Folks sometimes ask for differences in models of the W220 with respect to features and reliability. I can't speak for all model years but I can compare my new 2005 S500 to my former 2000 S500, to some extent. From front to rear (sort of):
Hood and lower air intakes are restyled (probably much like the '03 facelift).
Air conditioning system has far more cooling capacity - something I really notice in Florida and in DC. This is true despite the fact that my '00 had the larger A/C installed than the earlier production models.
The suspension is much firmer; I kept my '00 on the intermediate ride setting always (except in crosswinds, when I would use the firmest setting). The '05 soft ride is at least as firm as the '00 was on intermediate setting, and provides excellent road feel.
The steering is more precise and responsive; this is probably because of the 17" wheels, vice the 16" on the '00. Even with stock Continentals, it is better than the '00 was with Michelin MXV-4s. Can't wait to get the Pilot Sport A/S on the '05.
That said, I am happier with the W220 handling overall than with W140s I tested when buying the '00. Though well-built, the W140s handled and steered "heavy," more like trucks than fine sedans. Mercedes made a good move in my book in re-tuning the suspension and steering in the W220 for a sportier and more precise feel. They have improved it even more in the '05 vice the '00.
The '05 is a 4-Matic, and the '00 wasn't. Huge difference, and well worth the extra money. This car has replaced my '00 Audi A6 2.7T (twin turbo Quattro) as the benchmark for handling in a fine luxury car. Dry roads or wet (and I was in some of the hurricane-related downpours in South Florida just last week), the car is in control of the road - far better than the '00 was.
The body is tighter - far fewer squeaks. I believe this is due more to Mercedes’ efforts to reduce body squeaks than to having traded a 5 year old car with 63K miles for a new one.
The COMAND system is thought out far better; for Nav, the large screen is great, the split screen for turns, the DVD data base, street names in map mode, the ability to track current location continuously, adaptability of personal symbols, expanded Points of Interest (and sort options), and overall ease of use (especially when entering and saving destinations) are significant improvements. The ability to switch between functions is easier, and access to submenus is great. The 3-D (bird's eye) view is nice but not especially useful. The voice command is extensive, and of course, controls many useful nav functions in addition to radio, phone, and CD. Regarding the radio, the provision of only one user-programmable FM memory band is a disappointment; the autotune function as a second FM memory just isn't that useful, especially when I use the car in 2 very different geographic locations. I do miss the digital readout of fuel tank capacity in the instrument cluster submenus, but of course that’s not major.
The COMAND plays MP3 CDs and DVDs. I had great success with one such DVD, and problems with another (probably related to the fact that I wrote 1500 songs to root level of the DVD, and I should have used subfolders). Still learning the tricks of authoring music-only DVDs. The system recognized only MP3 music format on the DVD, however; not AAC, Apple Lossless, AIFF, or WAV.
Of course, there is a 6-disc CD changer in addition. Unfortunately there is no AUX input on the Siemens-built COMAND, and unless Mercedes makes their iPod adapter available for the '05 S500, I can't use my iPod. The Dension Ice>Link I had used in my '00 is not usable in the '05; nor is the MikBox I had used to free myself from Mercedes-branded phones. I bought the Mercedes/Motorola V-710 for an outrageous $525; however, the tech mech at the dealership confirms that Mercedes will soon make a Bluetooth adapter available for their standard phone installation - and with that, any non-Mercedes Bluetooth phone will be compatible. I don't know how far back in model years the Mercedes Bluetooth mod will go.
I have experienced some minor electronics glitches - ESP cycling off briefly on one occasion, a warning that load leveling had been cancelled on another, both without any action on my part. The A/C fan never shows less than 4 of 5 bars for speed in auto mode, but very plainly has slowed down below that speed; the A/C display is always blue (night)- possibly a malfunction (it does not respond to any user-programmable changes of the COMAND display). But, those will be addressed at first service. The written information on the symbols and options for them (personal, default, etc.) in the Nav display is sketchy, but once you get to the menu in COMAND it is intuitive.
I did not get Distronic or the Active Body Control (ABC) option, so cannot contrast those.
The finish of the interior is better. Doors and interior trim line up better. The underside of the wood trim over the steering column is fully finished, where it was a sanded edge on the '00. The chrome trim across the underside of the wood trim on the dashboard and doors is nice but nonfunctional. I love the electric rear window shade (didn't get the side shades). The '05 is silver/Ash interior, which is MUCH cooler in the sun than my black on black '00 (duh!!). However, I feel no need for window film in the silver car, which I did right away in the black car. It is at least 20 degrees cooler after being parked in the sun. The coin holder is not as useful in the '05 as the '00, and the cup holders take up some of the storage space the '00 had (however, the phone is easier to access, and the '05's cup holders work better and hold more).
The rear window defroster offers better coverage; have not had to use it yet, but the design (finer wire much more closely spaced) would seem to afford faster defrosting. The automatic (rain sensor) wiper function will kick into high speed when necessary (the '00 would only step as high as the low setting). The Bi-Xenon lights are nice looking, but since my ’00 had Xenon low beams there is no practical difference under most conditions.
The trunk requires more force to close, but has the auto-retracting handle to assist. The trunk space is less than the '00 because the Nav DVD reader is added and the CD changer sits higher (it is not recessed into the well behind the rear wheel as it is on the '00).
The front passenger footwell has slightly less space because of the 4-Matic. However, the floor mats are the same between the 4-Matic and non 4-Matic (according to the dealer, stock #s are the same) - but the right front floor mat doesn't have the fit I would expect.
I certainly hope that the reliability has improved as much as I have read, and as much as the additional thought in the way things function might indicate. Many items are truly better thought out; I will leave the car largely stock, since I am very happy with it - especially the all-wheel drive - but likely changes will be adding the BT phone mod, the iPod adapter if available for the '05 S-Class, and Michelin Pilot Sports A/S tires.
There are probably other differences, but I have only had the '05 for 3 weeks.
Except for a new 7-speed transmission I couldn't see many differences between my '05 and the current '06 W220, so I opted to save the $ (about $10K).
I am happy that after accepting lower quality components from its suppliers for the 2000 model year to meet price competition, Mercedes has finally tightened up and gotten back on track with its quality. The W220 models since '00 have improved each year in quality and functionality, an upward trend that seems especially noticeable beginning with the '03 facelift version (judging by what I read in the forums). The '05 model year looks like it continues the upward trend; I would surmise that the '06 will also.
The switch to the MOST fiber optic bus seems to have gone smoothly, and its software suite for COMAND seems much better than for D2B bus models; I hope the new 7-speed transmission works out as well in the '06.
Recall that some years back, Audi and BMW went through quality problems similar to Mercedes; both seem to have overcome them as well. They just went through it sooner. Publicity over one of Audi's problems (unintended acceleration) nearly killed it in the U.S. - I never experienced that (and question whether it actually existed) but my biggest problems with '79, '84, and '86 Audis were very frequent and expensive breakdowns. But Audi improved its quality by tightening down on its suppliers, and my '97 A4 and '00 A6 2.7T were nearly trouble-free. In the late '80's and early '90's, the BMW "Ultimate Driving Machine" catchline was a joke, not only in competitors' commercials, but in reality, due to breakdowns (mostly electronic malfunctions, especially with the computer controlling the engine).
Hopefully Mercedes is permanently past those problems. And hopefully the '00-'02 W220s have been around long enough to have had their problems fixed with better quality replacement components. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the '00 I just traded to another buyer - but would advise the buyer to 1) get an extended warranty, 2) expect a lesser breakdown rate than the car had in the past, but 3) expect it to be expensive to fix when it breaks no matter who pays for it.
My '00 is being certified as Starmark at R & H Motor Cars in Baltimore, MD. It will be a good buy if the price is competitive. However, R & H removed the MikBox, V710 cradle, and Ice>Link mod to Starmark it, and returned the parts to me. If anyone buys that car and wants to re-install the mods, they'll fit right back in with minimal problem. The last 5 of the VIN on my '00 are 93291. If you get that car and want the parts, and the V-710 phone, PM me.
__________________
2005 S500 4-Matic
with Gateway 500 iPod integration
Formerly: 2000 S500
with Ice>Link iPod integration
Moto V710 phone with MikBox
Upgraded Voice Control
However, R & H removed the MikBox, V710 cradle, and Ice>Link mod to Starmark it, and returned the parts to me.
Hi Skylaw.
Thanks for your impressions regaring the 05 quality. Seems to make sense to ask my dealer for a test drive too.
Btw im looking for an ICElink for my Ipod mini too.
If you want to sell it write me a PM pls, (but iam not sure if it makes sense to ship it over to europe)
Skylaw - I have read several of your articles and reviews and I am impressed. I recently got married and had a baby so had to sell my SL55, but bought an 03 S600. I particularly liked your telephone conversion article, which I am now going through myself. The 600 has a TDMA phone in it so I'm going the Mikbox route. Anyway, if you'd like to go out for a beer sometime, feel free to get in touch. I am at Carl_in_DC@yahoo.com.
In ref to your IPOD AUX input. My 03 had an input in glove box and my IPOD works great with a cable. I never new I had it until the MIKBOX installer showed me. Are you saying the 05 has removed the aux jack from glovebox? Or are you talking about Ipod integration thru the command/dash? Mikbox is working on an upgrade for the IPod to work thru the dash. Hope this helps.
Sarv
__________________
Mikbox Phone/voice control
IPOD-via Aux cable
Actually, the glove box aux input jack is not present in the '05 - it's the first thing I looked for after checking out the DVD player. MBenzNL says there is no aux input jack on the '05 COMAND. I hope Micha (MIK) is able to work his magic for MOST bus.
Not in the '06 either. There is a hole there with a clip covering the hole but nothing behing it but air. I am not familiar with MOST but will be checking with my part guy next week.
I had a 2002 and now have a 2004 that I won't be trading anytime soon. I agree there is a significant difference between the two that you would never know if you didn't own one of each. I must say I would opt for the 7G over the 4-matic. Love that transmission! There are two different sets of floor mats for the S-class - one is specifically for the 4-matic. The patterns are very different. Your dealer got it wrong.
Linear Mode
