Mercedes S550: Which model year? | FerrariChat

Mercedes S550: Which model year?

Discussion in 'Other German' started by Simon^2, Jan 22, 2013.

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  1. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

    Oct 17, 2005
    12,313
    At Sea Level
    #1 Simon^2, Jan 22, 2013
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2013
    My wife wants an everyday large luxury sedan, and has settled on the S550.

    The redesigned S-Class is due out this spring (April??) as a 2014 model... She wants the current generation for a discount.

    Assuming the current generation sells at an appropriate discount we'll be looking for a 2010-13, but most likely an '11 or '12. Almost certainly CPO only.

    Any updates between model years I need to consider? Any recurrent issues?

    Any thoughts on the 4.6L Turbo (2012) vs the 5.5L V8 of earlier years?

    Anyone have insight as to when the price hit on the previous generation is really priced in when a new generation is released? Is it at showing,... when the new model is in the dealer showroom,... later?
     
  2. vf430

    vf430 Formula Junior

    Dec 16, 2009
    666
    SoCal
    We had a 2008 S550 P3 it was very reliable and one of the best cars we owned. I drove the turbo car as well, prefer the NA car and the price was great too. 2007 cars had some issues with transmission other than that these cars are pretty reliable. If you want newest for warranty reasons go for it , but with new model coming they will drop in price faster than a 2008.

    Good Luck. Either way you cant go wrong with a S550. I will get one again after new car comes out and intial hit of depreciation is done.
     
  3. open roads

    open roads F1 Rookie

    Jan 28, 2007
    3,798
    Sarasota, Fl.
    Full Name:
    Stan
    Any year will do. Weve been doing them a while. The new turbo has more power. No noticable spooling time either. I like that. Giving a bit of gas to get the downshift is really nicer now.

    We are showing 19.9 MPG 15K miles average. That is a surprise for regular use luxobarge. :)
     
  4. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

    Oct 17, 2005
    12,313
    At Sea Level
    Thanks for the info.

    The local dealer says they expect the 2014's to arrive 3rd qtr and they have a lot of pending orders already... so they'll have a lot of current gens coming back in.
     
  5. tbakowsky

    tbakowsky F1 World Champ
    Consultant Professional Ferrari Technician

    Sep 18, 2002
    19,349
    The Cold North
    Full Name:
    Tom
    Love those cars. Can't really go wrong with one of those. Great looking, wonderful drive, full of luxury appointments, excellent machine. I would say its the best Benz in years!!
     
  6. Vinny Bourne

    Vinny Bourne Formula Junior

    Nov 25, 2011
    910
    just .02 here. My favorite S is the W220 series, sleek, large, and maybe the widest since the old barges of the 70's. These newer benz's are getting too narrow and long and the wheel arches a little exaggerated. If you could get this example with an aftermarket warranty you would be set. The nicest one I have seen - Mercedes-Benz Tuning Blog: Mercedes-Benz W220 S500 4matic Designo
     
  7. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

    Oct 17, 2005
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    Our thinking as well.

    I always liked those,... but prefer the current generation personally.
     
  8. redhammer

    redhammer Karting

    May 9, 2011
    127
    Warranty is a must on these cars. Its like maintained an exotic. I got 87k miles on mine and over 50000 dollars in maintenance between me and previous owner, moistly done under warranty.
     
  9. jm348

    jm348 F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 21, 2007
    3,017
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Jeff M
    #9 jm348, Jan 23, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Nice cars...I had a '02 S-600 but my '07 S-550 blows it away as far as build and quality. Very noticible difference in craftsmanship. '07 and up with pano roof, rear seat pkg and AMG pkg.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  10. Carnut

    Carnut F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 3, 2003
    3,797
    Gladwyne PA
    Full Name:
    Morrie
    I have a 08 and I love it 50K miles and still feels like it is brand new.
     
  11. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

    Oct 17, 2005
    12,313
    At Sea Level
    Thanks for the input guys. Sounds like none of you have had unreasonable maintenance costs. Correct?
     
  12. Jason B

    Jason B Formula Junior

    Apr 7, 2006
    397
    Hbg, PA
    So, did you get one? Update?
     
  13. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

    Sep 4, 2001
    12,887
    Cumming, Georgia
    Full Name:
    Franklin E. Parker
    Get a BlueTech diesel and you will both be very happy
     
  14. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

    Oct 17, 2005
    12,313
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    Not yet. The new generations are just dribbling in. Hoping prices fall another 10K by summer when the new model is more abundant, and then get a CPO.
     
  15. tbakowsky

    tbakowsky F1 World Champ
    Consultant Professional Ferrari Technician

    Sep 18, 2002
    19,349
    The Cold North
    Full Name:
    Tom
    Nice car, but before you buy, make damn sure the oil cooler has been replaced with the updated seals. My record for replacing those is 4 in one week. Job pay anywhere between 12 and 16 hours depending on the model. The blue tech s series I think is in the 12hr range.

    Stupid design on benz's part to put that cooler in the v of the engine, buried under the turbo.
     
  16. Serie1926

    Serie1926 Formula Junior

    Sep 8, 2012
    497

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