Don Molina

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for something big, comfortable, quiet, and interesting to crush ~50 miles of daily commuting. I currently have a BMW M4 that I love, but I miss the relaxed feeling of a big luxobarge as I used to own an E38 7 series and an LS430. I also do regular road trips across Europe (at least once a year).

I know I want something interesting, so I'm looking towards an S65 my logic being that you have ABC instead of air suspension problems and the more expensive engine issues, both of which I'm fine with. Everything else should be the same issues a normal W221 would have, right?
I'm budgeting ~3k/year for maintenance and have an emergency fund for something bigger. I've test driven 2 cars, and just really love the power and the ABC suspension feeling - it's really something else.

My questions are the following:

• do you think it's reasonable to expect 18mpg or above on the highway? Fuel is going to be the least of my concerns if I get into V12 ownership, and I know that, but I'd like to know how ridiculous it would get. We're mainly talking cruising at 75mph. As a reference my M4 does almost 30mpg in my daily commute, over that without any traffic.
• I've driven a car with 70k miles and another one with 120k miles. I really liked the first one; the second one is in great shape, but it has a lot of miles and the multi-contour seats in the front were busted. Generally most cars over here (Switzerland) are at around 60-70k miles, and if you go below the 60k mi (100k Km) mark prices go up really fast. I don't think it would be worth to pay 30% more for 10k less miles; would you agree? I would also actively stay away from cars with very few miles, as from experience sitting cars tend to throw out issues more often than not.
• The high-mileage car I tried yesterday did something very weird. When I would take my foot of the gas pedal after a hard pull, it would keep accelerating for a fraction of a second. Is that normal? It was very disconcerting and I don't remember the first car I tried doing it.
• S63s don't seems particularly cheaper, there are just more cars to choose from. Additionally, I'm guessing fuel and maintenance should mostly be the same. Correct?

I'm telling you, since I first drove the car I can't stop thinking about it. That engine, that suspension, and that interior are an amazing combo...

2007S65

I have a 2007 S65 for sale. It’s in the USA though. PM if you’re interested.

JohnLane

OP I love my S-65.... It has needed some attention whilst in my care.

Brake rotors are expensive with aftermarket alternatives available that reduce unsprung weight at half the cost of OEM.

I get 18-19 mpg on the freeway when cruising at 70-90. Set the distronic cruise and let the car manage speed and distance between you and car ahead of you. When being a savage she has shown as low as 5.5 mpg. I was trying.

Complicated machine that is delightful for any drive.

Spend more money for a 2012. Last production years are always best.

Don Molina

All the cars that are available here are 2007, one is 2008 with 20k miles and is more than 70k USD which I think is excessive for a pre-facelift car.

I think I can live with 18-19 mpg, and I'm well prepared to spend more for more fun. I'm also looking for a car that has recently done a full brake job all around, and I'm actually waiting for the service records to be sent from the seller before I pull the trigger.

Thanks for your help!

2007S65

I sent you a PM. The prices you’re seeing are absolutely crazy.

And i get 20 mpg in mine on the highway.

auburn2

If you want the luxobarge ride you might look for an S600 instead of an S65. Similar turbo V12 but the tires have a bigger profile.

With 20 inch wheels, the S65 ride is stiff, even when you put the suspension in comfort.

I generally get about 11-12 MPG around town and 16MPG on the highway in my 2007 S65.

BBanzai

I'm with Auburn2 on fuel economy. I've never gotten anything over 16 mpg, but that could be due to my foot! And while fuel here in the USA is cheap, that's an expensive car to drive in Switzerland. You probably won't do much better fuel economy wise with an S600 or even a V8 car.

Regarding mileage, I wouldn't fret about a 60k mile car mechanically. You will have to do plugs and coil packs (go with V12 IC Pack!) soon and don't forget the transmission connector (a $10 part!) every 20k miles. Brakes are expensive too. But the V12 hasn't been a bad engine, reliability-wise, at least from my research. Certainly better than the troublesome AMG V8.

Regarding the surging/pulling car: It should not do that. Something is wrong. My engine slows down quick when I'm off the gas and does a nice engine braking in Sport mode.

Comfort mode isn't too comfortable and the big tires (filled to 39 PSI) tend to follow the grooves on our terrible US highways. But it's no sports car in terms of highway comfort so don't let that scare you. My previous car was a Mazda MX-5 so this one feels like a cushy barge even in Sport mode!

A good pre-facelift W221 with 60k miles would sell for $30k-$40k here at retail or somewhat cheaper if you're careful. I wouldn't spend more than $45k unless it was something really special (like a blue/tan California car...)

Tschüss!

Quadrobenz

I have used an S65 as my freeway commuting car since 2006. I currently have a W222 S65. The W220 2006 had basically the same driveline as the W221, different body. I think the S65 is the best choice for a long distance commuting car. Fuel mileage on the 2006 was a best of 16.5 @ 80mph on cruise. It would drop to 15 on more crowded freeways where there were frequent lane changes and speed variations. After the Eurocharged tune the mileage increased to 18.5mpg @ 80mph. Likely because the remapping puts in more part throttle timing advance and slightly leans out the mixture at part throttle. The newer W221's might do slightly better.
The W222 with the 7 speed transmission is far better in every respect. The troublesome coil packs are gone, the ABC is now far more reliable and MBC has been added. Fuel mileage stock is far better. Steady cruise on empty freeways gives 22mpg at 80 to 85mph.
Last summer I drove the S65 from home in Laguna Niguel to Midland, Lansing, Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh then back home. The total trip average was 20.4mpg including a week of city driving in the usual stop and go traffic. Best tank fuel mileage was Flagstaff to Albuquerque at 23.5mpg at an average speed above 80. Worst was driving around Pittsburgh, about 12mpg. I have driven over 100,000 miles in S65's. If you can afford it there is no reason in my mind to settle for less. But I know I am biased.