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

[Mr. Mercedes]

The FL W223 is going to be a home run.

I can feel the recent red faces are burning at Daimler. Like the fires of Mordor. They have no choice but to hit it out of the park in all respects.

 

[empower77]

The FL W223 is going to be a home run.

I can feel the recent red faces are burning at Daimler. Like the fires of Mordor. They have no choice but to hit it out of the park in all respects.

Does the S class even matter? Europe uses them as fancy taxis. I don’t think the US is buying as many… not sure how China stacks up but aren’t sedans dead?!? Would it REALLY matter how this looks?

 

[Rolf]

In my honest opinion I think the exterior design of the W223 looks good and doesn't require much changing.

The interior is where it's weakness is found and needs drastic changes to make it look more luxurious and improve the material quality impression.

My wishlist:
1) update the door panel materials and remove the black shiny plastic around the door handles and replace with wood or metallic trim and replace the one panel black shiny button used for the heated seats and memory with metallic buttons.

2) replace the center console black shiny plastic trim with wood or aluminium trim.

3} Replace the standard black shiny plastic steering wheel and capacitive buttons with a new steering wheel with steel spokes and normal buttons.AMG wheel needs new buttons to replace the capacitive buttons.

4) add more brightwork chrome on the door handles and screen surrounds.

5) the front seat headrests need to replace the ugly plastic used for the joining of the headrest to the seat back.

 

[Rolf]

In my honest opinion I think the exterior design of the W223 looks good and doesn't require much changing.

The interior is where it's weakness is found and needs drastic changes to make it look more luxurious and improve the material quality impression.

My wishlist:
1) update the door panel materials and remove the black shiny plastic around the door handles and replace with wood or metallic trim and replace the one panel black shiny button used for the heated seats and memory with metallic buttons.

2) replace the center console black shiny plastic trim with wood or aluminium trim.

3} Replace the standard black shiny plastic steering wheel and capacitive buttons with a new steering wheel with steel spokes and normal buttons.AMG wheel needs new buttons to replace the capacitive buttons.

4) add more brightwork chrome on the door handles and screen surrounds.

5) the front seat headrests need to replace the ugly plastic used for the joining of the headrest to the seat back.

1) update the door panel materials and remove the black shiny plastic around the door handles and replace with wood or metallic trim and replace the one panel black shiny button used for the heated seats and memory with metallic buttons.

The trim surrounding the window switches also need to change from black shiny plastic to wood or aluminium or carbon trim.

This black shiny trim looks so cheap and attracts alot of finger prints.

2) replace the center console black shiny plastic trim with wood or aluminium trim. Similar to the E-class. This looks so cheap.

3} Replace the standard black shiny plastic steering wheel spokes and capacitive buttons with a new steering wheel with steel spokes and normal buttons. AMG wheel needs new buttons to replace the capacitive buttons.

This looks cheap and they can use the steering wheel from the C-class with its steel spokes looks much better

5) the front seat headrests need to replace the ugly plastic used for the joining of the headrest to the seat back.

It looks so cheap compared to the older models using thin chrome metal bars.

It looks like in the latest 2024 S-class models they may have already replaced the plastic part under the headrest with the old method of chrome metal bars.

@Mick Briesgau do you have any suggestions for changes to the interior of the S-class that Mercedes could do in the FL?

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Does the S class even matter? Europe uses them as fancy taxis. I don’t think the US is buying as many… not sure how China stacks up but aren’t sedans dead?!? Would it REALLY matter how this looks?

It matters for the brand.

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

Does the S class even matter? Europe uses them as fancy taxis. I don’t think the US is buying as many… not sure how China stacks up but aren’t sedans dead?!? Would it REALLY matter how this looks?

Its the pre-eminent luxury car. We can talk about Rolls Royce and Bentley and the like, but those blast into insane realms of unobtainium, meanwhile the S-class remains the benchmark of attainable luxury.

And as Mr Mercedes said, it matters for the brand. Whatever is in the S-class, will trickle down to other cars in 15 years time. Including Mercedes' own.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As for the question of the interior. I want them to de-emphasise screens. Sure have a big screen, but make it possible to either shut it off easily or hide it away when not in use. Maybe you could have the IWC Schaffhausen Clock and a couple other mechanical dials (compass, altimeter or something) on the trim piece that covers the screen? Or at least integrates if you want those dials to be visible at all times.

Physical controls for HVAC and other essential features like front and rear de-mist/frost, heated/ventilated seats, drive modes etc. The climate/temperature settings should have their own warm colour temperature screens, so the main screen doesn't need to be switched on to show temps, fan speeds etc.

Physical controls for volume, track select (skip, back) and turning the audio system on/off.
Ideally bring back the COMAND dial without the silly touchpad that covered it, so there's a way to interact with the screen without touching it.

Steering wheel with actual f#cking buttons/dials instead. Don't just copy the previous generation one with the blackberry selector, cause that was rubbish. Make a d-pad or clicky, depressible joystick - ideally the latter, for tactility.

Also, while the previous gen one had great tactile buttons for returning home, cruise control, the amazing volume scroll wheel, and those are good to carry over, for heaven's sake why didn't the steering wheel controls have skip-track, pause or go back one track? You had to swipe on the blackberry dials whilst on the media menu on the track - and that didn't work on Android Auto/Apple Carplay. Insane oversight. Of literally anything a driver might want to do while not having to look at the f#cking screen, its change tracks while listening to music.

Finally, get rid of ALL piano black plastic. It looks nice for 10 seconds when new, then it immediately magnets dust, and gets scratched into oblivion. If you want shiny black surfaces, at least use ceramic or some kind of hard coating that won't get scratched by keys, fingernails or whatever. Ideally though, no gloss surfacing, except for the odd accent.

 

[Serpens]

Its the pre-eminent luxury car. We can talk about Rolls Royce and Bentley and the like, but those blast into insane realms of unobtainium, meanwhile the S-class remains the benchmark of attainable luxury.

And as Mr Mercedes said, it matters for the brand. Whatever is in the S-class, will trickle down to other cars in 15 years time. Including Mercedes' own.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As for the question of the interior. I want them to de-emphasise screens. Sure have a big screen, but make it possible to either shut it off easily or hide it away when not in use. Maybe you could have the IWC Schaffhausen Clock and a couple other mechanical dials (compass, altimeter or something) on the trim piece that covers the screen? Or at least integrates if you want those dials to be visible at all times.

Physical controls for HVAC and other essential features like front and rear de-mist/frost, heated/ventilated seats, drive modes etc. The climate/temperature settings should have their own warm colour temperature screens, so the main screen doesn't need to be switched on to show temps, fan speeds etc.

Physical controls for volume, track select (skip, back) and turning the audio system on/off.
Ideally bring back the COMAND dial without the silly touchpad that covered it, so there's a way to interact with the screen without touching it.

Steering wheel with actual f#cking buttons/dials instead. Don't just copy the previous generation one with the blackberry selector, cause that was rubbish. Make a d-pad or clicky, depressible joystick - ideally the latter, for tactility.

Also, while the previous gen one had great tactile buttons for returning home, cruise control, the amazing volume scroll wheel, and those are good to carry over, for heaven's sake why didn't the steering wheel controls have skip-track, pause or go back one track? You had to swipe on the blackberry dials whilst on the media menu on the track - and that didn't work on Android Auto/Apple Carplay. Insane oversight. Of literally anything a driver might want to do while not having to look at the f#cking screen, its change tracks while listening to music.

Finally, get rid of ALL piano black plastic. It looks nice for 10 seconds when new, then it immediately magnets dust, and gets scratched into oblivion. If you want shiny black surfaces, at least use ceramic or some kind of hard coating that won't get scratched by keys, fingernails or whatever. Ideally though, no gloss surfacing, except for the odd accent.

Sounds like you're more or less talking about the Flying Spur interior with its flippable screen. It sounds nice in concept but in reality, you just end up with the screen deployed the vast majority of the time. My mother has had a flying spur for a year or so now and I rarely see the screen flipped to the gauges

 

[Mick Briesgau]

@Rolf
The headrests situation is specification sensitive. The plastic base of them comes with the chauffeur package. The standard headrests have a metal base.

In addition to your points, I’d like the leather to be of a better quality. It’s too thin, looks like it could tear easily. It doesn’t feel and smell like leather. For your information, this is what I think of the nappa leather.

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

Sounds like you're more or less talking about the Flying Spur interior with its flippable screen. It sounds nice in concept but in reality, you just end up with the screen deployed the vast majority of the time. My mother has had a flying spur for a year or so now and I rarely see the screen flipped to the gauges

Sort of yes, but that is mechanically complicated and kinda unnecessary. I mean more like a trim piece cover that can be folded out or away. The mechanism would be much simpler, and you could put a servo on it so you can either move it manually or with a button.
I feel like that kind of tactility is what elevates a luxury car in the modern era. Back in the day an LCD screen would be impressive, but now its ubiquitous, so you need other differentiation for what is normally a £100k car.

 

[Serpens]

I remember the Lincoln Navigator had that back in the early 2000s. As long as China is in the drivers seat from a market perspective (that market loves the digital experience) I just don’t see that type of setup happening anytime soon. Especially since, again, most people will just leave the screens open.

 

[fan_of_642]

I agree every bit of Rolfs arguments.
Especially the steering wheel is essential for a good feeling whilst many "smaller" changes would avoid the actual feeling of getting too much cheapish parts of lower classes.
Additionally, very important for me are nice instruments.
Not those gimmickish versions of EQS and Maybach, just let every model getting as a classic style those brillant instruments of the 214.

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

I remember the Lincoln Navigator had that back in the early 2000s. As long as China is in the drivers seat from a market perspective (that market loves the digital experience) I just don’t see that type of setup happening anytime soon. Especially since, again, most people will just leave the screens open.

Something like that is exactly what I mean.
Sure maybe the Chinese market love their screens everywhere, and they might leave it open, but the option to have it hidden will make it far more appealing in the western hemisphere and it'll also make the car a bit more timeless in the interior space.

Not to mention, Mercedes' HUD is so good these days, that the main screen isn't even really necessary for anyone other than the passengers.

 

[Centurion]

Something like that is exactly what I mean.
Sure maybe the Chinese market love their screens everywhere, and they might leave it open, but the option to have it hidden will make it far more appealing in the western hemisphere and it'll also make the car a bit more timeless in the interior space.

Not to mention, Mercedes' HUD is so good these days, that the main screen isn't even really necessary for anyone other than the passengers.

Cars like the sclass and range rovers are daily tools like a pair of your favourite sneakers. Just just want to jump into them and get on with daily duties. This includes having visibility of the screen for the reversing camera, your music, satnav or incoming texts/calls. They need to be cars that are functional to spend time in.

A lot of miles are put on these cars versus Rolls Royce or Ferrari cars that are occasion cars that might only do a few hundred miles per year.

 

[Chung_Chieh]

There is hope yet for the piano plastic surrounding the seat controls and door handles as these trim pieces for the Chinese market E300 LWB's have timber finishes instead of the gross piano black plastics.

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

Cars like the sclass and range rovers are daily tools like a pair of your favourite sneakers. Just just want to jump into them and get on with daily duties. This includes having visibility of the screen for the reversing camera, your music, satnav or incoming texts/calls. They need to be cars that are functional to spend time in.

A lot of miles are put on these cars versus Rolls Royce or Ferrari cars that are occasion cars that might only do a few hundred miles per year.

Given that the gauge cluster is already a screen I don't see why that can't just takeover where the reversing camera/360° camera footage is sent?
Heck it's probably more logical for it to be sent there than the infotainment screen, cause it's directly in front of the driver.

 

[Shellshock]

The first think i would change on my current S, it would be those piano door panels...every week it got fingerprints, and on others who use their cars with almost no care, are full of scratches ...plus they shine when the sun is coming from my left side right into the right panel door. Its cheap looking, cheap feeling, cheap lasting. Just give us the choice for the centre panel with some mat wood for the door panels also front/back

 

[Centurion]

The first think i would change on my current S, it would be those piano door panels...every week it got fingerprints, and on others who use their cars with almost no care, are full of scratches ...plus they shine when the sun is coming from my left side right into the right panel door. Its cheap looking, cheap feeling, cheap lasting. Just give us the choice for the centre panel with some mat wood for the door panels also front/back

A few weeks ago I saw on Aliexpress, pre cut PPF for sections for the interior of a Mercedes. I don't remember which one.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

According to jesmb, S class facelift won’t come until medio 2026.

Mercedes S-Klasse Facelift kommt Mitte 2026

Nach neusten Informationen kommt das Facelift der Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse (W223) erst Mitte 2026 zu den Kunden

jesmb.de

 

[hannaz]

First spy shot of FL Maybach

GAC | Team German Cars on Instagram: "2025 S-Class Maybach? 👀 What do you guys think? Via @advancedetailingco"

1,120 likes, 19 comments - germanalphacars on July 2, 2024: "2025 S-Class Maybach? 👀 What do you guys think? Via @advancedetailingco".

www.instagram.com

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

Very interested in the interior. I've heard rumblings that Mercedes is bringing back physical controls...