S63 or S65?
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S63 or S65?
Hello everyone. New member here looking to purchase my first MB! My father has owned a couple, and I think that’s where my attraction began for them. I always have loved the W221 style and that’s what I am looking to purchase. I’m sure it has been posted and discussed previously, but being a new member I am not entirely sure how to begin searching for what could be countless answers. The following are what I am considering to purchase;
2010 S63 (6.2 N/A)
2011+ S63 (5.5 Bi-Turbo)
2010+ S65 (6.0 Bi-Turbo)
There is currently a 2010 S63 for sale locally within very reasonable price (see picture below of this exact model). From what I understand, the were two types of 7-Speed transmissions for the S63. Which year production was better? IF I do purchase the local 6.2 N/A do I really have to worry about head bolts like everyone claims? Does the 2010 have the better of the 7-Speed transmissions?
Or, if I decide to stay with the S63, should I hold out for a lower mileage Bi-Turbo? And if I do decide to go with the Bi-Turbo route, do I even bother with the S63 and just spend a little more coin on an S65? I could have sworn I read somewhere the 5-Speed transmissions in the S65 are not as good as the 7-Speed in the S63. Sorry for all the amateur questions, but this platform is new to me, and I’m eager to get behind the wheel of one. Thank you to anyone who can guide me in the right direction with this purchase. Below is a picture of the exact 2010 6.2 I would be considering.
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Even if I can pick up that 2010 for a very low price? Like I had mentioned, if I do hold out for a 2011+ do I still consider the S63? Or look for an S65 at that point. Trying to figure out which model(s) have the best supporting transmission.
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GL
maw
Last edited by maw1124; Jan 15, 2019 at 12:06 PM.
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Yes, even if the 2010 is cheaper. The N/A was a bit underpowered for this chassis, IMO. Great for the E63, CLK63 and SL63, but borderline in the CL and a hair light in the S. The TTV8 has what it needs, which is why they cost more. As for the transmission question, see here... http://www.mercedesmedic.com/722-9-7...ems-solutions/ The differences are mostly about fuel efficiency. The 7GTronic couldn't support the engine start/stop function, which itself was about fuel efficiency (EPA CAFE regulations). The TTV12 in those years is about bragging rights IMO. Sure, its The Daddy, but it's also more costly in almost every conceivable manner, for extra power you probably don't need and most likely won't experience. But that depends upon you -- if you spend most of your time hustling around in the car with 4 grown adults and a boot full of luggage, maybe then the extra 4 cylinders and power is worth taking care of. But in those years, coil packs and ignition modules go almost at will, and nothing on the car is cheap. MB AMG didn't seem to get that remedied until the W222 chassis. Also, if the 63 has Airmatic and the 65 has ABC (which might be the case, I forget), then that's another reason to steer toward the 63. The major expenses on the W221 65 are coil packs, ignition modules and ABC system. Those 3 added together are 5-figure expenses by the time you deal with them. And if you have transmission issues (common on 65s because people tune the TCU and push them too hard), you're into regretting the purchase territory. The TCU on these cars cuts back torque delivery during shifts to protect the transmission. You start monkeying around with those safety parameters, and you're asking for transmission failure, which plenty of people have learned after the fact. Finally, brakes are costly on these cars and the heavier the car (65), the more you end up spending on brakes.
GL
maw
GL
maw
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
OP look at interior in the V-8 car VS the S-65. S-65 got the best of everything. I'm particularly fond of the diamond stitched leather in the S-65.
Brakes are the same in S-63 vs S-65. Brake rotors on hats are readily available as replacements for expensive heavy stock parts.
S-63 with rear drive will have ABC. All wheel drive cars got Airmatic.
The seven speed box is busy shifting all the time. The bent-12 makes enough torque that more ratios are not really needed. That said... I look forward to buying a 222 chassis S-65 with that seven speed box.
The radio sucks in 221 cars. 222 cars got Burmeister sound that is the best I have heard in a car.
My 221 car has required some painful repairs. Love driving the dumb thing!
Brakes are the same in S-63 vs S-65. Brake rotors on hats are readily available as replacements for expensive heavy stock parts.
S-63 with rear drive will have ABC. All wheel drive cars got Airmatic.
The seven speed box is busy shifting all the time. The bent-12 makes enough torque that more ratios are not really needed. That said... I look forward to buying a 222 chassis S-65 with that seven speed box.
The radio sucks in 221 cars. 222 cars got Burmeister sound that is the best I have heard in a car.
My 221 car has required some painful repairs. Love driving the dumb thing!
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'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
4Matic 63 cars didn’t come along until W222, which he’s not looking at. He’s after a W221. All W221 cars may have ABC, and that’s good info about the brakes. Yes the diamond stitched interior on the 65 cars is bad ***. But you pay for it elsewhere. Best advice is drive them both, and don’t make a keyboard decision. Coil packs and ignition modules really hampered the pre-W222 65 cars.
maw
maw
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4Matic 63 cars didn’t come along until W222, which he’s not looking at. He’s after a W221. All W221 cars may have ABC, and that’s good info about the brakes. Yes the diamond stitched interior on the 65 cars is bad ***. But you pay for it elsewhere. Best advice is drive them both, and don’t make a keyboard decision. Coil packs and ignition modules really hampered the pre-W222 65 cars.
maw
maw
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'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
I think I have officially ruled out the option of an S65. At this point it’s between the 6.2 or the 5.5 looking for the better motor far as reliability, and which of the 2 have the better 7-Speed trans. I understand power can be easily added to both platforms regardless of decision. Just trying to figure out which is best.
maw
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
OP if it will be a bent eight the only one worth choosing is the turbo 5.5 liter.
As Maw mentioned above... As new as you can manage... If you are not handy about mechanical/electronic issues.... Be sure that you pay for the longest warranty that covers everything about it.
As Maw mentioned above... As new as you can manage... If you are not handy about mechanical/electronic issues.... Be sure that you pay for the longest warranty that covers everything about it.
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OP if it will be a bent eight the only one worth choosing is the turbo 5.5 liter.
As Maw mentioned above... As new as you can manage... If you are not handy about mechanical/electronic issues.... Be sure that you pay for the longest warranty that covers everything about it.
As Maw mentioned above... As new as you can manage... If you are not handy about mechanical/electronic issues.... Be sure that you pay for the longest warranty that covers everything about it.
