Mercedes-Benz W221

The Mercedes S-Class is part of the history of the German automotive industry, which revolutionized the global automotive industry. The luxury sedan has been on the market for many years, with each generation setting new standards in the F segment. Mercedes S class W221 series debuted in 2005 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. In the list of equipment there are such systems as the assistant at night, the preventive safety system Pre-Safe, electromechanical parking brake, adaptive cruise control, the operating system for controlling the systems and components of the new generation of the COMAND car. In 2009, a restyling was carried out. The most noticeable changes were bumpers, headlights – there were LED daytime running lights. Also updated adaptive headlights system, there is a system to control the degree of fatigue of the driver and many other useful devices. At the same time, a hybrid version (3.5-liter gasoline V6 and an electric motor) was presented, and some modifications received a new designation. In 2010-2011, several power units gave way to smaller, but more efficient ones. Production of the car was completed in June 2013. Although the limousine was not tested in EuroNCAP crash tests, the equipment itself testifies to a high level of safety. The most impressive is the Pre-Safe system. It is a moment before a likely collision attracts the belts, covers the windows, brings the seats to a safe position and starts braking. This minimizes the consequences of the accident.

Engines

V6 3.5 liters (272-306 hp) M272 - S350, S350 BlueEFFICIENCY;

V6 3.5 liters (279 + 20 hp) M272 - S400 Hybrid;

V8 4.7 liters (340-435 hp) M273 - S450, M278 - S500 BlueEFFICIENCY;

V8 5.5 liters (388-544 hp) M273 - S500, M157 - S63 AMG;

V12 5.5 liter bi-turbo (517 hp) M275 - S600;

V12 6.0 L bi-turbo (612 hp) M275 - AMG S65.

V6 3.0 L (235-258 hp) OM642 - S320 CDI, S350 CDI, S350 BlueTEC;

V8 4.0 L (320 hp) OM629 - S420 CDI, S450 CDI.

The 221 is so numerous that it’s hard to pick a specific one. However, if you look closely, it turns out that the engines are much smaller than the symbolic designations of modifications. But what do you choose?

Diesel engines

In Europe, diesel versions have traditionally been the most popular. If the consumption of 15 liters of diesel per 100 km is acceptable for you, then you can safely choose a 4-liter diesel V8 (S 420 CDI). For more economical, a less voracious 3-liter V6 CDI (S 350 CDI) is suitable, which when moving in traffic jams fits in 12-13 l / 100 km.

The four-cylinder diesel came quite late, so there are very few examples on the market with such a motor (S 250 CDI). And by the way, the R4 2.1 is surprisingly good at handling a huge sedan while consuming a bit of fuel.

However, it should be remembered that a large engine is not only frequent visits to gas stations, but also more expensive repairs and maintenance. After all, replacing 8 nozzles will require more money than 6.

Although diesel units are quite durable, but most cars already have significant mileage, and the equipment, as you know, is not eternal. Most often, I require nozzles and a turbocharger, and their repair is not cheap. There are oil leaks. In any case, it is better to have a few hundred thousand rubles in reserve. And after 200-300 thousand kilometers, the chain of the timing system can stretch (about 30 000 rubles with work).

If you need a Mercedes 221 primarily for home-to-office travel and traffic, and most of the time it will take traffic jams, then be prepared for soot filter problems.

Petrol engines

Do you think that a diesel engine on such a car is inappropriate? Then you will be given a richer range of gasoline engines. It doesn’t matter which one you choose. Everyone is doing a great job with this heavy car. Powertrains running on more noble fuel are a little more capricious, but tend to have much lower mileage. Fuel consumption? A lot depends on the driving style. But don’t even count on less than 15 liters in the city. The top versions of the AMG, S500 and S600 quietly overcome the 30 liters per 100 km. All engines have a chain drive timing system. The chain sometimes has to be updated after 100-200 thousand km. The costs will be about 40-50 thousand rubles. The engine supports (2 units of 10 000 rubles) and boxes (5000 rubles) are surrendered after 150-200 thousand km. Almost all gasoline engines sometimes present surprises in the form of bullies on the walls of the cylinders. Capital repairs with sledding will cost at least 200-250 thousand rubles. Only the engines of the M276 series (S 350 CGI), which appeared after restyling (3. 5/306 hp), are resistant to bullying thanks to cast-iron sleeves. In the top V12 of the M275 family (S 600, S 65 AMG), in addition to bullies, the weak point is the ignition modules (flutes). Only 2 pieces - one module for each row of cylinders. They serve up to 100-150 thousand km and exist only in the original - 120 000 rubles. Before restyling in gasoline engines M272 and M273 (S 350, S 400, S 450, S 500, S 550) used defective stars on the balance shafts - broke and worn teeth.

Transmission

The German sedan should carry its passengers in the most comfortable conditions, and therefore a manual transmission was not offered. In the Mercedes W221 was installed 5 or 7-speed automatic transmission.

7-speed automatic transmission 722.9 begins to cause trouble after 200-250 thousand km. There are shocks and disruptions in work. Usually the control module fee is to blame. The cost of repairs is about 18 000 rubles.

In addition, the hydraulic transformer is failing (30,000 rubles for repair), less often, the hydrovalve unit.

As befits the F-segment sedan, torque is transmitted to the rear axle or to all wheels.

In all-wheel drive versions of periodic control, the bearing of the intermediate shaft of the front axle is required. It is installed in the tray of the engine, through which the intermediate shaft passes. The bearing itself is inexpensive - 1-3 thousand rubles. But if it jams, it can break the seat or damage the engine pallet. Its price is 38,000 rubles. Moreover, to replace the crankcase will have to lower the subframe, which affects the cost of work.

Walking

The quietness and tranquility in the cabin is provided by a fully independent multi-link suspension. The front levers wear out to 100-150 thousand km (from 13 to 30 thousand for the original lever or from 3 to 10 thousand for the analog), and the rear - to 150-200 thousand km. In parallel, the silent blocks of the rear beam (subframe) get tired.

The bushings of the front and rear stabilizer are boiled directly on metal, and therefore change only in the collection with a stabilizer (15,000 rubles). Fortunately, bushings sometimes reach up to 150-200 thousand km. However, some owners simply cut off the bushings and install the usual (about 1000 rubles).

In the richer configuration, a pneumatic suspension is used. Thanks to her, the car literally hovers above the surface of the road.

For a faulty shock rack Airmatic will have to pay from 35 000 rubles for the analog to 65 000 rubles for the original. The front cylinders begin to poison after 130-150 thousand km, and the rear - after 200,000 km.

The compressor of air suspension (from 22 000 rubles per analogue) fails after 200-250 thousand km.

Over time, repair or replacement may require a caliper of the front brake mechanisms (2000 rubles - remake, and a new caliper - 23 000 rubles).

After 150-200 thousand km can flow steering rack. Restored rack can be purchased for 30 000 rubles.

Stage bearings usually get tired after 200,000 km. They change separately from the hubs - 2-4 thousand rubles plus 2000 rubles for work.

Other problems and malfunctions

Perhaps the biggest problem is the extensive electronics. Many different systems and devices that facilitate long journeys and increase the level of comfort, with age significantly increase the risk of malfunctions. For example, the dashboard display, which plays the role of pointers, may fail. I am very disappointed with the navigation system. In the list of non-permanent devices: CD-changer, pneumatic seat, electric drive of the trunk lid and hatch. Sometimes he likes to strike air conditioning. Fortunately, this is often the fault of a very dirty fan, which is just good enough to clean. Electronics outages can be caused by water ingress due to clogged drainage in the underhood space.

Due to the high rest current, the battery quickly discharges.

Another common problem of age-related machines is the broken knobs of the Keyless Go keyless access system. The reason is damage to the wiring. Fortunately, the flaw is easily corrected.

Difficulties with regulating the air temperature in the cabin are often associated with the failure of the valves of the stove (4000 rubles plus 3000 rubles for work). In the extended versions of the Long, the same difficulties are caused by the rear circuit valve block (31,000 rubles).

Bypassing 200-250 thousand km can make noise motor heater (from 6000 to 19 000 rubles).

Faults in detail

Sometimes the dashboard display fails: flickering or simply stops showing.

In multi-contour seats, problems arise with the integrity of electric harnesses and the serviceability of electrical systems.

Look at the pedals. The owner claims that the mileage of his car is 207,000 km. That's not true.

It is unfortunate that the Mercedes 221 is starting to rust.

Often, door dampers are given in five years.

Engines

• However, if you look closely, it turns out that the engines are much smaller than the symbolic designations of modifications. But what do you choose?

Diesel engines

• However, it should be remembered that a large engine is not only frequent visits to gas stations, but also more expensive repairs and maintenance.
• After all, replacing 8 nozzles will require more money than 6.
• Most often, I require nozzles and a turbocharger, and their repair is not cheap. There are oil leaks.
• If you need a Mercedes 221 primarily for home-to-office travel and traffic, and most of the time it will take traffic jams, then be prepared for soot filter problems.

Petrol engines

• Then you will be given a richer range of gasoline engines. It doesn’t matter which one you choose.
• Capital repairs with sledding will cost at least 200-250 thousand rubles.
• To eliminate the malfunction, expensive comprehensive repairs were required, including the replacement of the timing system chain.
• Problem stars of the balancing shaft of gasoline V6 and V8.
• The cost of repairs is about 85 000 rubles.
• In this case, the engine repair will be inevitable.
• There are several ways to solve the potential problem: remove the flaps or restore using a remake kit (7,000 rubles).

Transmission

• The cost of repairs is about 18 000 rubles.
• In addition, the hydraulic transformer is failing (30,000 rubles for repair), less often, the hydrovalve unit.

Walking

• The compressor of air suspension (from 22 000 rubles per analogue) fails after 200-250 thousand km.
• Over time, repair or replacement may require a caliper of the front brake mechanisms (2000 rubles - remake, and a new caliper - 23 000 rubles).
• After 150-200 thousand km can flow steering rack.

Other problems and malfunctions

• Perhaps the biggest problem is the extensive electronics.
• Many different systems and devices that facilitate long journeys and increase the level of comfort, with age significantly increase the risk of malfunctions.
• For example, the dashboard display, which plays the role of pointers, may fail.
• Another common problem of age-related machines is the broken knobs of the Keyless Go keyless access system. The reason is damage to the wiring. Fortunately, the flaw is easily corrected.
• Difficulties with regulating the air temperature in the cabin are often associated with the failure of the valves of the stove (4000 rubles plus 3000 rubles for work).

Faults in detail

• In multi-contour seats, problems arise with the integrity of electric harnesses and the serviceability of electrical systems.

If you want to buy a well-groomed Mercedes W221, then avoid cheap ones, otherwise be prepared to spend more than one thousand dollars on repairs. Stay away from sedans imported from the US because most of them have been in an accident. But even if you find a good car, sooner or later you will have to solve certain problems. And the prices for spare parts are very high.

The biggest challenge is finding a professional service center. Even authorized services do not always quickly identify and eliminate the source of a malfunction. But aside from the heavy costs of maintaining and eliminating annoying glitches, there are no major drawbacks to the Mercedes W221. Comfortable suspension, good driving performance, very rich equipment - you can talk about the advantages of a luxury limousine without end.

• Engines: V6 3.5 liters (272-306 hp)
• Transmission: The cost of repairs is about 18 000 rubles.
• Chasing: air suspension compressor (from 22 000 rubles per analogue) fails after 200-250 thousand km.
• Other problems and malfunctions: Perhaps the biggest problem is the extensive electronics.
• Faults in details: Multi-contour seats have problems with the integrity of electric harnesses and the serviceability of electrical systems. Look at the pedals.

Shows, bargaining and re-registration take time: buyers look, promise to think and disappear. Fair price after inspection closes the auction on the spot. If money is needed urgently, the purchase takes away waiting and repeat displays.

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