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


Added to Calendar: 01-29-26

The Mercedes-Benz W223 is the seventh generation of the S‑Class full-size luxury sedan, produced by Mercedes-Benz since 2020. It replaces the W222 S‑Class which had been produced since 2013. Body Styles: W223 (standard), V223 (long), Z223 (limousine, Mercedes-Maybach). Production: 2020- Model years: 2021-
45 Recalls ( 21 of them in the USA as well).

Ford: Hold my beer 🍺


It is necessary to distinguish between the EU and the USA.
ADAC, of course, refers to the EU. Ford does not have 60% of all its models in the EU as it does in the USA.

In any case, Ford is a mid-range, mass-market brand, producing relatively affordable cars — whereas Mercedes presents itself as a top-tier premium manufacturer with sky-high prices. Therefore, 45 recalls at Mercedes are far more embarrassing than 152 recalls at Ford and Lincoln together. Especially considering that Mercedes used to have virtually no recalls at all, which is exactly what I’m talking about: a drastic decline in quality due to cost-cutting and globalization.
 
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Normal header on the Flatplane V8, which means 4 banger sound, as feared.

That’s very disappointing.

In that case I’d rather take the straight 6.
Not sure if it’s overall the same, they might’ve tweaked it a little.

C63 M177 Manifold
IMG_8392.webp


The M177 EVO:

IMG_8395.webp

IMG_8396.webp
 
Dunno about you guys but don’t you think the S needs to be bigger now? It has remained the same size for quite a while now, Exactly same since since the W221 gen to be exact :
(N.B Both models are LWB)
IMG_8386.webp

The W224 should definitely gain a size advantage for more presence, SWB version should be around 5,3M long & 1,55M height . For LWB model it should be around 5.5M (Maybach will have to move to 5.7M long) . it is the “S-class” afterall.

Even the W214 E-Class has caught up with the W223 SWB in size, it’s not that much bigger anymore🤦‍♂️ :
IMG_8389.webp


This is the current W223 LWB vs 7 Series G70 SWB. The 7 is bigger in it’s normal format😳.
IMG_8391.webp


Merc needs to understand that the S-class is the “Halo Mercedes” it’s a Godly model within the Merc range, So it must be treated as such.
I don’t think it needs to grow that much. While they look pretty similar to each other you can still tell which one is which. Even the 7er is gigantic at 5.39, so I can’t even imagine the W224 at 5.5 meters. The proportions would look off as well, so they would have to raise the car in order to make it more balanced.
 
Fantastic video.
I couldn’t have summarized it better myself.
In two minutes, the guy explains and demonstrates exactly the reality of the W223.

Our family has been running a vehicle resale business for 30 years. Absolutely every W223 we have sold over the past six years has (almost new one, used, used with JungeSterne warranty), sooner or later, developed some kind of fault or issue — problems that are completely unacceptable for a car of this price range and age, and which simply did not occur in previous generations.

And the interior is worse than in a Dacia — yes, genuinely worse: more rattles, more squeaks, and poorer overall assembly. With such basic issues, not even heated seat belts or leather from (for all I care) cattle massaged daily can help the S-Class.

That’s why I keep saying that the W223 does not deserve to carry the S-Class name.

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Dunno about you guys but don’t you think the S needs to be bigger now? It has remained the same size for quite a while now, Exactly same since since the W221 gen to be exact :
(N.B Both models are LWB)
IMG_8386.webp

The W224 should definitely gain a size advantage for more presence, SWB version should be around 5,3M long & 1,55M height . For LWB model it should be around 5.5M (Maybach will have to move to 5.7M long) . it is the “S-class” afterall.

Even the W214 E-Class has caught up with the W223 SWB in size, it’s not that much bigger anymore🤦‍♂️ :
IMG_8389.webp


This is the current W223 LWB vs 7 Series G70 SWB. The 7 is bigger in it’s normal format😳.
IMG_8391.webp


Merc needs to understand that the S-class is the “Halo Mercedes” it’s a Godly model within the Merc range, So it must be treated as such.
You have bad info. The current 7-series doesn't have different wheelbase versions as in the past. It's a standardized, 126.6 inches, which is EXACTLY the same as the current S-Class. The 7 has bulkier exterior proportions, but that affords no additional room between the axles, which is where interior space is determined. The facelift is on the same architecture so same wheelbase. The S-Class has a massive back seat and no benefit in making the car any larger. The new grill, will likely expand the tip to tail proportions slightly
 
So, the configurator is now active in Switzerland too.

The base model S350d with a short wheelbase costs 142,100 Swiss francs.

Are you guys at Mercedes completely out of your minds...?
I tried configuring one but never got to the wood treatment, as if it's impossible to configure on the S580, most probably a glitch on the Swiss configurator.
 
Fantastic video.
I couldn’t have summarized it better myself.
In two minutes, the guy explains and demonstrates exactly the reality of the W223.

Our family has been running a vehicle resale business for 30 years. Absolutely every W223 we have sold over the past six years has (almost new one, used, used with JungeSterne warranty), sooner or later, developed some kind of fault or issue — problems that are completely unacceptable for a car of this price range and age, and which simply did not occur in previous generations.

And the interior is worse than in a Dacia — yes, genuinely worse: more rattles, more squeaks, and poorer overall assembly. With such basic issues, not even heated seat belts or leather from (for all I care) cattle massaged daily can help the S-Class.
Been saying this. The materials are top notch but the build quality is straight up ass. I wonder if they fixed these issues with the facelift.
 
Fantastic video.
I couldn’t have summarized it better myself.
In two minutes, the guy explains and demonstrates exactly the reality of the W223.

Our family has been running a vehicle resale business for 30 years. Absolutely every W223 we have sold over the past six years has (almost new one, used, used with JungeSterne warranty), sooner or later, developed some kind of fault or issue — problems that are completely unacceptable for a car of this price range and age, and which simply did not occur in previous generations.

And the interior is worse than in a Dacia — yes, genuinely worse: more rattles, more squeaks, and poorer overall assembly. With such basic issues, not even heated seat belts or leather from (for all I care) cattle massaged daily can help the S-Class.

That’s why I keep saying that the W223 does not deserve to carry the S-Class name.

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For more detailed information, see our cookies page.
To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Full video of him.
 
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Normal header on the Flatplane V8, which means 4 banger sound, as feared.

That’s very disappointing.

In that case I’d rather take the straight 6.
I mean I can't imagine you'd hear much in the way of noise inside the S class. But I know I'd want the power and torque of the V8.... Well if I could afford either of them lol.
 
Dunno about you guys but don’t you think the S needs to be bigger now? It has remained the same size for quite a while now, Exactly same since since the W221 gen to be exact :
(N.B Both models are LWB)
IMG_8386.webp

The W224 should definitely gain a size advantage for more presence, SWB version should be around 5,3M long & 1,55M height . For LWB model it should be around 5.5M (Maybach will have to move to 5.7M long) . it is the “S-class” afterall.

Even the W214 E-Class has caught up with the W223 SWB in size, it’s not that much bigger anymore🤦‍♂️ :
IMG_8389.webp


This is the current W223 LWB vs 7 Series G70 SWB. The 7 is bigger in it’s normal format😳.
IMG_8391.webp


Merc needs to understand that the S-class is the “Halo Mercedes” it’s a Godly model within the Merc range, So it must be treated as such.

No thanks. The SWB is perfect as it is.

They can do what they like to the LWB, but its already enough IMO.

The 7 is just so ridiculously large because of ifs EV platform.

I hope the increase in dimensions for the W224 are kept in check.
 
Fantastic video.
I couldn’t have summarized it better myself.
In two minutes, the guy explains and demonstrates exactly the reality of the W223.

Our family has been running a vehicle resale business for 30 years. Absolutely every W223 we have sold over the past six years has (almost new one, used, used with JungeSterne warranty), sooner or later, developed some kind of fault or issue — problems that are completely unacceptable for a car of this price range and age, and which simply did not occur in previous generations.

And the interior is worse than in a Dacia — yes, genuinely worse: more rattles, more squeaks, and poorer overall assembly. With such basic issues, not even heated seat belts or leather from (for all I care) cattle massaged daily can help the S-Class.

That’s why I keep saying that the W223 does not deserve to carry the S-Class name.

What you report is not consistent with long term owners of the W223 on this forum.
 
V12 is always the solution. 😅

Jokes aside, I don’t think anybody buys a S-Class for its sound tbh.

Mercedes takes sound engineering extremely seriously.

Its not just about absolute noise supression in all instances. There's also worked involved to allow pleasant auditory feedback to enhance the driving experience.

Given the response to the 4 cylinders, I'm sure they'll pay much attention to the acoustic qualities of the new V8.
 
Mercedes takes sound engineering extremely seriously.

Its not just about absolute noise supression in all instances. There's also worked involved to allow pleasant auditory feedback to enhance the driving experience.

Given the response to the 4 cylinders, I'm sure they'll pay much attention to the acoustic qualities of the new V8.
I agree but I guess they underestimated it massively.

Otherwise they’d have used a different engine in the C63.

I am really curious how the new engine will sound, but I am very skeptical tbh.

As you say an S-class must deliver a pleasant sound to improve the driving experience, she shouldn’t be completely quiet.

In the GLS600 they nailed it, the engine note is perfect for this kind of car.
 

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz Group AG is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Established in 1926, Mercedes-Benz Group produces consumer luxury vehicles and light commercial vehicles badged as Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG, and Mercedes-Maybach. Its origin lies in Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft's 1901 Mercedes and Carl Benz's 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, which is widely regarded as the first internal combustion engine in a self-propelled automobile. The slogan for the brand is "the best or nothing".
Official website: Mercedes-Benz (Global), Mercedes-Benz (USA)

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