2012 Merc S550, reliability, etc.

[ddduke]

Wife is in the market for a new car right now. We're pretty much decided on a 2012 S550 4matic. They've already depreciated like crazy so IMO are an absolute steal, it's low mileage, still under warranty and I'm able to purchase an extended warranty through MB.

I've done a fair bit of searching into reliability and can't find much besides reviews that are within the first year of ownership (which are almost always good). It seems like most of the people that own these things trade them in every 2 years so I can't find a while lot on long term reliability.

I know there's a ton of MB fanboys on this site and many of you own similar vehicles (there's some cls550s, cl550s on this site) so just curious what you guys think of these things, I spend a lot of time out of town so I don't want my wife to be stranded while I'm away.

[Canucks3322]

When I see a woman driving a car this big I automatically go into defensive driving mode not that ai don't normally drive defensively but I pay extra attention. Sorry I grew up in Richmond, BC.

[shakalaka]

Do some research on mbworld.org. They have a S class specific forum where I am certain tons of members will be able to pitch in. I don't have much experience with them. Have contemplated one a few times but just get turned away the massive size and boat like feeling they have. As far as luxury is concerned, they have tons of that. Since you're looking at a relatively newer model, I don't think you should worry too much about the reliability aspect either.

[AE92_TreunoSC]

I only worked on a handful but I must say the S550 is one of my all time favorite cars. That said I would carry a form of warranty one way or the other for sure to cover any large expenses such as the air ride, which I believe is one common fault on pretty much any MB with age.

I love how smooth they ride, it ruined my perspective of how a luxury car should feel.

[pf0sh0]

Just buy a civic

[killramos]

Maintain the warranty. I don't know if my in laws have the worst luck in the world but the CLS is always in the shop for one kind of electronic fault or another theirs is '12 or '13 as well. Most recently it was throwing a CEL due to a bad sensor.

The S just has more electronics in it to go wrong...

I was in for a major disappointment yesterday when my MiL picked me up in her wrangler...

:rofl:

Aside from that you cant really get a nicer car :dunno: , just depends on your wifes tolerance to frequent and expensive service imo

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/22/57/cb/2257cb6732ef3c8d0837c2d28f97f45e.jpg

[rage2]

My CLS550 has been near flawless through my 2 1/2 years of ownership. The only issue I had was a blown speaker which was replaced under warranty.

Airmatic suspension, those typically need replacing at 100,000km on average. Electronics are much better than the last generation of MB's during the Daimler Chrysler era, but if something does go wrong, be prepared to shell out $$$. Other than that, the S550 is an awesome car.

[clem24]

I love the look of the S550 and it's one of the few boats that really turn my head LOL. Also consider the same year 750LI XDrive. Totally a toss up for me. One thing about the Bimmer is that the 7 series do 'feel' a lot smaller than they actually are.

What is the year they go with turbo in the S550? Is it 2012?

[rage2]

2012. 2011's had the old AMG 5.4L NA V8.

[VWEvo]

I owned a 2012 750Li, it was meh. It was comfortable but extremely boring to drive. I finally got so bored I traded in for an m5. However, if I'm not mistaken, 2012 750's can be had for very cheap, so it may still be worth consideration.

[01RedDX]

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[rage2]

New brakes at 17k? WTF was he tracking it or something?

I drive the crap out of my CLS550, and at 48k still have tons of brakes left.

[01RedDX]

.

[ddduke]

Thanks guys, with this car I'm letting her choose exactly what she wants so that almost immediately eliminated the 7 series. She also doesn't care about performance, the sales guy and I were trying to get her to look at the E63/ML63 and she didn't like those either.

In the end it came down to being between the SQ5 and S550 (yes, I know they're completely different vehicles but women are weird) and I just couldn't get on board with having that particular Audi.

This isn't going to be a super long term vehicle either, I can't see it being around much more then 2 years.

[killramos]

Originally posted by ddduke
Thanks guys, with this car I'm letting her choose exactly what she wants so that almost immediately eliminated the 7 series. She also doesn't care about performance, the sales guy and I were trying to get her to look at the E63/ML63 and she didn't like those either.

In the end it came down to being between the SQ5 and S550 (yes, I know they're completely different vehicles but women are weird) and I just couldn't get on board with having that particular Audi.

This isn't going to be a super long term vehicle either, I can't see it being around much more then 2 years.

Just make sure its in warranty the whole time then.

Rage does lonestar still give out loaners fairly leniently?

[rage2]

I heard you have to pay for loaners now. Availability has gone up because of that policy.

[killramos]

So the same as BMW then. I cant even get a loaner from them through normal channels because I am to young. Their insurance wont cover me.

:rofl:

[ddduke]

Originally posted by killramos
So the same as BMW then. I cant even get a loaner from them through normal channels because I am to young. Their insurance wont cover me.

:rofl:

wtf? How old are you? I thought over 25 and you'd be golden.

[killramos]

Originally posted by ddduke


wtf? How old are you? I thought over 25 and you'd be golden.

Exactly :D

[ercchry]

LS460... will hold value better than the benz and will be more reliable

[ddduke]

Originally posted by ercchry
LS460... will hold value better than the benz and will be more reliable

Took a look at those too and she wasn't interested.

[Rocket1k78]

My brother has a 2012 S550 and its a sick ride. It's a boat of a car but she still looks aggressive. You should see if you can get an extended test drive or something like that because it is a big car and she might not like it.

[Impreza]

Originally posted by rage2
New brakes at 17k? WTF was he tracking it or something?

I drive the crap out of my CLS550, and at 48k still have tons of brakes left.

I have a C-coupe, but I just had to replace front and rear brakes at 46k.

[Impreza]

Originally posted by rage2
I heard you have to pay for loaners now. Availability has gone up because of that policy.

This is true, $35/day.

[rage2]

Originally posted by Impreza


I have a C-coupe, but I just had to replace front and rear brakes at 46k.
haha damn, I guess I just use the brakes less and corner harder. :burnout:

[realazy]

Originally posted by Impreza


This is true, $35/day.

Yikes, that's quite a bit. IIRC, BMW's is $29.95 per service, regardless of how long the service takes.

[blownz]

^ doesn't even compare or come close. If the only thing that mattered was a car being reliable and maintaining value, we would all drive Corolla's and I for one would slit my wrists first.

To stay on topic, I know someone who has purchased a new S class every year for over 10 years. Now I know he doesn't keep them long enough to really see how reliable they are, but in the last 5 years at least there have been way warranty issues and he thinks they have gotten way better. He also sells some of them to family members after and they keep them longer and he has said the same thing about the newer ones being way better.

[killramos]

^ Not even a debate that the new MB's are more reliable. If we were talking about the Daimler ones as Rage has pointed out the recomendation would be run dont walk.

[clem24]

Originally posted by rage2

haha damn, I guess I just use the brakes less and corner harder. :burnout:

I have a feeling it's traction and stability control that's causing advanced brake wear.. My C63 is at almost 45k I think and still on the original pads. Not even a hint when I brought it into service last November from MB that it needed pads. I think I even asked and they said it was fine.

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by Impreza


This is true, $35/day.

Audi just won't hand them out unless problem requires overnight or you book your appointment well ahead of time.

I guess if the other 2 are charging, Audi won't be far behind.

[Cos]

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[relyt92]

Originally posted by ddduke


This isn't going to be a super long term vehicle either, I can't see it being around much more then 2 years. Have you looked into leasing something with a time frame that short?

[rage2]

Go option a s550 then look at the lease payments for a lol. If that's the car the wife wants for 2 years, buying an in warranty used is the cheapest way to go.

[01RedDX]

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[Cos]

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[rage2]

I drive with TC on in the CLS. Regardless doesn't explain front wear, TC only kills rear brakes.

[ddduke]

Originally posted by rage2
Go option a s550 then look at the lease payments for a lol. If that's the car the wife wants for 2 years, buying an in warranty used is the cheapest way to go.

What are they at roughly? The model I'm going for was just north of 150k new, the models I'm interested are heavily optioned including reclining rear seats, which isn't a must but I'd prefer having.

[relyt92]

Originally posted by ddduke


What are they at roughly? The model I'm going for was just north of 150k new, the models I'm interested are heavily optioned including reclining rear seats, which isn't a must but I'd prefer having. I priced out a 2015 S550 4matic with the short wheelbase, gave it all packages including prepaid maintenance and some options bringing it to just a hair under 150k. 24 month lease is $2547 a month. Dang.