The Mercedes S-Class is one of the most luxurious cars ever made. The original S-Class was launched back in 1954 as part of the “Ponton” model series and since then the S-Class has been a pioneer in luxury, safety, build quality, refinement, and technology. Almost 60 years on from the original S-Class, things have become so much more advanced. Nowadays, the Mercedes S-Class is a computer on wheels with a large touchscreen, air suspension, technology that was only once seen in military vehicles, and more.
Unfortunately, though, a new S-Class has always been expensive. This is to make the car as exclusive as possible which means only those who are at the top can afford one of these cars. However, that isn’t always the case in the used market. The biggest issue with the S-Class is that it depreciates faster than. stock market crash. A new S-Class could potentially lose half of its value in just five years. This though comes at an advantage for some who want a bargain on the used market.
A used S-Class can seem like a risk. Despite the fact that they can be as cheap as the average normal car, running costs and maintenance costs are still very expensive. However, the S-Class is mostly a reliable car and if you find a good one then you could be in for a bargain. So should you buy a used S-Class? Let’s find out.
picture via: cargurus.co.uk
It’s Packed Full of Technology
There’s a saying in the car world that if you want to know what features normal cars will have in ten years, just take a look at the current S-Class. This phrase is somewhat true, as most normal cars today have the same split driver-passenger screen design that Mercedes debuted on the W222 S-Class almost a decade ago.
The S-Class was the first car in the world to feature ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) back in 1991. Nowadays, even small economy sedans and hatchbacks are fitted with that. In 2005, the S-Class was the first car in the world to be fitted with night vision which in all honesty is a gimmick. It was even the first car to have electronically folding mirrors.
One of the issues though with more modern S-Class models is that some are packed with a bit too much technology. So much so, that it all can go wrong. The most common things that go wrong are sensors which really can be a pain. Some S-Class models feature a crazy amount of sensors. For example, the W221 S-Class was the first S-Class to feature a load of sensors that monitored how you drove in case you got tired. All of that sounds like a recipe for disaster if I am honest.
However, on the bright side, you can get all this groundbreaking technology that still feels modern today for the same price as an average family car. Surely that sounds appealing? The fact that you can have all these toys like night-vision, massage seats, premium audio, and more for the same price as a Nissan Versa sounds like a bargain.
Great Engine Choices
The S-Class is a car that features a lot of great engine choices. The newer models feature a 4-cylinder. 6-cylinder, 8-cylinder, and 12-cylinder options. Engines are available in petrol, hybrid, or diesel form. You can even have an AMG model with handbuilt performance engines.
Of course, some engines are more troublesome than others. However, most of the engines are somewhat bullet-proof which means they can be trusted for many miles. For most people, the V8 is their first choice since it’s very smooth. However, the 6-cylinder is also a great shout.
Most of these engines are not economical to run at all. However, that’s just something you have to expect with these cars. In Europe, you can opt for a more economical diesel S-Class model which is somewhat economical. However, in North America most S-Class models are petrol. In a world where gas prices are high, don’t expect the S-Class to be cheap to run.
Which S-Class Generation is Best?
This is one of the most common questions asked by those who are interested in a used S-Class. Mercedes has made 12 S-Class generations and each one is slightly different from the other. The cheapest S-Class generation is the W220 generation which was launched in 1998. This is the most-hated S-Class since many people believe that this car was too controlled by the accountants. Build quality isn’t as high as it was compared to the previous S Class generations.
The W220 suffers from rust issues, interior build quality issues, and more. However, if you find one in good condition you should be ok. Some other cheap generations include the W221 which was the generation after the W220. That car is a far superior car compared to the W220 and feels more modern. The issue is, that they too can suffer from reliability concerns.
The best generation of S-Class is the W140 which was the last “proper” S-Class Mercedes. This is a car that had over a billion dollars invested into it within the late 1980s. It’s a car that features exceptional build quality as well as technology still deemed modern today. Some may state that the W140 is too old, but it still can keep up with many modern cars today.
If you do want something newer, the W221 is the car to have. It features far better build quality compared to the previous W220 S-Class and it still looks and feels modern today. There are many W221 models on sale within the used market. From low-spec 6-cylinder models to top 12-cylinder top-spec luxury models that are oozing in technology.