Nice review. I appreciate the amount of time it takes to thoroughly review and give a little history on each vehicle. The W220’s styling has aged well. It still looks modern. Nice to see such a well preserved example.
one of my all time favorite cars of all time - I loved my S430 and S500 - best ride and really excellent quality and quietness. Even a great radio if you convert the cd trunk player to blue tooth or hard wire aux in dash- amazing car
When I was in high school 20ish years ago my best friend's father had a black '00 S500 Sport exactly like this, which he traded in for a black '03 S55 AMG when they came out with the 497 hp engine in the S55. Awesome cars, even the S500 was plenty peppy but that supercharged AMG would really shove you back in the seat...😈
@@bobjohnson1587 not really. The M113/M113k V8s from Mercedes were pretty solid. It was the transmissions and reliance on electrical systems that let these cars down
@RyeanRoadReaper electricals maybe, but you wrong about the transmission, is one of the best ever made, so good that some vehicles es still use it today, like police dodge chargers.
2 years ago purchased my first Mercedes a 2004 S500 with low mileage and man I Love my S500 and it has been surprising reliable. Love the styling of this generation. So smooth and nice driving. Hahah on videos keep them up!
I drove a S430 for a wealthy woman once, then when she passed her son took the car and I drove him through Manhattan. I always thought the S430 was a bit under powered but it rode so nice. It is nice to hear that Bill did not lose character and can still complain. Thanks for the beeping Mercedes.
@@RogueBurn I was referring to the S430, it has decent power and very fuel efficient for a V8. especially the 2003-06 models with a 7-speed Transmission can get you up to 30mpg hwy if you're cruising at 65-70
The W140 was definitely the last Mercedes when you closed the doors it sounded like a bank vault. Friends had a white one that they called ‘the refrigerator’ because of it’s boxy styling. They replaced it with this generation a few years later and while they preferred the exterior design of the W220 the quality was nowhere near that of the earlier model.
I still struggle to think about these as used cars. Living in Florida when these came out, they seemed practically futuristic compared to everything else on the road at the time, and today are still pretty distinctive and handsome.
he needs a pill for verbal diarrhea. Especially focused on the IRRELEVANT Crap he always wastes half our time with. Like the damned weather in his accursed state.
I like the styling of this Benz as well. Your my favorite channel of all the RU-vid. You do great work and entertaining throughout each video. Really dig the recent night drive you do too.
This car is nothing short of incredible, I miss mine so much. The car has absolutely no right to be so big and heavy yet handle so precisely and nimbly. There's two shitty clips of my old one on my page. S500 non-4Matic with the exhaust chopped off at the secondary cats. Surprisingly quiet and tame when you kept your foot off it, and would scream like hell when you opened it up. Bought mine with 250k miles and other than a set of rubber driveshaft isolators it never needed a thing and never once left me stranded
I had a boss who had the 2000 S 430. I rode in it a number of times and for the most part it was a nice ride. The one thing that surprised me was its response to the speed bumps in the massive parking structure for our office building. My boss pounded over those things with reckless abandon...he flipped most of his cars every couple of years. The 430 in very un-Mercedes fashion did NOT like the bumps, and the entire frame would shudder in a loosey goosey way...definitely not the tightness you would expect in a MB. Totally colored my view of the model. At the time, I had just bought his previous car from him, which he had loved and kept longer: a 1990 Lexus LS400. THAT was an awesome car. When I bought it from him it had 165K on the clock. I kept it for the next 15 years and ran it up to almost 400K...its life was ended unceremoniously when it was rear-ended at a signal by a texting millenial moron twit.
Luckily my 04 has been a dream. Interior trim and materials may not be as nice as you would think but it’s comfort and drive make up for it. Mechanically and electronically it has been great.
My daily now for a couple of years best decision of my life, I did get the facelift which is a different car than this one in a lot of ways. I also think these are now matured well and the bad apples have been sorted out. Mine has had zero problems, drives like a dream, everything works and with key less, bi xenons, massage seats, factory aux etc I don't feel I'm missing a heck of a lot to be honest compared to newer car and certainly not a 20y+ car. Turns out the best car on the road 20 years ago is still a pretty damn good car by today's standards.
You are one of only a few RU-vidrs who's videos i actually take the time and sit through. I've learned so much from you and my mind has been blown more than once thank you!. Btw did you know that Mitsubishi made their own official jeep? I know! Crazy haw!.
At least it breaks up the monotony of riced-out Civics that sound like unhappy lawn mowers. Unfortunately, I have not seen many classic Mercedes at all in Allentown lately. There's a guy with a W123 in eastern Emmaus but that's all.
I have a beautiful s500 that was a one owner till I bought it and I keep it perfect just clay barred and waxed today etc it’s hard to find a nice one though.
@@sedanzzz_guy2488 Same here.My car was imported from Germany to Finland in 2015,and it´s been very reliable.Maintenanced at the dealers every other two years while in Germany.These are great cars if taken care of.
This is my absolute favorite s class ever made. I’ve owned 2, and hence my profile pic lol, I currently have a 2005 S55 AMG in Designo silver metallic, used to have a 2003 S430 4Matic in white
I think the biggest reason why they spend so much money on W140,was because they couldn´t get it right in a reasonable time.And the rush to develope a V12 engine.Although MB made great cars like W124 and W140 in the early ´90,they were not doing well financially.W140 didn´t sell very well in Europe. W220 is not built cheap,nor does it lack quality...that´s an unfortunate myth that keep spreading. Considering how modern and complex it was in 1998,it´s the greatest prove of quality,that there are still a lot of these cars on the road..fully working. One thing that amazes me,is that there´s hardly ever discussion about the catastrophic W221 gasoline engines(early years)or about W140 failing AC.W220 does not have those kind of issues.
The 4 matic in this car is actually very simple. In practice just 2 extra regular open diffs. So as simple as it can get. With slippage controlled by the brakes. First gen 4 matic in the w124 was very complex though.
@@Jason.cbr1000rr No its just MB's 4 wheel drive system. The name originates from the first system with two automatic diff locks and two different torque splits. Everything automatically controlled. They went over to much simpler systems later but kept the name.
This was the first redesign that included the REAL cost-cutting because of the Lexus and Infiniti competition. It seems cheaper in hindsight, but in the day it was pretty luxurious relative to others in the class. I’ve owned 12 mid-high range MB/AMG models since 2001, and my current W222 is the best vehicle I’ve ever owned. Mercedes got their mojo back, and represent to me, at least, “Das Beste oder Nichts!”
I had a 2003 S430 and if your mechanically inclined this ride is \/ery smooth the motor and transmission is A+. The only issues are Suspension parts which are all bolt on & cheap, VERY EASY(even a conversion). The gauge cluster will black out and that’s a easy fix.
I had em and was able to drive it with 20mpg in the mix, i also had the V12 but the V12 is at 12mp by moderate driving. The main problem of the W220 is rust as MB changed the coating in this production years to a water based paint wich had some teething problems.
@@fabienpoupon8493 I think it was environmental. Truth be told, Mercedes modernized a lot of their systems in this era, including safety and environmental. But the designs weren’t the best, and quality clearly stumbled, which was just not forgivable at a time when Japan was selling flawless luxury cars.
@@fabienpoupon8493 It was more the EU which forced this change due to environmental reasons. That was also the time when the EU forced biodegradable wiring on European car makers.
Bill, Thanks for your videos. MBs are my favorite; always has been, always will be. Thus far, for MBs, I own/ed a C280 (W202, in college), E430 (W210, current), and S600 (W220, looks exactly like this one in the video, but V12, current). I love your sense of humor, how thorough you are, your knowledge, and did I say your sense of humor?!? LMAO 🤣. Keep making your videos, don't change anything, and STAY YOU!! Of course, like you, I'm partial to MBs.👍🏻
The Cadillac V8-6-4 was introduced in 1981, not the 1970's. It was then replaced with the horrible 4.1 HT in 1982. However, it lived on in limos until 1985.
no brown nosing here but I must give credit where credit is due as I just love your narration and channel, fantastically informative and I could listen to you all day, a voice and a personality that anyone could easily become friends with but also knowing that there’s a side to you that takes no prisoners and doesn’t suffer fools gladly! Anyway keep up the excellent work
Also, my manager had just taken delivery of a W220 in late August 2001, I think it was a 2002. Anyway, on 9/11, I went with him to espape the nonsense (we're both from Staten Island, and it was impossible to get there from Manhattan) we ended up in New Hyde Park. The take away, if you're gonna need to be in a car for hours on end, I highly recommend an S class to pass the time. Very comfy
Yet the Maybach used the W140 chassis instead of the W220, which the Maybach looked styled after, inside and out...and underwhelmingly so. Shows the internal regard for the last of the bank vault/over-engineered Benz era (W140) over the cost cutter W220. LOVE my W140, will never part w/it, a bundle of nerves it might be as it was the transition to computer from analog (W126)...like let the battery get low or change it, then each of the sub-systems remember nothings. You have to reprogram each power window individually through a series of steps of open/close, holding the switch 3 seconds, to regain the windows auto open/close feature, same w/the sunroof...so not that things break, it can just be high maintenance to keep everything fully operational.
The W220 is such a polarizing S Class Model from Mercedes ... it has so many detractors ... from looks to its build quality ... I personally have always loved the design ... the elegant lines from the front through to the rear are timeless in my view ... When you see a well maintained example such as this one in the video, you realise that it has its own very distinct S Class stance. The triple black color combination is 'sinister' ... as every S Class should be ... Thanks for this review Bill, I really enjoyed it ...
@@777jones I disagree.It´s a myth that the early ones were somehow worse and that from 2002 facelift they "got it right".I have a ´99 car,and everything works fine year after year.
@@d3m0niccity16 Absolutely, if you can do the maintenance yourself and are willing to learn the car inside and out. Also, don't leave them outside. They hate UV and water drainage isn't the best
Bill, you are a big reason I bought a W221. I'd love to see a nice, short 47 minute video on a nice one of them if you come across one. I got an 07 and it's been bulletproof for almost 10k miles already.
I owned in Germany ( lived there for 50 years ) and drove 13 Mercedes. Here in the USA I have four to the same time. Mercedes SL 500, Merc. R350, Merc. S 550 4 matic and Merc. S 500. The S 500 cost me more than 13 Mercedes In Germany I drove on repair. With 114,700 miles the car was already broke so much .. so I give this junk for free away. Leather was with 60K cracked, the plastic around the seat broke in parts. Almost everything broke and replaced to this point. The execution was the final electric disaster. The dealer told me ... I have to come up with a deposit from $ 7,000.-- so they will fix it. I was not willing to pay any $ on this junk. The only car which hold up very well is my Merc. SL 500. ( 93 K miles ) I owned and drove more than 70 cars in my life. No Mercedes, no Audi and no BMW anymore. My 2 worst cars was a BMW 750 IL and the Mercedes S 500. Every diagnostic by Mercedes was wrong so far. ( San Antonio TX ) To this time I have 9 cars. People with no money they buy this cars to look rich,,, some weeks later you find them broken in the back yard and they die there, too. In Germany with 60 K a high milage car. My instruction , manual book for the S 550 has 800 pages. The car has all possible options. My wife saw the book and read some and told me ... let me know where the light and the turn signal is . .. put the air on 72 deg. She never used the night vision camera, massage seat and heater. I told her not to play with the panorama roof, because this is very expensive and break quick. This is what I have to say. I do have experience with auto mechanic. I fix 90% on my own, bought all the tools I need. Incl. diagnostic tools. What I drive the most: Ford Taurus 40K miles no repair, Ford F 350 Diesel 7.3 litre all repairs fix on my own and a Chevrolet Suburban, minimal repair on my own..... this car I take for photo trips. I am happy with all this cars. I have not look like rich. Next car is a used Bentley Continental Speed for some days to drive.
I have w220 2005 for 6 years with 135 k miles still pulling strong and no issues today i did maintenance myself, i like it more than today new cars, i bought it 6 years ago 1 owner California car 72000 miles clean title for 12000$ i can sell it today for 9000$ because is in very good condition in and out black amg package
What's better than Friday evening w/Bill from curious cars w/ A big gangster Merc.These & the swoopy SLS were cool but I'm not paying for the maintenance.
In these times of super complex and super expensive vehicles, this have become a gem for people like me that can work on their own vehicles. 302hp with excelente body and features? Yes. The ignorance of others is my gain! Super highway cruiser on the cheap!
I own a facelift, specifically 2004, designo Silver Edition S430 4MATIC. Probably the highest spec S430 in North America and maybe even the world - it’s loaded like an S600; extended leather on every surface, alcantara roof, rear heated and cooled power seats, multi contour heated/cooled front seats with massage, pretty much every option except Distronic, Keyless Go, and 4 seat config. These cars are so easy and CHEAP to maintain. Arnott struts maintain factory suspension cost effectively whether ABC or Airmatic, the M113 with the 722.6 gearbox is bulletproof, and you have luxury for days. This car gets a weird bad wrap in modern times considering it was highly, *HIGHLY* praised when new for both its advancements and its major overall improvement over what the German press called “the cathedral” - the W140. These are amazing cars when treated right and the bad ones are the ones with deferred maintenance/owners who can’t afford to fix something and blame the car. Now I’m spoiled with my extended leather and wood, I know most will be in the plastic fantastic base model interiors, which, those are not great, especially a pre-facelift model. To truly experience a W220 at its best, it’s advised to get a designo edition or otherwise an S600 and above. That is the true luxury and craftsmanship in a W220. I say all of this as someone who did *not* like a W220 before owning one. It was the fact that it was designo which got me into mine, I couldn’t resist and I have been so pleasantly surprised as to how much I actually love the car. I’ll add, my multi contour seats work :) they are simple to fix, I had to have mine fixed, usually the lines get brittle. And are you sure you need the key card? Even if so, you are able to update the key to the newer one (they don’t make that old key anymore! Had to have a new one made for mine, I have one old and one new) and once upgraded to the newer key it is able to communicate with the keyless go. First time I’ve heard of the pre facelift cars needing the key card for keyless go, didn’t know that. Ah, yep, after conferring with a Benz guru, you need that key card. Did not know that. Wow.
It's not like the surfaces that were leather in the extended leather package were hard touch plastic in the "lesser" models. They were all still soft touch synthetic. Also, hardly any interior quality improvements were made within the facelift. The base seats in all of them were just bad
@@ic1815 Oh, I know they changed the seat design. But the base seats on all of them were not great. The upgraded ventilated seats on both were great. I have an S430 with all options except Distronic, wood wheel, and extended leather. I tried a wooden steering wheel car before and didn't really like it anyway. They all crack, but if I ever found one that was nice I might get it.
Drove one of these for 10 years with very little issues. Someone crashed into me and it was clear how safe that car was made. Saved my life. Perfect car.
Know that its only you in the US that gets those beeping sounds for everything in your cars haha.. Guess it has to do with your lawsuit system. Only thing that will produce a warning beep in European MBs is if you have forgotten to turn off the lights when you pull out the key and open the drivers door.
Hey Bill, I'm glad that the weather isn't too bad & that the animals are staying at bay!!! I'm sorry, I'm one of the few that doesn't do Twitter, Facebook or Instagram!!! If someone starts a platform called Twatter, I'm in!!! Your videos are always great & make life a little better. Enjoy some extra anti soviet whiskey, the weekend is coming!!! 🥃
Those V8:s are actually fairly fuel efficient still. For being V8s. I dont think their consumtion has come down much since then. What has changed though is the gearboxes. When they replaced the 4 speed with the 5 speed in the 90's even the cars with the older m119 got a huge reduction in fuel consumtion on the highway. Might have been something like 20%.. Further reduction came with the 7 and later 9 speed. I think only a small part of the reduction has to do with the engines themselves. The w220 managed to get the 7 speed before it went out of production.
Great review as always! One minor correction - The ventilated seats were a Saab innovation, first appeared in the 1997 Saab 9-5, a couple years before the W220.
10:35 This car was the last car entirely completed _before_ the company became DaimlerChrysler. It was pencils down under Daimler-Benz, but for some reason this myth persists. Also, the "cheap" plastic materials used on some areas of the car were a huge investment rather than cost cutting. They knew they were getting behind in materials science vs Japanese and it also helped get the weight down. The plastic pieces were just too brittle originally
Weight saving from that crappy plastic would have been negliable. The high quality interiors were one of the important things that set MB apart from everyone else. Including the Japanese whose cars looked abd fekt completely worn out on the inside after same years or miles.
@@martinsvensson6884 It was not negligible at all. Modern plastics weren't just used in areas you could see or touch. Also, the LS400 interiors held up way better than any German car, including the W140. Edit: And the only hard touch plastic in the interior of the W220 was for buttons, grab handles, and seat surround. Not exactly a high amount
@@MrCarGuy No none of Lexus interiors has held up anywhere near as well as MB:s. And definitely not compared to the w140. And its the same with later ones also. Lexus always look very worn out at the same miles in comparison. I have seen enough of them both. You can see all the taxis in Europe for example. If they had used brittle plastics in areas not seen or felt in the w220 is one thing. But problem is when the whole interior is that way. Its not just the parts you mention. Its the whole dashboard that feels cheap when you press on it. Not compared to other brands. But compared to old MB. Instrument cluster flexes even when you press on top of it. The old ones never did that. And the dashboard didnt even feel like plastic in the old ones. It was like some heavy substance with almost a leather feeling surface to it.
@@martinsvensson6884 I have owned them all. I have had a W220 for almost 10 years and been around various high mileage 90s Lexus for 16 years. I fail to see a single valid point coming from you. The 90s Lexus interiors hold up the best (maybe apart from seat leather in the base GS models) under hard use
@@MrCarGuy I have never seen Lexuses hold up as well here in Europe as the MB Taxis with extreme miles on them. And you can just search the high milage cars on the German used cars sites and compare. The only cars I have sat in, in real life over and over, that can still resemble something new at 150k miles are MBs. The interior of the pre facelift w220 though I can agree on. It doesnt feel very good even when new.
The beeping is not Mercedes' fault. It's because of US-regulations. As far as i know it's a reminder for the seat belt and every car in US must have some sort of beeping. But i might be wrong. Our european Benzes don't beep. At least not only because the door was opened. Greetings from germany.
My neighbour has a '05 Magnum Hemi engine (badged anyway) parked in their driveway, would love to see you review one of these Dodge vehicles that were really, tagged as part of the Magnum Mafia Canada. Would make a nice rink bus for the hockey fans.
