2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class W221 350 Blue Efficiency 3.5 petrol

Summary:

Expensive but worth it

Faults:

All the car's faults are minor; I call them minor faults because they are not mechanical problems.

Keyless entry system handles can fail due to wiring damage, a problem that can be easily repaired.

Power windows can stick due to a damaged regulator mechanism or a fault in the control module that operates them. This has happened to me repeatedly; it's tiring, but not serious.

The air conditioning failed due to a dirty fan or blockages in the engine compartment drains, which can affect the operation of the electronics if not addressed immediately.

There are people who have this same car and have trouble starting it; fortunately, it never happened to me.

General Comments:

The best thing about the car, like any good Mercedes, is its comfort, luxury, and convenience. The Airmatic air suspension, which scans the road, provides a very smooth ride and can lift the body to absorb bumps, making road trips exceptionally comfortable.

The car stands out for its poise on highways, allowing high speeds with the engine at low revs, which contributes to a relaxed experience.

It incorporates systems such as a 360-degree camera and automatic parking assistant, which make maneuvering easier.

The 3.5-liter petrol engine consumes quite a bit of fuel, but with the necessary maintenance it is more than reliable and durable. Regular and timely engine maintenance is crucial to avoid problems with the injectors and turbocharger, which are vulnerable points.

Maintenance and spare parts costs are quite expensive, commensurate with a premium brand, but if you're being responsible, it's a car that requires few servicings, only basic ones. It may not be a W115 or W123, but with so much modern technology, you can say it's quite reliable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st October, 2025

1984 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 280SE 2.7 CC

Summary:

Engineered like no other car in the world

Faults:

Nothing really just an exhaust blow and the rear door panel needed replacing that's it.

General Comments:

Great car to be owned, perfect cruiser and at high speeds it's very quiet. All the electrics work, and it has a lot, GREAT CAR.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th March, 2007

14th Mar 2007, 10:35

Your Mercedes may be okay, but down buy a new one! The current issue of Consumer Reports does not recommend a single Mercedes model! Every model has worse than average or much worse than average reliability!

23rd Apr 2009, 10:39

Eh, it's a different story with the old ones. The reliability problems are due to Daimler Chrysler's cut in expenses during later years. So they are not as well made as the old ones. The old cars from Mercedes-Benz are the most reliable cars in the world. They were overengineered to meet high quality standards.

11th Jun 2009, 15:47

Oh, come on guys; new Mercedes are fantastic. I have an A class (A-160) from 2000 with 200,000kms and have never had a single problem; the car has almost 10 years and I haven't even changed the battery! Only regular service, two light bulbs and two -of 3- wipers! These are fantastic cars, and A class are low rated in many surveys. One wonders how surveys are done...

Cheers.

12th Jun 2009, 17:20

There will always be the odd one or two GOOD cars in a batch known for being reasonably troublesome. Mercedes from the '90s are not the indestructible over-engineered tools they were previous to it.

If you're a-class has been trouble-free, lucky you. You also probably have a manual. My neighbour downstairs works at a Mercedes dealership as a mechanic, and he just wouldn't touch one. It's surprising, but even at a dealership, they can overhaul a Mercedes automatic gearbox for an S- or C-class for NZ$4000, but the A-class costs $6800 because of the valve body which has a design fault.

Mercedes has made efforts in the last few years to bring its dependability back; that neighbour of mine did say that the latest ones haven't been coming back for warranty repairs anywhere near as frequent as the '90s ones, so here's to hoping. As is, they've already alienated a few customers.