Mercedes W220 S500 on a 8000km Road Trip in China

The W220 is a seldom-loved model in Mercedes’s long line of full-size sedans. A decade ago, I shared the then popular opinion that it was a basket case of rust and electrical gremlins. However, this view changed as I learned more, and I got a well-used 2005 S500 LWB last December in China, precisely on Christmas Eve. This May, I took a month-long road trip of 8000 km across southern China. In this video, I will share a few facts and opinions about the W220, particularly the S500; then, I will talk about my experience with this vehicle: why I bought it, what problems I have had, and how it did over the road trip.
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Facts & opinions on the W220 S500
08:05 Why I bought my 2005 S500 LWB?
09:49 What repairs have I had to do?
12:39 31-day, 8000km road trip in China in a W220
15:18 Final thoughts
#mercedes #airmatic #m113 #china #roadtrip #diy #oldcar

[@Danny-bd2eh]

Your used W220 has so many problems as you have stated in China. When you purchased a used W220, all bets are off as it will give you countless problems from the vehicle itself. I still own (as an original owner since 2005 in California) 2005 S500 W220 without any problematic issue like the one are having. It run smoothly when you perform proper maintenance on oil changes, replacing engine and cabin air filters, replacing power steering fluid and coolant plus getting brand new rotors and brake pads with four new tires. Airmatic and soft closed door work perfectly as of today.

[@kovacspis]

It was a great video, loved the infos you shared, enjoyed every minute of it. The low fuel consumption actually surprised me a lot.

[@andypandythehandy121]

Thank you for a great report from your experiences with your lovely W220! I have had the pleasure of owning an S320 from the year 2000, for 4 years. It has 160 000 km on the odometer. The car has never had a single issue; the previous owners (and I) have maintained it very well. I must say that I love the car, from the appearance, to the road holding (the AIRMATIC is fantastic when it works), the interior and the over all high comfort. The W220 has in my opinion an undeserved bad reputation (it is of course an advanced vehicle, and it is essential to keep it well maintained).

[@matsujarvinen]

Very well said.Truly a great car.

[@kenstyle6]

Such a good review. Great vid mate. Well done!

[@t.l.robinson2162]

I have a 2006 S55. I love this car. I will NEVER sell it.

[@allanriches9381]

they are very nice cars. yours looks and performed very well. More peopleate starting to reconsider this model as a modern classic

[@tarzan6678]

It’s great car, in Poland with LPG gas conversion it’s even cheaper to drive S500 than S320CDI. I bought pretty cheap pre-facelift one, with more than 300k kilometers on the odometer. I did 100k kilometers in just 2 years. I had to sent 3 struts for rebuild, replaced air compressor and once my ECU failed(simple re-soldering fix), but otherwise it’s lovely car. Mine has some rust issues, and it doesn’t look the best, but it’s just daily car which is fun and comfortable to travel.

[@drjltoncars5575]

Yes, it's actually a cheap car to run that most people won't believe. They think it needs 16+ L/100km :D

[@Old.jewish]

Wonderful video, educational and well put together, looking forward to future content!

[@crocapo]

Very nice 👍🏻

[@Bizija123]

Thank you for the video and wonderful photos. I would like to travel to Asia one day.

[@olivierbiv]

Thank you very much for your reportage

[@bmwrepaircrew8848]

Great video JLT 👍👍 how much do these go for in China? You can tell me in RmB and I can convert, I was just curious because for years in the US these have been very low/reasonably priced with many in the $4000-$10000 range. AMG cars are around $8000-$20000, which is considerably lower than original msrp. Would be cool for you to make sone videos talking about cars people like in China and differences like how coupes are more expensive used (same here but not to the same degree)

[@yingwei236067]

从B站过来，加油！🎉

[@dwightchuikov8121]

在B站也刷到老哥的视频😆

[@sp7873]

ABC is Great and if maintained properly no big issue.

[@fuyouto]

nope . the spare part prices is out of this world

[@marthomaboy7246]

nice.

[@havarbeknutsen2428]

1 of my 2 key didn't the key lessgo workt. the fault was the i did need to tell the key lessgo system that i had an new key. the system kan only remember 2 key at athe time.

[@drjltoncars5575]

Hi, this is different: I have the Mercedes C4 diagnostic tool and Xentry. The module has been set up correctly, but the key is not recognized. I think it could be some minor electrical fault somewhere. I'll investigate further.

[@havarbeknutsen2428]

@@drjltoncars5575 as long you don't have a fault code and the key has the keyless go sensor in it, then it most likely are the key track. you can choose between 1 - 8. try one number at the time and see if it work (remember to turn off the ignisjon and theke the key out, after you have switch the key track) edit: if your key fit 2 batteries then it doesn't have keyless go funksjon, do to the lake of Space in it. only keys that have 1 battery have the keyless go funksjon (smartkey)

[@drjltoncars5575]

@@havarbeknutsen2428 I have C4 xentry, and the coding is correct. The keys are KG keys. Thanks

[@kosiekoos9408]

Lexus Lexus Lexus

[@shawkubaska2891]

'Promo SM'