this comment, as an s-class owner, is not lost on me.

I'm pretty loyal to the MB brand, as I've had about a dozen if their cars and have *never* had a quality issue. Unlike Audi - which I had to sue (successfully) because of a lemon 2016 A6 (Premium, supercharged). I'm not a fan of BMW styling, esp with those cartoonish grilles.

So my options are limited. I'm open to suggestions.

UPDATE: The car *DOES* have mechanical problem:
1) PARKING BREAK STICKS: won't release when putting the car into gear. The slam into gear with a loud *bang* that is so jolting that I've gotten out because I think I hit something (but didn't).
2) PHANTOM BRAKING: when distronic is engaged, the car will suddenly break hard for NO REASON.
There are so many alarms that I turn them out rendering them useless and irritating.
3) AIR FRESHENER only works intermittently. Admittedly this is minor, but it's still a malfunction.
4) REAR SEAT BELTS CLICK non-stop is someone is sitting there and using the seat belt.
It's infuriating and I question if they'll even operate correctly in an emergency/accident.

The dealership gave me a base S500 loaner, which i appreciated but this car is also riddled with the same problems.

I have very good relationship with the dealership and was told on 2 separate occasions by someone in sales that the cars are "glitchy" and by a service advisor that the cars are "overly engineered, complicated & not very user friendly, which makes them prone to problems, like the malfunctioning door handles and the parking brake sticking, touch buttons on the steering wheel, phantom braking, the endless notifications popping up on the center screen, etc...

I've been securing legal counsel if MB can't won't fix these defects. I hope I don't need to pursue legal action against the brand.

 

I find the RAS to be great, even at 4.5 degrees. Every little bit helps and makes the car much more nimble than its large size suggests. I’m in Italy right now and I imagine its even more useful here with the tight and narrow roads compared to the larger US ones.

I’ve had my S for close to a year and a half and love it. No issues other than the trunk kick to open sensor being fixed. Comfortable, relaxing, and stylish, and the big back seat is great for clients, checks all my boxes, although will likely only keep it for another year because I will be retiring and won’t need a car this large. Trying to convince the wife a new SL would be a pretty addition to the garage.

 

I've been eyeing the cayenne coupe refresh. I'm not 100% sold on the looks.

I love the flying spur but it would definitely have to be used. Over $200k is pushing it.

I ordered a LWB Range Rover over a year ago so that would most likely be my next vehicle.

 

I have a 2022 S580 "Executive" with the 10 degree RAS. Obviously, my previous W221 & W222's did not have RAS and frankly, I do not notice that big of a deal with the new car. I certainly would not spend all the additional bucks on an "Executive" line model again and do not believe I would miss the RAS much at all.

 

That's very interesting because this feature is one of the most upgrades I was looking for when I upgrade from my current S560 W222 to W223 sometime in the future.

I have an X7 with RAS, and when compared to my X5 without RAS, the X7 feels way more smaller and easier to maneuver. It also makes the X7 which is already a bigger vehicle much more flat on turns or when taking a circle, than a smaller and more rigid X5. I wonder if the Mercedes RAS system is more limited in how it operates compared to BMW. Both W223 loaners I got during my W222 1st oil change and a 2nd quick service visit did not have the RAS so I don't have direct experience with MB RAS, but I love it on my BMW X7 when compared to my X5 that does not have it.

 

First of all, I feel that on a car like the W223--ANY model W223--Rear Axle Steering should be standard equipment, as it is on the Genesis G90. I don't mean to say it isn't nice, as it is, it just doesn't impress me all that much. I drove my 2013 & 2015 S550's, 2018 & 2020 S560's without it and those cars drove great. If only my S580 drove like those cars!

 

The 10 degree is game changing in the lots, not hyperbole, it's very helpful compared to going without it or with the more common 4 degreeish setups.

 

I love the 4.5 degree. Find it makes a significant difference with a car of this size. Wish I would have gotten the 10.

Wouldn’t buy another car without rear steering…truly a game changer.

 

Agree, it has the same turning circle as an A-Class which is pretty damn impressive. Even the 4.5 degrees for me is very helpful with the U-turns I have to make daily.

 

Stream, I think you should hang on to your S580 for as long as you can. The car has provided you with an ongoing hobby to gripe endlessly about all its flaws.

If you sold it and bought something “perfect” (unless you bought another W223 which I sense is highly unlikely) you would totally miss this forum and we would miss your presence!! LOL!!

 

To me the RAS isn't very compelling, because I am so accustomed to driving a car of this size, its second nature to me and doesn't feel big to maneuver at all..if coming from a smaller car I could see it.

I would take the RAS if the car I wanted had it, but I wouldn't spec it.

 

As you might imagine, since I drive my S580 daily, I think about it a lot. I am going to venture a guess that the majority of folks who are happy with their W223's, came from something other than a previous S Class. It's not that the W223 is so bad, it's that the W222 was SO frigging great! In my opinion, the only things the 223's have over the 222's, is the quietness of the cabin and the 4D Audio system, maybe toss in Rear Axle Steering if you like. That said, my three W222's drove better, handled better, rode a LOT better and were more pleasing to operate. So, I feel that if someone came to a W223 from a BMW 7 or an Audi A8, Lexus LS500, Panamera, a smaller MB, maybe a Cadillac or a big SUV, the W223 seems like Heaven! I myself, happen to feel that the W222 was a much more pleasing car to drive.

 

Both W223 (loaners) that I drove were the 6-cylinder basic low-optioned ones, so my experience with them was not impressive (I assumed) for that reason when compared to my fully loaded S560 with every single option ever available minus the refrigerator. However, reading your comment here makes me wonder if that is not that case and whether W222 is truly a more pleasant daily drive regardless of spec's. I honestly like the look of the W223 (rear) but I hate the front end design, but like i said, the basic spec's of loaners I got did not allow me to fairly assess the W223. I still look forward to test driving a fully loaded one with the V8 engine one day. I think I'll be in a W223 one day as I trade on a lot, but I will make sure to carefully test drive or keep a W223 for a day or so before I formally buy one later in the future.

 

You are going to love the S580. It is a beautiful car. I have friends who owned the W222 and are thrilled with the W223 but are not vocal on public forums such as these.

I would love to get a gauge of what owners of W222 who have bought W223 think of the model. Yes, we all know Streams opinion and respect it. But remember Stream also had lots of problems with his W222.

 

My 2020 S560 was a near perfect car, with the exception of a rough 4-3 downshifting transmission, that MB either could not, or most likely WOULD not fix. They bought the car back. In hindsight, I should have kept it.

 

It's not as ironic as it may seem. The value proposition of a Mercedes is heads and tails above an equivalent Porsche's. This is spoken as a fan of the Taycan.

 

Stream, step up to the plate and get rid of your misery!! When is your lease up so you can get this ball and chain off your neck?

Perhaps a gently used W222 or the Genesis that you seem to really like?

I think it’s awful that you’re stuck with such an expensive vehicle you’re not happy with. I’ve been there. I found it’s best to get rid of the car ASAP, bite the bullet and move on. Life’s too short (especially after a certain age).

 

That's what I said. I've done it myself; it's painful to take the hit, but at least it's over. Although I'll miss you Stream, not trying to get rid of you.

 

I personally would upgrade to the 223 when the time comes, but I will do a thorough test drive on different wheels and all like I did before I bought the 222.

I think a lot of your issue Stream is the eABC. Mercedes made that new system firmer than the air spring car when the previous MBC was not firmer, and I think if you had a car on regular air you would be happier. I have read and watched lots of MB reviews where reviewers have commented the air car is softer than the eABC car, most recently the review of the refresh GLE.

Honestly at this point in car ownership I am itching for something new but I really don't feel that way and still really enjoy my 222. I like the 223, but I don't feel a need to get one, certainly not to pay $1,000 a month more to lease one than what I have. If the lease is similar I could see sliding into one when my lease is up out of default, but its not similar. We'll see. I felt this way about my LS460L too, and the only reason I traded that is it was hit in the back and that kind of repair makes me want to get rid of a car.

 

Yeah, MB should really be advertising e-abc as a performance enhancing and sporty option. As the way to unlock a more S63 style driving experience. Call it the e-abc sport susuension or something.

 

Is MB still not letting people lease transfer or third party buyout yet? Maybe those are options if they started to allow it again.

 

Nearly all manufacturer banks still don't.

One tip I failed to realize earlier was AutoNation dealers. Since there are soo many brands under their umbrella, you could trade in for another brand without any issues.

 

I wonder why they still don't open it up...

I see that makes sense.

 

I hoped it would be temporary and they were just doing it to keep their used car inventory high.

 

I mean it is temporary for sure but given how supply chain has improved much more than last year (I think?) they really should lift it soon.