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

[Merc1]

As of about maybe 12-13 years ago, it became not so uncommon to sight seriously rundown W220s with seized suspensions and severe body rust here in German scrapyards. Nowadays, one hardly sees any W220s at all. Only perhaps very occasionally those of diehard fans who pay extreme attention to maintenance schedules and body/interior care.

You rarely see any here either. When you do they’re either pristine or look like they’ve been in a war zone.

M

 

[S600]

Where do you see the gloss black?

Where don't you see shiny black plastic? The surrounds of the front side air vents. The surrounds of the roof control unit. The surrounds of all the window buttons. The surrounds of the seat adjustment controls. The surrounds of the rear centre air vents. And there's some of that stuff on the rear centre armrest too. And if you choose the standard non-AMG steering wheel, there's some on that as well. It's ridiculous. In an S-Class, all these surfaces should be available with a trim option. But the beautiful brown burl wood is no longer available either. This facelift is a disaster and absolutely unworthy of an S-Class.

 

[leylandi]

I must say that I do like the M-B screen panel:

Prefer the MB.UX Hyperscreen of the EQS though...

...and prefer both to the rigidly upright screen panels of the new MMA CLA and GLC EQ.

This screen design was revolutionary with the EQS. It's ridiculous that they introduced it as a new feature to the S-Class years later.

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[Merc1]

Far from it. I’m talking solely about regular maintenance, which is essential for the existence and proper functioning of any machine that’s in use. The W220 is a great car — I’ve had three of them — and with all of them I was more satisfied and had fewer problems than with the W140 (even though the W140 is considered much more bulletproof).
The only issue I have with the W220 is rust — but as I said, that can be managed and repaired as it arises, and it’s not a big expense. The Airmatic and ABC systems have served me fantastically on all of them.

You are not the norm. Most of the are in the junkyard. All of us European car owners cloak certain things under “maintenance” in order to keep the car on the road, but on admittedly less sophisticated Japanese cars all this “maintenance” isn’t needed. There is no way around it or to spin it. I have a W140 S500 and I wouldn’t consider it bulletproof. It’s too complicated of a car to be that.

M

 

[SilverArrow_]

You are not the norm. Most of the are in the junkyard. All of us European car owners cloak certain things under “maintenance” in order to keep the car on the road, but on admittedly less sophisticated Japanese cars all this “maintenance” isn’t needed. There is no war around it or to spin it. I have a W140 S500 and I wouldn’t consider bulletproof. It’s too complicated of a car to be that.

M

Calm down.
Who is supposed to be the norm if not someone who has actually owned such cars?
Quite a few of my friends in Germany and the Netherlands still own W220s, most of them in excellent condition, and once again: apart from rust remediation (which is significantly less necessary on the facelift models) and REGULAR maintenance (meaning filters, fluids, brakes), there were no major investments. The electronics work, the Airmatic works (and if it doesn’t, inexpensive replica parts from China are available — 90% cheaper than at an official Mercedes dealership — and the car works again).

Don’t put your words into my mouth. There’s no sugarcoating of reality here — just plain, hard facts.

The cars that ended up in the junkyard mostly had six previous owners and were usually kids who couldn’t afford proper maintenance but wanted to show off to the neighbors. Naturally, those cars fell apart — but any car would under such owners.

W140… my parents had a brand-new one in 1991, and I myself owned a 1994 model in 2004. A fantastic car — yes, complex — but as I said: personally, it gave me more problems than all three W220s and one C215 I owned combined.

 

[Merc1]

Calm down.
Who is supposed to be the norm if not someone who has actually owned such cars?
Quite a few of my friends in Germany and the Netherlands still own W220s, most of them in excellent condition, and once again: apart from rust remediation (which is significantly less necessary on the facelift models) and REGULAR maintenance (meaning filters, fluids, brakes), there were no major investments. The electronics work, the Airmatic works (and if it doesn’t, inexpensive replica parts from China are available — 90% cheaper than at an official Mercedes dealership — and the car works again).

Don’t put your words into my mouth. There’s no sugarcoating of reality here — just plain, hard facts.

The cars that ended up in the junkyard mostly had six previous owners and were usually kids who couldn’t afford proper maintenance but wanted to show off to the neighbors. Naturally, those cars fell apart — but any car would under such owners.

W140… my parents had a brand-new one in 1991, and I myself owned a 1994 model in 2004. A fantastic car — yes, complex — but as I said: personally, it gave me more problems than all three W220s and one C215 I owned combined.

No one needs to calm down as I’m not amped up. I’m just telling you what I’ve seen and or experienced. I’m not saying you didn’t experience what you say you have. I’m saying that overall it isn’t the norm here. The norm would be to see them on the road like I see W221s. W220s here have proven to be junk here over and over. Every single person I knew that had one spent thousands on electronics, suspension and body issues only to have the car fail over and over and none of them were more than 2 owner cars so the 6 owner kid theory is nonsense. Fixing suspension again is not normal maintenance. There isn’t a single outlet that tracks longevity or reliability that would put a w220 on a good list. The pre facelift car was rubbish. Now if someone chose to keep throwing money at it then say it’s a lasting car then that is their choice.

M

 

[SilverArrow_]

No one needs to calm down as I’m not amped up. I’m just telling you what I’ve seen and or experienced. I’m not saying you didn’t experience what you say you have. I’m saying that overall it isn’t the norm here. The norm would be to see them on the road like I see W221s. W220s here have proven to be junk here over and over. Every single person I knew that had one spent thousands on electronics, suspension and body issues only to have the car fail over and over and none of them were more than 2 owner cars so the 6 owner kid theory is nonsense. Fixing suspension again is not normal maintenance. There isn’t a single outlet that tracks longevity or reliability that would put a w220 on a good list. The pre facelift car was rubbish. Now if someone chose to keep throwing money at it then say it’s a lasting car then that is their choice.

M

Wahtever...
I’ve said my piece — my experiences and the experiences of people I know are different.

 

[Merc1]

Wahtever...
I’ve said my piece — my experiences and the experiences of people I know are different.

I know I just acknowledged that. Experience is experience and it varies. Where will have to agree to disagree is on the W220 being made out to be some paragon of longevity.

M

 

[Gor134]

WTF... I thought the taillights were okay in the press shots but this "real world" shot looks terrible.

Why did they make the already small taillights even smaller? Looks so undersized....

 

[Uygar]

WTF... I thought the taillights were okay in the press shots but this "real world" shot looks terrible.

Why did they make the already small taillights even smaller? Looks so undersized....

Gotta ask Gorden for that, lol.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

This screen design was revolutionary with the EQS. It's ridiculous that they introduced it as a new feature to the S-Class years later.

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TBH, the Hyperscreen is ergonomically stupid compared to the superscreen. Neither the driver display, not the central display end up at optimal angles. Furthermore, the whole set up is a huge ergonomic compromise as forward visibility is so poor.

 

[Design FIRST]

TBH, the Hyperscreen is ergonomically stupid compared to the superscreen. Neither the driver display, not the central display end up at optimal angles. Furthermore, the whole set up is a huge ergonomic compromise as forward visibility is so poor.

I just like the looks of the Hyperscreen in the EQS. I'm not qualified to comment on it's ergonomic attributes.

 

[leylandi]

Celebrating 140 Years of Innovation together with customers, fans and communities around the world, Mercedes-Benz has embarked on an epic trans-continental journey.

Following the World Premiere of the New S-Class on 29 January 2026, three new S-Class saloons have set off on a global drive spanning more than 50,000 kilometres across six continents. The journey will visit a symbolic 140 locations, each reflecting a chapter of the brand’s heritage, pioneering spirit and worldwide presence.

From legendary routes and historic milestones to iconic megacities, the convoy is bringing Mercedes-Benz innovation to life on every continent. Along the way, the new S-Class is joined by classic vehicles, current production models and local fleet cars, creating unique encounters at every checkpoint.

The journey offers memorable in-person moments for customers, Mercedes-Benz Club members and fans – from spontaneous meetups to exclusive stories and showcases. Local celebrations and community highlights continue to shape the journey as it unfolds.

The global drive will conclude in Stuttgart in October 2026 – where the Mercedes-Benz story began.

 

[Merc1]

They're really going all out on the promotion.

M

 

[Design FIRST]

They're really going all out on the promotion.

M

They most certainly are.

Several remnants of what M-B once was and what it stood for. Several examples of what it has become.

I'm undecided whether this is good promotion...or not.

 

[Merc1]

They most certainly are.

Several remnants of what M-B once was and what it stood for. Several examples of what it has become.

I'm undecided whether this is good promotion...or not.

Good exposure for the new S, but I'm not sure I'd have legends like the W126 touring with it.

M

 

[Rolf]

TBH, the Hyperscreen is ergonomically stupid compared to the superscreen. Neither the driver display, not the central display end up at optimal angles. Furthermore, the whole set up is a huge ergonomic compromise as forward visibility is so poor.

Personally I think the Superscreen was a short fix solution for the problems with the Hyperscreen driver display angle, which makes viewing difficult due to reflections on the glass screen from the outside surroundings. I like the vertical screen of the GLC more, it looks years better with its bigger screen format stretching the entire interior width and also it has thinner bessels. It has less wasted screen space.

Calm down.
Who is supposed to be the norm if not someone who has actually owned such cars?
Quite a few of my friends in Germany and the Netherlands still own W220s, most of them in excellent condition, and once again: apart from rust remediation (which is significantly less necessary on the facelift models) and REGULAR maintenance (meaning filters, fluids, brakes), there were no major investments. The electronics work, the Airmatic works (and if it doesn’t, inexpensive replica parts from China are available — 90% cheaper than at an official Mercedes dealership — and the car works again).

Don’t put your words into my mouth. There’s no sugarcoating of reality here — just plain, hard facts.

The cars that ended up in the junkyard mostly had six previous owners and were usually kids who couldn’t afford proper maintenance but wanted to show off to the neighbors. Naturally, those cars fell apart — but any car would under such owners.

W140… my parents had a brand-new one in 1991, and I myself owned a 1994 model in 2004. A fantastic car — yes, complex — but as I said: personally, it gave me more problems than all three W220s and one C215 I owned combined.

From what I have seen in Saudi Arabia and South Africa, there were more W140 models on the road and the W220 models if driving with have lowered suspensions and damaged bumpers and faded lights. But then again maybe these owners didn't maintain their vehicles properly.

 

[SilverArrow_]

That is exactly what I mean. An interior finished entirely in one single color feels far more luxurious and distinctive than the current Manufaktur offering.
Last summer I drove a W116 450 SEL 6.9 with an all green interior and I loved it. W126 and W140 offered it as well, at a much lower price by the way. It just were standard colors.

Everything is possible at Manufaktur if you show them enough money

 

[Dopebouy]

Everything is possible at Manufaktur if you show them enough money

DAMN !

 

[KollegahDerBoss]

It's understandable, it's early to say, but how do you think the W224 will still not be electric, but with engines and hybrids, who will say what? Or will it already be fully electric?