Considering a 2019 MB S450 4Matic - Any Experience

B

BHopkins

Joined
Nov 3, 2013
Messages
4,243
Location
Northern Utah
A very clean 2019 MB S450 4Matic has been traded in at the local GMC/Chevrolet/Buick/Cadillac dealership. Beautiful brown over beige interior with the Diamond White exterior. It's a looker. It has just under 72k miles on it.

I took it for a test drive, and found two issues that are only minor concerns. First is the steering wheel tilt does not work. This is a common problem on the W212 E class, and is very easy to remedy. I'm hoping it is the same on the W222. Second is a steering wheel vibration at 80-85 mph. My initial thought was a wheel balance issue, but it occurred to me that it could be a flex disc. Easy fix.

I realize that there can be much more maintenance on the S class, and the W212 that I currently drive is commonly referred to as having Toyota Camry reliability. But I've done almost all maintenance on my E350 and on the SL550 that I used to drive, so I feel fairly well prepared to service a Mercedes, including general engine and transmission service.

But what else should I anticipate? I know that @GON and @Astro14 both have an S class in their stables. Are either of them also on the W222 platform? Anyone else out there with W222 S Class experience? Is it feasible to service a W222 on my own?
 
My current s-class is w221, so i can't comment on a w222.

All I can share is s-class continue to get better and better. Mercedes seems to not be participating in a "race to the bottom".

A couple things worth considering:
  • one owner is a huge difference than a two plus owners on a MB
  • if you don't have a carfax, you must as part of the assessment process, depending a autocheck might be a worthwhile supplemental report (still must have carfax)
  • any service performed outside of a MB dealer other than tires- I likely would not purchase the vehicle- you want the prior owner to have deep pockets and have melted to the service advisor's recommendations for preventative maintenance service
  • zip code of prior owner counts- much prefer the owner be from draper, springdale, etc...
  • a pre-purchase inspection only performed by a MB dealer must be part of the assessment process (based on price point I might have two inspections by two different MB dealers)
  • yes, you can service this yourself, you must own the proprietary MB diagnostic system (or a clone of one)
S-class, arguably the best sedan made on the globe, hope it matches for you!
 
Last edited:
My brother had S400d (Europe). It was a mild hybrid, and it seems the issue was the junction box on all of them with the mild hybrid.
 
One thing nice about the 4Matic is that all 4 tires are the same size, so they can be rotated. You'd be surprised at how many cars these days have different size tires F/R.

The one thing nice about the air suspension is the automatic load leveling. On my E Class, I can also press a button to raise the car about 2". This makes it easier to get on ramps or underneath. Air suspension will also lower the car at speeds above @50 mph. This lowers wind resistance and increases highway fuel economy.

I have heard that on the V8 engines, the cam sensors can lose their seal and leak motor oil back into the connector, causing some weird engine issues. Fairly easy fix though.
 
GON said:
My current s-class is w221, so i can't comment on a w222.

All I can share is s-class continue to get better and better. Mercedes seems to not be participating in a "race to the bottom".

A couple things worth considering:
  • one owner is a huge difference than a two plus owners on a MB
  • if you don't have a carfax, you must as part of the assessment process, depending a autocheck might be a worthwhile supplemental report (still must have carfax)
  • any service performed outside of a MB dealer other than tires- I likely would not purchase the vehicle- you want the prior owner to have deep pockets and have melted to the service advisor's recommendations for preventative maintenance service
  • zip code of prior owner counts- much prefer the owner be from draper, springdale, etc...
  • a pre-purchase inspection only performed by a MB dealer must be part of the assessment process (based on price point I might have two inspections by two different MB dealers)
  • yes, you can service this yourself, you must own the proprietary MB diagnostic system (or a clone of one)
S-class, arguably the best sedan made on the globe, hope it matches for you.
Click to expand...

Thanks. These are all great points.
  • Good point. The Carfax shows that the car has had two owners.
  • The dealership provides free access to a Carfax, so yes, I have the Carfax.
  • This is an item that I am contemplating. During the first four and a half years (31k miles), the car was regularly serviced at either Mercedes of Draper or Mercedes of Boerne (TX). Even tires were replaced at one of the two Mercedes dealerships. Then there are two and a half years that the only Carfax records are registration renewals, until it was serviced at the local dealership in preparation to sell it. Did the owner do his own service? Did he take it to an indy that doesn't use a database that shares with Carfax? I don't believe service was ignored, because except for the two items I mentioned above, the car is spotless.
  • The car was originally sold by MB of Draper, but no idea where the owner lived. Then it was serviced with 7500 miles at MB of Boerne TX. I'm reasoning that Boerne must have at least a few fairly affluent residents, being only 30 miles from San Antonio and having an Infiniti, Land Rover and MB dealership, all in a town of about 22k people. The car then comes back to Utah and is sold and serviced again at MB of Draper. For the last three years, the registration has been renewed in Garden City, UT (Bear Lake).
  • Absolutely. Unfortunately the nearest MB dealership is MB of Draper, about a 70 mile drive. I may compromise on this one, and take it to a Euro indy shop. Depends on if the selling dealership is open to me taking the car on a 140 mile round trip for a PPI.
  • I have a MB specific diagnostic tool, but not Xentry. A Xentry clone may have to be in the near future.

loneryder said:
If it has the air suspension, that can give you trouble.
Click to expand...
Airmatic suspension is a given on an S Class, unless it was optioned with ABC (Active Body Control) or MBC (Magic Body Control), which are both hydraulic suspensions. Any of them require attention and care. It's my understanding that a lot of problems with the Airmatic suspension can be avoided by changing the Airmatic filter regularly, and inspecting the suspension system regularly, fixing small issues when they are still small. The important thing is to go in eyes wide open with Airmatic.
 
JohnnyG said:
One thing nice about the 4Matic is that all 4 tires are the same size, so they can be rotated. You'd be surprised at how many cars these days have different size tires F/R.

The one thing nice about the air suspension is the automatic load leveling. On my E Class, I can also press a button to raise the car about 2". This makes it easier to get on ramps or underneath. Air suspension will also lower the car at speeds above @50 mph. This lowers wind resistance and increases highway fuel economy.

I have heard that on the V8 engines, the cam sensors can lose their seal and leak motor oil back into the connector, causing some weird engine issues. Fairly easy fix though.
Click to expand...
The S450 I'm looking at was spec'd with the 20" wheel option, which of course are offset. So no tire rotation. I've mixed emotions about this. I would really prefer the standard 18" wheels, with same size front to rear. But the wheels are very sharp, so I think I could live with the inconvenience.

The S450 has the M276 3.0l V6 biturbo. My E350 has the 3.5l normally aspirated version of the M276, so I'm fairly familiar with it.


SatinSilver said:
These cars are sweet when you purchase the right one. Any links to the car? Below is a good write -up on them.

https://www.caranddriver.com/mercedes-benz/s-class-2019
Click to expand...
https://cars.ksl.com/listing/10373946
 
BHopkins said:
Airmatic suspension is a given on an S Class, unless it was optioned with ABC (Active Body Control) or MBC (Magic Body Control), which are both hydraulic suspensions. Any of them require attention and care. It's my understanding that a lot of problems with the Airmatic suspension can be avoided by changing the Airmatic filter regularly, and inspecting the suspension system regularly, fixing small issues when they are still small. The important thing is to go in eyes wide open with Airmatic.
Click to expand...

Airmatic in ours failed repeatedly. Earlier generation though. Per service records, the previous owner had it towed in multiple times as well. Many Airmatic failures are disabling, the car literally sits collapsed on the tires. Drive through any city, they are a common sight parked/abandoned on the side of the road like this. The struts themselves fail, the compressor, air lines, valves, etc. Never again. Best of luck though. I'm sure it's gotten better with the new generations.
 
BHopkins said:
The S450 I'm looking at was spec'd with the 20" wheel option, which of course are offset. So no tire rotation. I've mixed emotions about this. I would really prefer the standard 18" wheels, with same size front to rear. But the wheels are very sharp, so I think I could live with the inconvenience.

The S450 has the M276 3.0l V6 biturbo. My E350 has the 3.5l normally aspirated version of the M276, so I'm fairly familiar with it.



https://cars.ksl.com/listing/10373946
Click to expand...
Well, that's a new one on me. All of my 4Matics have had the same size tires all around.
And, yes, I had a normally aspirated 3.0 V6 in my 2014 Eclass, it was OK, but not an engine I'd write home about. Solid though. What transmission do they have in that one? Mine had the 7 speed. Not exactly eager to rev if I recall, but I'm sure the turbos will change that a lot.

In fact, the 2.0T in my current E will run just as well with the 9 speed attached.

You know, that air ride suspension has been around a long time, So I'd say anything that goes wrong with it will likely be easily repaired.
Might cost a few bucks tho.
 
BHopkins said:
The S450 I'm looking at was spec'd with the 20" wheel option, which of course are offset. So no tire rotation. I've mixed emotions about this. I would really prefer the standard 18" wheels, with same size front to rear. But the wheels are very sharp, so I think I could live with the inconvenience.

The S450 has the M276 3.0l V6 biturbo. My E350 has the 3.5l normally aspirated version of the M276, so I'm fairly familiar with it.



https://cars.ksl.com/listing/10373946
Click to expand...
That's a nice car with a decent price. I too am Leary of a MB with more than 1 owner.
 
JohnnyG said:
Well, that's a new one on me. All of my 4Matics have had the same size tires all around.
And, yes, I had a normally aspirated 3.0 V6 in my 2014 Eclass, it was OK, but not an engine I'd write home about. Solid though. What transmission do they have in that one? Mine had the 7 speed. Not exactly eager to rev if I recall, but I'm sure the turbos will change that a lot.

In fact, the 2.0T in my current E will run just as well with the 9 speed attached.

You know, that air ride suspension has been around a long time, So I'd say anything that goes wrong with it will likely be easily repaired.
Might cost a few bucks tho.
Click to expand...
With the twin turbos, the 3.0 is rated at 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. When I test drove it, I found the acceleration to be very respectable, probably on par with how my wife's X5 gets up and goes, with a 342 hp 3.0l turbo engine. It definitely isn't the 450 something that the 4.6 in the S560 puts out, but It will definitely merge in traffic with ease. And considering that it is moving an almost 4700# behemoth, it did quite well.

Transmission is the new 9G-Tronic. When test driving, I never felt a shift point. It is probably smoother than the 7G in my E350, and it does quite well. From what I've read, as long as you change fluid and filter regularly, the 9G is quite reliable. I'm a fanatic on changing transmissionmission fluid, so hopefully that will pay off.
 
BHopkins said:
Thanks. These are all great points.
  • Good point. The Carfax shows that the car has had two owners.
  • The dealership provides free access to a Carfax, so yes, I have the Carfax.
  • This is an item that I am contemplating. During the first four and a half years (31k miles), the car was regularly serviced at either Mercedes of Draper or Mercedes of Boerne (TX). Even tires were replaced at one of the two Mercedes dealerships. Then there are two and a half years that the only Carfax records are registration renewals, until it was serviced at the local dealership in preparation to sell it. Did the owner do his own service? Did he take it to an indy that doesn't use a database that shares with Carfax? I don't believe service was ignored, because except for the two items I mentioned above, the car is spotless.
  • The car was originally sold by MB of Draper, but no idea where the owner lived. Then it was serviced with 7500 miles at MB of Boerne TX. I'm reasoning that Boerne must have at least a few fairly affluent residents, being only 30 miles from San Antonio and having an Infiniti, Land Rover and MB dealership, all in a town of about 22k people. The car then comes back to Utah and is sold and serviced again at MB of Draper. For the last three years, the registration has been renewed in Garden City, UT (Bear Lake).
  • Absolutely. Unfortunately the nearest MB dealership is MB of Draper, about a 70 mile drive. I may compromise on this one, and take it to a Euro indy shop. Depends on if the selling dealership is open to me taking the car on a 140 mile round trip for a PPI.
  • I have a MB specific diagnostic tool, but not Xentry. A Xentry clone may have to be in the near future.


Airmatic suspension is a given on an S Class, unless it was optioned with ABC (Active Body Control) or MBC (Magic Body Control), which are both hydraulic suspensions. Any of them require attention and care. It's my understanding that a lot of problems with the Airmatic suspension can be avoided by changing the Airmatic filter regularly, and inspecting the suspension system regularly, fixing small issues when they are still small. The important thing is to go in eyes wide open with Airmatic.
Click to expand...
I have had airmatic suspensions for years- overall very reliable system. Yes, an air shock may develop a leak or a compressor issue, but generally very easy to service, and once fixed, vehicle will not have a like problem anytime soon.

Supplemental- the flexdisk are pretty youthful, I would look at other reasons for the vibration over 80 mph.
 
BHopkins said:
@GON, when you say that Airmatic is easy to fix, could you explain further?
Click to expand...
The airmatic shocks are generally easy to replace, the compressor is easy to replace. They are overall reliable. Diagnostics of airmatic issues are also clear, cut and dry.

I have rebuilt some airmatic compressors, that was easy also- yet I likely would just buy a OEM replacement from MB and not go through the rebuild process.

Here are a few of my airmatic threads:
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/a-few-notes-from-airmatic-valve-block-replacement.2955833/?
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/rebuilt-airmatic-pump-failure-after-reinstallation.2943649/?
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/unspoken-reason-why-airmatic-comprerssors-fail.2929282/?


Also my flexdisc replacement thread:
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/few-notes-from-4matic-flex-disc-replacement.2863634/?
 
loneryder said:
If it has the air suspension, and it was neglected by the previous owner, that can give you trouble.
Click to expand...
Fixed it for you.

The AirMatic is simpler and more reliable than the hydraulic suspensions. But you do have to keep up with the filters do not ignore problems.
 
GON said:
The airmatic shocks are generally easy to replace, the compressor is easy to replace. They are overall reliable. Diagnostics of airmatic issues are also clear, cut and dry.

I have rebuilt some airmatic compressors, that was easy also- yet I likely would just buy a OEM replacement from MB and not go through the rebuild process.

Here are a few of my airmatic threads:
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/a-few-notes-from-airmatic-valve-block-replacement.2955833/?
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/rebuilt-airmatic-pump-failure-after-reinstallation.2943649/?
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/unspoken-reason-why-airmatic-comprerssors-fail.2929282/?


Also my flexdisc replacement thread:
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/few-notes-from-4matic-flex-disc-replacement.2863634/?
Click to expand...
Thanks for the links. They are helpful.

On a side note, I was quite impressed with the detail that can be helpful for the DIYer, that likes to do more than simply swap parts. I'm a member on MBWorld, but except for one or two members on the sub forum that I visit, I don't see this sort of help. Is it common, to find this sort of DIY information on BenzWorld? If yes, I may have to join.
 
BHopkins said:
With the twin turbos, the 3.0 is rated at 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. When I test drove it, I found the acceleration to be very respectable, probably on par with how my wife's X5 gets up and goes, with a 342 hp 3.0l turbo engine. It definitely isn't the 450 something that the 4.6 in the S560 puts out, but It will definitely merge in traffic with ease. And considering that it is moving an almost 4700# behemoth, it did quite well.

Transmission is the new 9G-Tronic. When test driving, I never felt a shift point. It is probably smoother than the 7G in my E350, and it does quite well. From what I've read, as long as you change fluid and filter regularly, the 9G is quite reliable. I'm a fanatic on changing transmission fluid, so hopefully that will pay off.
Click to expand...
I’ve owned my W205 C43 for over three years. It has the AMG tuned M276 that makes 385 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The 9G-Tronic was also tweaked by the folks at Affalterbach. I can’t say enough good things about that powertrain; it has been utterly reliable over 51k miles and my only regret is that you can’t get the same engine and transmission in the W206.
 
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