The Cost of Glory: W221 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Ownership Report

[@CarDietrich]

A couple of things: For some reason it took me a couple months to get this video edited and uploaded, so as of publication I have actually owned this car for one year and six months and about 8,200 miles. The only additional cost I have incurred is I'm going to have to spend another $200 to get the front bumper reattached again. Also, it turns out the dual-view on this particular car is disabled. I had never actually tried it because I don't typically watch DVDs in my own car. Apparently I can have the dealer turn it back on with their factory computer system.

[@skullofserpent5727]

My left ear enjoyed this video.

[@victorvillaran5763]

🤣😂😂😂

[@TheoTheo909]

😂😂😂

[@TheMarketBias]

My man😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@andrei1017]

This was peak mercedes for me

[@Toast.3]

This the s class coupe and old c63s will never be recreated sadly

[@DanielBenz81]

me too, I have mine on mu channel, count ill ever sell theca,instead of getting used to it ive fallen in love with it more over the years Ive owned mine

[@Techjunkiero]

My favorite generation of S-Class. Absolutely timeless and looks so good (AMG even better)

[@detonator2112]

This is very good looking, timeless model. When it's so shiny and clean it could pass as a new one.

[@abdourahmane5713]

This guy is hilarious. The love I have for this car and engine is unfathomable.

[@CarDietrich]

Thank you very much for watching!

[@paultruesdale7680]

Beautiful car, 6.0 liter V12, not for the faint hearted if you’re affected by sticker shock. Still all the components are going to be expensive when you are operating at this level. And you want the most expertise you can afford to look after her. Enjoy every minute, mile,and admiration you can. You only live once!

[@Sam_AMG]

What a beautiful car! I’d say that as I’ve had a few of this over the years and the S65 is such a beast of a car! I love my AMG’s

[@The_North0]

Why didnt you get the 760li?

[@Sam_AMG]

@ I prefer BMW over Mercedes but when it comes to the big luxury/powerful cars, I much prefer the S class over the 7 series. It’s just a preference thing I guess. When it comes to the likes of C63, E63, i prefer an M3 or an M5 over those models. I’ve had more M cars than AMG’s over the years.

[@CarDietrich]

I agree with @Sam_AMG

[@DanielBenz81]

@@Sam_AMG I fully agree and you already know I love your cars, I wonder if Mercedes made a lighter car in conjunction with maybe a more advanced version of the abc suspension if they would be more on par sports wise with bmw and Porsche? Or maybe I’m just over estimating abc

[@Амир-н9у]

If you think that BMW F01/02 in 760Li version with V12 is a competitor for S65, no its not. Because 760li has 520HP, S65 has 620hp same weight

[@LawrenceMarkFearon]

Thorough summary. Learned some things.

[@togo432nextgen]

Beautiful! Keep up the Benz content!

[@CarDietrich]

Thank you for watching!

[@KhaledTheSaudiHawkII]

A couple of points: I had the door handle issue on my W221. I replaced it but that didnt solve the problem. Some time after that, the keyless go system failed entirely. The problem was from the rear antenna which is under the headliner in the center. I bought a used one off a parted out car on ebay for $30.

[@KhaledTheSaudiHawkII]

The other point: buy Brake Performance premium rotors & ceramic pads. Cheap and amazing quality plus zero pads dust.

[@CarDietrich]

Thank you for the tips!

[@hellkitty1014]

The W221 S65 is perhaps the best value/performance & luxury buy available on the market no, in terms of sedans. 90% of its luxury is still relevant to this day, and few 5000lb luxury barges move like this outside of an EV. None will coddle you in opulence like this car; not even a Flying Spur can match the performance. You did well on this car, but unless that ABC has already been serviced, oh buddy, that system will bankrupt you. The hydraulic pumps and springs command a hefty price.

[@izanahaile6649]

Wow ambient lighting in 2007-2012 crazy mercedes is way ahead of everbody.

[@Xerxes3191]

17:40. For the Bluetooth connectivity, Mercedes sold a part that you could buy, in the case of the W221 S-Class, it was placed in the center storage box, I’m not sure how it worked or how you connected it with a smartphone, but it was available for almost every model built for 2007 and up that didn’t have Bluetooth. (I think it was 2007, don’t attack me if I’m wrong)

[@SoCalW212]

If you’re in Orange County I highly recommend Nicks OC Motors. 20+ year Mercedes Master tech. I know you get discounted pricing through your network, but I still think his prices are better than that. Worth an ask. Great video

[@CarDietrich]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@DanielBenz81]

Ive had my 07 s65 for around 2-3 yeARS, I got it with 86k for 20 grand at a dealer auction, but ive spent almost 20 servicing it the entire time, and its been worth every penny, it has 111k on it now and is in excellent condition, I put w222 amg wheels on it and painted the calipers blue with. white lettering, I doubt ever sell this car I love it

[@CarDietrich]

Respect sir!

[@thegooch7250]

20k servicing ?

[@DanielBenz81]

@ yea but 6 of that is just the coil packs, plugs and spark plug boots, yea I keep all my receipts I’ve spent at least that but the car needed that tune up a few months in after I bought it

[@DanielBenz81]

@ it sounds crazy but I’ll literally post all my slips in a video if you ask me to

[@thegooch7250]

@@DanielBenz81 that car should be a tank for the next 5-8 years

[@tumultuoustenets1228]

The $30k 3-year extended warranty on a $36k car tells you everything you need to know 😂

[@christofonobrown3659]

Exactly.

[@DanielBenz81]

Ive spent nearly twenty in almost 3 years on mine, don't regret it at all though the car is special

[@christofonobrown3659]

@@DanielBenz81 as long as people know what they are getting into, then all good. These M-B AMG V12’s are special, but flagship vehicles have flagship running costs regardless of depreciatied purchase price.

[@DanielBenz81]

@@christofonobrown3659 I agree, the service costs are the same as the new ones so if you get an older one you better love everything about it, at first im not gonna lie I kept lusting for a 2018-20 s65 but over time looking at them compared to my car I completely changed my mind, ive never had a car that two years in I started to appreciate it more than when I first got it

[@hellkitty1014]

That ABC system alone is $10-15K to service if one of the hydraulic pumps fail...and it will.

[@Lorenzo-wl5xt]

Most beautiful Mercedes ever made. As well as its coupe version C216

[@shangtakashi8089]

You can enable Bluetooth audio connectivity by going into engineering mode (a combination of keys pressed simultaneously). My E class has the same command system as yours, and it works - just a quick yt search.

[@shizabox]

@3:06 😂 it was the wrong! I feel like this is every time I work on my car.

[@johnblattner8683]

She's a beaut Clark.

[@Superfastjellyfish669]

Not the bong and o sound system 😂

[@ramsongewargis8736]

That's insane $36,000 for a 3 year warranty

[@pharkasj]

it's less than 20% percent of the msrp. With cheaper maintenance cost, the depreciation would be way lower.

[@reddevil6585]

That’s crazy I paid $5400 for 5 year warranty for 2007 s550 in 2014

[@heitachi7882]

Wonderful car

[@jayroc0109]

Nice ride 👌 I own a 2009 s65 amg 62,000 on dash

[@markamd1]

The mighty W221, the beginning of cheap plastics, poor craftsmanship at Merc, the beginning of the end. Great review mate.

[@CarDietrich]

I would argue the W220 was actually the beginning of the cost cutting on the S-Class, and the 221 was something of a return to form for the biggest Benz sedan. Thank you for watching and have a happy new year!

[@hellkitty1014]

No doubt about it, the 221 was marked improvement over the 220. The hollow, brittle plastics of the 00-02 W220 was appalling.

[@matthewday7783]

Owned a 2013 w 50k miles for 3 years and put 32k miles on it. Spent nearly $17k maintaining it. Literally maintaining it. Nothing serious went wrong. Coil packs $6k normally are a service item at 70k miles. Brakes are $5k etc etc. loved the car though. Kinda regret selling it sometimes. But then it pull out all my receipts and understand why.

[@matthewday7783]

Hate to say it though my 750 bmw was more fun to drive. Not as fast but sportier. Mercedes dropped the ball when they mapped the throttle. Gotta do a leg press in comfort mode just to get it to keep up with a civic at a red light. Sport mode - she gone.

[@jundialhaqiqa9907]

This car is still very high tech for being over 10 years old

[@rustbeltrobclassic2512]

I do all my own service stuff, probably because i hate crooks.. But if anyone out there is curious what the 2600.00 repair costs using rock auto.. plugs are 10.00 each, you need 24 to do all of them.. It takes about 3.5 gallons of coolant and requires a 50/50 mix, plus the cost of 275.00 for the radiator, then add the coil, which will run you about 45.00 so if you did it yourself, at the most it would cost you a grand, parts + tools.. unfortunately even with dealer/member discounts, if you can twist a wrench it's still the better deal..

[@rtap8170]

There are only 2 coils, one per bank, and they are over a grand each… no way you’d do this for around a grand total… that’s where the majority of the cost came from. I do agree though, not hard jobs to diy, just expensive with the Mercedes/amg tax lol

[@rustbeltrobclassic2512]

@ You don't need OEM coil packs, rock auto has them for 50.00 a pack.. if you buy OEM you pay it, and OEM might be better, but maybe not since I have had MSD ignition parts last way longer than OEM parts, but also have had OEM last longer than MSD depending on which vehicle brand they were going on.. you can also always go to a salvage yard, and get good used parts too.. There's options out there..

[@pharkasj]

11:00 that's the prank/family drama button :D

[@olivermboya3857]

It's wonderful

[@TheoTheo909]

i was waiting for the launch control

[@ManfredEWhite]

Nice video.

[@CarDietrich]

Thanks for watching!

[@rockflock4698]

Best s-class ever

[@dwoolwichpoly9086]

Subscribed straight away after seeing those guns stowed away🤣 The S65 AMG is what I aspire to have but don’t have the money to buy it and maintain it…yet. Here in the UK a 2006-8 example can be picked up for less than £17k

[@CarDietrich]

Thank you sir! I hope you get your S65 someday

[@flavioc5389]

Why used cars in the UK depreciate much faster? Perhaps because used RHD cars don’t have an export market? 🤔

[@BoukieMcbridger]

what about the drilled breaks?

[@fieldburn]

Would love to have this car but I can’t afford to fix it when something need to be repaired,you notice I said when something needs repaired because it’s going to need repairs very beautiful car would love to have one

[@andyp8464]

I was thinking of swapping on of my cars for an older 2008 s65 with around 50k miles on it. Just wondering how long this turbo engines tend to last

[@CarDietrich]

My understanding and my experience is the engines themselves are solid, as long as proper maintenance is done and it’s not abused. It’s everything else around it that you have to worry about. For example, if/when the other ignition coil on my car fails that’s another $2,000 right there. There is another central component that controls the ignition for bit banks of cylinders that could fail too. And that’s just one system of many lol.

[@prestonozaeta141]

Best car

[@ramsongewargis8736]

I paid 1200 for front rotors, pads and sensors!

[@KhaledTheSaudiHawkII]

Next time try Brake Performance premium rotors & ceramic pads. They give you 50k KM for $600 only.

[@kingxerxes3139]

No ashtray??

[@BenzoDopamine]

It has it

[@ibiro868]

I had that bumper issue and used gorilla glue. You gotta get crafty with these older vehicles or you’ll end up resenting the car

[@tendenzafashion]

Dude, I love this car, but 36k is crazy. Also, maintenance is crazy. If you were me, I’d rather buy a Lexus LS 2020.

[@olympbarca3313]

Yeah but wouldn't give you the fun that this car can give you

[@Tetrathegod]

the sound is coming only from the left , you kinda have to fix it because its really annoying on headphones and not only

[@jp.leonhardt]

Esse Mercedes é realmente incrível, talvez um dia eu crie coragem pra ter um carro desses, no momento estou satisfeito com o C300 2010.

[@crypto_que]

Car comes apart if you scrape the front bumper going in reverse? Who knew?

[@jeffreyweston900]

It's a beauty to look at but your pockets has to be deep to maintain it lol

[@AY-ze1fp]

I'd buy this in metallic brown with the saddle interior. So then I could say "crikey it's the Albanian rozzers"

[@CarDietrich]

I would buy that color combination too, just because it’s different. I didn’t necessarily want a black one but when you start looking at used W221’s out there SO MANY OF THEM ARE BLACK it’s crazy.

[@tylercouture216]

You are the type to pull to far yo on parking barriers? With all those cameras and sensors???

[@LilRick96]

14:47 😂😂😂

[@Damnboiden]

Seems like you selling it after it broke your bank. why buy this car if you not a boss to be chauffeured around .

[@NathanShakh]

Clearly you're not a car guy LOL

[@mikeflorian3751]

Air suspension is shite.