Hey all,

New to MB and wanted to get some feedback and opinions.
Looking to add to my fleet and thinking of a ~2019 S63 or a S560.

My dilemma starts to creep in when debating if I need a warranty or not? If yes, it may be better to find a CPO S63. What are your thoughts? Are there major problems I need to be aware of?

s560s have dropped significantly and I can get a smoking deal but unsure if a warranty would be warranted.

Fidelty (known warranty per forums) is no longer available as it was once was… which makes the decision harder.

 

OP find a nice S-65 and don’t look back. Drive one. You will fall in love.

 

Driving one is the fear! I live in Michigan so 4Matic is required or I’d be all over a S-65.

 

Continental DWS tires are shockingly good in that fourth season. Limited slip is easily installed. Not so many big hills in Michigan!

Try one. First hit is free! It can be turned up too.

 

I have an 18 S63 and really like the car. While I don't regret my decision, I would 100% go with a S560 4Matic. I wanted a S560 but couldn't find one with the options that I wanted. There are pros and cons to both cars, but I think there are far less cons with the S560. And if specific options, especially the high-dollar options aren't important, then you'll find a nice S560 fairly quickly and save several thousand dollars at the same time. As far as an S65, the price and maintenance cost premium are just too high in my book. 99.99% of the time an S560 will give you everything the AMGs provide.

This prior thread talks about the S63s drivetrain drawback: https://mbworld.org/forums/s63-amg-s...nsmission.html

 

I have had 3 S Class cars in the past 10 years, a 2012 S550 4Matic, a 2015 S550 4Matic and now a 2019 S63. The first two were Toyota level reliable for the 2-3 years that I owned each of them. I purchased the S63 in late 2021 when it had 9K miles on it, thinking I was getting another reliable car that would be more sporty. Nope! The AMG cars are very different and not nearly as reliable. I now have around 48K miles on the S63 and it has had some issues. Not just the usual tires and brakes along with oil changes. It has required at least 20K worth of work and is in the shop now for another 4K to replace the Oil Vapor Separators. Thankfully all of this has been covered under warranty so my costs have been minimal except for the $4800.00 cost of the Fidelity Warranty. It should tell you something that Fidelity will no longer write a policy for an E63 with the M177 motor. The Mercedes hot V configuration has had some teething issues that can be nightmarishly expensive. RMS and OVS, 9-15K, Oil Pressure Regulator, 7-8K, Plastic intake cracking 10K, General oil leaks, who knows how much. I love the car and simply do not know what to replace it with but I will probably sell it in another few years just because the warranty will be up and I will not trust it to not gut punch me with another massive repair bill. I am hoping that a new set of OVS's will be a longer term fix for most of the problems I have referenced as I think crankcase pressure causes most of the major problems with this motor. The issue is that Mercedes left so little room to work on these motors that almost anything is an engine out affair and that is 10K just to get started. Really torn because these cars truly are engineered like no other car in the world but I think MB has followed BMW into the abyss of cheap plastic parts that just have to make it past the warranty period. The only way I would keep an older MB with the M177 motor is if I had a lift that would allow me to do the work myself. I can do most of the work myself but you really need to have the time and equipement to do the DIY route with these cars and ironically MB made this drivetrain pretty easy to drop with the right equipment but at some point I am sure the electrical and SW gremlins will start to show up as well. It is too bad because I think Mercedes is probably going to go the way of Range Rover from a reputational standpoint with regards to reliability and quality.

 

OUCH!!!! I can't argue against anything you've said.

 

Goodness guys. Bummer the S-63 (really just the engine!) is such a pain. The 279 in my car.... (155,000 miles now) has needed fluids, spark plugs (three times), a water pump, belt and idlers on the front of the engine (all done at the same time), a charge coolant pump (month ago) , the crankcase vapors guy that bolts to the front of the 7-12 head (last week end) and one ignition coil. Zero engine out disasters. Huge power (more now with Peter's software), not enough traction. The software issues that were a PITA early in the life of the 222s have all been ironed out.

I have done all the work myself. Yes; on my hoist. I will be enjoying the car until I can find a nice low miles replacement with CCB at the right price. Second set of brake pads have 65,000 miles on them and have 13mm of material.

Buy the right car. The V-12 is the right engine in the 222.

 

There's one essential piece of reality that you're forgetting...PRICE! A guy can buy a used 2020 S560 with every option available PLUS A BRAND NEW Honda Accord for the price of a 2020 S65. Or a guy could buy a used 2020 S63 and pay for all the repairs @superpop mentioned 2X over and still have spent less money than buying a simirly equipped 2020 S65, especially when you factor in maintenance costs. You know as well as I do that you have to pay to play. If the OP values those things then he'll go for it. But NOTHING of value is free!

I have a 2018 that I bought in mid 2023. My repairs thus far have been one lower control arm, which I did myself. I also had a speaker that wasn't playing, just needed to spray contact cleaner into the connector. Otherwise brake pads and rotors and oil and filters, routine maintenance. I know that could change drastically at any point, but I count it joy to have the experience. Would I rather have the extra $20K in my posket for a similarly equipped S560? Absolutely! I just couldn't find one.

 

I appreciate this advice more than you know! Helps me save $$$ and be happy. Considering I will "daily" this vehicle and from previous experiences with high-end luxury sport sedans, this seems to be the way forward.

 

Such an amazing and detailed response - for that, THANK YOU!
I am sorry you've gone through so much hassle and stress with your S63 but thank God for Fidelity warranty. Without that, I am certain you would've pulled your hair and traded that vehicle in by now.
My Panama GTS is CPO'd - purchased with 18k miles - has needed: New front air suspension, rear upper control arms, entire sunroof assembly, door speakers, engine/coolant leak, turbo... and list goes on. Without it being CPO'd/warranty, I would loose my mind. Love the car but hate how many times it's at the dealership.

Fidelity warranty has changed leadership and thus resulted in many OG folks - such as Trenton and others not selling the warranty. If I were to purchase it, I would've went S63 route but seems like S560 is the better decision considering the substantial savings.
Thanks for your response. I genuinely appreciate it.

 

Beautiful you've reached those miles. Wishing you a million more!

 

Here are the two window stickers for comparison! Let me know your thoughts

 

Carlos.... The thread is back! You can do much better poking at me.

 

Here are the window stickers for both.
Plan on buying some aftermarket warranty... send suggestions if you have! Fidelity is no more unfortunately

 

I've never seen a thread disappeat and suddenly reappear liek thais before. Oh well, glad its back.

OP, good luck with your search. It's going to be difficult to find a CPOd W222 at this point, base on being 6 model years down the road. I did find a 2017 CPO S550 in 2022 so its not impossible. I would add this, a CPO is JUST a warranty. Don;t think of it as getting a "better" or more "thoroughly vetted or reconditioned" car. MB dealerships just check for tire and brake pad wear, mileage and obvious Carfax problems. If it passes that criteria they will slap a CPO warranty on it. But they don't do any reconditioning or deep inspection, their inspection covers nothing any other used car would receive. Havign said that, a comprehensive warranty is nice. But I'd hate for you to wind up in a similar situation as you had with your Panamera.

 

It is such fun. I wish you all the best in your search for a good one. The 222 is the best S-Class in terms of all around reliability and being able to service it.

 

Appreciate your viewpoint and suggestions - definitely an eye opener and the reality of how things are.
I only prefer a CPO because Mercedes-Benz warranty would be better (presumably) compared to any 3rd party extended warranty... but we will see. I can be wrong!
Have to pay to play as they say

 

What did you get? I too have a 2019 s63. I've had a fair amount of issues but I believe mine was caused by sitting idle for too long. CPO covered all. 2019 close to 47k miles.

 

Did you pass on the S560??? That car was last owned by a guy on the forum, unfortunately he passed away last year in July. He had just bought the car around a year prior to that. He did everything possible to make the car showroom new, and even talked to the previous owner who had it for 4+ years. I can attest that the car was in flawless condition while he had it. The member's handle was Mr Mischief.

 

fully loaded almost

 

This friends is my argument for not waiting to have that amazing car if you are a car guy.

Take the trip.

Make time for her and the family.

Tomorrow isn’t a promise.

Make the very best of today. Every day.