2012 Mercedes-Benz S550 Designo Overview - New Car Introduction

It’s been a while since I’ve released a video, but it’s been a busy last few months and I should have much more content coming in 2022!
Today I unveil one of my newest vehicles, my 2012 S550. This is a replacement for my old black S550, which was rear-ended and totaled in early 2021. The new one is a much nicer spec, with the Designo Saffron Beige interior, Star Galaxy stone trim, pano roof, and many similar options to the old one like the sport package and others. It’s a super nice car, and in the video you’ll see some of what makes this unique compared to other S550s as well as some of what I’ve done to it thus far.
Thanks for watching!
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Parts Used
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Special Tools Used
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Social Media and Contact
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For business inquiries: [e-mail]
redonkilaus
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Notices
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Outro Music:
Avenza - Royal - • Video
Soundcloud - / avenza
Download - fanlink.to/Royal
Spotify - sptfy.com/1n2Q
Legal disclaimer: Our videos are for educational purposes only. We will not be held liable for any loss or damage incurred as a result of any content communicated on this KZbin page.
By using the Amazon links in video descriptions you are helping support this channel. Thank you all for watching!

[@MercedesMechanic]

Its a nice interior combo, I got the silver ext blk inter. I like the burl wood, especially the light colored one they put in some S600's.

[@redonKiLaus]

Most of the interiors offered on these are great combos. Thanks for watching!

[@realcorkdan]

insane quality…. new models not a patch on that build

[@danleon843]

The best review and package I’ve seen on this chasis 👏👏

[@redonKiLaus]

Thanks for watching!

[@lekonarodrick6821]

Waoooo mercedez did their best here

[@blvdgold9768]

So glad to see this wheel/tire combo on a W221. I wanted to go to 255/40-20 and 285/35-20 tires on mine, but never saw it done until now. Were there any clearance issues for the fronts? Speedometer impact?

[@redonKiLaus]

No clearance issues at all, and no speedo impact. These are great wheels, though if you aren't going for the performance aspect I'd skip the PS4S tires and go with the Pilot Sport AS4s. Word of warning, the front wheels do need to be machined (minor mod if you have the equipment or have a shop that does) to clear the hubs, as these were originally 4MATIC only wheels on the newer S63s. Thanks for watching!

[@BLVDGold]

@@redonKiLaus Did you use spacers in the front and/or rear? If so, what mm width? I worry about trying this front tire size due to the upper control arm bolt above the tire - did you have to grind it down?

[@redonKiLaus]

@@BLVDGold No spacers, but I was running the S63 wheels from the W222, slightly different offset and width that set them out around 10 or 15mm more than factory if I remember correctly. Thanks for watching!

[@johnksss]

Great video. Thanks for the tour. I would only add one more thing to it... The option for Apple Car Play, Android Auto and mirroring. Which also gives updated map software for free. :)

[@redonKiLaus]

I likely would've had I kept the car. I love the COMAND system, but the lack of Bluetooth audio is one of the reasons I sold it...insane to me that I have a Ford truck older than this car and it has a leaps-and-bounds better Bluetooth connectivity system. Thanks for watching!

[@CambodianCrippler]

My 2010 w221 got 206,000 miles and still drives like a dream. I’m jealous of the interior though bro lol

[@tsmith05081982]

Do you still have the car ? Any issues ? Looking at a 2013 Model with 78k miles. Worried about the cylinder bore issue I’ve heard about on these engines.

[@redonKiLaus]

I don't, no issues I had but I'm glad I sold it before we started seeing/hearing about the issues. Probably a year after I sold this one, found out local dealerships are seeing at least a few M278 or M157 engines per week for the issue. Replacement engines aren't cheap! Thanks for watching!

[@michaelfreni5565]

Beautiful car. If you don’t mind me asking what did it cost you when you bought it? Thank you.

[@redonKiLaus]

It was $25k if I remember correctly, sold for about the same a couple years ago. Thanks for watching!

[@AceXun13]

Bro you can put whatever kind if badge or whatever you want on your car..People dont have the right to say anything about what you do to your car, "its yours" Great beautiful ride brother and keep up the great work.👍🏾

[@realcorkdan]

hey sam … you dad reviewed my tire gauge a few years ago …. would you mind reviewing an eco friendly degreaser i made… it uses usa company liquifix ingredients that are ph neutral

[@Bstnr1]

What bluetooth adapter is that

[@scottgrove100]

where did you get the xmas hood ornament cover?

[@redonKiLaus]

Amazon, I think it was marketed as a Christmas/Santa hat for cats. Thanks for watching!

[@Mr1000rrcbr]

Where can I buy the v8 bi turbo emblem for the front fender? Thanks

[@redonKiLaus]

You can find them from online Mercedes parts stores, aftermarket ones on eBay, or at your local dealership. Thanks for watching!

[@Bstnr1]

What bluetooth adapter is that?

[@timfoley8283]

Black wheels are so yesterday.

[@redonKiLaus]

Agreed - one of the reasons I got rid of the car (didn't love it aesthetically), aside from the fact that it didn't fit my daily use case anymore. Thanks for watching!

[@AmericanBusinessman422]

​@@redonKiLaus Whoa you got rid of it?? How much did this piece of gold sell for?

[@redonKiLaus]

@@AmericanBusinessman422 Sold a few years ago now, I believe for $24k. Unfortunately a change in commute necessitated a more durable vehicle (rough roads, debris, etc). Thanks for watching!

[@yunga8305]

The generation of these sclases were so problematic.

[@redonKiLaus]

They aren't bad, but there definitely are issues with them. Thanks for watching!

[@redonKiLaus]

They definitely can be. Thanks for watching!

[@rockflock4698]

My 2010 s550 never gave me a problem!! Maintenance is key!!!

[@redonKiLaus]

@@rockflock4698 My 221s were alright, not bad by any means. Thanks for watching!

[@erics9754]

I find the exact opposite these W221s in my opinion were some of the nicest S class models every made. I have a older one naturally aspirated and i will not sell the new ones are garbage to me. The interiors in my opinions are the best simple and classy .My second favorite is the W222 but the W221s have a bank vault feel the W222 lost a bit. The 2013 with the brown Designo interior is just gorgeous so in the white interior one. Mercedes nailed it with this generation. Many might disagree but i have test drove the new one and a W222 and i am sticking with my W221 love the fact i can clean my headlights and open the trunk right without reaching and love the scroll wheel no finger prints and it keeps my eyes on the road sure it does not park itself or drive itself but i do not like those features anyway i love to drive also less things to break. My car has all the options i can hope for .Night vision is a new feature on a 2025 Ram Tungsten my car has it and its a 2007 lol. I also have rear power seats heated and cooled something many cars do not even have today!!! I have power headrests front and rear power shades back and sides rest function which keeps the car col or warm when i shut it off for up to 30 minutes massage seats i can go on and on also i can load up a SD card and have my whole music library at my fingertips so i could car less about a Bluetooth adapter my phone works through the cars audio system anyway. These W221 were over built because of all the complaints about the cost cutting W220 S class that went all out on quality with the W221 and you can feel it with just one drive. Just make sure you get a low mile one mine had 60 thousand when i bought it so just broken in and it had a flawless maintenance record up to date and was stored inside from a dry no snow climate. I just love the car and look for excuses to drive it it does everything smoothly and takes my stress away.

[@Anderwist]

How much did you pay for it? Did you face any major issues with a car during this time? I'm looking at one currently that has 87k miles on it.

[@redonKiLaus]

I paid $25k and sold this one or just a hair under that with about that same mileage on it. No issues during my ownership, just about a grand worth of preventative maintenance. You can search my channel for all of the W221 videos that show everything I did to the 2 I had. Thanks for watching!

[@marcusjd21]

@@redonKiLaus I just passed up on one because I didn’t want to pay almost 30K with tags and title. The designo I looked at wasn’t as nice as that one not even close. S0 I bought a regular S550 blk with blk interior today that’s the smoothest ride i have ever had I mean 60mph feels like im going 30mph. But I did sit in the parking lot of a gas station for almost an HOUR trying to figure out how to play music through Bluetooth yea dummy me to think a 100k car would 😂😂😂😂

[@redonKiLaus]

@@marcusjd21 Congrats on the new car! Good call passing up at that price, since the new generation S class came out the values of 221s has fallen pretty rapidly, low 20s/high teens gets you one with under 100k miles now private party. They are great cars for sure. That Bluetooth issue is one of the reasons I sold this one though! Thanks for watching!