I got a w221- 450 CDI AMG pack, very reliable and punchy, it is an awsome machine. Im clocking 320k km right now and all i got no problems at all. I love it!
Glad to hear it! The S 350 CDI was the only diesel available in the Canadian market, with the only 4XX model being the 400 hybrid. Glad to hear yours is working out great for you, I can only hope I can get the same type of life out of mine!
I have a W221 2011 Blue Efficiency, bought it with genuine 17500Km only. It looks more distinguishable, than the later W222 and W223, the protruding wheel body work makes it sooo elegant. All the latter S and E's look indistinguishable....
I've always had a soft spot for the W220, I was considering them when searching for mine. If I had the space and budget I'd still buy one, a 2005 would be ideal!
@@PRNTestDrive The W220 gets a bit of a bad rap even though it’s a pretty solid car. I have an 03 so the update with the 5 speed. I’m pretty well versed in M112 and M113 engined cars but once I watched Daniel Kon and your videos I was confident in getting a 220. I only hope the W221 treats me as well
This is an excellent comparison. What I will say is most noticeable between the W221 and the following years leading up until most recent, is Mercedes Benz really focused on "luxury" and materials. Quality hides, woods, and comfort. The newest models are about Technology, and that's where the budget goes. There is more use of plastics, polymers, versus leathers. This is because customers wanted all the gadgets, which is a sign of the times. W221 models are a bargain today and represent great value if taken care of. Buy that, not the overpriced S-Class offered today.
Very true, we've noticed the same across the range of Mercedes models recently also. It's too bad that tech and large screens are what these brands are focusing on now.
I love the embedded screens on w221, having a tablet and speedometer stick out on 223 does not scream s class interior to me and the shiny plastic trims. And then the new body lines, is it s class or e class driving by?
Agreed! There's no real class with these tablets stuck on the dashboard. Every day I mistake a new C-Class for an E-Class or other vehicle in the lineup, there's no real difference anymore. At least with the 2013 era of cars they shared some design traits but were fully differentiated between models. My C-Class shares design traits with my S-Class, but I'd never mistake them.
Out of every S Class generation the W221 is at the TOP of my list following right behind the W221 is the W222 as my second favorite and choice I HATE the W223 in every way possible to plainly put it it's just ugly especially in the interior the W223 design team FAILED miserably the W223 is a car that I looked at more than a few times and I still can't find anything that I like about it with the W222 and W221 you can clearly see that a lot of attention to detail was a priority when designing the W221 and the W222 all they did was throw a big screen in the W223 with a hideous interior and bland looking exterior the W221 is still my favorite bottom line
That's the problem with the newest generation, the interiors all look the same. A C-Class has the same basic interior, where as my 2013 S-Class and C-Class have completely different interiors, so when I get in either I feel the difference in class.
We're looking for ideas on content, we've never really been the type of channel to just make a video for the sake of a video, always needs to be a reason. This one was a great way to get the W221 out, and one we've been planning to film since I bought the car. I don't get to drive it much but I'll be getting behind the wheel of it next week.
I don’t know if I am prejudiced but the style of the 221 series is far more attractive than the 223 the front is more aerodynamic and the Waganers bold design elements with the bold wheel arches way ahead,also the 221 has individuality not the corporate 223 look. The interior of the 221 is traditional and beautifully finished with a solid feel and that beautiful art deco clock is so so elegant I love the dual purpose of buttons as well as informat applications I don’t have to take my eyes off the road I know where the controls are so tactile. If you put a personal tag/number plate on the car the layman would be hard pressed to say which is the current model. So my W221 is the essence of traditional practical luxury
We're going to see if M-B Canada adds another C-Class to the fleet. The C 43 they had was retired a little while ago, but ideally we'd want a regular C 300 for a proper apples-to-apples comparison. Now that we've put this one together we can show brands like Mercedes what we can do with our Retrospectives, and it'll hopefully open up some more opportunities for us.
I can't tell a 2024 C, E, or S class apart, where as if I park my 2013 C and S next to each other they're distinct enough to see the difference even with a quick glance. 2013 is peak Mercedes for me.
I totally agree. The w221 is the flagship stand alone model. The relative cars n that family C and E look NOTHING like the Sclass. Now a days they all look the same. Lights and all.
Wife had a w221. Bought in 2008. Sold in 2012. Too many mechanical problems to mention. Moved wife to Lexus. Very pleased. Mercedes Benz: The best of nothing.
The earlier model years for the W221 weren't as reliable, it's why I went with the final year of production. Lexus does make some excellent vehicles though, although I can't remember the last time I saw an LS of and year.
Aside from us not having a W222 to compare to, it's still a vehicle I need to feature as I haven't driven one. I think the interior on it is superior to the new one, with a good mix of tech/screens and design elements. We're hopeful to find one to feature in the near future!
Compared to something like the BMW 760i we drove, or even the BMW i7 M70 we had after this, yes. An S-Class is meant to be driven at a comfortable rate, it's why they start off in second gear instead of first. If you're flooring your S-Class at every green light you either own an AMG, which neither of these are, or you're dumb.
The W221 looks old af.Looks like some 200's attempt at removing the mechanical experience. Probably because I have zero nostalgia or eexperience with these models.
w223 looks so awful, looks korean and completely lost the german presence of the previous generations. the touch screens are horrid and the build quality has tremendously gone down. it’s more about technology vs. craftsmanship/build quality.
The W221 is the most beautiful car ever produced by Mercedes IMHO. I'm looking at a 2011 S500 4.7L M278 engine with 200,000km on it but I can't just yet pull the trigger with the high mileage.....🥲
Definitely a high mileage model, but they do seem to last. Depends on the service history and overall condition, but then again lower mileage examples exist like mine. We just rolled over 106,XXX this past weekend.
I got a w221- 450 CDI AMG pack, very reliable and punchy, it is an awsome machine. Im clocking 320k km right now and all i got no problems at all. I love it!
Glad to hear it! The S 350 CDI was the only diesel available in the Canadian market, with the only 4XX model being the 400 hybrid. Glad to hear yours is working out great for you, I can only hope I can get the same type of life out of mine!
I have a W221 2011 Blue Efficiency, bought it with genuine 17500Km only. It looks more distinguishable, than the later W222 and W223, the protruding wheel body work makes it sooo elegant. All the latter S and E's look indistinguishable....
Exactly 💯
Hope it's working out great for you! I love driving mine, I try to get it out once a month to make sure everything is working properly.
As a w220 owner. I’m still impressed by that old car. A 221 is the next logical choice.
I've always had a soft spot for the W220, I was considering them when searching for mine. If I had the space and budget I'd still buy one, a 2005 would be ideal!
@@PRNTestDrive The W220 gets a bit of a bad rap even though it’s a pretty solid car. I have an 03 so the update with the 5 speed. I’m pretty well versed in M112 and M113 engined cars but once I watched Daniel Kon and your videos I was confident in getting a 220. I only hope the W221 treats me as well
Me too.Seven happy years with W220,no troubles.
The 2011 s550 with the 5.5L naturally aspirated was bullet proof. Not as much power as this twin turbo but much cheaper to maintain.
It seemed like a solid option also.
The 2012 is just better all the way around man…
@@mizterblicky5569no way brother. Nothing beats a NA Merc V8.
@@ahmedxkhan, Exactly 💯
The W140 would like a word lol Great video
I'd like a word with the W140 also! It's been far too long since I've driven one, would love to feature that chassis again on TestDrive.
W140 is the king. Love mine.
This is an excellent comparison. What I will say is most noticeable between the W221 and the following years leading up until most recent, is Mercedes Benz really focused on "luxury" and materials. Quality hides, woods, and comfort. The newest models are about Technology, and that's where the budget goes. There is more use of plastics, polymers, versus leathers. This is because customers wanted all the gadgets, which is a sign of the times. W221 models are a bargain today and represent great value if taken care of. Buy that, not the overpriced S-Class offered today.
Very true, we've noticed the same across the range of Mercedes models recently also. It's too bad that tech and large screens are what these brands are focusing on now.
I would take the w221
Great choice! I'm hoping to drive mine this week.
W221 #1
Agreed! I love mine, as you can tell.
I love the embedded screens on w221, having a tablet and speedometer stick out on 223 does not scream s class interior to me and the shiny plastic trims.
And then the new body lines, is it s class or e class driving by?
Agreed! There's no real class with these tablets stuck on the dashboard. Every day I mistake a new C-Class for an E-Class or other vehicle in the lineup, there's no real difference anymore. At least with the 2013 era of cars they shared some design traits but were fully differentiated between models. My C-Class shares design traits with my S-Class, but I'd never mistake them.
Yeah, like a used soap 🧼
Out of every S Class generation the W221 is at the TOP of my list following right behind the W221 is the W222 as my second favorite and choice I HATE the W223 in every way possible to plainly put it it's just ugly especially in the interior the W223 design team FAILED miserably the W223 is a car that I looked at more than a few times and I still can't find anything that I like about it with the W222 and W221 you can clearly see that a lot of attention to detail was a priority when designing the W221 and the W222 all they did was throw a big screen in the W223 with a hideous interior and bland looking exterior the W221 is still my favorite bottom line
That's the problem with the newest generation, the interiors all look the same. A C-Class has the same basic interior, where as my 2013 S-Class and C-Class have completely different interiors, so when I get in either I feel the difference in class.
W223 is junk inside out
Been waiting for a new w221 video
We're looking for ideas on content, we've never really been the type of channel to just make a video for the sake of a video, always needs to be a reason. This one was a great way to get the W221 out, and one we've been planning to film since I bought the car. I don't get to drive it much but I'll be getting behind the wheel of it next week.
I don’t know if I am prejudiced but the style of the 221 series is far more attractive than the 223 the front is more aerodynamic and the Waganers bold design elements with the bold wheel arches way ahead,also the 221 has individuality not the corporate 223 look. The interior of the 221 is traditional and beautifully finished with a solid feel and that beautiful art deco clock is so so elegant I love the dual purpose of buttons as well as informat applications I don’t have to take my eyes off the road I know where the controls are so tactile. If you put a personal tag/number plate on the car the layman would be hard pressed to say which is the current model. So my W221 is the essence of traditional practical luxury
Do the C-class comparison please!
We're going to see if M-B Canada adds another C-Class to the fleet. The C 43 they had was retired a little while ago, but ideally we'd want a regular C 300 for a proper apples-to-apples comparison. Now that we've put this one together we can show brands like Mercedes what we can do with our Retrospectives, and it'll hopefully open up some more opportunities for us.
Had w220 w221 and now w222 and w223 eventually
S Class is an S Class no matter what generation
The best or nothing.
Couldn't agree more! I've driven many of them now and they always impress.
W221 is far better looking + better quality. W223 looks more of a C and E class combined. Embarrassing
I can't tell a 2024 C, E, or S class apart, where as if I park my 2013 C and S next to each other they're distinct enough to see the difference even with a quick glance. 2013 is peak Mercedes for me.
I totally agree. The w221 is the flagship stand alone model. The relative cars n that family C and E look NOTHING like the Sclass. Now a days they all look the same. Lights and all.
I have the 4.6l twin turbo in mine that I just purchased W221. With 59k
Very nice low mileage! Hope you get to enjoy it, congratulations on the purchase!
Wife had a w221. Bought in 2008. Sold in 2012. Too many mechanical problems to mention. Moved wife to Lexus. Very pleased. Mercedes Benz: The best of nothing.
The earlier model years for the W221 weren't as reliable, it's why I went with the final year of production. Lexus does make some excellent vehicles though, although I can't remember the last time I saw an LS of and year.
W221❤
It's the best!
Which S-Class should you buy?
A 2005/2006 *LS430* 😜
Ha!
i love w.221.as.well.minen is 2007 s350 with 27.000km on the clock..its still.fresh like new
That is pretty much band new! Is it just a weekend car for you?
What about choosing the W222 S-Class over the W221?
w222 is the best one out of the 3 by far
Aside from us not having a W222 to compare to, it's still a vehicle I need to feature as I haven't driven one. I think the interior on it is superior to the new one, with a good mix of tech/screens and design elements. We're hopeful to find one to feature in the near future!
@@PRNTestDrive looking forward to the side by side comparison. :)
2006 s600 👌
Can't beat the V12! We'd love to feature one.
W221 best s-class ever
Absolutely is!
Did he really say it’s not fast lmao
Compared to something like the BMW 760i we drove, or even the BMW i7 M70 we had after this, yes. An S-Class is meant to be driven at a comfortable rate, it's why they start off in second gear instead of first. If you're flooring your S-Class at every green light you either own an AMG, which neither of these are, or you're dumb.
Please review W222
It's high on our list! Just looking for someone to provide one for us to feature.
Go with the 2013
That’s what we did and have no regrets!
way to much personal ownership bias. end of the day the new car for the win
Either one you go with you won’t be disappointed. It’s an S-Class after all.
The W221 looks old af.Looks like some 200's attempt at removing the mechanical experience.
Probably because I have zero nostalgia or eexperience with these models.
Fair enough! Everyone's got their opinion on it.
Your tripping bro
ignorance
w223 looks so awful, looks korean and completely lost the german presence of the previous generations. the touch screens are horrid and the build quality has tremendously gone down. it’s more about technology vs. craftsmanship/build quality.
Even as a Mercedes fan I just can't get excited about the current lineup of vehicles.
The W221 is the most beautiful car ever produced by Mercedes IMHO. I'm looking at a 2011 S500 4.7L M278 engine with 200,000km on it but I can't just yet pull the trigger with the high mileage.....🥲
Definitely a high mileage model, but they do seem to last. Depends on the service history and overall condition, but then again lower mileage examples exist like mine. We just rolled over 106,XXX this past weekend.