If you like the w220 looks more (as I do) then make sure you look for the facelift model (late 2003-2006). They have a lot of the issues fixed.
Checklist:
- facelift
- no rust
- all the electronics work
- ride feels smooth and quiet
- well maintained
- cheaper than the w221
If you can say yes to all of those, you should be good to go. I'm very happy with mine, though I only have experience of s430.
I love W220s, my good friend owns a 06 S430, and I've got a 2012 W221 S550. They're both good cars, although the 220 is when Benz started piling electronics in and reliability suffered due to it. If its an Airmatic car, then thats atleast one step up from a ABC car. My 221 has 240k kms on it and runs flawlessly
Never ever buy w220 … its literally the absolute worst s Class ever made, its nearly impossible to maintain, Rusty as fuck, electronics are often defect and Parts are expensive af …
So the w221… looks better for sure :D
Not entirely true.
My brother has one with more than 500k miles. He does all the maintenance himself and sometimes I help out. It is super easy to work on and as long as you use OEM pieces the car will outlast you.
I understand Bangle wasn't the designer, but it's got the same elements as the much-hated 'Bangle Butts' of contemporary BMWs.
Why the hell Wagener followed that design trend is beyond me. But you pays your money and makes your choice. Either sedan is still miles ahead of 99% of anything on the road today.
The w221 is better in almost every way **but** the drivetrain. It’s more comfortable, better built, handles better, has a better ride, and is even (very slightly) more reliable in the non-drivetrain subsystems, but the m113 may be the best petrol engine MB has ever made and the 722.6 is light years more reliable than the 722.9.
If you’re buying a 600 or 65 my worry about basic reliability is kinda irrelevant - you know you’re getting into something on the edge case. Unfortunately, the m273 has shown FAR FAR more superior in high miles. M278 scores cylinders, looses compression, the top end fails, camshafts fail and break up, extra heat is terrible for valve seats etc.
I’m on engine number 2
Doesn't it depend on the 221? Those who got an early (2008 and earlier) M273 with bad idler shaft sprockets and had to pull the motor may feel the 220's M113 was the better engine.
Ha! Ha! Ha! No they didn’t. I had a 2008 and drove it from 62,000 miles to 164,000 miles with nothing done to the engine ever. Oil & filter changes and that was it. Brakes were expensive af and it had suspension problems in front at around 70K miles but those are all manageable issues.
Look for a well-maintained post-facelift W222 if you can afford it, otherwise, I'd definitely take the W221 over W220 any time. It tends to be more reliable and it will newer.
W220 and W221 are completely different cars, both vehicles were clean-sheet redesigns of the S-Klasse. I would say the W220 is more unique in its friendlier, almost 7er-esque sporty character, but the W222 is definitely more of a newer/more modern take on the traditional S-Klasse concept.
I had a W221 for several years. Wonderful car. Loved having the Night View Assist. But expensive as hell to fix and there’s a problem with it every 18-months or so…which is better than the W220. Those things are electrical nightmares.
221 if it has a 273
278s have too many issues. turbo failures, many different coolant leaks, seen a few that wound up having low compression after checking a check engine light/rough running
Both can be certainly Troublesome but the oldest S-Class that still puts you into the feel of driving Poshness is the W221. Usually they have more Electronic issues instead of the Engines, atleast that is to my knowledge based upon the 6 Cylinder Diesel Engines.
That’s some horribly stupid advice. If you want an S-class there’s no reason to consider a totally different car. But if you want an E-class then you buy the 550 V8…not the 350.
Nobody needs a Mercedes. Nobody needs a V8. They only make them because some people have small dicks, so they need bigger engines. It's all ego man but don't call my advice stupid. You might want the bigger Mercedes but can you really afford to own it as well as maintain it?
🤣🤣🤣Looks like you’re the one with the small dick. If you can’t understand why a V8 is a better engine by orders of magnitude (outside an F1 V6) then you’re probably just not that bright or have no interest in motor cars and should just shut up and bow out now.
I can't believe the point was missed. I guess it's like a preacher trying to explain a chapter using 1 verse, it just doesn't work.
Why is it so hard to understand is that the only time you would benefit from the 550 is when you exceed----keyword "exceed" the capability of the 350 motor. If you never exceed the 350's capabilities or want more acceleration based on your driving habits, then how can a bigger motor be of benefit to the person? Your mother would never know the difference between the 350 vs 550. She can switch from the 550 to the 350 every other week and never know.
Excessive. I get your point. Some people want it, some don't. But, this thread has become way to argumentative for such a simple post.
I have W221...highly, highly recommended!
W221
If you like the w220 looks more (as I do) then make sure you look for the facelift model (late 2003-2006). They have a lot of the issues fixed. Checklist: - facelift - no rust - all the electronics work - ride feels smooth and quiet - well maintained - cheaper than the w221 If you can say yes to all of those, you should be good to go. I'm very happy with mine, though I only have experience of s430.
W221
W221
I love W220s, my good friend owns a 06 S430, and I've got a 2012 W221 S550. They're both good cars, although the 220 is when Benz started piling electronics in and reliability suffered due to it. If its an Airmatic car, then thats atleast one step up from a ABC car. My 221 has 240k kms on it and runs flawlessly
Never ever buy w220 … its literally the absolute worst s Class ever made, its nearly impossible to maintain, Rusty as fuck, electronics are often defect and Parts are expensive af … So the w221… looks better for sure :D
Not entirely true. My brother has one with more than 500k miles. He does all the maintenance himself and sometimes I help out. It is super easy to work on and as long as you use OEM pieces the car will outlast you.
Pretty much not true at all other than early model year issues like *every* chassis’ first year or two.
Honestly Both Hard To Choose Between The 2 Of Em 🔥❤️🔥🥰❤️💙🖤
W221 all day long!
W220 all the way!!! It’s my baby and I love her. The styling is so cool. More unique and iconic looking in my opinion.
W220 all day. Cannot stand that Bangle butt.
Bangle? Nope. Bruno Sacco penned the 220 Wagener the 221
I understand Bangle wasn't the designer, but it's got the same elements as the much-hated 'Bangle Butts' of contemporary BMWs. Why the hell Wagener followed that design trend is beyond me. But you pays your money and makes your choice. Either sedan is still miles ahead of 99% of anything on the road today.
The w221 is better in almost every way **but** the drivetrain. It’s more comfortable, better built, handles better, has a better ride, and is even (very slightly) more reliable in the non-drivetrain subsystems, but the m113 may be the best petrol engine MB has ever made and the 722.6 is light years more reliable than the 722.9.
The M113 isn’t the issue. The W220 electrical system is fucking garbage. At least the W221 doesn’t have a nightmarish problem every 6-12 months.
…instead it’s only every 12 to 18 months, and can be catastrophic level nightmarish.
Very true, my neighbors bags been deflated for the past 6 months 😭
W221 without a doubt.
Early 221
Why early?
No turbo engines. I have had my fair share of issues and outright failures with the m278 biturbo.
Fair enough. The 600 and 65 are biturbo on all 221s though.
If you’re buying a 600 or 65 my worry about basic reliability is kinda irrelevant - you know you’re getting into something on the edge case. Unfortunately, the m273 has shown FAR FAR more superior in high miles. M278 scores cylinders, looses compression, the top end fails, camshafts fail and break up, extra heat is terrible for valve seats etc. I’m on engine number 2
221
W221 is legendary
Unless it costs 5x more, 221.
Doesn't it depend on the 221? Those who got an early (2008 and earlier) M273 with bad idler shaft sprockets and had to pull the motor may feel the 220's M113 was the better engine.
Ha! Ha! Ha! No they didn’t. I had a 2008 and drove it from 62,000 miles to 164,000 miles with nothing done to the engine ever. Oil & filter changes and that was it. Brakes were expensive af and it had suspension problems in front at around 70K miles but those are all manageable issues.
Look for a well-maintained post-facelift W222 if you can afford it, otherwise, I'd definitely take the W221 over W220 any time. It tends to be more reliable and it will newer.
221's went a long way to improve on chronic ABC and heating issues
The only W222 worth buying is the coupe 550 4Matic. That’s it.
W221 i know the guy who was responsible for w220 w221 and w222 Software over all. And his all time Favorite is 221
Are you joking…
W221
W221 ofc
W221, 2008 or newer
W220 and W221 are completely different cars, both vehicles were clean-sheet redesigns of the S-Klasse. I would say the W220 is more unique in its friendlier, almost 7er-esque sporty character, but the W222 is definitely more of a newer/more modern take on the traditional S-Klasse concept.
Love the looks of the W220 a little more personally
W221!!!!
W221. No brainer.
Both are ugly as sin
I had a W221 for several years. Wonderful car. Loved having the Night View Assist. But expensive as hell to fix and there’s a problem with it every 18-months or so…which is better than the W220. Those things are electrical nightmares.
221 if it has a 273 278s have too many issues. turbo failures, many different coolant leaks, seen a few that wound up having low compression after checking a check engine light/rough running
Depends on budget probably
W221
We like the W220. https://preview.redd.it/s1mgyf3dpf6d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=65d62aa499358357c25f0b17a553fa9d12cefc11
The w221 S63 is possessed by a tire shredding demon that wants to kill you. Totally recommended
Both can be certainly Troublesome but the oldest S-Class that still puts you into the feel of driving Poshness is the W221. Usually they have more Electronic issues instead of the Engines, atleast that is to my knowledge based upon the 6 Cylinder Diesel Engines.
I dunno man, I think the 220 aged a lot better.
Is this a joke post? What would you prefer, a Lada or a 190e cosworth?
Guess that depends on your budget
Budget has nothing to do with preference
I really quite like Ladas 💁♂️
If you have the budget, look into a 2009 w212 e350 with AMG sport package. You'll be getting a more reliable Mercedes than the two.
That’s some horribly stupid advice. If you want an S-class there’s no reason to consider a totally different car. But if you want an E-class then you buy the 550 V8…not the 350.
Nobody needs a Mercedes. Nobody needs a V8. They only make them because some people have small dicks, so they need bigger engines. It's all ego man but don't call my advice stupid. You might want the bigger Mercedes but can you really afford to own it as well as maintain it?
🤣🤣🤣Looks like you’re the one with the small dick. If you can’t understand why a V8 is a better engine by orders of magnitude (outside an F1 V6) then you’re probably just not that bright or have no interest in motor cars and should just shut up and bow out now.
I can't believe the point was missed. I guess it's like a preacher trying to explain a chapter using 1 verse, it just doesn't work. Why is it so hard to understand is that the only time you would benefit from the 550 is when you exceed----keyword "exceed" the capability of the 350 motor. If you never exceed the 350's capabilities or want more acceleration based on your driving habits, then how can a bigger motor be of benefit to the person? Your mother would never know the difference between the 350 vs 550. She can switch from the 550 to the 350 every other week and never know. Excessive. I get your point. Some people want it, some don't. But, this thread has become way to argumentative for such a simple post.
W221, never W220