FloridaE55

Hi,

besides the changes in the appearance due to the facelift, what are the differences between a 2009 and 2010 S65? Pedestrian detection, Rear Entertainment system, Automatic High Beams, split screen, lane assist and attention assistant. Did I miss anything?

According to the official website, the 2010 S65 has the "Performance Package" as standard feature, so is it true that the top-speed of a 2010 S65 is 186mph and if so, does that apply to the 2009 as well? Is the carbon/piano-trim and the all-leather steering-wheel standard? The split-screen doesn't show up as an option on edmunds but at mbusa.com, it is an optional feature on the S600 and - costs extra. So is it standard on the S65?

Sorry fo the bunch of questions but the internet is full of conflicting answers!

Thanks in advance!

WSH

'10 S65 has several relevant dynamic changes vs '09...steering calibration, ABC (esp CrossWindStabilization), Tq Vectoring, PreSafe is smarter with more advanced DistPlus and BrakeAssistPlus, etc

Downside is '10 has bulletholes in bumpers...some absurd claim that ParkAssist (an utterly useless feature in urban street pkg in SF or BH, where spacious valet-supervised self pkg exists everywhere that matters) needs bulletholes

'10 has a far superior leather finish to sport steering wheel rim and airbag cover than '09

Both '09 and '10 have 030 std

'11 CL65 builds (S65 mid-cycle revisions plus the tweaked '11 65 motor) start early Oct (at least earliest build my dealer can offer me) and have a few new colors...and split view is an option on '11 CL65 (fairly worthless feature for an urban commuter car; who the hell drives a 65 more than 75mis from an urban region anyway? Have larger issues traversing Podunk in any $200K+ car), as are a few new, more useful trinkets like Alcantara sport steering wheel, etc

FloridaE55

Thanks, WSH!

So I guess I should focus on the MY2010 then. My guess is that the prices on the 2010 are going to decrease once the "new" 2011 is out. I'm planning on getting an S65 at the end of next year (maybe Christmas 2011) and hopefully, prices for the 2010 will be below $100K by then. I wouldn't mind getting a buy-back either since the car will be under warranty (and that warranty can be extended).

peebs1

Not much chance of 2010 being worth sub $100k next Christmas. Buybacks are going for about $120k now on 2009's. I'd expect your low-end number to be closer to $105-115 depending on mileage. Maybe a buyback with over 30k miles might get you close to $100k if it's not in very good condition.

FloridaE55

Well, let's see. Don't forget the impact of the higher 65 horsepower-number on the MY2011. Although these few additional HPs don't make a huge impact on the car itself, changes like that always impact the residual value of previous MYs.

It's true that right now, 2009 S65s are going for about $120K (this one can certainly be purchased for about $110K):

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

But keep in mind that it isn't Christmas yet, so projecting the current price of an 09 on a 2010 although the potential purchase is 18 months away (not 12) might not be that accurate. You would have a point if it would be Christmas already..

When I'm in the market, the MY2012 will be out as well (and who knows what kind of engine that will be - considering the upcoming S63, that might be a powerhouse with a far lower fuel-consumption since there will be no V12 AMG or a V12 in general from Mercedes after the 2011 MY)..

And your projected $105K is only $6K off my prediction. I'm certainly NOT expecting to get one at a price between $70K and $80K..Just below $100K

peebs1

We're not too far off, but as I said, my estimation is that a $105k car can be had with high mileage and not great condition. I'll assume that's not what you, or any of us, are looking for...could be wrong on that. My thought is that, when you buy an S65, you're looking for a car that is in fantastic condition. The car you posted from autotrader can't be had for $110. I know this because I offered that to them, and they told me to pound sand. Further, that car has some issues. One wheel complete curb rash, scratch on door, front and rear fender have dings/marks, mileage is 26k, and it's not CPOd. If the 2011 S65 was miles away in features, I'd say you're right. I just don't think there's enough difference in the two vehicles that you're going to see a precipitous drop in pricing like you want. 2010 is far more desireable than prior model years because of the many upgrades in the refresh over the 2009. We'll see...I'll open the thread up next christmas. I'm pretty good at this game...have been following S65s since late 2005 when the 06 was launched, but you never know. The economy could fall off a cliff by then, and maybe we're both way too high. And remember, the only reason why the 2009's are going for a bit less is because of all the features that everyone wants in the 2010....led head and tail lights, new front fascia, rear diffuser, new steering wheel, rear entertainment package, split view screen, etc. etc.. That was a really big refresh. Usually you just get new rims and headlights.

FloridaE55

It'll be interesting for sure. I personally don't care too much about the facelift changes and the few upgrades between 09 and 10. The rear-DVD system, as an example, is something I even don't like too much. On a soccer-mum SUV, it's a match - but on a S65?

If the "package" is right, a 2009 S65 does the trick as well. I'll keep my eyes open.

I used to purchase brand new cars in the past but I'm done with burning money. If a 2009 delivers the better "package" (condition/warranty/value), I'll get a 2009.

The reason why it is impossible to predict the correct price on a 2010 S65 is that we all have no idea what is going to be the "2012 S65" - it won't be a V12. One thing is for sure: It will be a totally new engine/philosophy. And if it's some kind of V8 TT that delivers equivalent HP combined with a much lower fuel consumption, the demand/value on the S65 could take a hit. So the 2012 could be "miles away in features" - who knows?

Questions

Can you elaborate?

jdhbraves1

Based on how everything is going does anyone feel the 09 will be safely under 100k by the end of the year with the 2010 being at or slightly above 100. Going from the residual value charts these cars lose roughly 100k in two years. Variables go into that of course but if that is held to be reasonably accurate most for sale online are way overpriced. I see a 2010 online now for 180k. I am not insisting on some great deal when I buy mine but finding one at a price anywhere close to where the residuals should be is proving to be impossible.

kalortpor

I don't think it'll be quite as drastic this time around as when the 2007s started turning 2 years old. We were smack dab in the Great Recession, the reputation of the W220 still lingered, and the market had lots of them. Now, Mercedes has cut back on production, the economy has somewhat improved, the W221 has established itself more solidly as a better car and one to hold its value better, and the current S65 has no performance gains or significant differences over the pre-facelifts, unlike the W221 over W220 S65, or W220 S65 vs. S55. This puts less downward pressure on the older cars than what we've seen in the past.

I'm also seeing hardly any different prices for 2007 S65s than what I saw a year ago, some S65 and S550 even went up in price recently it seems, so I would put 09 S65 at least around 110k at end of year. This all does depend on the timing/specifics of the nextgen S65.

tonykharper

Does anyone think the 2006-2011 S-65 will become classics and increase in value with time? If so, how much time???

e55 baller

I sure hope they will but who knows.

tonykharper

I just got back from a 2400 mile trip in my 2007 S 65. These cars are unbelievable. Surely they will become classics.

They are complex, but once you learn to operate them, nothing else will do.

Abosolutely love the car.

Tony

e55 baller

Isn't it a great car? it made my old W211 E55 feel like a Civic (if thats possible). It does take time to get used to finding out how to use all the gadgets like the back rubbing seats.

I just wish the cooling seats worked better (like my 2011 Kia Optima which is insane cold) and that the car had an extra heat exchanger or larger IC's as it runs hot (the IATs that I measured that is).

When did you buy yours?

tonykharper

I've had mine less than a month, but I'm deeply in love. At first I thought I would never get the command system down, but now I think it is very well thought out. I haven't spent any time on the voice activated controls yet but I plan to. It is a real shame to own a car like this and not know how to get the most out of it.

The Distronics Plus system has to be the greatest drivers aid ever.

On the open road or inter-state I don't know how I would do without it.

I agree on the seat cooling system. Not really very cool, but the heating seems to be good. I also have the heated steering wheel, but have yet to find the controls for it.

Tony

asad khan duhh

sir,

i am afraid that the s65 may not be for you. if you are trying to purchase a 2010 for under 100K$(through mercedes benz certified) you may have to wait until 2012/2013 calendar year, when new body style s65 is on the roads.

it gets more and more comical each day when people disvalue these two hundred thousand dollar plus cars to some how fit them into their dreams.

tonykharper

You hit it on the head "dreams".

I would not bet one will be able to get a 2010 S-65 for under a 100K in 2012/13. These are great cars. Well worth their price. The only ones that will become available will be from people with the where with all to upgrade to a new one. Not too many of those people, in this country, around anymore.

Go drive one and you will see what I'm talking about.

Tony

Fraser

You own an S65 and a Kia Optima?

Quadcammer

lol, a modern regular production AMG become a classic? hahahaha, stop my side hurts, hahaha.

Give me a break. The S65 has the absolute worst resale value I've ever seen.

Das Geld 2

I think only coupes and roadsters do.

Look at the SL from the 70s+