There is a general consensus that the W220 S class, especially some of the earlier models, are not reliable. In Fact, Mercedes reliability and quality took a downturn in public perception during the early 2000's, and only recently seems to have been rolling back.

What does this all mean? I hope to try and give some insight into this with some first hand experience, and factual price and mileage data for 1 full year and nearly 40,000 miles of driving during this year.

I have kept perfect records, including all dates, miles, and receipts for every maintenance done in the last year. In the beginning of this year, which we will start in November of 2009, I took the car in to a few Mercedes dealerships directly as I had not found a good independent to work on the car, but I did do so at the end of December of 2009 and thusly exclusively used the independent mechanic shop, whom seemed more capable than the Mercedes staff, and usually at least half or more the price in savings. So, for anyone who is out of warranty, I strongly recommend finding a reputable independent to work on your car.

I am not really a DIYer due to time constraints, but I do some of the minor stuff myself and would like to do the more complicated stuff as well. (I do the air filters, dust filters, charcoal filters, checking of all the service A/B stuff, etc.)

Here is my car information to start off:

W220 Mercedes-Benz S55 AMG, MY2001.

Current Mileage: 151,000
Mileage on November 16th, 2009: 113,585

• All of the campaigns were taken care of, and the car had a warranty up to 100,000 miles.
• I left some items out, like radar detectors, tinted windows, etc - as they are not service, but I left other items in
• that are good for the quality of the car, like rubber mats, wiper blades, etc.
• From December 29th 2009 and on, all service was done at an Indy and not the Mercedes Dealer. You can tell the prices went down.
• There are a few items that are left out as they were before the year, such as work on the ABC suspension around 105,000 miles, Engine mounts at 85k, and various other things done - but for practical purposes I will start this one year ago from November of 2010.

Service: Mileage: Price: (Parts and labor total)

11/16/2009 Oil Change 113, 585 $93.59

11/20/2009 Cooling System Flush 114,500 $425.00

11/24/2009 Lower Ball Joints and Control Arm Bushings 114,758 $1,643

12/01/2009 1.) Wiper Blades
2.) Full 10 CD set of Navigation CD’s 116,000 $351.92

12/01/2009 1.) All Weather Rubber mats
2.) Interior cleaning kit 116,000 $158.40

12/02/2009 1.) AMG License Plate
2.) Touch up pen 116,000 $56.23

12/02/2009 Left front Wheel Hub Cap 116,000 $15.01

12/05/2009 1.) Rear Brake Pads and Rotors
2.) Brake Flush
3.) Rear Differential Service
4.) Removed Grommet
5.) Replaced Headlamp washer Nozzles 116,284 $1,252.14

12/08/2009 New Spark Plugs 116,529 $620.10

12/16/2009 1.) Engine Air Filter
2.) Mercedes Anti-Freeze 117,200 $64

12/18/2009 Oil Change 0W40 117/358 $125

12/23/2009 Motor/Transmission Mounts, Power Brake Hose 117,500 $1,820

12/29/2009 1.) Transmission Gasket, filter, connector
2.) New Serpentine Belt and Oil Cooler reseal 118,300 $489

1/04/2010 Cabin Dust Filter 118,700 $32

1/10/2010 4 Wheel Tire balance 119,120 $47

1/12/2010 2025 CR 3 v Batteries for Key Remote 119,200 $10.82

1/19/2010 Activated Charcoal Filters 119,580 $156.00

1/19/2010 Fuel Filter 119,540 $200.00

1/19/2010 Oil Change 0W40 Mobil 1 119,540 $119.00

2/01/2010 2 Pieces Driver’s seat plastic bottom seat trim 120,700 $85.00

2/25/2010 ABS Speed Sensor 123,776 $253.30

3/3/2010 Left front Side Marker bulb 123,950 $4.47

3/21/2010 Rear Tail light right / Marker Bulb 124, 900 $11.00

3/23/2010 Accelerator Pedal, Pedal Position sensor 124, 900 $282.40

3/26/2010 Touch up Paint 125,500 $21.73

4/08/2010 AC Charge Freon 127,000 $176.10

4/17/2010 Oil Change 5w40 128,500 $135

4/23/2010 Alternator 129,500 $832

4/24/2010 New Front Rim 129,700 $270

5/21/2010 4 Hankook Ventus Tires, Alignment, left Rim 132,700 $700

6/1/2010 Engine Air Filter 134,860 $60

6/2/2010 Fix Nail in right rear tire 135,000 $20

6/8/2010 Front and Rear brake pads 136,096 $400

6/10/2010 Oil Change Mobil 1 0w40 136,420 $143

7/09/2010 Toll truck 140,700 $70

7/14/2010 ABC Hose High pressure hydraulic line 140,700 $270

8/05/2010 1.) Cabin Dust Filter
2.) Wiper Blades 143,500 $53

9/18/2010 License Plate light, R 146,400 $5

10/08/2010 Oil Change Mobil1 0W40 147,658 $141

11/08/2010 1.) Inspection
2.) Engine and Transmission mounts
3.) AC compressor bracket fixed 150,421 $1,021

11/17/2010 4 Continental DWS Tires 151,000 $860


The grand total?


$13,492.21.


A warranty would have covered 2/3's of that, or around $9,000 - as some of the other stuff, totaling around $4,000, a normal warranty would not cover. (Stuff like oil changes, tires, brakes, etc)


That seems expensive, and that's not even accounting for gas (Around $7,000 this year - almost 40,000 miles, average over that period of 17MPG, and premium 93 gas at around $3.05 a gallon. Add another few thousand for insurance, and running costs quickly are in the mid $20,000s.

Now, it seems shocking when you add it up like that - but perhaps it isn't as cataclysmic as it looks. Most of it is just running costs that any car would have, albeit it an S55 is more expensive in a lot of normal items like tires, brakes, which tend to be more expensive than a C class, or other cheaper car, etc. And if you figure in a good warranty costs somewhere around $3,000 to $4,000, the disadvantage financially here, and the only thing that could be avoided, is around $6,000 a year which a warranty would have saved. Otherwise, even someone with a warranty would likely spend 75%-80% of what I spent figuring miles/gas/insurance are about the same.

I hope this information is useful to everyone, and they can see the real cost of owning a car as expensive as the S Class is, and was when new. So anytime someone thinks they are picking up a bargain in a cheaper used S class, they may actually be spending much more than a cheaper car. Big V8, tires, brakes, all equal more expenses versus a cheaper and smaller car, which will also most likely have better gas mileage and possibly cheaper insurance.

One last thing: If it isn't obvious, even with all of the maintenance, I absolutely adore this car. It is comfortable, safe, handles well, powerful, and still looks as good as it did when the W220 was fresh. So it is a car I have a passion for, and thus the sting of the cost pays off - because driving 40,000 miles a year, I have definitely enjoyed it.

 

its only an s-class..sigh

 

Very good information.

It makes you wonder if it is all worth, but this gives a clearer picture of what to expect and can you really afford such a car. Very good up keep by the way.

 

engine/transmission mounts done 2x within 35k miles? wow.
p.s. my S600 in shop now for ABC hose/leak...even my advisor said thank goodness it's under warranty.
PL

 

You've lumped in a lot of stuff that is hard to call "maintnenace". For example the Nav. CDs, license plate, touch up pen, etc. In addition, it looks like you are mostly quoting stealership prices and labor. most of the same items you quote have cost me 1/2 or less. Get away from the dealers, find a good indy. mechanic and do what you can yourself.

The bottom line is no matter how cheap you buy it you are maintaining a $100 plus k car. People need to realize that keeping them on the road ten years in costs the same if you buy it new or at 1/4 the original MSRP.

 

In all fairness you put a lot of miles on the car, 37,415 in one year is nearly 3X national average, also your car is 10-11 years old. Add old age to high use and you get lots of money out of pocket.

But I am sure you have enjoyed every mile driven, your car is in good shape since you have maintained it well, so no worries it is only money.

 

I guess you might be shocked to know that is only about one cent per mile above the national average cost when you add in vehicle depreciation. The NA is 52.2 cents per mile. Your car is basically almost fully depreciated so you are enjoying a premium sedan for an average cost.

 

im shocked

 

Nice write up! I too thought about all this when I almost bought an 03 S55 130k miles for 5k (family member selling). I figured the cost would run around what you got considering the ABC on the car I looked at failed twice within the year. Still would love to drive one though!

 

try reading the next few words guy

 

That statement alone,

 

I don't think I've put that much into my car in the 7 years I've owned it.

maw

 

Some of these parts can be had on websites for half the cost. Many can be done yourself if you can turn a wrench.

I know a lot of people complain about maintenance costs for these vehicles. These are the same people that take their cars to the stealership and get charged up the wazoo...

For example, my last car was a 2004 Jaguar XJR. One of the headlight ballasts went out. I called a stealership and they told me that the ballast was $400 and labor over a $1000.

Yeah....no.

Bought a ballast on Ebay for $150. Went online to a Jag forum to learn how to remove a bumper cover and the headlight. Took me 1.5 hours to do the job.

My point being, if you have basic mechanical skills, you can save a LOT of $$$

 

Seems like the car would've spent 1/2 the yr in the dealership between all that work... and you still found time to drive 37k miles?

 

GREAT information - thank you !!!