Since its inception, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been the benchmark for luxury sedans, and the sixth-generation model, also known as the W222, known as the W222 and manufactured between 2013 and 2020, is one of the most productive iterations. It took years for rivals to get close to the car’s fabulous interior, and despite its impressiveness, the price of used W222 S-Class models has plummeted in recent years. of years, which means that it is now a real bargain.
At the base of the first pre-facelift W222 S-Class lineup was the S550, equipped with a 4. 7-liter twin-turbo V8 with 449 hp and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque. When it launched, costs started at around $110,000, before you even thought about checking an option box. Ten years later, it’s now imaginable to pick up the keys to a perfect S550 for under $20,000.
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To put that into perspective, a 2025 Corolla sedan starts at $22,325 (or $23,935 including destination, but before taxes), while America’s cheapest new car, the Nissan Versa, starts at $17,190 ($18,330 with delivery for the manual or $20,130 with the automatic CVT).
Deals Are Abundant
Browse auction sites like Cars
Recent results from Bring a Trailer show that some lower-mileage S550s from this era are selling for nearer the $30,000 mark, but still, that’s less than a third of the car’s original value. Jump onto a used car site like Edmunds, and you will find well over 100 W222 S-Classes looking for new homes across the United States. The single most expensive example on the platform is a 2014 Mercedes S550 driven just 10,275 miles (~16,500 km) and an asking price of $41,998.
An S Class for more than $15,000?
At the other end of the spectrum there are dozens of stocks under $20,000. The cheapest one costs $14,900, has 156,450 miles (~251,000 km) and has already been involved in an accident. A particularly attractive car in Diamond White Metallic caught our eye in Decatur, Georgia. It has an impeccable ownership history, has driven 100,000 miles (~160,000 km) and is indexed for just $17,900. That’s just $1,205 more than the 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage.
But it comes at a price
Surely, a top-tier luxury sedan, with all the amenities, comfort and cache of the S-Class that can had for such an accessible price is a serious temptation. Yes, that Corolla will be brand spanking new and come with a warranty, but come on, almost everyone would be at least interested to take a closer look to Mercedes’ flagship, high-mileage or not. It’s a luxury item, and while no one really needs it, many want it for the qualities it offers and, let’s be honest, what it stands for.
And, without bothering to state the obvious, that’s the whole point of luxury goods. Otherwise, we’d all be driving fantastic Corollas, Civics, and the like, while corporations like Mercedes, Ferrari, etc. , don’t. it would have gone bankrupt a long time ago. But that’s no longer the case, is it?Greed, lust, and pride would possibly be fatal sins, but we are only human and companies bet on it and thrive.
Pay what you want
However, as attractive as shelling out a moderate amount for an S-Class may seem, it’s worth remembering that they were originally $100,000 cars and should be treated as such. Which means they can (and probably will be) incredibly expensive to fix if something goes wrong. And at some point, as with virtually every car, anything will happen. As such, potential buyers would do well to have any used S550 inspected by experienced mechanics before purchasing and set aside several thousand dollars in case of repairs.
So, browse the ads all you like, maybe even narrow down your choices to ones that seem more appealing to you, but if you feel you absolutely must have one, proceed with extra care. You have been warned…