Should I buy an 223?
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Joined: Aug 2023
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C257 CLS 350d
Should I buy an 223?
Hello everyone,
Hope you are doing all great. I am writing you from Germany and I have been following the forum for a long while, but this time I directly wanted to ask your opinions; I recently own a 257 CLS350d and except few things I am very happy with my car. I have made several very long distance journeys with my CLS (up to 750 miles per day) and I always had a very smooth and comfortable ride with full peace of mind. However, I am now considering to buy a 223 S class, preferably S450-500 or S350d-400d with very low milage from dealer but, as I have previously read so many cases related to 223's problems with electronic systems and eq-start, I have some serious concerns. For that reason, may I ask to recent 223 owners if they would reccomend me to buy and 223 or not. If you also mention your own experiences with your cars and your suggestions on the issues that I have to be aware, I would be more than grateful to you. Wish you all a great day!
Hope you are doing all great. I am writing you from Germany and I have been following the forum for a long while, but this time I directly wanted to ask your opinions; I recently own a 257 CLS350d and except few things I am very happy with my car. I have made several very long distance journeys with my CLS (up to 750 miles per day) and I always had a very smooth and comfortable ride with full peace of mind. However, I am now considering to buy a 223 S class, preferably S450-500 or S350d-400d with very low milage from dealer but, as I have previously read so many cases related to 223's problems with electronic systems and eq-start, I have some serious concerns. For that reason, may I ask to recent 223 owners if they would reccomend me to buy and 223 or not. If you also mention your own experiences with your cars and your suggestions on the issues that I have to be aware, I would be more than grateful to you. Wish you all a great day!
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From: Florida
Roughly 15k miles on my ‘22 580. Only issue has been a sensor failure for the kick-to-open trunk.
What’s your reason for upgrading? I had a C257 CLS53 and think its a lovely platform. If I hadn’t needed a large backseat for work, I would have probably kept it.
What’s your reason for upgrading? I had a C257 CLS53 and think its a lovely platform. If I hadn’t needed a large backseat for work, I would have probably kept it.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2023
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C257 CLS 350d
The reasons for upgrade are first of all I have been driving my CLS for 4,5 years and now I want to have a new energy. Second is S class have been my long time dream and now I would like to make it true. Finally, I also want to have a car with larger cabin. However, as I really love my cls I wont sell it either so, I will have two cars and drive my cls lesser than normal.
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The reasons for upgrade are first of all I have been driving my CLS for 4,5 years and now I want to have a new energy. Second is S class have been my long time dream and now I would like to make it true. Finally, I also want to have a car with larger cabin. However, as I really love my cls I wont sell it either so, I will have two cars and drive my cls lesser than normal.
The W223 S-Class is a great place to be, it is like an occasion actually, are you getting the short wheel base or the long wheel base one? Will you be mainly driving or something will be driving you? If you are buying new then you are all set if you are buying used, always get a pre-purchase inspection.
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2022 S580
18 plus months of ownership. No real problems to speak of. Love the car. Beautiful/luxurious/comfortable. My S580 is also fun to drive and more than enough power.
The technology is impressive. Takes some getting used to. No real glitches to speak off.
Avoid the 21 inch wheels and EABC. You’ll be good to go!!
The technology is impressive. Takes some getting used to. No real glitches to speak off.
Avoid the 21 inch wheels and EABC. You’ll be good to go!!
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Being ever the contrarian, I would highly recommend that you search for a low mileage W222 S Class. My 2022 W223 was quite problematic, to the point that MBUSA is taking it back. I am now driving a 2020 S560 and it feels tremendously more elegant and refined to me.
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From: Costco
2025 AMG GT 63, 2023 S500, 2022 GLE53
I enjoy my car as well, and this is speaking through the lens of someone who just got rid of a 2022 Mercedes GLE six months after buying it new because it was nothing but trouble.
If you’ve never owned an S class before, I think you will enjoy the new one, so long as it doesn’t have issues. I, too, am an S class newbie and I think it’s great, but I cannot speak from Steamlimer’s perspective. There’s just something special about buying a new car, especially if it is an S class.
If you’ve never owned an S class before, I think you will enjoy the new one, so long as it doesn’t have issues. I, too, am an S class newbie and I think it’s great, but I cannot speak from Steamlimer’s perspective. There’s just something special about buying a new car, especially if it is an S class.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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23 S580 Executive
Mine has been fine and the tech doesn't bother me, but I'm the type that builds my own computers and all that. In any event I'd say test drive it, this isn't one of those cars that surprises you later; what you see on that test drive is what you get.
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Super Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 577
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From: PA
W223 S500 LWB 4-Matic, W222 S450 LWB 4-Matic, A238 E400 Cabriolet 4-Matic
Yes. Be the first on your block to own one 
Don't expect to really be noticed much though as they blend in with every other "bubble" shaped car now a days. Straight 6 engine petrol engine has plenty of power and will be easier to work on when required.
A month or so ago, we got a formal letter from the state clarifying that on our vehicle title, the engine and main drive mode in our W223 S500 is internal combustion (ICE.) It's really only a "Mild Hybrid"
Folks must have been titling them as "Hybrid" or full "Electric Vehicle" haha
Don't expect to really be noticed much though as they blend in with every other "bubble" shaped car now a days. Straight 6 engine petrol engine has plenty of power and will be easier to work on when required.A month or so ago, we got a formal letter from the state clarifying that on our vehicle title, the engine and main drive mode in our W223 S500 is internal combustion (ICE.) It's really only a "Mild Hybrid"
Folks must have been titling them as "Hybrid" or full "Electric Vehicle" haha
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Yes. Be the first on your block to own one Don't expect to really be noticed much though as they blend in with every other "bubble" shaped car now a days. Straight 6 engine petrol engine has plenty of power and will be easier to work on when required.
A month or so ago, we got a formal letter from the state clarifying that on our vehicle title, the engine and main drive mode in our W223 S500 is internal combustion (ICE.) It's really only a "Mild Hybrid"
Folks must have been titling them as "Hybrid" or full "Electric Vehicle" haha
Don't expect to really be noticed much though as they blend in with every other "bubble" shaped car now a days. Straight 6 engine petrol engine has plenty of power and will be easier to work on when required.A month or so ago, we got a formal letter from the state clarifying that on our vehicle title, the engine and main drive mode in our W223 S500 is internal combustion (ICE.) It's really only a "Mild Hybrid"
Folks must have been titling them as "Hybrid" or full "Electric Vehicle" haha
or trying to get some rebate because they "have an EV" ?
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 577
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From: PA
W223 S500 LWB 4-Matic, W222 S450 LWB 4-Matic, A238 E400 Cabriolet 4-Matic
We don't have many EV-HOV lanes in PA like DC so I'm not sure, but it was enough to say folks would be receiving a revised title if necessary 
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 577
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From: PA
W223 S500 LWB 4-Matic, W222 S450 LWB 4-Matic, A238 E400 Cabriolet 4-Matic
For folks considering the V8. Here is a quote from Motor Week regarding the now seemingly very reliable M256 in-line six:
J.P. Vettraino,"Now the bottom line: The M256 debuts in two variants in the S-Class -- one generating 367 peak hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, and the other 435 hp, 384 lb-ft. The latter delivers a stout 145 hp and 128 lb-ft per liter. It’s only 6 percent less peak power than a new, 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 headed to the States in the updated S560. Add the quick burst from the ISG, and the M256’s peaks actually surpass those from the V8."
Since this is an older article, I'm not sure if they're comparing a non ISG version of the 4.0L V8 or not.
J.P. Vettraino,"Now the bottom line: The M256 debuts in two variants in the S-Class -- one generating 367 peak hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, and the other 435 hp, 384 lb-ft. The latter delivers a stout 145 hp and 128 lb-ft per liter. It’s only 6 percent less peak power than a new, 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 headed to the States in the updated S560. Add the quick burst from the ISG, and the M256’s peaks actually surpass those from the V8."
Since this is an older article, I'm not sure if they're comparing a non ISG version of the 4.0L V8 or not.
Last edited by Sleeper Benz; Aug 27, 2023 at 10:44 AM.
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For folks considering the V8. Here is a quote from Motor Week regarding the now seemingly very reliable M256 in-line six:
J.P. Vettraino,"Now the bottom line: The M256 debuts in two variants in the S-Class -- one generating 367 peak hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, and the other 435 hp, 384 lb-ft. The latter delivers a stout 145 hp and 128 lb-ft per liter. It’s only 6 percent less peak power than a new, 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 headed to the States in the updated S560. Add the quick burst from the ISG, and the M256’s peaks actually surpass those from the V8."
Since this is an older article, I'm not sure if they're comparing a non ISG version of the 4.0L V8 or not.
J.P. Vettraino,"Now the bottom line: The M256 debuts in two variants in the S-Class -- one generating 367 peak hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, and the other 435 hp, 384 lb-ft. The latter delivers a stout 145 hp and 128 lb-ft per liter. It’s only 6 percent less peak power than a new, 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 headed to the States in the updated S560. Add the quick burst from the ISG, and the M256’s peaks actually surpass those from the V8."
Since this is an older article, I'm not sure if they're comparing a non ISG version of the 4.0L V8 or not.
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Good start but I guess those who want a V8 got to have an V8, sometimes it is not about the speed, not saying the M256 sounds bad (it is) but the emotional aspect of a V8 that attracts buyers. V8 customers can argue oh they can just buy an electric if they only wanted speed
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2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Yeah, I had a 2023 S500 loaner recently. Certainly powerful enough, but not as smooth and subtle as the S580. Made the drive feel less luxurious. In general, I am a huge fan of six cylinder engines, but the great big W223 just needs the V8, in my humble opinion.
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I would agree, better yet with the V12. That is what I call smooth : )
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Yes, it’s too bad a non-Maybach S680 isn’t available. That would be an amazing car. I have been so tempted to go with a W222 S650 Maybach, as they all come with the three big options I’m looking for as standard: Magic Body Control, Exclusive Nappa Leather and the High End 3D Audio. However, I just don’t want or need the extra length and would find it to be a burden, living where I do.
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Yes, it’s too bad a non-Maybach S680 isn’t available. That would be an amazing car. I have been so tempted to go with a W222 S650 Maybach, as they all come with the three big options I’m looking for as standard: Magic Body Control, Exclusive Nappa Leather and the High End 3D Audio. However, I just don’t want or need the extra length and would find it to be a burden, living where I do.
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
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Definitely a vehicle to be chauffeured with as the main attraction or the star of the show is the passenger rear seat, so not the drive side rear seat, the captain's chair I think MB calls it? Yes, the driver seat of a Maybach is comfortable but the rear is where it is at.
