Used 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Consumer Reviews
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
The Epitome Of Understated Luxury
After several thousand miles in a 2015 S550 it would be hard to imagine a more well rounded or comfortable luxury sedan. Performance with the 449HP V8 is more than adequate for any circumstance, and handling is better than one might expect given the size and weight of the car, especially when in the sport mode. The ride is remarkable over any surface and the noise level is lower than any luxury car I've owned, including a Bentley Flying Spur. Mileage is runnning about 20 MPG in combination town and highway driving, getting 25+ on the highway. The technology features abound but are subtle enough not to intrude excessively, and aren't difficult to master. Not one problem so far. A home run Update- After almost 4 years we still love the S550 and have had 0 problems. Supremely comfortable. Great road trip car, getting 27 mpg on the highway. Still outclasses the competition, would buy again with no regrets. Update 2- Approaching 5 years of ownership now and we still LOVE our S550. Still no problems in over 40000 miles. We will continue to drive it for a few more years, as there's still nothing better out there. Best car we've ever owned. Update 3- With over 6 years and 50000 miles, still no problems. Love it more than ever and it's still better than the new competition. Update 4- Approaching 8 years with over 60000 miles. Still reliable and comfortable as ever. We like it so much we intend to drive it a few more years. We looked at the new S Class and prefer the styling of our 2015 and don't need most of the new gimmicky technology. A GREAT car!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
What a car
I have owned for a year. Chose over a Bentley. While the Bentley had a nicer outside style, The Mercedes is just a better car, has technology and is faster. I don't like the gas mileage, but I guess that is what you should expect for a sedan that does 0-60 in 3.0 seconds. The car actually steers itself ... stays in lanes ... stops in emergencies. I did get the upgraded interior and stereo ... and in hindsight, love the interior but could have passed on the stereo because it eats trunk space. No maintenance issues whatsoever! The biggest weakness is that it is so subtle. Wish is stood out a little more from the standard s550. By the way, the firmness of the ride over the standard s550 is what makes it for me. Great car, a little overpriced perhaps, but a better deal than some.
- Performance
- Comfort
- S 550 SedanMSRP: $25,799174 mi away
- S 550 SedanMSRP: $29,695102 mi away
- S 550 SedanMSRP: $29,500248 mi away
Our 3rd S Class
We've owned 5 MB's and to be honest I can identify with the people who have had problems. I've had issues with MB in the past but fortunately for us this time seems to be a charm. We did however have to have the battery replaced. It seems if one has the push button start/stop feature, one has to be sure the car is off and not in standby mode or it will deplete the battery. Now to the good stuff. This car rocks!! This is the best luxury car on the road bar none. I'd put it up against anything out there where luxury is concerned, including Rolls or Bentley. When compared to the uber luxury cars the new S-Class is a champ!
Best car ever, period
I've owned over 100 different vehicles, and no, I've never been a dealer. The S-Class is truly a work of art. More relaxing than most home theater, living or bedrooms, the S550 is Special in every way. Serenely quiet, aggressively fast, luxury amenities all wrapped perfectly in a single package. Priced new, these are out of reach of most people. However, at 4+ years old and low mileage, this car is a tremendous value. I picked up my 2016 S550 4Matic with 33,5876 miles for less than $45,000. I can't believe I waited this long to venture into German's finest vehicle! I could've saved myself an unthinkable number of auto purchases if I had only tried the Mercedes Special Class sooner. Why didn't I? Well word on the street is these cars are expensive, unreliable, and hard to work on. All lies! They are actually overbuilt, thus very reliable. Dang near indestructible in normal use. Replacement parts are easy to attain. If you are somewhat handy with a wrench, you can easily fix most things yourself. Is their a lot of tech? Yes. Is it confusing? Maybe, but only because there is a multitude of ways to do each thing you want to do. It's simply user preference. My advice is to not be afraid, just try it. You'll wonder why you waited so long.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Wonderful luxury, but lots of annoying issues.
One cannot deny the incredible ride quality, quietness, and power of this S class. It is a luxury cruiser beyond compare. It would be hard to rate anything much higher in the overall driving experience. However, after a few years, lots of little gremlins start appearing. Steering position power adjustment quit working, squeaks, rattles, sticking sliders for the cup holders, and a number of other irritating problems just seem to get worse every month. The heads up display Flickrs on and off, making it virtually useless. And the front and rear proximity sensors will often beep at random in the middle of nowhere, for no apparent reason. This leads me to the conclusion that while the engineering on these vehicles is exceptional, not a whole lot of effort is put into long-term reliability of the accessories. The engine is bulletproof; there is very little to criticize. The transmission shifts smoothly and consistently. But all the little gadgets, plastic switches, control levers, etc. begin to show their age far too prematurely. Then to top it off, the air suspension leaks down considerably after only a day or two sitting in the garage. It feels rather strange having a car pump itself up several inches every time you start it. Then there is the recurring issue of the occasional computer reboot in the middle of a trip. All the controls shut down and you get a message that they are no longer functioning, only to get a message a few minutes later that things are back online and working OK. Not sure if this is a software or hardware problem, but it is very annoying. These vehicles are best leased, and not purchased. Drive them for a few years, and then trade them in and let somebody else deal with the aging-based reliability issues. However, one cannot deny that they are magnificent vehicles in many ways.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value