Here's Why Everybody Hates the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class W220
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Date: 2021-12-30
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Comments and reviews: 10
Sultan
I own a W140 and C216, and have driven a bunch of W220s and C215s. The main issues with the W220 were bland styling, suspension reliability (both Airmatic and ABC, electronics reliability (especially if water got in due to clogged drains, and rust in the pre-facelift models. Interior quality was really not that bad; it was pretty nice in the S600 as you can see in this video, and not much different from the W140. W220 powertrain reliability was pretty good overall. Handling and steering feel was no worse than the W140; the W140 was just as floaty and soft steering. The W140 does have much more presence, and does feel more substantial (in part due to just being bigger and heavier. The 2003+ S55 and S65 had pretty nice steering feel, handling, and performance. The C215 CL class was much nicer looking in my opinion than the W220, and the interior was a bit higher quality I felt. Among Benzes from this era, a 2003-2006 CL55 or CL65 would be my choice.
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I own a W140 and C216, and have driven a bunch of W220s and C215s. The main issues with the W220 were bland styling, suspension reliability (both Airmatic and ABC, electronics reliability (especially if water got in due to clogged drains, and rust in the pre-facelift models. Interior quality was really not that bad; it was pretty nice in the S600 as you can see in this video, and not much different from the W140. W220 powertrain reliability was pretty good overall. Handling and steering feel was no worse than the W140; the W140 was just as floaty and soft steering. The W140 does have much more presence, and does feel more substantial (in part due to just being bigger and heavier. The 2003+ S55 and S65 had pretty nice steering feel, handling, and performance. The C215 CL class was much nicer looking in my opinion than the W220, and the interior was a bit higher quality I felt. Among Benzes from this era, a 2003-2006 CL55 or CL65 would be my choice.
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autos
Although the lowest quality S-Class, I always liked the design. Headlights look dated now but it's still a sleek, clean design. Definitely better looking than the following 5th gen (w221.
Also, if I had to guess not looking at sales numbers, this 4th gen was the overall best selling just from what I've observed on the road. Then again, luxury SUVs weren't big at the time so everyone still bought sedans in the luxury class.
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Although the lowest quality S-Class, I always liked the design. Headlights look dated now but it's still a sleek, clean design. Definitely better looking than the following 5th gen (w221.
Also, if I had to guess not looking at sales numbers, this 4th gen was the overall best selling just from what I've observed on the road. Then again, luxury SUVs weren't big at the time so everyone still bought sedans in the luxury class.
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El
Meh, my 2002 Infiniti Q45 had adaptive cruise and cold seats. Believe the early 2000's Lincoln LS had cold seats too. 2002 Q45 was the first US production car with a rear view camera as well. 2002 Q45 had voice activation. 2002 Q45 had a bigger nav screen. Q45 had an adjustable suspension button. This is the worse S class, but I did not think it was terribly bad at all outside of air suspension.
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Meh, my 2002 Infiniti Q45 had adaptive cruise and cold seats. Believe the early 2000's Lincoln LS had cold seats too. 2002 Q45 was the first US production car with a rear view camera as well. 2002 Q45 had voice activation. 2002 Q45 had a bigger nav screen. Q45 had an adjustable suspension button. This is the worse S class, but I did not think it was terribly bad at all outside of air suspension.
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slomofo562
I had four of the W140s and one W220. All of my W140s had bad transmissions before 130k miles, bad heater blower motors & resistors, and a couple had various electrical issues with the ignition system. I owned my W220 from 36k miles until 200k miles and the only issue I had was an AC compressor and one rear airmatic strut. I think the W220 was a way better car.
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I had four of the W140s and one W220. All of my W140s had bad transmissions before 130k miles, bad heater blower motors & resistors, and a couple had various electrical issues with the ignition system. I owned my W220 from 36k miles until 200k miles and the only issue I had was an AC compressor and one rear airmatic strut. I think the W220 was a way better car.
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emptybeerkann
I have a 2003 s430. I like the car but I find myself wondering why they did some of the things they did. The air suspension was prone to failure and my car, the door locks, soft close, trunk, lumbar support, and who knows what else is controlled by a vacuum pump in the trunk that is also prone to failure.
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I have a 2003 s430. I like the car but I find myself wondering why they did some of the things they did. The air suspension was prone to failure and my car, the door locks, soft close, trunk, lumbar support, and who knows what else is controlled by a vacuum pump in the trunk that is also prone to failure.
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chris
I never hated the car but do remember what a let down it was styling wise and size wise. It certainly didn't have the presence that the s classes that came before it. I have a 2010 w221 s550 4matic that's fully loaded and low miles, it's everything an S Class should be. the w220? Meh. but it's not hate either.
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I never hated the car but do remember what a let down it was styling wise and size wise. It certainly didn't have the presence that the s classes that came before it. I have a 2010 w221 s550 4matic that's fully loaded and low miles, it's everything an S Class should be. the w220? Meh. but it's not hate either.
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Seth
25: 09 Actually the W220 S-Class and the Porsche 911 996 were not produced in exactly the same years Doug. The 996 was produced for model years 1999-2004 while the W220 was produced for model years 2000-2006. I think this may just be the only car related fact that Doug has ever been wrong about lol.
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25: 09 Actually the W220 S-Class and the Porsche 911 996 were not produced in exactly the same years Doug. The 996 was produced for model years 1999-2004 while the W220 was produced for model years 2000-2006. I think this may just be the only car related fact that Doug has ever been wrong about lol.
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Ian
Doug missed probably the single biggest quirk on these cars; both rear quarter panels and the entire roof are one giant single piece of sheet metal that must have been ridiculous to stamp in one piece but they still did it for the purpose of clean seamless lines.
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Doug missed probably the single biggest quirk on these cars; both rear quarter panels and the entire roof are one giant single piece of sheet metal that must have been ridiculous to stamp in one piece but they still did it for the purpose of clean seamless lines.
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Ian
The 220 was significantly more reliable than even the later 140's. Also the naturally aspirated M113 engine (and the identical M112 V6) is regarded as the single most reliable engine Mercedes has built up to that point and even ever since.
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The 220 was significantly more reliable than even the later 140's. Also the naturally aspirated M113 engine (and the identical M112 V6) is regarded as the single most reliable engine Mercedes has built up to that point and even ever since.
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Aadit
Says everyone hates this car, then proceeds to show us why this car was one the most advanced for it's time. I don't think anyone hated this car. This literally set the tone for what the car looks like today.
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Says everyone hates this car, then proceeds to show us why this car was one the most advanced for it's time. I don't think anyone hated this car. This literally set the tone for what the car looks like today.
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