Mercedes-Benz Worst Chassis, S Class W220, Why Do We Love It?

[@ScorpionVonScotts600]

Great vid bro. Here’s how I view mine. It’s 23 years old. Very few cars won’t have gremlins at that age. Especially considering how advanced they were when built. All thing wears with age and trust me.. at 56 years of age I am living proof lol. But I’m not embarrassed to say that I think till this day the W220 S600 is still an incredibly beautiful and sexy car that STILL turns heads wherever it goes. Fortunately I am a self taught mechanic of 43 years. Saves me ALOT of💰 🙌🏾 Last but not least how much money would you have to spend to get the overall quality and ride experience in a new or newer car today 🤔

[@AutoAfflicted]

All valid points that I agree with you on. At 600 is still an equality level way above what you could get these days without having to pay over 100,000.

[@ScorpionVonScotts600]

@@AutoAfflicted The Genesis G90 would arguably be about the only option sub 100K But no silky V12 😀

[@AutoAfflicted]

@ScorpionVonScotts600 yeah, we’re pretty excited to roll around in this thing, I wanna spend some time in the backseat reclined

[@ScorpionVonScotts600]

@@AutoAfflicted if you aren’t reclining GET OUT OF THE BACK SEAT 🤣🤣🤣

[@donaldbiden3131]

That's a gorgeous long body Benz .

[@AutoAfflicted]

You should see this s600 , so nice

[@klowenstein483]

Don't take this guy's advice. But yes, stay away from the 220. Leaves more for me!

[@AutoAfflicted]

I still love a W220

[@elisal4984]

Lol have you owned one lol by saying stay away from w220 try to own w221 or w222 or w140 you will see how w220 super re.iable as daily v8

[@BrandonColeman-np6sf]

​@AutoAfflicted it's a trap 😂.. forty modules is insane.. but whats crazy is that I have an identical piece missing from my rear bumper.

[@AutoAfflicted]

These pieces are always missing and they cost like $90 used 🤣

[@thomasm5263]

@@BrandonColeman-np6sfnew cars have hundreds of miles of wire. This one was just built with a bigger budget….

[@Danny-bd2eh]

I still love my 2005 S500 W220 (original owner) with proper maintenance care as of today. If you buy a used one which usually got physical abuse by bad drivers, all bets are off, period.

[@AutoAfflicted]

They are pretty special cars - they can be quite temperamental

[@702W22]

I have a love/hate relationship with my S55….M113K though. I’ve also worked through the ABC issues. If I couldn’t perform my own maintenance I would not own one of these. I highly recommend some version of DAS/STAR for troubleshooting the electrical gremlins too.

[@AutoAfflicted]

Yes, I need to get a better scanner

[@ScorpionVonScotts600]

I have the Autel MS 919 scanner and still plan to purchase the MB Star system specifically for my 01 S600 AMG Sport 👊🏽 Also have an 07 S550 AMG Sport

[@Gr8thxAlot]

The depreciation on these is wild. It's amazing how fast S Class cars end up on "buy here, pay here" lots once they have one foot in the grave.

[@AutoAfflicted]

Yes ! People run scared .. it’s a blessing and a curse. You can score some great old Germans cars for cheap or you can buy a money pit

[@Gr8thxAlot]

@@AutoAfflicted 100%. I spent $5k on a flagship car. I put another $5k into it, and it was breaking faster than I could repair it. I ended up using it as a Cash for Clunkers trade to save myself. :-)

[@SrirachaPete232]

The trick for locking the doors manually is lock the Rear door last because you can't lock the Front doors while they're open but you can lock the rear doors while they're open

[@AutoAfflicted]

Yes a good option

[@ssjlkrillin]

I am typing this as my 2003 S55 AMG sits in my garage doing what it does best (being a paperweight). Virtually all of the problems mentioned I have experienced. The PSE failed about two months ago (I swear these systems must have a 20-year timer) and I can no longer lock my doors or open the trunk without using the emergency key. The soft-closing doors were all working with the exception of the drivers side door (which was intermittent). I was having problems with the battery suddenly dying and, after replacing the alternator (the alternator was the true cause after it finally died), I no longer have that issue. I was experiencing weird dash error messages [ABS, BAS, ESP, etc.] at one time; I had to overhaul the EIS [electronic ignition system] to repair this issue (which also fixed my issue with non-functioning windshield wipers). And now, the ABC suspension. I replaced two struts and a hydraulic line, thinking everything was okay. The ABC failed on me two weeks ago (on the highway), leaving me having to get it towed back home (thank goodness for AAA). There it sits, half an inch off the ground. I should be contemplating rolling it off a cliff, but I'm still considering a coilover suspension. The power is insane; there are few vehicles that can compete with it even today.

[@AutoAfflicted]

What you’ve described is the “W220 Life”, We know this pain and we love our S600 for everything that it is … until the next time it fails us.

[@martinsv9183]

If it is hard to start when hot the first thing you should check is the crank position sensor... Should never be hard to start under any circumstances.

[@t.l.robinson2162]

I have a 2006 S55. It doesn't have ABC suspension. I absolutely love this car. I love it more than any Mercedes before it or after.

[@happyjayndbadbetty]

S600 for under 2k. Wheres he shopping at? 😅 I'd like to purchase a second to have back up parts. As a single father I need a backup 😅

[@AutoAfflicted]

Stay tuned for the next episode! I understand the need for a back up w220 for anyone with responsibilities

[@seansmith7119]

This video does not apply to the 2004-2006 models. In 2004 mercedes fixed a lot of these issues along with a facelift. I own a 2005 s55 swapped my ABC for coilovers. Although the ABC was amazing when I had it. I did not intend to keep it when I purchased the car anyway. Aside from that I have not had any problems. Regular maintenance keeps this baby running smooth. Not to mention When I bought my s55 it only had 65K miles on it for $18K. Cheers!

[@elisal4984]

Compare the w220 with w222 lol m278 engines or m177 lol ull see how w220 is the most reliable s class from 90s w126 w140 w221 w222 Can say as have owned all those s class and the most reliable is 2000to2002 s430 or s500 or 2000to2002 e55 those the most reliable daily benzes below 5grnd mark v8 daily

[@matsujarvinen]

From experience:you are right.Why nobody ever talk about,say,W221 horrible,disastrous early petrol engines?W220 is like some obsessive bulshitting target for KZbinrs,who have never owned the car for a long period,if ever.

[@JayvomR]

This gave me such a comfort that I am not alone 😂- I have this love-hate relationship with my 2002 S55 AMG - mine is currently awaiting ABC hose (second one now) from FCP EURO - although I think it will be back in running condition - it is a matter of time before something else breaks. I am a DIY guy so, at the beginning it was fun browsing and finding ways to fix things - but this is growing old on me now and my wallet is feeling it. My GS430 is the real deal and daily driver nowadays.

[@AutoAfflicted]

Yes we do love the w220 just as much as we fear it. We’ve discovered that the ABC hard fittings are actually 3/8th rather than 10mm that every one thinks .. so you can get any line repaired at a hydraulic hose shop however they won’t use the odd German crimps that you currently see. So you could rebuild the whole abc lines and replace many with hard line - look for our next video coming out soon to see what we’ve done with our S600 ABC - we fixed it for $10 and some $17 a quart pentosin (lube guard brand)

[@elisal4984]

Oh wow in my opinion the s430 or s500 between2000to 2002 years the most reliable s class m113 5gtronic

[@AutoAfflicted]

It’s always nice when you have a reliable car in a model that is statistically known to be unreliable

[@matsujarvinen]

@@AutoAfflicted Most of the W220 owners do find it reliable.If you have a bad one,just sort it out and there you have it:a really reliable car.I still wouldn´t buy S600 or S55

[@martinsv9183]

@@AutoAfflicted I had some electrical problems at the start. Those are taken care of since long ago by previous owners if you buy a proper one. Then its the ABC. But maybe opt for a regular 500 and get the air instead.. Upside with the w220 is that you get the most durable auto transmission that was ever made by anyone up until then. And maybe it still is.. Also the m113 engine might be in similar category.

[@AutoAfflicted]

The transmission is surely amazing, seem less shift under the full power of the V12 biturbo S600

[@MrMesiqta]

Just buy FACELIFT and your problems are solved.... for so many years i have almost none problems with electronics, engines are bulletproof, 5g tronic is beast.. just buy facelift - im pretty sure almost none of the parts from prefacelift are same - buttons, seats, modules, fuses, navi, even the trims are different and the whole exterior... so when you look reviews dont compare prefacelift with facelift it is very important!

[@tommyboyz6291]

But it's freaking DRIVE and RUN every single time to me. 01 S55 still my daily (surprisingly more reliable than the 3 Lexus I've owned, drive train and engine wise) I just need a new ABC pump and the car continues to go. Also my locks and Distronic still work. Overall, I have zero major issue that left me stranded beside old battery went flat and no soft close, this car runs and drive every single time I drive it "smoothly" Tbh I selling mine lmao, just because the ABC pump, I can deal wit it but I just missed owning early 90s Lexus, looking for a 1993 GS300

[@AutoAfflicted]

There’s always an exception the rule, glad your W220 is treating you well

[@elisal4984]

Lol same I have 02 s500 the best zero issue owned a few s430 no issue beside air suspension pretty cheap replacement Lol what is he talking about module's lol only if they are in water they go bad lol

[@foxdragon88]

I own 2 both fantastic. My s500 had veen incredibly reliable

[@carlosb6205]

Hopefully getting into a 2005 S430 soon. But wanted to say amazing video and I can relate, but with Land Rover/Range Rover products. I'm a freaking psycho and just can't stop. About to get into W220 life and my wife is going to hate me lol

[@AutoAfflicted]

We wish you luck! The w220 life can be pretty great, as we’re going to show in our next video dropping soon

[@SrirachaPete232]

These cars don't perform best at Full throttle (100/100) they do best around (25-30/100)

[@AutoAfflicted]

That’s sound like old man Benz throttle

[@fasteddy07]

The W220 life is a black hole in which you passed the event horizon.

[@AutoAfflicted]

Accurate

[@elisal4984]

Have you ever owned one lol have had about 5 of w220 the best s class but only with air magic suspension lol

[@elisal4984]

Lol just get regular coil suspension kit for 800$ and remove hidraulic suspension 🤣 after zero issue have owned w220 different models pretty reliable vehicle in comparison to newer s class with m278 engine lol he is crying about vacuum doorcpump the w222 m278 have cylinder wall scratches after like 50k miles and need engine block replacement lol on w220 vacum pump is like 90$ 10min replacement time what a joke

[@SrirachaPete232]

This car is a Mechanics Dream and a non-Mechanics Nightmare

[@AutoAfflicted]

Agreed , if your running to a mechanic for every repair this car will bankrupt you

[@bugnautica-lo9ng]

is this the V8 kompressor or is this one of the evil v12’s or a naturally aspirated v8 my e55 doesn’t really blink an eye when it’s hot out but maybe worth trying a new intercooler pump/upgrading intercooler I’m running the bosh pump and love it

[@AutoAfflicted]

This is a naturally aspirated V8, wish it was a Kompressor or an evil V12

[@bugnautica-lo9ng]

@@AutoAfflicted It’s got to be a chassis thing like it’s not getting power right? The m113 is very solid form everything I have read online. Best of luck with those gremlins.

[@AutoAfflicted]

Yes it’s not the engine as much as it is the many ECUs that can be wreaking havoc

[@702W22]

Have you tried replacing the crank sensor yet? Cheap part and they tend to act up when hot once they’re on their way out.

[@AutoAfflicted]

@user-hj5jq9nk6h I have not - this was the first time the car has given me issues when hit starting

[@elisal4984]

W220 with air suspension pretty bulletproof vehicle s430 or s500 2000to2002 the best most reliable vehicle

[@matsujarvinen]

Year makes no difference,all were good:S280,S320,S430 and S500 through 1998-2005(in Europe).

[@elisal4984]

Dont get an w220 for 800$ or 2grnd get one for 5to6grnd and enjoy driving luxury daily v8 which still gets in my case over 20mpg lol

[@mikeisaacs2314]

Give me a LS any day

[@vladimir.vrachanski]

The worst chassis my ass

[@AutoAfflicted]

Name a more problematic Benz chassis 🌚

[@vladimir.vrachanski]

@@AutoAfflicted w221 is waay more problematic. There are a LOT of more problematic chassis in the mercedes history.

[@AutoAfflicted]

Dark Time for Mercedes

[@ssjlkrillin]

Who decided it was the "worst" chassis? How many S-Class owners did they poll to make this determination (I was never consulted)? It sounds like automotive journalists projecting their own opinions onto everyone else. It could also be considered subjective, as "chassis" to me suggests the body, frame and suspension, which are separate parameters from reliability. If the title was, "the most unreliable S-Class generation", there may be an argument, but I would have to have owned every S-Class generation to make a real judgment.

[@AutoAfflicted]

@ssjlkrillin well you did write a paragraph of your w220 issues 11 hours ago and mentioned jettisoning it off a cliff …. I think the W220’s history of unreliability speaks for itself. All you have to do is start researching this car to see all the problems people have. There are alway anomalies, reliable units within a group of unreliable builds. We love our S600 but we don’t fool ourselves into thinking it’s going to be a road trip vehicle

[@mik823]

😴

[@BrandonColeman-np6sf]

😂

[@Mo-ij8re]

it’s such a perfect car though it’s not bad at all