W205C43PFL

Saw this video: skip to 12:23
They suggested to change the screen to something more analog for the Maybach, according to the channel host:
"We cover this topic in more detail with the one man at Mercedes that has the ability to change it. Stay tuned."
I wonder if it can be "retrofitted" to the regular W223 if it becomes a reality?

RyanCarter

This is my 4th S-class. I. HATE this car. it's constantly art the dealership for endless problems:

1. door handles don't reliably deploy
2. vent reflects in side windows - making rear view mirrors useless
3. constant alarms - too many distractions
4. dashcam doesn't work
5. fragrance doesn't work
6. 6 flat tires in 6 months
7. touchscreens galore are dangerous - car needs CONSTANT attention - my eyes are constantly off the road to deal with some alarm or electronics problem
8. seat buttons hurt fingers to operate/push
9. wifi in car sucks
10. bluetooth doesn't reliably connect - music & phone won't work/conect
11. red light camera on center screen can't be disabled and is highly distracting
    
    The dealership gives the dumbest explanations for many of these problems - they clearly don't know what they're talking about.
    MB customer service is useless; they don't know their own car - if they even answer the phone.
    
    This is likely my last MB. If you're thinking about a new S-Class ... save yourself the grief, get something else.

Streamliner

I was right there with you on most all your complaints, but now I’m back in a 2020 S560 and much happier. MBUSA repurchased my 2022 S580. Depending on what your state lemon laws look like, it sounds like a repurchase may be in your future as well. Best of luck to you.

places

We've owned our share of S class cars over the years. The 223 has ZERO appeal to me. And for people that state "it's still better than anything else", not good enough.

Fried Chicken

I really wish people would take a much broader view when saying "still better than anything else". That's just paving the path to mediocrity. Customers should demand the best. Customers should demand "better than anything that has ever existed before", because frankly, why wouldn't it be?

Mercedes has been gleefully riding the profitability of their reputation far too long, but as long as people are satisfied with mediocrity, why on earth would they change anything?

Streamliner

Well said. I know I have come off as a proponent of having unhappy owners pursue a “repurchase” by MBUSA and I am unapologetic for that. MB needs to feel the pain if there is any hope of them taking a step back, reevaluating and deciding to change their ways. It’s a magnificent brand with an amazing heritage. I just hope they can turn things around. For the first time since the early 1970’s, there is not one new MB I am interested in.

SW20S

You lost me here lol. If the seat buttons hurt your fingers you need to see a doctor, immediately.

Streamliner

Obviously, the fellow has exaggerated a bit. I know that I exaggerated a bit when talking about my 2022. It’s out of frustration. He had three previous S Class cars, so he knows how good the new car SHOULD have been. I knew as well and couple that with the infuriating responses you get when you complain to the dealer and when you finally cut loose and put your feelings in print, I believe we all tend to lay it on a bit thick. The bottom line is that the W223 is not a fitting successor to the W222. I would venture a guess that the majority of owners who like their W223’s never had a W222. The W223 is a huge letdown. It’s a car that should have been truly amazing, but it strikes out in most every category. It really is a shame.

S_W222

Am stuck in the same situation for the first time ever… The top 4 luxury sedan options that I always liked and/or owned all failed to deliver a vehicle that I like enough to buy now… The W223 is good but not enticing enough … I just can’t yet justify it. I hate the new ugly BMW 7-series…. The Lexus LS feels way outdated now…. And the Audi A8/S8 disparately needs an exterior re-design…. I have something to enjoy but am anxious about what’s coming in the next 1-3 years…. Unfortunately the W223 will be around for at least another 4-5 years, the 7-series will be around for another 7 years….Future of Lexus LS is up in the air…. Maybe the next gen A8/S8? I liked the new Lucid Gravity but am good with the two SUVs we have, and my daily-drive has always been a sedan. Am good with what I have today but the near future of luxury sedan isn’t as exciting as it was in the past few years; am disappointed. A Nicely equipped 2024 pre-owned depreciated Porsche Panamera might be the best option for me in 2 years from now once am ready for another toy.

places

It's mind boggling to read how often people bring their car in for chronic issues and yet "overall the car has been great and we love it". Acceptance of mediocrity (at best) is unacceptable in the true luxury world. MB clearly cashing in on their legacy as the best for decades, perhaps they will run out chips soon.

chassis

Indeed it is mind boggling.

It suggests that such owners associate with MB for reasons other than convenience. For example for peer admiration, or to recapture fond memories of their great-uncle's W140.

MBNUT1

There surely is some of that.....

I know in my case I am bonded to the brand as a result of my father's association with it. He was very ethnocentric about his German heritage and belief in German engineering and craftsmanship. At that time they represented exceptional quality relative to the rest of the market.

Since then the rest of the market has improved substantially as a result of the Japanese manufacturers and IMHO Mercedes has become less exceptional in order to be able to compete on price.

SW20S

Do what I'm doing, wait and see the refresh W223. The 223 is very close to being excellent, some changes to the interior layout in the refresh could make it a very appealing car. When you look at the interior of the new E Class, you can see where those changes would be.

If I were to buy a replacement car right now I would likely get a new 7. I love the look of it personally, I've done a 180 on it.

Lets not kid ourselves, MB owners have been doing this for decades. Nobody ever accused MB of making super reliable cars.

Streamliner

Me too, but I'm not thrilled with the styling. If I had to buy a new sedan right now, it would be a new I7.

SW20S

The styling is certainly different, but I like it. Like the S Class styling more though. The car is phenomenal though, and the interior blows the 223 away.

S_W222

That’s exactly what am doing now and it just came at a perfect time so I can enjoy other things. In two years, I’ll see how the facelift W223 would progress, and decide from there. I don’t like the W223 or the 7 enough now to get either of them right now but I know that they are still the best 2 options for a luxury drive. My point is, it’s going to be a very boring 2 years that I don’t want to even look forward to (I guess it’s a good problem to have for someone like me, it forces me to settle for a couple years and go from there). I love the interior of the new E-class. I could also revisit the M760 V12 G11 as an option meanwhile, but I already favored the Model S for the next 1-3 years instead.

SW20S

You’re not enjoying your Model S?

It won’t be 2 years. We will see the refresh W223 late this summer.

S_W222

I am enjoying it a lot so far, it’s my personal daily drive. The search for a W223 or any large sedan is that at some point we’d like to sell on of the two SUVs we have and get a large luxury sedan instead; that’s my goal for the W223 or 7-series or any other Sedan.
I said 2 years for the W223 because I’ll likely wait one year to see feedback before I seriously consider one.

SW20S

I wouldn’t worry about the refresh for reliability, will only be cosmetic changes

crabman

The must interesting tidbit is that the wheel is rumored to be going back to physical buttons; that would be a plus in my view.

SW20S

That would be huge, and I would like to see the dash better integrated

places

With the amount of MB cars we've owned I can honestly say we've been pretty lucky. Nothing chronic other than a squeak in a 2007 S class that drove me crazy enough to trade it in. All other issues if any, were pretty minor and one offs. It's the newer generation vehicles that just don't instill confidence, not to mention styling is underwhelming and reliability is safe to say at a low point historically due to all the tech and battery issues. For the first time in nearly 30 years I can safely say my next car will not be a Mercedes, nothing really excites.

superangrypenguin

It's nice to see you fanboys come around years later to the same conclusion I drew when I was in the market for this car.

Streamliner

Going back to the late 1960’s, I cannot remember when there wasn’t a new MB I really wanted, but today, that’s the case. My loaded 2022 S580 was such a disappointment and so irritating, as opposed to the fairly basic 2020 S560 I drive now. Every day I marvel at how the older car seems to do most everything right, where the newer car stumbled in nearly every category.

S_W222

Same here.... I had at least one Mbenz car in my garage for the majority of my life. This is the first time that I believe 1 full year could pass without having one Benz as one of our cars, specifically and usually it has been the S-class. I never felt that hesitant since the W223. Great car, but just not great enough... It's becoming just like Audi in my eyes, I like the brand but it was just never that enticing for me to try to own one! Can't wait for the W223 facelift; if the interior will change much (dashboard specifically, like the new E-cass), that can be enticing enough... Will see..