WTB : W222 S65...NEED SOME ADVICE
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s500
WTB : W222 S65...NEED SOME ADVICE
Hi all,
I am in the market to purchase a W222 S65 and would like to ask what other owners of the S65 what their experiences have been. I know the w220 & w221 versions of the s65 had some reliability issues with the ABC and other suspension/iginition coils & modules etc. Are there any owners of the w222 s65 that can speak to the issues they have with their w222? Also please let me know if there are any s65 being sold. The newer w223 versions are too futuristic with their dual 12 inch touch screens and I prefer the interior/exterior of the w222 years.
Thanks for your time.
Rick
I am in the market to purchase a W222 S65 and would like to ask what other owners of the S65 what their experiences have been. I know the w220 & w221 versions of the s65 had some reliability issues with the ABC and other suspension/iginition coils & modules etc. Are there any owners of the w222 s65 that can speak to the issues they have with their w222? Also please let me know if there are any s65 being sold. The newer w223 versions are too futuristic with their dual 12 inch touch screens and I prefer the interior/exterior of the w222 years.
Thanks for your time.
Rick
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From: Laguna Niguel
'94 SL600,'05 SL600,'06 S65,'07 E63,'14 E63S,'09SL600 all sold, ‘15 S65,‘18 E63S,'17 SL65, '17S65Cab
I have owned more that a few MB V12's. The 2005 and 2006 were always in need of repairs to either motor mounts, coil packs or ABC system components. All these items were improved by the time our 2009 was built. The only replacement has been the original motor mounts under warranty in 2016. They had not failed but were slightly collapsed. The replacements are still good. In addition to the 2009 we also have a 2015 S65 and a 2017 SL65 The only replacements have been the aux battery in the S65 and the consumers battery twice in the SL65. Otherwise just scheduled maintenance plus tires and brake pads. The V12 no longer has coil packs, just individual coils. The 7 speed is a big improvement over the 5 speed transmission.
One point to note, all three of our newer AMG'S, the S65, SL65 and our 2018 E63S were (significantly) out of alignment when delivered from the factory. Plus, when the tires were replaced they each needed another realignment. Based on just my experience the W222 and the R231 are reliable.
One point to note, all three of our newer AMG'S, the S65, SL65 and our 2018 E63S were (significantly) out of alignment when delivered from the factory. Plus, when the tires were replaced they each needed another realignment. Based on just my experience the W222 and the R231 are reliable.
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s500
Hi Tom,
Thanks for the great information. My research on the reliability of these cars plus my preference for the W222 interior & exterior has convinced me that the w222 is the version of the s65 I am seeking. Glad you were able to confirm my findings. Shocking that several of your cars came misaligned...were these new or cpo from the dealer??
I have been looking for 2015 to 2016 s65 within a price range of $60 to $70K....with 50k miles. While not totally impossible...its difficult to get the black int/ext without being a commercial use with no accident. I guess I just need to keep searching. Let me know if you have a s65 you are willing to sell..lol
Thanks again for your help
Rick
Thanks for the great information. My research on the reliability of these cars plus my preference for the W222 interior & exterior has convinced me that the w222 is the version of the s65 I am seeking. Glad you were able to confirm my findings. Shocking that several of your cars came misaligned...were these new or cpo from the dealer??
I have been looking for 2015 to 2016 s65 within a price range of $60 to $70K....with 50k miles. While not totally impossible...its difficult to get the black int/ext without being a commercial use with no accident. I guess I just need to keep searching. Let me know if you have a s65 you are willing to sell..lol
Thanks again for your help
Rick
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Joined: May 2009
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From: Laguna Niguel
'94 SL600,'05 SL600,'06 S65,'07 E63,'14 E63S,'09SL600 all sold, ‘15 S65,‘18 E63S,'17 SL65, '17S65Cab
My 2015 has 48k, have not really thought about selling it yet. Its black with an upgraded semi analine interior, a light tan. I am not a fan of black, decided to live with the exterior but a black interior for me was a no go.
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s500
Hi Tom
Your car does sound nice....too bad you are nor in the market to sell....you seem the kind of person that keeps their vehicles in great shape,
Let me know if you hear of any S65 for sale.
Thanks,
RIck
Your car does sound nice....too bad you are nor in the market to sell....you seem the kind of person that keeps their vehicles in great shape,
Let me know if you hear of any S65 for sale.
Thanks,
RIck
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
Rick S65’s are available for sale. Go find one and get to enjoying it!
The 222 chassis is the best of them. You will pay a sizable premium for a facelift car.
I had a 221 that I enjoyed... with a number of issues.
My 222 car with carbon ceramic brakes has solved one of my big gripes about the 221 car. No more warped brakes, or having to replace pads and rotors every 20-30k.
The 222 chassis is the best of them. You will pay a sizable premium for a facelift car.
I had a 221 that I enjoyed... with a number of issues.
My 222 car with carbon ceramic brakes has solved one of my big gripes about the 221 car. No more warped brakes, or having to replace pads and rotors every 20-30k.
Last edited by JohnLane; Apr 26, 2023 at 11:51 AM.
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s500
Hi John,
Thanks for the reply.
I have been looking...there are many to choose from and still think I prefer the W222 version more.
Can you tell me what the difference is between the facelift cars is?
Thanks
RIck
Thanks for the reply.
I have been looking...there are many to choose from and still think I prefer the W222 version more.
Can you tell me what the difference is between the facelift cars is?
Thanks
RIck
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Thread Starter
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s500
Hi Tom/all,
I have narrowed my search for a s65 to a w222 but I cant believe the difference in price...nearly $50K more.
Some of the reviews state the pre facelift engines are more prone to oil leaks!! I definitely dont want to buy such an intricate engine and have to deal with correcting oil leaks, Have you experienced/heard of this issue?
Also...can you shed some light on whether or not all the s65 models come with airmatic or hydraulic suspension. I believe they all have magic body control?
Thanks again for your time,
Rick
I have narrowed my search for a s65 to a w222 but I cant believe the difference in price...nearly $50K more.
Some of the reviews state the pre facelift engines are more prone to oil leaks!! I definitely dont want to buy such an intricate engine and have to deal with correcting oil leaks, Have you experienced/heard of this issue?
Also...can you shed some light on whether or not all the s65 models come with airmatic or hydraulic suspension. I believe they all have magic body control?
Thanks again for your time,
Rick
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Posts: 810
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From: Laguna Niguel
'94 SL600,'05 SL600,'06 S65,'07 E63,'14 E63S,'09SL600 all sold, ‘15 S65,‘18 E63S,'17 SL65, '17S65Cab
All W222 S65’s have MBC, which includes ABC. None were made with Airmatic. I am not aware of any significant changes made to the AMG V12 Biturbo during W222 production. I am not aware of any oil leak issues. I have owned 5 of these engines and never had an engine problem, two of them were tuned. Were the car tracked it could be different. The facelift included minor appearance changes and many significant electronics upgrades. Speed Shift technology was also added to the transmission. My SL65 has Speed Shift and it is nice on the convertible, I do not miss it on the S65.
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From: USA
2018 S63, lowered
The exhaust is very tastefully done from the factory- wicked cold starts, quiet and refined cruising, throaty mid-throttle and an eye opener/head turner if you’re NOT inside of it at WOT. Other car enthusiasts didn’t ever assume they’d hear it from behind, but they often did. It’s the sleeper of all “sleepers”. 👍
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
I have had a 275 powered S65... No oil leaks, but it spat a main bearing shell into the chains at 78,000 miles. That was a treat to replace. Seems I’m the lottery winner with that failure.
My 279 powered S65 has been wonderful. No issues. I’m glad to have individual coils for each cylinder VS the coil packs of the 275.
MBC is a big leap ahead of ABC the 221 car had.
My 279 powered S65 has been wonderful. No issues. I’m glad to have individual coils for each cylinder VS the coil packs of the 275.
MBC is a big leap ahead of ABC the 221 car had.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
IMO, it doesn’t need it. MOST people that buy 65’s wouldn’t know what to do with a sport/sport+ button and could care less.
The exhaust is very tastefully done from the factory- wicked cold starts, quiet and refined cruising, throaty mid-throttle and an eye opener/head turner if you’re NOT inside of it at WOT. Other car enthusiasts didn’t ever assume they’d hear it from behind, but they often did. It’s the sleeper of all “sleepers”. 👍
The exhaust is very tastefully done from the factory- wicked cold starts, quiet and refined cruising, throaty mid-throttle and an eye opener/head turner if you’re NOT inside of it at WOT. Other car enthusiasts didn’t ever assume they’d hear it from behind, but they often did. It’s the sleeper of all “sleepers”. 👍
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From: Laguna Niguel
'94 SL600,'05 SL600,'06 S65,'07 E63,'14 E63S,'09SL600 all sold, ‘15 S65,‘18 E63S,'17 SL65, '17S65Cab
The first non battery failure just happened on my S65. It was the pulsation dampener on the ABC/MBC system. That is relatively minor and a quick replacement. Dealer had one in stock. Nothing is cheap at the dealer.
I agree with Busa196, the S65 is louder and throatier than it sounds inside the car. Driving hard in S or M, the exhaust is apparent inside the car and there are just as many cracks, burbles and pops on liftoff as on our E63S. I see no reason for a separate exhaust button since the transmission mode switch performs that function.
To answer John's question I was 58 when I bought my first S65. For another data point, Tiger Woods bought a new 2016 S65, so he would have been in his 30's.
All of our first generation AMG V8's and V12's drank oil for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The non-AMG V12's used no oil. Our current three AMG's use no oil between service intervals.
I agree with Busa196, the S65 is louder and throatier than it sounds inside the car. Driving hard in S or M, the exhaust is apparent inside the car and there are just as many cracks, burbles and pops on liftoff as on our E63S. I see no reason for a separate exhaust button since the transmission mode switch performs that function.
To answer John's question I was 58 when I bought my first S65. For another data point, Tiger Woods bought a new 2016 S65, so he would have been in his 30's.
All of our first generation AMG V8's and V12's drank oil for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The non-AMG V12's used no oil. Our current three AMG's use no oil between service intervals.
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
I’ve got to do pulsation dampers in my 221 S-65 and the 222 car. Easy DIY.
I purchased my first S65 at 46 years of age. Shouldn’t have waited so long.... but the 211 E55 was a blast which kept me from trying the bent-12.
I purchased my first S65 at 46 years of age. Shouldn’t have waited so long.... but the 211 E55 was a blast which kept me from trying the bent-12.
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From: Toronto, Canada
V222 S65 AMG
Not sure if this helps, but I bought my V222 S65 AMG new in 2015, then sold it, regretted selling it, and recently repurchased it again. Age-wise, I was 25 back then, although am likely not a typical buyer.
Never had any problems during ownership, aside from a failed alternator, weirdly.
Apparently, this problem is so ridiculously uncommon, Mercedes-Benz doesn't even make these alternators anymore - I was lucky to find one.
Never had any problems during ownership, aside from a failed alternator, weirdly.
Apparently, this problem is so ridiculously uncommon, Mercedes-Benz doesn't even make these alternators anymore - I was lucky to find one.
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s500
Hi Logan/all
Thanks for replies. Cant believe your alternator went south that soon.
I am considering a 2015 s65 with 45K miles and I have been reading up on the suspension system...is it really airmatic based rather than the hydraulic ABC system?
I thought the ABC was faster acting and more reliable than the air matic system? Also can anyone comment on whether their W222 has an issue with oil leaks? I have read on forums that the pre facelift version has had oil leaks from the front timing chain cover that was addressed in the post face lift years.
Thanks again for your help,
Rick
Thanks for replies. Cant believe your alternator went south that soon.
I am considering a 2015 s65 with 45K miles and I have been reading up on the suspension system...is it really airmatic based rather than the hydraulic ABC system?
I thought the ABC was faster acting and more reliable than the air matic system? Also can anyone comment on whether their W222 has an issue with oil leaks? I have read on forums that the pre facelift version has had oil leaks from the front timing chain cover that was addressed in the post face lift years.
Thanks again for your help,
Rick
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From: Laguna Niguel
'94 SL600,'05 SL600,'06 S65,'07 E63,'14 E63S,'09SL600 all sold, ‘15 S65,‘18 E63S,'17 SL65, '17S65Cab
The S65 has always been ABC. With the W222 the system is the MBC , which is an upgrade of the prior ABC system. There has never been an Airmatic based S65.
None of my S65's, SL65's or SL600's has ever had an oil leak. The 2006 S65 and 2005 SL600 had over 85k miles when I sold them. The 2009 only had 35k miles when I sold it two weeks ago. The 2015 S65 has 46K miles.
None of my S65's, SL65's or SL600's has ever had an oil leak. The 2006 S65 and 2005 SL600 had over 85k miles when I sold them. The 2009 only had 35k miles when I sold it two weeks ago. The 2015 S65 has 46K miles.
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s500
Hi Tom,
Thanks for the reply.
I always assumed that the S65 came only with hydraulic suspension or ABC but the 2015 I am looking states MBC which uses air struts and an air compressor.
A different name but still using air pressure to hold the ride height
Thanks for the reply.
I always assumed that the S65 came only with hydraulic suspension or ABC but the 2015 I am looking states MBC which uses air struts and an air compressor.
A different name but still using air pressure to hold the ride height
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,617
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
MBC... Magic Body Control... A large upgrade to ABC; using an upgraded hydraulic pump for faster actuation and cameras to read the road ahead and adjust suspension. There is no ‘air compressor’ for MBC.
Airmatic uses an air compressor.
Senior Member
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From: USA
2018 S63, lowered
You misunderstand. ABC... Active Body Control... Hydraulic actuation.
MBC... Magic Body Control... A large upgrade to ABC; using an upgraded hydraulic pump for faster actuation and cameras to read the road ahead and adjust suspension. There is no ‘air compressor’ for MBC.
Airmatic uses an air compressor.
MBC... Magic Body Control... A large upgrade to ABC; using an upgraded hydraulic pump for faster actuation and cameras to read the road ahead and adjust suspension. There is no ‘air compressor’ for MBC.
Airmatic uses an air compressor.
Thread Starter
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s500
Hi guys,
I always thought that the MBC was run by hydraulics too but the online stores like FCP show air compressor & air struts for non ABC cars??
I am happy to report that I purchased the 2015 s65 over the weekend and now will be looking get the car ready for its trip to New York. The car spent most of its life in the South and the previous owner had the windows tinted to help with the constant sun. While the tint looks great on this car...which came with obsidian black & black interior...its seems too dark for New York standards which I believe is only 20%??
I also need to address the fact that New York will require that the car has a front plate....while currently the car requires only the rear to be installed. The AMG front bumper looks too good to ruin with a silly plate holder. I have the original plastic plate holder that the car came with from Mercedes...its still sitting in the trunk. I believe its intended to be screwed into the bumper itself. Im not willing to poke holes into it...especially since there's probably only styrofoam as support. Does anyone have a suggestion that would allow me to center the license plate on the bumper without drilling holes or blocking the airflow?
Thanks for the help.
I always thought that the MBC was run by hydraulics too but the online stores like FCP show air compressor & air struts for non ABC cars??
I am happy to report that I purchased the 2015 s65 over the weekend and now will be looking get the car ready for its trip to New York. The car spent most of its life in the South and the previous owner had the windows tinted to help with the constant sun. While the tint looks great on this car...which came with obsidian black & black interior...its seems too dark for New York standards which I believe is only 20%??
I also need to address the fact that New York will require that the car has a front plate....while currently the car requires only the rear to be installed. The AMG front bumper looks too good to ruin with a silly plate holder. I have the original plastic plate holder that the car came with from Mercedes...its still sitting in the trunk. I believe its intended to be screwed into the bumper itself. Im not willing to poke holes into it...especially since there's probably only styrofoam as support. Does anyone have a suggestion that would allow me to center the license plate on the bumper without drilling holes or blocking the airflow?
Thanks for the help.
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s500
Hi John,
The 2015 I purchased has the normal brakes. I have looking for a good dash cam that will blend in with the interior of the car and not look like an eye sore...are you using a dash cam in your cars.
Let me know if you have any suggestions
Thanks
Rick
The 2015 I purchased has the normal brakes. I have looking for a good dash cam that will blend in with the interior of the car and not look like an eye sore...are you using a dash cam in your cars.
Let me know if you have any suggestions
Thanks
Rick
