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My pleasure to join the forum. I've been reading up for a while, and finally decided to register - this is my first post here.
I've recently had the privilege of buying a 2015 S65 AMG pictured below. The car represents significant sentimental value for me, as I owned it at some point in the past and always regretted selling it. After seeing it come up for sale, I couldn't pass it up.
Now, the car appears to have been well taken care of in the meantime, including a complete maintenance record. The interior and exterior are also largely immaculate.
What bothers me a bit though is that the car is ever so slightly on the wrong side of 100,000 miles, and from my experience, this is when "it" starts to hit the fan. I'm planning to get this S65 in Concours shape and never sell it again.
I've crawled over the entire car myself, and got it inspected by 2 separate Mercedes-Benz dealers. Both have assured me that the car is in fantastic condition, and requires nothing aside from a few minor maintenance items (e.g. new wiper blades, new brake pads, etc. - all are already taken care of). I've also replaced the following, just for the heck of it:
- Engine oil
- Transmission fluid
- All filters
- Brake discs
- Brake fluid
- Spark plugs
- Tires
- Erm, the alternator, it was doing funky things
Q: What else (ABC suspension flush..?) would an OCD gearhead with a ~ $30,000/year budget do at this point to ensure this S65 keeps me happy for a long time onwards?
I'm counting on your advice and help, it's genuinely much appreciated. I really love this car and want it to live long and prosper.
P.S. I own a number of AMGs and MB vehicles, such as a classic R129 SL, but none are at this mileage point, nor this complicated. I'm also not keen on buying another S65 - I like this one. I don't have a warranty on it, but there's a decent annual budget for what-ifs. I'm also not terrible with a wrench, although, needless to say, this likely isn't the most DIY-friendly car.
The only significant item I do not see on your list is front rotors. My 2015 only has 46,000 miles so the rotors are still good, plus most of the mileage is expressway rather than local surface street driving. I believe many rotors need replaced at 60k. My older S65 which was also all highway driving was right at the minimum rotor thickness at 80k so it passed without needing replacement when the pads were changed.
The touchpad on the console sometimes cracks. Yours looks fine as is my 2015. My wife's 2018 cracked about two years ago, but her car sits out in the sun during the day a lot more than mine does.
Are the mirrors and trim the carbon fiber option package or are they just blacked out?
My bad, I realized after posting I called the rotors "discs". To be clear though, I've replaced all 4 rotors, pads, and brake fluid alongside them. Am surprised to hear about the touchpad, would've never guessed this was an issue. The car is sitting in a temperature-controlled indoor garage though, I guess I should be fine.
The mirrors and trim are the carbon fiber package, yes - you've got a great eye! I specced this car with every single option, aside from CCBs, when ordering it initially. I'm kind of regretting skipping the CCBs now, and find myself wondering if it's possible to upgrade from steel rotors to CCBs at this point somehow. The dealer said no, but I don't really see why not. It's just parts - how would they replace the system after an accident, or due to simple wear?
The above notwithstanding, my main concerns, I suppose, are the car's complex aging electronics and the ABC suspension in particular.
It is possible to retrofit the complete CCB package. There is a member here, Streamliner, who had them retrofitted to his R231 SL450 by an independent shop. That is likely the only SL450 with CCB's since they were not an option for that model. You might try sending him a PM for details.
OP at 100,000 she is due for front suspension lower arms.... assuming they have not already been done.
A pulsation dampener for ABC as well.
Fresh ABC oil.
As mentioned above.... Carbon Ceramic brakes... love them in my S65. Reduced unsprung weight... no brake dust.... they don’t warp and don’t care about being parked when hot. Good stuff.
A number of typical MB items at higher mileages which may or may not need replacing on your car:
engine and transmission mounts
cam magnets and position sensors
top and bottom radiator hoses
thermostat(s)
propshaft flexible coupling
confirm cowl and sliding roof drains are open
check refrigerant hoses for weeping/leaking
recharge air con system
check trunk and taillamp area for signs of water intrusion
Run 2-3 cans of seafoam or BG 44K injector cleaner in one single tank and run the hell out of it. Will do wonders cleaning out the entire fuel system and also decaf on the chambers. Don’t listen to the instructions 1 can for a 24 gallon tank like ours is not concentrated enough. Sometimes I run 2 cans in a half gas tank to really increase concentration and it clears up idle and makes care run tip top shape
I happened upon a 2016 S65 today and thought of this thread. What are the weak links in this version of the V12 engine? Is ignition still a problem like it was in earlier versions? What about oil leaks, timing chain problems, turbos or cylinder scoring?
Honestly, owned a few AMG V12s, and never had a single problem of any kind with any of them, aside from a weird alternator failure just once. Wouldn't want to jinx it, but they seem to be rather bulletproof, particularly in the M279 E60 LA guise.
I happened upon a 2016 S65 today and thought of this thread. What are the weak links in this version of the V12 engine? Is ignition still a problem like it was in earlier versions? What about oil leaks, timing chain problems, turbos or cylinder scoring?
279 engine finally did away with Uber expensive coil packs. We now have a dozen coils; each of which fires a pair of plugs. Others suggest replacing all the coils with high miles... I did plugs and all the 6” spark plug wires. No oil leaks in my car that has 115,000 miles on it. I got to give it a water pump and a pair of idler bearings.... not the most enjoyable DIY project but once the radiator fan is out of the way it is straight forward enough to do.
222 car got the seven speed behind the bent-12. This is a win.
ABC is improved.... is now Magic Body Control with forward facing cameras that read the road ahead.
Headlights can have Intelligent Lighting jailbreaked. Contact Peter (BenzNinja) for that and many other opportunities to make nicer via software. You don’t have to put up with stop-start.
Find one with carbon ceramic brakes. They last and last with zero rotor wear or brake dust.
To echo JohnLane's sentiment, the M279 E60 LA engine in these cars is pretty much as reliable as V12s get.
I'm mostly - and without any indication of such, I will note - concerned about various electronic gremlins and MBC suspension issues creeping up as the car ages.
I suppose time will tell. My S65 is at juuuust over 100k miles, so I'll keep updating you folks on any new issues. Don't want to jinx it, but so far the car has been absolutely rock solid, drives like new and is always at the centre of attention at any owners meetup.
I'm planning to get myself another V12 as well. I used to have a 2007 and have regretted selling it a few years ago. I also have taken apart and rebuilt 2 AMG V12 engines from the 2006 model year. The observation made from that experience is that by the time you have 100-120K miles on the engine, the valve chain guides may be due for a replacement, besides that the water hose between the water pump and thermostat housing should be replaced (if it burst, due to aging, you'll have a sudden coolant loss that can be fatal to your engine).
I have a 2007 SL55 AMG (with the P30 option - NFS) and a 2017 AMG GTS, which I like a lot but plan to sell to make room for my S65 purchase.
As I have in-depth hands-on experience with the W221 - V12 I'm now going to look for a W222 and on up.
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2015 S65 AMG 100k TLC checklist?
