S-Class (W223) Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W223) Facelift 2024

[Rolf]

This is an interesting comparison with the Maybach S480, GLS450 and Range Rover vs a number of top end Chinese cars, including the Maextro S800. The MOPF S-class and W224 will have to be special indeed to distance themselves from these cars.

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[Swissbob]

The e-Performance is a replacement for the S65, which was also £50k (or more) more expensive than the S63.

You can’t replace a V12 with a V8 hybrid, it’s like apples and oranges.

The V12 drives completely different.

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

You can’t replace a V12 with a V8 hybrid, it’s like apples and oranges.

The V12 drives completely different.

You can't replace a V8 with a turbo 4 cylinder, but they did.

The V12 S65 was discontinued, so the S63e is basically what ended up replacing it. An insanely overpowered cruise missile. With a non-e-performance S63 on the horizon, the S63e will occupy the same place in the heirarchy as the old S65. Unless they make a new V12 AMG, but that remains to be seen.

 

[Merc1]

If nothing else the pricing puts the current S63e in the S65 position.

M

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

If nothing else the pricing puts the current S63e in the S65 position.

M

Yes exactly.

 

[Swissbob]

Over here a non hybrid S63 will be vastly more expensive. Not to mention the actual replacement to the S65 will have a V12.

I struggle to find a reason for the e-Performance to exist when there's a choice for a regular S63 as well. I doubt it'll sell if they offer both, particularly when the non hybrid will actually be cheaper (as it should be) virtually everywhere. I mean it's not like people in this segment will be worried about fuel prices.

Now if only they also offered the choice between the grille of the S63 and the regular regal S class grille........
Remember the days where you could get an OEM 'undercover' E63 AMG? Good stuff.

E63 AMG Business Line '14:

The ultimate sleeper. Downgraded exterior looks and even lacking the quad exhaust. Genius, wish they kept this going (it sold extremely poorly sadly).
I have a new found love for the W212 btw. When it was on the market 10 years ago I didn't like the boxy look, but it was ahead of its time and I pray the new design direction for MB goes back to more angularity. I am sick and tired of all the aerodynamic pebbles we have now.

Deze incognito Mercedes E Klasse herbergt 557 pk's

En de misleiding is te danken aan één van de meest briljante fabrieksopties ooit in de autoindustrie. Een unieke optie voor de klanten van Mercedes Benz die graag een E63 AMG wilden aanschaffen: het Business Package. We zien het zelden, maar het is misschien wel de leukste optie voor de E63 AMG...

www.autoblog.nl

In black it’s even more understated.

 

[Swissbob]

You can't replace a V8 with a turbo 4 cylinder, but they did.

The V12 S65 was discontinued, so the S63e is basically what ended up replacing it. An insanely overpowered cruise missile. With a non-e-performance S63 on the horizon, the S63e will occupy the same place in the heirarchy as the old S65. Unless they make a new V12 AMG, but that remains to be seen.

Both decisions were stupid.

I agree.

Regarding new V12, everything is possible.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

It's not the hybrid that causes the S63 problems , it's the absolutely insane price.

It's over 50k more than the previous model. And that is stupid.

The weight according to some reviews has resulted in a firmer ride than S63 buyers are typically used to. I can't comment on this as I have not driven any S63 variant, but members like @sako97, @Swissbob and @Mick Briesgau would probably have a better idea.

Without the weight penalty they should be able to deliver a better handling and riding car. The lower price point would be a bonus, but that could easily be eaten up by the FL upgrades (interior etc) and specification changes.

 

[Swissbob]

I can comment on the predecessor(I drove a 500 and I own a 63), which was in AMG trim way firmer than the non AMG S-Class.

The AMG Comfort mode is at least 30% firmer than the non AMG in Sport.

It’s still not harsh but it feels very tight, because of the stiffer bushes of the suspension.

My dealer told me that the 223 63 AMG is even stiffer than the predecessor because of the heavy battery in the back. And because of the stiffer bushes road noise becomes an issue.

I hope that the new 63 gets a softer rear axle, because this is the problem of the current one.

 

[Swissbob]

It's not the hybrid that causes the S63 problems , it's the absolutely insane price.

It's over 50k more than the previous model. And that is stupid.

It’s very expensive, the S680 Maybach costs 8% more in Switzerland.

But that’s a V12 with far more options.

The 580 is currently the best S-Class on the market.

The performance numbers are comparable to a G63 which isn’t slow either.

 

[klier]

If nothing else the pricing puts the current S63e in the S65 position.

M

It's nothing else.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

The weight according to some reviews has resulted in a firmer ride than S63 buyers are typically used to. I can't comment on this as I have not driven any S63 variant, but members like @sako97, @Swissbob and @Mick Briesgau would probably have a better idea.

Without the weight penalty they should be able to deliver a better handling and riding car. The lower price point would be a bonus, but that could easily be eaten up by the FL upgrades (interior etc) and specification changes.

I’ve got no experience with the new or old S63. The S65 V12 W222 I’ve driven a few months ago, didn’t feel firm at all. I’d say the drive was comparable to my own W222s.

 

[Swissbob]

I was told the S65 has a smother suspension, I guess it has MBC.

 

[Pagani]

Both decisions were stupid.

I agree.

Regarding new V12, everything is possible.

I would think the hope for a new V12 is greatly exagerated.

 

[sako97]

I was told the S65 has a smother suspension, I guess it has MBC.

Yup, it was MBC all day long. The W222 S63 with “sport tuned” airmatic + 7G MCT has a much different personality. One is a 0-100 mph rockstar, while the S65 is a 65-130 mph cruise missile.

The specifics on the softer suspension tuning is one of the details you find when closely reading the 65’s press releases since the W221. The ABC was tuned differently than the 63’s. Kind of like the “F1” SL55 ABC suspension option that I didn’t know about for years after owning one.

I saw a recent clip of the 1mi race between the CLE53 vs S65 and at least one person in the comments section got the memo correctly and said it was the wrong type of race, and should've been rolling race from 60mph. The 65 was one of those “if you know, you know” type of cars.

MB tried to merge the S63 and S65 into the S63E - in the late 2010’s Jesmb and other sources said it’d be a revival of the S73, but now we see it’s more a souped up S63 than anything - impressive but challenged.

@Swissbob - yes the heavy battery puts a big strain on the rear axle. Many rear-end impacts will crack the subframe and immediately write-off the car. I’m not sure what happened to the S63 in this video, but I’ve never seen this case before:

Professor CDT on Instagram: "A very happy to have found this issue, but I’m sad for the outcome of the vehicle . #amg #mercedes #automotive #cars #viralpost"

55K likes, 1,554 comments - professor_cdt_ on January 6, 2026: "A very happy to have found this issue, but I’m sad for the outcome of the vehicle . #amg #mercedes #automotive #cars #viralpost".

www.instagram.com

It’s a great car, but a scary proposition to own out of warranty for 5+ years between the battery and extra weight overworking the brakes and tires, versus a non AMG. The second-hand market will reflect this. A simple S63 with no batteries will be a big hit with traditionalists.

 

[Swissbob]

@sako97
Excellent post

I choose the 63 over the 65 deliberately because of 4matic. It’s after all the sharpest S-Class.

The cracked subframe is crazy especially as it’s obviously a write off.

For second hand buyers, it’ll be a PITA especially as it’s difficult to detect, and If the dealership has no idea about that, it might break on the road with scary consequences.

I agree, the used price of this thing will eventually crater like a EQS53.

This is BTW the HV battery.

https://www.oemproparts.ca/oem-parts/mercedes-benz-battery-assembly-7893404541

32k CAD , not exactly cheap.

 

[Luca]

I was absolutely convinced that they would elect the class and car of the year in 2024

 

[AndreB]

The battery comes with 8 years warranty so I doubt its the hybrid system that could bring costly repairs first.

 

[leylandi]

Mercedes S-Class Facelift without Level 3 Drive Pilot
In return, the S-Class and EQS will offer MB.Assist Pro (Level 2++) instead.

Mercedes S-Klasse Facelift ohne Level 3 Drive Pilot

Mercedes überrascht mit dem Stopp des Level 3 Drive Piloten für das neue S-Klasse Facelift (Mopf) Ende Januar 2026

jesmb.de

 

[Satanicom]

Can't wait to see Interior, Engines and Manufaktur options.

My goal is to buy & configure full specs next gen W224.

Current W223 With Olive Green exterior and Tobacco Brown & Walnut brown.