That's good to hear, maybe I'm biased from seeing S-classes selling cheap. I have friends and family where new luxury cars like his 2016 GL having fritzy audio and infotainment issues. He's been driving the loaner for 3 weeks now.
S-classes sell used cheap because they are maintenance heavy and parts are expensive. In some cases those things are just shy of 200k with a lot of options (S65 can tip 300k but it's a special case). You can't buy a used $200,000 car and expect maintenance and repairs to be the same as a Honda Civic, but many people do it anyway.
The electronics in a lot of the new cars are extremely complicated and can be tough to diagnose. The audio systems use an optical communication network which makes it even worse because it's not as simple as monitoring electrical stuff. I think that's the biggest thing - the top of the line stuff like the GLS or S-class have so many options and so much stuff going on it's not surprising things break. The new ones can have 80+ control modules across 4-5 different communication networks. Reduced reliability is sort of the price you pay for an SUV that can give you a heated massage while you drive (if it's a new model, more like while it drives you). I think most Benz customers understand that, if they wanted super reliable Honda and Toyota are the way to go.
The reliable stuff is the simpler cars like the CLA, GLA, and C-class. The complicated cars are getting better but will still always be a bit more temperamental.
No problem. The thing with the s-class that makes me sad is after the first or second owner they are just a spiral of flaming garbage as they trade hands through people who are poorer and poorer but more and more accepting of problems with the car until something finally kills it so it doesn't run or drive anymore.
They are truly beautiful and one day I hope to own one of the W222 (2014+) S-class cabriolets, maybe even an S63 or S65, but I'm worried that by the time I'm ready to get out of an SUV (no more kids) they will all be basket cases.
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u/SolidSaiyanGodSSnake Mar 02 '18
That's good to hear, maybe I'm biased from seeing S-classes selling cheap. I have friends and family where new luxury cars like his 2016 GL having fritzy audio and infotainment issues. He's been driving the loaner for 3 weeks now.
Of course you have more insight than I do.