Which S Class W221 should I buy?

[mat8n]

Mrwriter, are you just here to gather info for your blog or taking the mick?
How in all seriousness can you test drive a lexus IS and try and compare it to an S class?
The IS is a Toyota avensis based at the rep market, made for mass sales, a cheap and cheerful alternative to a 3 series/a4 etc.
The LS is the flag ship of the lexus range originally made in a separate factory than toyota, aimed towards the USA luxury car buyers who drive rolls, Bentley, S class etc. Yes it's Japanese so it doesn't look like a German car inside. How can you judge it from looking in it?
You also don't know when the actual car your interested in buying was face lifted!
Your going to phone Mercedes independents to get their opinions on 7 series and A8s? I wonder how that will go!
You don't really seem to know much about what you talk about in your blog apart the price of parts and servicing, you've test driven a lot of different cars, which I assume are new and will cost a lot more than the intended £15k of a used S class.
I just think this all looks a bit like you've read a few reviews on certain cars and are using this forum as a training exercise, you have time on your hands so you go out and test drive cars.
I imagine your next blog will be about buying and running a big used luxury car!

 

[MrWriter]

Mrwriter, are you just here to gather info for your blog or taking the mick?
How in all seriousness can you test drive a lexus IS and try and compare it to an S class?
The IS is a Toyota avensis based at the rep market, made for mass sales, a cheap and cheerful alternative to a 3 series/a4 etc.
The LS is the flag ship of the lexus range originally made in a separate factory than toyota, aimed towards the USA luxury car buyers who drive rolls, Bentley, S class etc. Yes it's Japanese so it doesn't look like a German car inside. How can you judge it from looking in it?
You also don't know when the actual car your interested in buying was face lifted!
Your going to phone Mercedes independents to get their opinions on 7 series and A8s? I wonder how that will go!
You don't really seem to know much about what you talk about in your blog apart the price of parts and servicing, you've test driven a lot of different cars, which I assume are new and will cost a lot more than the intended £15k of a used S class.
I just think this all looks a bit like you've read a few reviews on certain cars and are using this forum as a training exercise, you have time on your hands so you go out and test drive cars.
I imagine your next blog will be about buying and running a big used luxury car!

I'm going to treat this 'flaming' stupid post with the contempt it deserves, by not bothering to respond in any way. Get a life, Mat.

 

[E53AMG]

I found the XF especially the interior not a patch on the XJ's. The XJ is another level above inside. I bought a 3 year old twin turbo diesel 275 BHP zf auto. Couldn't fault it but fell out of love of the boom & bust power delivery of a twin turbo diesel. I'd have a 5.0 supercharged supersport for sure when prices drop a smidge more. The XF is no S class rival. The XJ is much closer.

I also had an XJ Supersport as a loan car when my Lexus GS450h went in for repair, it was the LWB version, amazing inside, great power delivery but unfortunately had the infamous roof rattle, was a nightmare to park in London and averaged 15mpg which is why I settled on the XF when I sold the Lexus.

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[MikeInWimbledon]

Great idea, I actually test-drove an Jaguar XF about 3 years ago and thought it was great, actually bought BMW 3 series at the time instead as one came up really cheap. I just didn't know if a Jaguar XF would cost the same as an S Class in terms of maintenance and keeping on the road?

XF's are nice BMW 5 series competitors: different, softer, charming, cheap. Nowhere near as good, but a change from the ubiquitous Beemer.

But not a credible competitor to the S class, on every dimension.

Which takes us back to the basic question: is someone just 'Aving A Laugh with this thread?

 

[John]

If you really are lost, I would suggest creating a small shortlist of cars and trying them all.

When I was looking for a successor to my previous E55K, I went through a run out XF 3.0, a 640d (with a view to going for a 650i), a 350CDI W218 CLS (with a view to buying a CLS 400 probably) and of course the CL.

The Jag and CL were the only cars I was motivated to try but I pushed myself to try the other two which I am glad I did.

The Jag was a great car in every way. It didn't drive like an S/CL but I was happy with it apart from the seat side bolsters which dug into my thighs.

The CL was the only car which gave me that wave of excitement when I looked it over, and in hindsight, was a clear winner. After driving it, it is just a different league altogether.

I love the current XJ but I never drove one because I'd only really want an interesting petrol and the XJR was in short supply when I was looking.

It sounds to me like you like the idea of all the cars you are considering and are lost in a maze of facts and feelings and are hoping for guidance or even someone to tell you what to buy.

So if you forget everything else and go back to the beginning - look at the car you put beneath your avatar and what you typed in your first post... that tells me you've already decided but keep talking yourself out of it.

Speak to some independents for their opinions. They see Mercs all day every day so can give you an honest opinion - don't forget they only see cars when they go wrong so their perception is likely to be skewed...

My inde told me the 221 platform is much more reliable than the 220 and he hardly sees any problems with the ones he looks after. They are built to a higher standard than the middle and lower order. So far, he's proved to be right on mine although it has had a couple of issues but I got these sorted under the Tier 1 as I bought it from Merc.

I would try one - like I did back at the beginning of 2015 (basically the cheapest facelift black S500 with all the options I wanted from the Merc website). They wouldn't give me the deal I wanted so I left it. However, I am chuffed with my CL and can whole-heartedly recommend either S or CL!

Sure, I was skeptical of running an S / CL but having owned the E55K for 5.5 years, and fairly seriously modifying it, whilst it could have cost a bomb it never did.

The joy these cars give especially if you drive them everyday as I do, it's worth the money.

 

[MrWriter]

John, thanks for that detailed response, you're right, I am sort of confused and like all the cars I've mentioned. I'll speak to some Indi Merc guys and test-drive a 221 again, perhaps the Jaguar XF too (though I know the Jag is closer to E Class/5 series).

Oh, for the few posters who doubt my seriousness, I am serious, not just having a laugh on here, I have better things to do than waste my time and other peoples.

Thanks everyone.

 

[SW18]

OP, out of interest, how many miles will you drive per year? This might influence whether you go Petrol or Diesel - and thus reduce the choices a bit.

 

[MrWriter]

OP, out of interest, how many miles will you drive per year? This might influence whether you go Petrol or Diesel - and thus reduce the choices a bit.

Between 10,000 and 12,000 miles per year.

 

[E53AMG]

Between 10,000 and 12,000 miles per year.

Petrol probably better then, no dpf issues, fuel cheaper, less likely to be penalised by the government and the diesel mpg unlikely to make a huge difference..

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[Turbo1]

Petrol probably better then, no dpf issues, fuel cheaper, less likely to be penalised by the government and the diesel mpg unlikely to make a huge difference..

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Depends on the type of miles. They might not use the car often but when it’s used it’s driven for relatively long journeys at highish speeds (ie not in town)


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[MrWriter]

Depends on the type of miles. They might not use the car often but when it’s used it’s driven for relatively long journeys at highish speeds (ie not in town)


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It's a combination of B-roads, a few A-roads and town driving. Not much motorway. Typical journeys for me are in and around Cambridgeshire going from Ely, Cambridge, St.Neots, Huntingdon, all of which are about 15-miles apart and typically B-road with speeds of between 35 and 55mph.

 

[E53AMG]

It's a combination of B-roads, a few A-roads and town driving. Not much motorway. Typical journeys for me are in and around Cambridgeshire going from Ely, Cambridge, St.Neots, Huntingdon, all of which are about 15-miles apart and typically B-road with speeds of between 35 and 55mph.

Petrol in my opinion for those short journeys, DPFs can take 10-20 mins to reach operating temperature...

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[Neiltodd]

More like £5k but if that kind of cash troubles your bank account then the S is not for you.

Mercedes are no more or less troublesome than other makes and their parts are in general cheaper than Honda's for example. However, with the S you're looking at a 'top of the range' vehicle that's built for a certain market segment and with that comes loads of tech, loads of complexity and loads of cost. Without doubt if you can afford it, it is a truly fabulous car. Maybe not quite a Phantom but very near and at a fraction of the cost, and don't get me started about the price of Rolls parts.....

Parts for my Hondas CRV CIVIC and Jazz,have usually been dearer than parts for my AMGs

 

[zipdip]

Well I run a W221 s320,I would suggest you buy the lowest mileage one you can find with decent service history,for the mileage and type of driving you are doing,you do not need to buy a late model one,a 57/58 would do and be quiet cheap,it depends on if you like a sun roof if you do get a long wheelbase model,if not go for the normal one,do you like your music then Kardon upgrade would be nice,make sure you have heated seats some came without,find yourself a good local indy.

 

[Quincross]

It's a combination of B-roads, a few A-roads and town driving. Not much motorway. Typical journeys for me are in and around Cambridgeshire going from Ely, Cambridge, St.Neots, Huntingdon, all of which are about 15-miles apart and typically B-road with speeds of between 35 and 55mph.

Never thought I'd say this, but... I know that area and maybe consider something other than an S, it's not designed for some of those B roads. The S is an out and out motorway and A road cruiser. It's big.

I live in the country but commute via motorway. My S is brilliant on the 40 miles of main road and motorways, but I never use cut through B roads any more and it sucks on a Saturday in town finding a parking space to fit.

 

[zipdip]

Well I know those roads as well as I often used to run from Soham to near Huntingdon on those back roads across the fens,my S loved the uneven surface,running one is about wanting to drive one,ok I suppose the target owner is between 50-70,they are full buttons and switches to try out,they are dirt cheap and a great car,if you ram the loud peddle to the floor it shifts,you can update the sat nav for next to nothing ,a very good choice of car with £4 to £7 thousand pounds to spend.

 

[Quincross]

Well I know those roads as well as I often used to run from Soham to near Huntingdon on those back roads across the fens,my S loved the uneven surface,running one is about wanting to drive one,ok I suppose the target owner is between 50-70,they are full buttons and switches to try out,they are dirt cheap and a great car,if you ram the loud peddle to the floor it shifts,you can update the sat nav for next to nothing ,a very good choice of car with £4 to £7 thousand pounds to spend.

Lol - I'm 40 and race cars at weekends when the wife and kids allow.

Horses for courses i'd guess, but given B roads I'd go sports car all the way and have some fun

Having an S for the sort of driving the OP describes is like having a chieftain tank for off-road trailing - sure you'll have some fun at first, but it won't be half as much of a laugh in a few weeks as a landy with a snorkle

 

[MrWriter]

Lol - I'm 40 and race cars at weekends when the wife and kids allow.

Horses for courses i'd guess, but given B roads I'd go sports car all the way and have some fun

Having an S for the sort of driving the OP describes is like having a chieftain tank for off-road trailing - sure you'll have some fun at first, but it won't be half as much of a laugh in a few weeks as a landy with a snorkle

Perhaps the Audi TT then (current shape) as I've test driven those and they are bags of fun. TT S is 0-60 in 5 seconds, even regular TT is 0-60 in about 6.2

 

[Mr Filipov]

Perhaps the Audi TT then (current shape) as I've test driven those and they are bags of fun. TT S is 0-60 in 5 seconds, even regular TT is 0-60 in about 6.2

Best advice is take a selection of cars out and try them all. Nothing to lose after all. While the idea of a TT might be fun at first, much like with the S class, you will get bored of being thrown around the B roads.
My E class in AMG Sport trim is hard enough for that. I am in Huntingdon and go the backroads to gym and so on.
They all have pros and cons. Choose wisely depending on how long you intent on keeping the car for.

 

[MrWriter]

Thanks everyone for super advice.