Thinking of an S Class coupe (W217)

[brandwooddixon]

I'm thinking about replacing my CL with an S Class Coupe (W217).
I'll probably veer towards the 500, my price bracket means that I'll be looking at vehicles from 2014-2017 with the M278 or M157 engines. These engines should be far enough into their production run to have most of the niggles ironed out.
I'm not really bothered about Mercedes Me and so won't be bothered if it no longer works and probably wouldn't pay a subscription in any case, but I do want Distronic (not standard fitment) and ventilated seats.

I don't know if any members have one, but I'd like to know if there are any weaknesses in the car or things that I should look out for.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Member Daveenty owns one

 

[Blobcat]

@S500 Pete has an S500 saloon with the M278 4.7 V8 engine
@daveenty has an S63 Coupe with the M177 4.0 V8 engine

 

[AMGeed]

The M157 engine is in the earlier S63, not the 500.

 

[brandwooddixon]

The M157 engine is in the earlier S63, not the 500.

Thank you.
My apologies, I wasn't very clear.
Although my preference is for the 500, mainly because you can buy a set of front brake discs and pads for the price of one front brake disc for the S63, I would consider an S63 (as I'm not doing the mileage that I used to) if the price was right and it had the equipment that I'm after.
The "face lifted" vehicles with the new 4.0 litre engines are beyond my budget.

I know that there were issues with the earlier M157 and M278 engines but I would imagine that these were not used in the 217.

 

[rorywquin]

Sensors used for distronic, lane keeping, blind spot assist etc - are known to fail.

 

[brandwooddixon]

Sensors used for distronic, lane keeping, blind spot assist etc - are known to fail.

Thank you.
Are they less reliable than on a 216?
I have the Distronic on my current car, along with lane keeping, and blind spot assist. Only issues that I have encountered so far is one section of the M6 and A556 where interference of some sort disables it.

 

[rorywquin]

Thank you.
Are they less reliable than on a 216?
I have the Distronic on my current car, along with lane keeping, and blind spot assist. Only issues that I have encountered so far is one section of the M6 and A556 where interference of some sort disables it.

LKA and BSA stopped working after 5 years in my SL400 (2017) that had been cosseted, low mileage (24k) and lived in a garage. My indie mentioned that it was a common problem on all MBs and he was regularly replacing them.

 

[AMGeed]

Thank you.
My apologies, I wasn't very clear.
Although my preference is for the 500, mainly because you can buy a set of front brake discs and pads for the price of one front brake disc for the S63, I would consider an S63 (as I'm not doing the mileage that I used to) if the price was right and it had the equipment that I'm after.
The "face lifted" vehicles with the new 4.0 litre engines are beyond my budget.

I know that there were issues with the earlier M157 and M278 engines but I would imagine that these were not used in the 217.

Ah, understood re the 500 or 63 model.

The M157 fitted to the 2014-2017 SL63's should be free from the weaker timing chain issue that affected earlier cars.
Other than avoiding any car that misfires, I'd be happy with an M157 powered S63.

 

[grayb]

We'd rather like a C217 (W217) - I would expect that the 500 with 435 bhp would be a good starting position. Though Alex F was trying to turn us to the dark side (S63) the other day...

 

[AMGeed]

We'd rather like a C217 (W217) - I would expect that the 500 with 435 bhp would be a good starting position. Though Alex F was trying to turn us to the dark side (S63) the other day...

Once you've tried one (S63) you won't want to settle for less.
Just amazing performance.

 

[grayb]

Once you've tried one (S63) you won't want to settle for less.
Just amazing performance.

But would we be more after wafting in it? We have more sporting options already...

And we'd need to rethink the towing car.

 

[AMGeed]

But would we be more after wafting in it? We have more sporting options already...

And we'd need to rethink the towing car.

I'm sure you could still "wafT" in a S63, just a bit faster

For sure towing would be a no go in a 63

 

[S500 Pete]

Check that towing is an option on an S class coupe. It isn't on my S222 because of the rear vallance.

 

[brandwooddixon]

Luckily I'm not looking at towing

My current thinking is to edge towards the 500, even if my heart says go for the 63. Yes I'm not doing the mileage that I used to and so consumables like brakes costing £3k for a full set of rotors and pads might be more achievable, but my initial outlay for a new set of 19" rims with winter tyres at nigh on £2.5k will probably push a 63 beyond my budget. (As you can tell I'm hoping that my 18" rims with winter tyres would fit the C217).

My only issue now is that after a dozen or so years of driving cars with ABC, whether I would miss it, from a driving sense, by a switch to Airmatic.

 

[brandwooddixon]

Well, it looks as if my idea of keeping my winter wheels and tyres may not work as the rim diameter may not be large enough if the sportier brakes are fitted (they're 18" rims). Insurance wise there's only a couple of hundred quid in it and fuel wise there doesn't appear to be much difference with the official figures, so if the monies right an S63 may well be on the cards.
I'll keep you posted.

 

[Big Cheese]

I originally looked at a S63 and when I'd decided to bite the bullet and go for it it had sold.
I purchased a S500L and about a week later the 63 came back up for sale at Mercedes Benz of I think it was Blackburn.
Whilst the 500 is an excellent tool, extremely comfortable, quick and good on fuel on a run, I can't scratch off the urge for a 63.
I may well be joining you looking for a 63.

 

[SL63 Mark]

I originally looked at a S63 and when I'd decided to bite the bullet and go for it it had sold.
I purchased a S500L and about a week later the 63 came back up for sale at Mercedes Benz of I think it was Blackburn.
Whilst the 500 is an excellent tool, extremely comfortable, quick and good on fuel on a run, I can't scratch off the urge for a 63.
I may well be joining you looking for a 63.

It's a sweet engine.

 

[Pritchsas]

S Class Coupe sounds like a great choice. I've heard good things about the 500. The M278 and M157 engines are solid options. Distronic and ventilated seats are nice to have.

 

[harrye500]

Maybe an S Class Cabriolet? Now that is a nice model, but way out of my price bracket!