tonykharper

Guys I finally had the opportunity to drive both cars. I now see how foolish my questions were.

I now know these cars are worlds apart.

Oh Yea! The S65 is unbelievable.

Now I need to know how the 2006 S 65 (W220) compares to a 2007/8
S 65 (W221).

I wonder if the W221 takes away from the full rocket ship feeling of the W220.

Please let me hear from someone that has driven both. I'm now busy looking for a 2007-8 S 65 to drive ,but it will be a while before I can get the time to do it.

Thanks for any input.

rondocap

I've driven both, and keep in mind that the W221 S65 is a few hundred pounds heavier and thus is slightly slower.

Now, the W220 is faster and feels more nimble, but as a compromise the W221 interior is better I feel. The technology and navigation system is updated, and I feel it has a better look overall.

The downside is that it is still more expensive than the W220.

Now, please make sure to get a full warranty. These cars can be very expensive when things break. Coming from an S55, which is similar in a lot of ways, there are many things that can go wrong over time. (Not to mention brakes, and tires)

bzliteyear

yes, look fwd to hearing your comparison of the W220 and W221 S65's.
PL

Fly by night

I think I've found my next car. 2006 S65 with only 44000 miles and extended warranty for 2 more years from Fidelity Black- black and pretty much all options other than rear seat package one owner and can buy it from private
seller for 43,000. Seems like to good of a deal to pass up.

bzliteyear

i'd be tempted as well, but then i think about waiting for the W221 S65. at the current rate of price decay, it won't be long until a 2007 S65 is under $50k, and i've heard both the chassis as well as the reliability is much improved on the W221 vs. the W220.
PL

tonykharper

I don't see the 2007/8 coming down to under 50K for quite sometime. Can you provide more detail about the reliability of the W221 over the W220.

I thought most of the bugs were worked out of the W220's long before the 2006 model year.

I know the Nav system and the electronics is better in the W221s but I'm not sure I'm willing to pay up for the W221.

Although I've never driven a W221 S65, I have driven a W220 S 65, and I can't believe it can get much better than that.

If I'm wrong, I'm all ears.

traka77

65 all the way!!!

AZBENZ-CTSV

Did you get it? I'm thinking about one as well. The prices are hangin' mid 40's for nice ones.

tonykharper

Well guys I finally had the opportunity to drive the subject vehicles. I don't want to upset anyone with my comments so please don't take this personally. I'm not criticizing anyone's ride.

They all are great cars, but they are very different. Reading the literature just doesn't prepare you for how different they are when you actually drive them and play with their features.

I currently drive a S500 W220. I've had two of these, so I do really like them. But since driving the W221's I now see that the W221 is a better car and is worth the price difference.

The 2006 S-65 is a rocket ship and makes my S500 feel very ordinary. If you drive a S430 and then get into a S500 you will see a difference, but the difference between the S500 and S-65 is much, much greater. My first thought was I would be more than happy to upgrade to the 2006 S-65 and that would suit me right down to the ground.

Then I drove a 2007 S550. The S550 is more limo like. Feels kind of heavy compared to a W220's, but comes with a lot of updated features. The Nav system alone is miles ahead of the W220s. The S500 w220 is more nimble and feels sporty. So then I thought perhaps a 2008 S63 would be all the car a man could want. And wow what a car it is. All the latest electronic gadgets, and with the AMG feel, and performance. Again I thought it could not get any better. Then I drove a 2007 S-65.

The W221 S-65 is far better in almost every way than the S63. The performance difference is significant and there are many not so small upgrades. The leather is in another league. Even the back up camera is different. The S-63 is fixed, the S-65 is active. Even the paddled shifters on the steering wheel are different. You don't immediately see these upgrades until you actual spend some time operating the car. Once you do you are hooked. The price difference in an 2008 S63 and an 2007 S-65 is about 10K. Perhaps the best 10K you ever spent on a car.

I know they have made some improvements in 2008 and later S-65s like the diamond stitched interior, and in 2010 the face lift package, but I'll have to do without those goodies. But before it is too late I will have a 2007 S-65.

Oxygen

S65 AMG as long as you don't DD it.

hyelifeCL

I have driven an 06 s65 and it did feel much faster and much smoother than my CL55. It's not like CL55 is slow or too rough but the 65 felt perfect.

I say 2006 S65 or w221 S65 if you can afford one.

tonykharper

Just picked up my car yesterday. The 300 mile drive home was a blast. Spent today trying to figure out how everything works. Some things seem straight forward, but there are so many things. I'm sure I have not found all of them.

My phone works with the car, and for the first time, I have hands free (bluetooth) operation. My address/phone book automatically loaded which is neat.

The Nav system is much better than my 2003 S 500. I have birds eye view but I do not have traffic updates, I need to do something there.

I've heard guys on here say they don't like and never use Distronic! Well, I think it is great. Works a dream, and should keep me behind the guy that gets the ticket. At least I hope so.

If you guys have found other interesting features of these cars, please let me know.

Oh bye the way, did I mention this thing is a beast. Hit the gas, and it is pure adrenalin.

Tony

bzliteyear

PM sent.
PL