I have been a long term car enthusiast. My first car was a modified Honda Prelude when I was in college and recently just sold loaded Panamera Turbo S.
Most of these cars I bought and sold within a year time frame (I have owned more than 20 cars in my life time) ONLY buying high mileage cars that depreciated so much in value and hit the bottom curve including the Panamera Turbo S.

I haven't experienced ANY financial loss in any of the cars I have bought and if I did, it was very minimal. Now I am getting older and need more comfortable car luxury car. Currently I am driving W212 e250 fully loaded. It is one of the best comfortable cars I have ever owned. However, I have a soft spot for W222 and I would like to upgrade to a facelifted (2018+) S450 or S560. I know anyone who will make a comment will say this is not the car to buy if you are thinking about financial situations.

Here is thing, I am financially capable to buy a brand new W223 as I am financially doing well and can afford to buy ANY car with except to high end special sports cars. However since I am an investor, I hate losses. I always buy appreciating assets to avoid losing money on cars which are known to be a complete depreciating assets (except of course special sports cars). AND W222 will not be an exception.

I am just wondering do you ALL W222/W223 owners don't care about depreciating assets at all. I am sure many owners claim car expenses for their business but I am definitely NOT one of them because as an employee, I cannot claim anything.

Do you all buy this car and lose 20%-30% in just few years and don't even care about it? How do you manage that even if you are financially well off? I want to buy s560 and sell it in few years and don't care about loss, how can I do it?

Thank you and I appreciate your positive feedback and constructive criticism

 

I’ve loved cars my entire life. I have been fortunate to be able to have had many. I’ve never looked at them as investments, just an extension of my hobbies and what brings me joy. I pick based on what my heart tells me after doing a lot of research. I’ve spent a lot of money on cars but I’ve also made sure to keep my finances in order, take care of family, and have retirement fully funded at the same time. I’ve never regretted any purchase by living this way.

Some say me doing all the work myself on all my cars is how I can afford/justify it. They’d be wrong as I’ve spent way more in tools and a lift in garage than what I would have spent having someone else do the work. But again it’s because I also love working on cars.

I literally don’t even think about how much money I’ve spent doing these things. I don’t see it as money lost. I see it as I’m lucky to have made enough money that allows me to use it on things that bring me joy. It took me many years to let go of the mentality that I have to save all my money or find ways to not have to spend it. Once I was able to it was very freeing. Even though I worked for all my money, I’m lucky and know it. Being able to not care about the cost of groceries or whatever bills come up is a very lucky place to be and I’m grateful for that. There were many years where it wasn’t that way for me.

I have friends with a lot of money, more than me, yet I feel for them because they’re trapped in a mentality that doesn’t allow them to spend their wealth out of fear or because they don’t feel they deserve it. I try encouraging them to spend more as having another 0 added to their account balance won’t bring anything additional to their life.

My young adult son thinks it’s wild and he jokes with me every time I bring him along on a shopping trip for more tools or coming home with another car. The prices in his young broke mind appear staggering. And they would be too for me when I was his age. I’m fortunate I can do this and be able to save properly for the future. It took me a long time to get to this point and be comfortable with spending money.

Just don’t spend all your money or go into debt for the fun stuff and you’ll be fine.

 

I love it to see more people willing to jump ship and enjoy the S flagship. Congrats on at least thinking about this car as a choice.

Don't over think it... just get what you love and what you can afford too. The advice by the forum colleage above is gold "Just don’t spend all your money or go into debt for the fun stuff and you’ll be fine." In other words, don't feel obligated to finance or lease if you can not afford the car. If you have to, just do it if you like it enough and if it won't impact your financial situation. There is a reason that not everyone has top flagship cars/SUVs for all his family members. Only you can decide if you can get one or more. Am sure you do not need a stranger to give you an advice on that, so I will skip this part.

As far as choices, I think you are in a great spot. You never had a W222, so simply just get that one. In my case I already had two, and sometimes I wish if time was slower so that I can get a 3rd. In fact I wish Mbenz just gave us a 3rd facelift of the W222 instead of the disaster they offered us in the 223. Just get your first S-class and enjoy the W222. If you are buying pre-owned, both are used, and hence it's easy, the 222 is the better car. Looks much better, and it has much better build quality. Technologically, neither of them is top-end tech car nowadays, so you will miss a lot of things either way, but you will really enjoy a flawless cabin in the W222. It is also the smarter financial decision now. Grab a low mileage 2020 or 2019 and you will love it. The W222 also comes with many options that are not available anymore in the 223, like night-time vision. Rear seat entertainment is hard to find in the 223 and was not initially available with AMG exterior packages, but easier to find in the 223 with the AMG body styling. Nothing to worry about as far as the engine; they both have the same engine to some degree, and this engine is not the best you can get in the market today, but with the right maintenance you can spot issues early on. They have the same clunky transmission so that should not be part of your decision making process.

All of that is to say that you will really spend less with the 222, and also enjoy a better car since you never had either of them yet... The decision is easy if I were you. Go 100% with the 222.

As far as depreciation and so on.... am not sure; I look at all of this from a different angle. If I can afford both options, I would just get the car that excited me more. You also should decide not forum users. Which one excited more, and which one looks more boring or unattractive to you? The 222 is an exciting car. If I were you, I'd drive both, and choose the car that I think personally is the most impressive ride ever for me personally. Take both for a test drive. The interior of the 222, just like other options, puts the new S Class to shame. I read similar things by others and I agree. The 222 stands-out more as well, it makes a statement, in a way that the new one does not stand out and there is something boring about it. Take the car that you feel more happy inside it when you look at the cabin, and maybe even see your wife and kid's reaction; which is more likely for your wife to drive, and which one drives your kids and neighbors to go nuts. In this case, you will get much more thumps up, and be personally happy no matter what, in a car like the 222. From my search I also conclude that many folks would get a reasonably, balanced, great comments about the 222 and none about the 223. This is my experience too as well as my observation from what people say. I think there is some charm about the 222 that makes you feel happy in the cabin, and also shares nice positive vibe from the outside. It's an awesome car.

In the end, best of luck!

 

In short, do it, reward yourself for your hard work.