RE: Mercedes AMG S-Class Saloons: Market Watch
Friday 20th October 2017
It may only make up a small fraction of the UK car market, but the luxury saloon segment is still the place where premium manufacturers debut many of their latest advances. None more so than Mercedes which, with the S-Class, repeatedly sets itself the target of being the most advanced of them all.
Ever since the W116 model was first introduced in 1972, it has strived to combine all the elements of a luxury saloon with the performance of a proper sports car. A tall order, and one which has been pursued with little consideration of cost, especially where the AMG models have been concerned. As a result, Stuttgart's star has always carried a seriously hefty price tag, but when you're targeting the top that doesn't present much of problem, with CEOs happy to find funds for the very latest model.
Available in 'sensible' V8 and opulent V12 guises, and both regular and long wheelbase bodies, prices for early-Noughties W220 examples now start at just £13,000. And it's this model, plus the later W221 and current W222 incarnations that are the focus of our attention here.
Mercedes AMG S-Class Saloons: Market Watch
With Mercedes' facelifted 612hp S63 AMG about to hit UK showrooms, we take a closer look at the AMG S-Class saloons of the last twenty years
However, as an AMG S-Class gracefully ages it falls rapidly out of favour, resulting in the kind of depreciation which would give your bank manager recurring nightmares. This means that mere mortals can consider owning one the world's finest cars whilst it's still relatively young though, and if you have such grand aspirations, the Mercedes AMG S-Class Saloon offers truly epic metal for your money - and Ferrari 550 levels of performance.
So which, if any, versions of these monster AMGs are appreciating in value? Which make the best buys at the moment? And which AMG S-Class is most likely to become a future classic? We probed the market to uncover the answers.
Introduction
W220 Mercedes AMG S-Class (2000-2006)
W221 Mercedes AMG S-Class (2006-2013)
W222 Mercedes AMG S-Class (2013-on)
Many thanks to Glass's, Prestige Car Service, CKS Performance Ltd, Autoclass MK, the Mercedes Benz Owners forum and the MB Club for their help with this feature
Discussion
So glad a piece has been done on these tremendous cars. The w220 s65 is surely a future classic, the performance for the day was staggering, they still use essentially the same unit in the brand new cars bar a few updated ancillaries, however the 7 speed is a welcome addition but the 5 speed in the w220 certainly gives it character.
Im very lucky to own one of the 17 of the uk w220 s65s in black with only 56k on the clock, possibly the lowest mileage. phenominal car and puts a smile on my face every time i take it out. Last of the proper AMGs in my opinion.
Mine will be up for sale after christmas to facilitate a new weekend/track car.
Im very lucky to own one of the 17 of the uk w220 s65s in black with only 56k on the clock, possibly the lowest mileage. phenominal car and puts a smile on my face every time i take it out. Last of the proper AMGs in my opinion.
Mine will be up for sale after christmas to facilitate a new weekend/track car.
Edited by NotFromSomerset on Saturday 21st October 20:59
Two friends of mine have a 1988 560SEL and a 1992 600SEL, and they appeal more than the later ones. That said, I drove a W220 S55 AMG, for five laps of Goodwood on an AMG day, after the W221 was already on sale in non-AMG form. No one else asked to drive it, being all over the SL55, SLK55 and the CLS55, but the S55 was quite amusing. There was also the hottest S Class of all, the Maybach 57S, a car that everyone on here hates, but it's very good and extremely fast. Though sadly I could only persuade them to let me drive that one on the road!
Edited by myhandle on Saturday 21st October 20:27
When the w220 first came out I was working at a mb dealer and we all wondered how such a shoddily built car could wear a three pointed star, 6 months down the line when they all started falling to pieces and the press were still saying how wonderful it was and the best car in the world etc 
all that for a car that just looked like a ford mondeo, I’d take a 140 over a 220 all day long
all that for a car that just looked like a ford mondeo, I’d take a 140 over a 220 all day long I just sold my S55 AMG Kompressor last month, and truly miss it.
So much car and power for the cash. It did cost a lot to run - I spent over £6k on it in the space of a year.
But, the M113K engine is a work of art and when its all running properly, it's a decent bit of kit.
Not much will hassle it above 70mph and the sound it made was glorious like thunder.
Missed that so much that I bought a W220 S600 V12 Bi Turbo last weekend. Both cars have 500bhp, both have quoted 0-60 times of 4.8 seconds, but in reality, the cars are totally chalk and cheese. The S600 is sedated and quiet, and just pulls you back when you open it up. The 55 shouted about it's performance.
Thinking of getting the S600 re-mapped - apparently you can get an extra 70+ bhp from a standard map on those.
I've had a few W140s, and regret selling my old 600 SEL V12. They were definitely better built than the W220.
Would love a W221 S63 or S65 AMG one day.
So much car and power for the cash. It did cost a lot to run - I spent over £6k on it in the space of a year.
But, the M113K engine is a work of art and when its all running properly, it's a decent bit of kit.
Not much will hassle it above 70mph and the sound it made was glorious like thunder.
Missed that so much that I bought a W220 S600 V12 Bi Turbo last weekend. Both cars have 500bhp, both have quoted 0-60 times of 4.8 seconds, but in reality, the cars are totally chalk and cheese. The S600 is sedated and quiet, and just pulls you back when you open it up. The 55 shouted about it's performance.
Thinking of getting the S600 re-mapped - apparently you can get an extra 70+ bhp from a standard map on those.
I've had a few W140s, and regret selling my old 600 SEL V12. They were definitely better built than the W220.
Would love a W221 S63 or S65 AMG one day.
Edited by pSyCoSiS on Saturday 21st October 23:25
I've owned an S55 Kompressor for about 2 years now and love it. I was originally looking for a CLS55 or 63 but this car came up for sale locally and the condition, low owners (I'm 3rd) and low mileage (64k at the time) tempted me into it.
I've since had it remapped and it was dyno'd on the same day at 529bhp and 596lb/ft so even with its near 2 tonne weight, it's no slouch.
It's not my daily driver so the 20mpg or so does not hurt too much.
I had to have a new fuel pump but apart from that there have been no major unexpected costs. The ABC pump was replaced by the previous owner so that major potential expense is hopefully off the radar.
They're pretty rare too, I've only seen 2 others on the road in the 2 years since I've had mine.
I've since had it remapped and it was dyno'd on the same day at 529bhp and 596lb/ft so even with its near 2 tonne weight, it's no slouch.
It's not my daily driver so the 20mpg or so does not hurt too much.
I had to have a new fuel pump but apart from that there have been no major unexpected costs. The ABC pump was replaced by the previous owner so that major potential expense is hopefully off the radar.
They're pretty rare too, I've only seen 2 others on the road in the 2 years since I've had mine.
The V12 AMG's are superb cars, both in performance and comfort. If a little expensive to maintain properly, as I have said on several occasions they do what a big car shouldn't but also do what a big car should but just a bit better. As secondhand properly looked after cars they are a steal.
pSyCoSiS said:
Missed that so much that I bought a W220 S600 V12 Bi Turbo last weekend. Both cars have 500bhp, both have quoted 0-60 times of 4.8 seconds, but in reality, the cars are totally chalk and cheese. The S600 is sedated and quiet, and just pulls you back when you open it up. The 55 shouted about it's performance.
Thinking of getting the S600 re-mapped - apparently you can get an extra 70+ bhp from a standard map on those.
I think what you describe is the nature of the V8 vs the V12. Even a S65 sounds and feels deceptively tame in comparison to the 55K engine once you get used to the low down torque. I think the 55K engine is a more exciting engine in general, but a great example of why excitement doesn't always equal performance, as a standard S600 if anything is marginally quicker than a S55. Thinking of getting the S600 re-mapped - apparently you can get an extra 70+ bhp from a standard map on those.
A map does add a healthy amount of power and torque, its not as much as a game changer in the nature of the car as you'd may expect. If you miss the excitement from the S55, I'd suggest you spend the remap money on some exhausts instead, although be warned, I don't think the V12TT sounds that good, even with the AMG exhaust. I was a bit disappointed with the exhaust note of the W221 S65 I drove, it wasn't the type of AMG thunder you'd expect.
I've been fortunate enough over the years to spend a fair bit of time behind the wheel of the likes of the S55K, S65 and Maybach 57 & 62S models, and just love the turbine like nature of the V12s compared to the sledgehammer blow of the V8. The S65 and Maybachs are (not surprisingly) pretty similar in their ability to pile on ungodly amounts of speed in a deceptively stealthy manner. It's very easy to glance down to the speedo and think "no way?!". Personally, of all the AMG barges my favourite is the W140 S73. I've never driven one (although I have experienced an SL73), but I love the "chiselled from granite" qualities of the W140 model, and the fact that AMG decided a 7.3 litre V12 was necessary. But all big AMG saloons get a thumbs up in my book.
279 said:
pSyCoSiS said:
Missed that so much that I bought a W220 S600 V12 Bi Turbo last weekend. Both cars have 500bhp, both have quoted 0-60 times of 4.8 seconds, but in reality, the cars are totally chalk and cheese. The S600 is sedated and quiet, and just pulls you back when you open it up. The 55 shouted about it's performance.
Thinking of getting the S600 re-mapped - apparently you can get an extra 70+ bhp from a standard map on those.
I think what you describe is the nature of the V8 vs the V12. Even a S65 sounds and feels deceptively tame in comparison to the 55K engine once you get used to the low down torque. I think the 55K engine is a more exciting engine in general, but a great example of why excitement doesn't always equal performance, as a standard S600 if anything is marginally quicker than a S55. Thinking of getting the S600 re-mapped - apparently you can get an extra 70+ bhp from a standard map on those.
A map does add a healthy amount of power and torque, its not as much as a game changer in the nature of the car as you'd may expect. If you miss the excitement from the S55, I'd suggest you spend the remap money on some exhausts instead, although be warned, I don't think the V12TT sounds that good, even with the AMG exhaust. I was a bit disappointed with the exhaust note of the W221 S65 I drove, it wasn't the type of AMG thunder you'd expect.
I'd rather leave the exhaust as is to be honest, as I think the point if a V12 (especially in non-AMG guise) is to be spirited but also dignified at the same time.
Two totally different approaches to achieve a similar outcome.
Rat_Fink_67 said:
I've been fortunate enough over the years to spend a fair bit of time behind the wheel of the likes of the S55K, S65 and Maybach 57 & 62S models, and just love the turbine like nature of the V12s compared to the sledgehammer blow of the V8. The S65 and Maybachs are (not surprisingly) pretty similar in their ability to pile on ungodly amounts of speed in a deceptively stealthy manner. It's very easy to glance down to the speedo and think "no way?!". Personally, of all the AMG barges my favourite is the W140 S73. I've never driven one (although I have experienced an SL73), but I love the "chiselled from granite" qualities of the W140 model, and the fact that AMG decided a 7.3 litre V12 was necessary. But all big AMG saloons get a thumbs up in my book.
The W140 S73 is also my all-time favourite AMG saloon.That engine was so good, even Pagani used a version of it!
S Class aside, the W124 6.0 Hammer was also a serious machine for it's time.
the generalist said:
Checking out the classifieds, I can see a non kompressor version up for sale £12950, with 148k miles. Are they really worth this much??!
Not really! The N/A S55 was a nice cruiser, but was a little bit underpowered for it's size in practice, and lacked that "power to spare" feeling of the blown version. You can probably get a reasonable one for about £5k now!Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff