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Have to say, that 221 has really held up over the years. I still think it’s a really good looking car - especially this AMG spec one you’re driving.

Might be a hot take, but i MASSIVELY prefer the pre-facelift tail-lights over the facelift ones. the segmented ones just look alot cooler.

If you can, get your hands on the S65 AMG W221 and W222 which later came with an improved M279 and a 7 speed gearbox. They are the epitome of automobile for me as they were nearly just as comfortable as a Bentley or a Rolls Royce of that time whilst being faster and cheaper. I would pick one up in a heartbeat if I could

Owned a w220 CL65 nine years ago and honestly other then a couple of random warning lights that popped up then disappeared all by themselves it was a brilliant car, in my two years of ownership i was not stung on any costs just servicing and some rear tyres ( the previous owner got stung for brakes at mercedes they confirmed it had discs and pads 8 months before i bought it ) i did get a quote for front discs and pads for future expenditure ( specialist ) and it was just under £1500 at the time, i sold mine on 59k, the wife loved it and would daily it while i was working away it was that easy and relaxing to drive, great upload really enjoyed it

Thank you Jay, been waiting for this one for aaaaaaages. I’ve been driving W221’s for 5 years now and I can’t imagine wanting anything else. I recently bought a 2013 (last year before the 222) S350 L AMG sport pack, with every conceivable extra. While it’s not in the same 0-60 league as the S63, it’s still no slouch. And with 457lb ft, it certainly takes your heart rate up a notch when you floor it at 50 or 60. You’re very quickly breaking the law, by a lot. But it’s all about the comfort and quality. It’s one of those cars you just kind of sit in for a couple of minutes listening to classic FM when your journey ends, and look over your shoulder at when you get out.

If it has an m156 it is king! Although I preferred my cls and e63

Can you imagine if Mercedes built an Estate version of the S63 AMG? That would cover all of the bases.

Jay has to be the hardest working car review KZfaqr out there so many videos ! My favourite channel especially as you chose cars that we all think about/look at on autotrader so are relevant to people who can’t afford something like a Porsche GT3! keep up the good work! I don’t think I could buy a car with wooden trim, it seems so old fashioned and heavy in a car that is supposed to be sporty

Oh Jay, I wish you had asked me to drive my cars as it would have been a great review to drive my S65AMG W221 prefacelift and my facelift S63AMG W221 but with the 5.5 V8 BiTurbo engine. My S63AMG is also a Designo performance pack car and it has 571bhp and 900NM standard. Anyways, the 6.2l V8 naturally aspirated is also a great engine. As I own both, I can honestly say that no other engine other than the 6.0l V12 Twin Turbo is suited better to this S class. The S65AMG has a super car performance! No exaggeration Another great video by the way

Grsndma had the 320 version. After she passed I sold it, didnt get much as had to replace alot of the electrics. Buyers should be wary of this. Have some great childhood memories from the car. Even in v6 form it sounded sporty and guttural, and had a bit of go. Grandma also had a W140 generation beforehand, that thing was a tank. Mercedes at its peak, build quality felt years ahead of anything else on the market

I love how you're always asking the right questions.

I own a 2007 black on black W221 S550 with AMG sport package w/ 19" alloy wheels. Limo tinted windows and 35% windshield, had the 2nd cats removed and replaced with an x-pipe, muffler and resonator delete. ECU tuning from OE Tuning. The car is quiet still but when you stomp on the gas you can hear the V8 roar. It's very powerful and it is a comfortable highway cruiser that I have taken across the US a few times in the past year. It does go through brakes and tires quickly though since it's a heavy car. I put cross drilled rotors on the rear to match the fronts and run ceramic brake pads for low dust and painted the calipers with a high temp red. I want to lower it a bit with an airmatic lowering module and I'm considering blacking out the chrome trim on the windows, lower doors, trunk lid, and buying a 2nd grille and having it stripped and painted gloss black. I really do enjoy owning this car. I also upgraded to all red 10-13 tail lights. Only downside is the small trunk space for this size of car, and the Harmon Kardon audio system really isn't that impressive. My front door mid bass speakers are torn around the surrounds and need to be replaced. The system sounds too flat no matter how you adjust it and the Logic 7 settings just make the music sound "wide". Lack of bluetooth audio means you have to use an FM transmitter to play music from your phone but that isn't as crisp and can have interference from radio stations when you are traveling. If your W221 has the iPod cable in the glovebox you can add a bluetooth dongle to that, but my car doesn't have the cable or the add on box behind the dash for it, so unless I find out being parted out and I can get the parts (and then have the radio coded to enable the "aux" input) I'll live with the FM transmitter for now. There is a bluetooth module in the center console but that is to pair your phone for calls only since it doesn't work for A2DP music streaming. Great cars that have tech right before bluetooth streaming. NAVTOOL makes a piggyback adapter you install behind the dash allowing for bluetooth and carplay on the factory screen but it's $600+ install. There are also some aftermarket screens to replace the factory screen with a wider touchscreen but they cause you to lose the leather top dash piece and look out of place in my opinion. I considered the S63 AMG but those 6.2L engines had known headbolt issues and the ABC suspension is an expensive headache to repair compared to the simpler Airmatic struts and compressor. My M273 only has the timing gear to worry about but that was upgraded in 2008 so if I have timing chain issues I will replace the parts with the later versions.

I laughed out loud about the stalks part 😂 Very true of the 2000s Mercs. Excellent generation of S-Class, I like the looks a lot. I think the best you can get is a post-2008 500. The revised M273 has got rid of the idler timing gear-related issues while remaining N/A. And you get Airmatic which makes the car comfier. Like you said, the AMG version's performance is hampered by its weight, and the ABC suspension is a nightmare to maintain so I don't quite see the interest, compared to normal V8 versions.

Love the review and good breakdown of the primary lens of which you look at your car, luxury or sport. Future video(s) idea - top 3 sporty luxury cars and top 3 luxury sports cars.

Thanks for the video. I just recently sold my CL63 which I loved. I have always had a soft spot for the big Merc thing. My advice always buy the best you can afford with cars like this.

Stunning Motor , Great Video as always James

My heart likes it. My wallet doesn't trust it.

Fantastic car, fantastic review…thank you, much appreciated👍👍

When Mercedes introduced the COMAND system the handbook for it was FIVE HUNDRED pages long. Not the car’s handbook, just the standalone guide to the infotainment system.

Oh, yes, Jay. In 1993 I bought the S600 and SL600 brand new. If only I hadn't been such a young fool and sold them only a few years later for the next shiny bit of glitter. At the time, the 389 hp V12 was absolutely world-class and it was mounted in the tank-like W140 body. I have owned lots of top cars since, but nothing that felt like those cars at speed. I drove them at autobahn speeds when I could get away with it, and it felt at say 140mph (statute of limitations has passed) like you were quietly driving through your neighborhood at 35mph. They hadn't quite perfected cooling as a result of stuffing that V12 in the cabrio, and it did overheat at times. Amazingly, I never got a speeding ticket in either one. Actually, knock on my wooden head, I got only 2 tickets over about a 30 year period, one being the red-Ferrari-attracted obligitory ticket in my then new F355 in 1996. The other was in the 1997 Porsche Twin Turbo, in ticket-attractive Porsche yellow (which has that cool orange undertone). Now as a geezer, my S63 AMG Cab is so smooth and quiet when you are gently cruising that you might mistake it for an EV. Of course, the moment you wake it up by going into Manual/Sport mode, it gets quite an attitude. If I were in the UK, I would happily let you do your test/review, but there is a wee ocean between us.

There is a very clever young chap in Reading UK (Rand_Ash) on youtube who actually makes his own Gearbox Computer for these and other AMG models. It absolutely transforms the car. They are available to buy or even assemble yourself if your good with a soldering iron.

I think the W221 sweet spot is the facelifted S500 with its 4.7L twin turbo and 435-455 HP.

I've always loved the S600, s63 and s65 I've had an E55 and an s500 and they were both amazing cruisers

Nice review! Always liked the W221, much like the W126 a great example of timeless elegance 👌

The perfect car if you're ever in Albania and need to get away from the police!

Had 2007 s550 for 6 years Beautiful car

Great video. Been waiting for a review of this generation of S63. Would be great if you could review the facelift version of this S63 with the 5.5 BiTurbo. I know a lot of people love the 6.3 NA but the 5.5 seems to fit the character of an S class more with the increased torque.

Having had my first s class at the age of 23. I do love the power that my w221 brings. It looks fresh enough and the technology is at the sweet spot. It will out handle most cars on the streets and you'll be surprised it will spin up the rears at 3rd gear. You can get it to handle like an m3... Almost, but you have to play that game of opposites to ensure the handling is safe and still sporty. So not for everyone, unless your very competent driver. The biggest thing to factor in the cost to keep it running. I've spent the cars value in 2 years ownership on keeping it running. Be very careful. If you have deep wallets go for it. Otherwise steer clear from the s class and go for something far more attainable like a 530/540. That's my honest opinion having covered 40k in the car

Always had a soft spot for these. Something about a mad engine in the epitome of comfort. I’d like to see this up against a first gen Panamera Turbo

We are so glad they made this .....

Ive always liked these, keep looking at them on AT

My W222 S350 was the best car I ever owned, gorgeous in every way, seriously smooth n quiet and powerful 👌

Great video as always James. I did a quick check on the price of brakes on Autodoc & sure enough boy are those discs expensive. Not much choice either. Zimmerman, Delphi, & SHW range from £450 to £628 per disc. 😬 based on todays Autodoc discount of just 30%, but wait a sec they also sell Quinton Hazel discs which are just £65 each. 🤔. Pads are all reasonably priced at £45 to £117 for the most expensive. Those are front brake prices.

I currently own a '08 S550 L and its been fantastic. I've owned 73 cars, but this may be the finest.

TY J 🙏

Could you do a S65 too?😊 An excellent review, 10/10

You mentioned a lot of cars that could possibly compare to the S63, except the Bentley Flying Spur. Luxury; Check, Engine; 6.0L W12 550bhp. You can pick one up of similar age to the Mercedes shown, for around the same price, too. Disclimer, I am biased, being a Spur owner. You can take mine out any time to do a comparison. Thanks for sharing.

Having had a C63 and sold it after 12 months I thought I've done it , had fun and moved on Now driving a transporter van , trusty thing that it is Until I watched this , another great video jay , now I'm of to check out auto trader 😀

One of the meanest Gen of S class ever

Great video. Maybe my next drive if I get braver and a bit richer. I have a w212 with the OM642 and it’s an interstate weapon. 195Kw and near 1200kms a tank.

One of the greatest s classes (w221) and one of the greatest engines (156) although I believe they don't match each other, amg s classes benefit greatly from the torque of supercharged or turbocharged v8s or ideally a low stressed v12. I think this s class is best described as a wonderful paradox

Love mine! 08 model very rare the S63s and 65s here in Australia. Good video.

in a country with speed limits, an older MB like a W116 or 126 would be my preference. Now were I living in Der Vaterland, it'd be one that sounds like a detuned NASCAR engine.... This!

Thanks James. If you could get your hands on an Audi S8 or S8+, circa 2015-2017 and do a review, that would be great.

Five hundred quid a week, to keep it on the road? Some people, like Jay, can afford that, so it's all good.

Just saying, set of front pads from Euro Car Parts £214.99

The sound is glorious Is the mpg about 10mpg every where?

The Cl65 Amg and S65 AMG are my dream cars anything v12 like the Sl65AMG

“Most car per unit currency” is tricky to precisely nail down, but I do believe it has an AMG badge. Combine an S, SL or CL with a 55, 63 or 65… depending on which way the wind is blowing.

Ok. Someone find a Stig to play Top Trumps with him......and then flip a table over.

I'd love this gen S500/550. So much car for the money, period

Love these, please review a 65 car, W215 CL65 if possible.

Merc mechanic told me the rusty ones were from 1998 to 2002. After that they were all quite well sorted.

In my opinion that is the best car in world

This intro was amazing about the Jag 😂

Beautiful

Sounds and looks lovely, can drive soon next year so waiting for the inevitable death by insurance

Jay, if you like vehicles with 4 brakepads, the ducati 999 is your next bike. Each front caliper 4 pads!

Ooo the rear discs are scored......

The age old Lexus LS600h intro reheated and served with a splash of AMG

Damn, my dream car

For the purposes of this discussion about which is the best car in the world, would the Brabus Rocket 900 (which is based on the AMG S65 but is even faster) count as a production car? Or the Lister Stealth, a 195 mph SUV based on the Jaguar F-Pace?

The CL 63 with this engine is undoubtedly one of the best modern Mercedes AMG. Power, sound, elegance, rarity, discretion.

Hey I have a 2016 M5, what’s your thoughts compared to that, always wanted an S class worth a swap?

The most surprising thing I heard, was that it was only £800 for discs and pads up front! I would guess it wasn't a dealer he went to? If it was, that's actually very reasnoble.

Good old days

I seriously miss my W126. An absolutely fabulously well made luxurious car I could take out in the countryside and kick the shit out of it, and it took it and gave me back as much as I gave it in feedback. Amazing cars. Such a shame they are now nothing but computers on wheels. I'm sure a new one wouldn't let me kick it's doors in as much as did with my fabulous 300SE did.

I wish Mercedes would go back to the elegant, classic, and well thought out interior designs that they had back in the W220/215/209 etc.

My fathers car, 07 s63 i used to be scared shitless when i was 10 and he went full throttle

W221 was the last elegant S Class, W222 already gone cheap...less wood & leather, more plastic! 😢

absolutely amazing car but I'd be utterly terrified of some random enourmous repair cost

s55 supercharged for me

I had a 2010. Horridly built cars. Marc dealers didn't know how to begin to fix it. Mine only had 60k miles. Won't be missed

W221 (M156), W140, W223. ILL TAKE THOSE THANKS

Oooh, you were so close but not quite there - please do the early 2000's Maybach 57 (short wheelbase). Some would say even more luxuriouser than a Roller and makes this (despite the performance difference) look like a Cortina. ;)

I personally prefer the C or E class AMG 63S Given that they're not limousines they're slightly smaller and lighter with the identical powerplant.

this one has the std headliner, more plush ones where available, the s63 follows the 500 in many ways including most of the interior, the12cyl cars more upscale parts std, wood where the others had plastic, extended nappa leather as std, including the dash and more things

The best Sclass ever

Jay, does it have a Bluetooth connectivity?

"Who's this for?, Alan Sugar on a track day?" -James May

The only thing letting down the car is the headlights the rest perfect

Front end reminds me of a mondao

No alcantara headliner in the 63? Glad i got the 65

Loved my W221 S but more wisely (imho) chose the SWB S500 4Matic. Followed it with the W222 S500 4Matic which didn't look as good but was better technically.

Would look nice in a transporter movie.

I still lust after a W116

What year is your car?

Nice

Those half colored brake calipers look absolutely horrendous

Brake discs are around £600 each so not sure about the misinformation that 800 for discs and pads! Nice car but high maintenance as recently abc hydraulic pipe bursted and Mercedes wanted around £350 just to buy the hose! Got it repaired instead! Still has other issues that I can’t workout! Sometimes gears wont shift up or car doesn’t accelerate! Anyone has one of these?? Get in touch. Valve cover gasket is now dripping oil onto the manifold etc etc etc and so on :)

The secret here in buying a used Mercedes is to get one that's been looked after and has receipts for regular maintenance and 'normal' repairs. All too often I see a good example but has been abused, such a shame really.

This might kick off a fight but cars like the S63 remind me that in my completely irrelevant opinion that crossplane crank V8's sound better that V12's.

No such thing as a cheap fast car thats not full of problems. Im from manchester and got a x5m 2013 plate. Had it 1 year and now leaking oil from the rocker cover gasket but worst case senario could be from the head gasket

Great review! I love the w221, own a S600 myself. Not the same as a S63, but much more focus on comfort and luxury (eg much better leather and alcantara headliner). Anyhow, I agree that the w221 is one of the best allround cars ever made.

I’d Love a W222 S Class

If you need a really well sorted highly specced facelift S350 CDI as a comparison (so much torque!) give me a shout.

Depreciation is off course massive however if reliability is questionable for those Hot-V engines in a longer perspective it might cause ulcers for later owners too

I'm guessing the owner turned his carpet mats over for some reason? I can't imagine someone having checkered plate floor mats in an s class, lol.

If you gave me infinite money to buy a car, I would pick up a black on white designo interior prefacelift w221 s65 in a heartbeat. Simply dream car material.