i have read all of the posts on MB world re the new s class and have been waffling between a new wagon or the s class. I had built the S class and have driven a friend's new one twice now and after the initial excitement started having second thoughts. it just seems too complicated to me compared to my wagon. I have also test driven the new all terrain and it was very similar to my current wagon. No real complaints with that model. My current wagon is my second one having had a 2016 before..I notice that there are many complaints and criticisms of the new S class posted in this forum and these have caused me concern. Just curious but wondering how many of the S class owners actually like their new vehicle.
I have reached out to Merc AMG and he was very helpful . He currently has the previous model s class and a wagon. i would appreciate hearing from any owners of the new S class with respect to their driving experiences and the various features..

 

For me personally, if I were to inject money into a car that is priced at the level of an S580, I would rather have a low mileage W222 that is either an S65 or S63. Tried and true, these cars have been proven reliable and they have all the luxuries you need without being complicated. I doubt that I would use 20% of the new features of the W223. I'm on my 2nd W222 and I love them both. The only problem with AMG vehicles are the costs of maintaining them, especially tires, brakes, and rotors.....which is why I switched back to a fully loaded S560 (2019).

 

Depends on what you want as they are two very different vehicles. Apples and Oranges.

Do you want cargo space equivalent to that of an SUV? Or are you more interested in a pillow soft ride and long wheelbase? V8 Engine? Or Inline-6? Touchscreen? or Touchpad? Large Backseats? Or Large Trunk? etc. etc.

With a starting price roughly 2x the E-Wagon you'll have to decide whether the S-Class is the right move for you, but I will say having had extensive experience and a few long-distance trips with the W223 Generation S-Class it is truly one of the most comfortable and luxurious rides on the market. Silky smooth and so much more comfortable than prior generations thanks to great materials and super soft and supple seats. That being said, you may want to keep your large hatch out the back and familiar interior design, and in that case the E-Wag is also a great choice and one that you will of course already be familiarized with, and save some money too which is always nice. The S-Class may be intimidating at first but the tech is honestly very easy to use and the menu layout and structure is simplified compared to prior Command and MBUX systems. The Augmented HUD is also fantastic, but of course you may not want or need these features. And these features will also likely be coming to the W214 E-Class as well, although its unknown and certainly questionable as to the wagon's future here in the states at lease. So in the end, like I said, two very different and very great vehicles in their own rights, its whatever you feel more comfortable with. For a family the E-Wag may serve you better, for comfort the S will serve you better, best to check them out and try and drive one to see what you like and don't like about the new S.

As for used cars as the poster above mentioned, I would wait for the market to settle, otherwise you'll be overpaying for what is one of the higher depreciating cars on sale, and the depreciation will not be pretty.

 

I've had a GT53 before my S-Class. I prefer the touchscreen in the S. It's more intuitive imo. As far as the system being too complicated or distracting. I don't have that issue. I get in and drive. I have no reason to tinker around with settings while I'm driving. The day I got it, I went through every setting and sub menu and set up everything the way I'd think I'd like it. A few days later, I may have changed a couple of things.

People made the same complaints with one of my previous cars, the LS500. I didn't have a problem with that system either.

 

If you are used to the wagon and feel torn, that is likely because you appreciate the practicality and uniqueness of the wagons. I’m a wagon guy. Any time I think of parting with mine, and drive something else, I am always happy to get back in it. It’s not the S owner’s thoughts you asked for, but for me, wash yours up, put it in sport mode, and rip the highway and then ask yourself if you want something else.

 

E450 Wagon is one of “THE” very best vehicles EVER made by ANY manufacturer.
Happy New Year!

 

I drive an S560 sedan daily. My wife drives our gorgeous, 2019 E450 Wagon. The wagon is fun to drive, the S is nice, but “fun” isn’t part of the equation. On a long road trip, the S is the way to go. For most every other driving chore, I’d take the wagon, hands down. If I could order a brand new E450 Wagon (not that horrid All Terrain thing), I would, in a heartbeat. If you love your wagon, keep it. You are a member of a very exclusive club!

 

That is beautiful

 

The W214 E-class is coming early 2023 (in Europe at least). Will affect the resale value while one would avoid new model issues when going for the W/S 213.

 

Exactly my thoughts as I know what you are referring to.

 

We have a couple of E Class wagon/estates and looked at a few new 2021 MB all terrain long roofs, but went full circle back to a big sedan. It's been a very diverse circle. I wanted the big sedan for C-O-M-F-O-R-T

If you're a home owner do-it-your-selfer the payload room of a wagon is better. Sedan without folding rear seats or hatch not so much. We're going to keep one of the E Class wagons for now and restore an old pickup truck that needs some TLC because we're always repairing or upgrading something around the house. When the truck is back up & running we'll probably look for a late model low mileage W222 since the wifey took a liking to them when we were looking at the sedans in general.

I think there are going to be some glitches in the new W223/ V223 systems as with any new platform. The good thing about these newer systems is that they have some flexibility to be updated over the air and I fully expect that to happen.

 

@martinlarose Your thinking is sound.

MB has a history of bellyflopping new model introductions. Read the V167 section of this site. The W223 seems to be faring better than that unfortunate launch.

New models are wisely avoided.

The W213 wagon is near end of platform life and seems to have most of the bugs worked out.

Caveat emptor on any MB model with the 48V system. There have been many problems and it’s not clear if they have all been solved by MB.

If you are buying to own and planning to run to high mileage beyond the warranty period, go with the W213. The W223, while attractive and filled with gadgetry, has not yet proven itself free of new model defects and its long term reliability is unknown.

 

If you want a wagon for daily use, and you like your wagon and you want a big S Class for comfort, keep your wagon and buy a used S Class and you'll have both for the cost of a W223.