Mercedes-Benz S-class W220 Sedan (1998-2002)

80% Neofiliac
Keywords: double-wishboneflagshipfull-sizeluxury-carmercedes-benzmulti-linkrwdsedansohcturbochargedv12v8

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Photo 0of Mercedes-Benz S-class W220 Sedan (1998-2002)Photo 1of Mercedes-Benz S-class W220 Sedan (1998-2002)

Product Overview

Mercedes-Benz S-class W220 is a full-size luxury sedan in production from 1998 to 2002, whereupon it received a facelift. It was available with a range of V6, V8, V12, and inline-6 engines that displaced 2.8 to 5.8 liters.
Marking a stark departure from the last few generations of S-classes, the W220 S-class features a much softer exterior styling. In the years since, however, it has become a point of contention: Some find it too soft and "feminine", while others prefer it to newer, more aggressive designs. Unfortunately, this is the generation that suffered from body corrosion issues, due to the use of water-based paint that let water penetrate too easily.
A strong point of this generation of S-class is the overall engine lineup. Most engines, especially the wonderful M113 in 4.3L, 5.0L, and 5.5L guises, are rather reliable and built to last. The 5G-TRONIC automatic transmission standard on all vehicles are also a strong point, being smooth and durable.
However, the M137 5.8L V12 in the S600 is a completely different story: Being an SOHC design, the M137 has rather restrictive heads; couple that with a slight decrease in displacement, this engine made notably less power than the wonderful M120 V12 engine that it replaced. Worse, Mercedes chose an open-deck design. Unfortunately, the M137 would easily blow head gaskets, and its cylinders, particularly the middle ones, easily go out of round, sometimes dynamically so. These issues led to widespread premature failures. It was so bad that Mercedes had to quickly find a replacement in the form of M275 after just two years.
Mercedes-Benz has made a good effort in aerodynamics, with a decent 0.27 coefficient of drag to show for it.
Drivers who appreciate handling and comfort will be pleased to know that the W220 comes with multi-link suspensions at all four corners. The front suspension uses a wishbone upper control arm paired with two separate lower control arms in a wishbone-multi-link hybrid setup.
Another issue relates to the 1st-gen ABC Active Body Control suspensions on higher-end models. This hydraulic system is complex and high-maintenance.

Ratings

What we found**

Neofiliac score 80% (not directly comparable across industries)
Pros
  • Superb comfort and handling
  • Superb elegance, if a bit feminine
  • Good 0.27 drag coefficient
  • Solid powertrain lineup (except the M137 V12)
  • Multi-link suspensions all around
Cons
  • Horrible ABC problems
  • Body corrosion issues
  • Cost-cutting gone wrong

Find Related Products

Specifications

S 280S 320S 320 CDIS 320 LS 400 CDIS 400 CDI LS 430S 430 LS 500S 500 LS 55 AMGS 55 AMG LS 600 L

Capacity

Cargo Capacity500 L / 17.7 cu-ft
Coolant Capacity15.5 L / 16.4 qt16.5 L / 17.4 qt16.5 L / 17.4 qt16.5 L / 17.4 qt16.5 L / 17.4 qt16.5 L / 17.4 qt13.5 L / 14.3 qt13.5 L / 14.3 qt16.5 L / 17.4 qt
Engine Oil Capacity8.0 L / 8.5 qt8.0 L / 8.5 qt8.5 L / 9.0 qt8.0 L / 8.5 qt10.0 L / 10.6 qt10.0 L / 10.6 qt8.0 L / 8.5 qt8.0 L / 8.5 qt8.0 L / 8.5 qt8.0 L / 8.5 qt7.5 L / 7.9 qt7.5 L / 7.9 qt9.0 L / 9.5 qt
Fuel Capacity88.0 L / 23.2 gal
Passengers5
Payload530 kg / 1168 lbs605 kg / 1334 lbs600 kg / 1323 lbs605 kg / 1334 lbs560 kg / 1235 lbs540 kg / 1190 lbs600 kg / 1323 lbs600 kg / 1323 lbs600 kg / 1323 lbs600 kg / 1323 lbs570 kg / 1257 lbs525 kg / 1157 lbs500 kg / 1102 lbs

Chassis

Brakes | FrontVentilated discs
Brakes | RearDiscDiscDiscDiscDiscDiscDiscDiscDiscVentilated discsDiscVentilated discsVentilated discs
Power SteeringHydraulic Steering
Suspension | FrontDouble-wishbone / Multi-link, AirmaticDouble-wishbone / Multi-link, AirmaticDouble-wishbone / Multi-link, AirmaticDouble-wishbone / Multi-link, AirmaticDouble-wishbone / Multi-link, AirmaticDouble-wishbone / Multi-link, AirmaticDouble-wishbone / Multi-link, AirmaticDouble-wishbone / Multi-link, AirmaticDouble-wishbone / Multi-link, AirmaticDouble-wishbone / Multi-link, AirmaticDouble-wishbone / Multi-link, ABCDouble-wishbone / Multi-link, ABCDouble-wishbone / Multi-link, ABC
Suspension | RearMulti-link, AirmaticMulti-link, AirmaticMulti-link, AirmaticMulti-link, AirmaticMulti-link, AirmaticMulti-link, AirmaticMulti-link, AirmaticMulti-link, AirmaticMulti-link, ABCMulti-link, ABC
Tire Size225/60 ZR16225/60 R16V225/60 R16225/60 VR16225/60 R16W225/60 R16W225/60 R16225/60 R16225/60 R16W225/60 R16245/45 R18, 275/40 R18225/55 R17W
Turning Circle11.7 m / 38.4 ft11.7 m / 38.4 ft11.7 m / 38.4 ft12.1 m / 39.7 ft11.7 m / 38.4 ft11.7 m / 38.4 ft11.7 m / 38.4 ft12.1 m / 39.7 ft11.7 m / 38.4 ft12.1 m / 39.7 ft11.7 m / 38.4 ft12.1 m / 39.7 ft

Construction

Body Style4-door Sedan

Dimensions

Ground Clearance150 mm / 5.9 in
Size | Height1444 mm / 56.9 in
Size | Length5038 mm / 198.3 in5038 mm / 198.3 in5038 mm / 198.3 in5158 mm / 203.1 in5038 mm / 198.3 in5158 mm / 203.1 in5038 mm / 198.3 in5158 mm / 203.1 in5038 mm / 198.3 in5158 mm / 203.1 in5038 mm / 198.3 in5158 mm / 203.1 in5158 mm / 203.1 in
Size | Width1855 mm / 73.0 in1855 mm / 73.0 in | 2092 mm / 82.4 in (mirror unfolded)1855 mm / 73.0 in | 2092 mm / 82.4 in (mirror unfolded)1855 mm / 73.0 in1855 mm / 73.0 in | 2092 mm / 82.4 in (mirror unfolded)1855 mm / 73.0 in | 2092 mm / 82.4 in (mirror unfolded)1855 mm / 73.0 in | 2092 mm / 82.4 in (mirror unfolded)1855 mm / 73.0 in | 2092 mm / 82.4 in (mirror unfolded)1855 mm / 73.0 in1855 mm / 73.0 in | 2092 mm / 82.4 in (mirror unfolded)1855 mm / 73.0 in | 2092 mm / 82.4 in (mirror unfolded)1855 mm / 73.0 in | 2092 mm / 82.4 in (mirror unfolded)1855 mm / 73.0 in | 2092 mm / 82.4 in (mirror unfolded)
Track Width | Front1576.0 mm / 62.0 in1574.0 mm / 62.0 in1574.0 mm / 62.0 in1574.0 mm / 62.0 in1574.0 mm / 62.0 in1574.0 mm / 62.0 in1574.0 mm / 62.0 in1574.0 mm / 62.0 in1574.0 mm / 62.0 in1574.0 mm / 62.0 in1574.0 mm / 62.0 in1575.0 mm / 62.0 in1574.0 mm / 62.0 in
Track Width | Rear1576.0 mm / 62.0 in1574.0 mm / 62.0 in1574.0 mm / 62.0 in1574.0 mm / 62.0 in1574.0 mm / 62.0 in1574.0 mm / 62.0 in1574.0 mm / 62.0 in1574.0 mm / 62.0 in1574.0 mm / 62.0 in1574.0 mm / 62.0 in1570.0 mm / 61.8 in1570.0 mm / 61.8 in1574.0 mm / 62.0 in
Weight1770.0 kg / 3902.2 lbs1695.0 kg / 3736.8 lbs1830.0 kg / 4034.5 lbs1725.0 kg / 3803.0 lbs1895.0 kg / 4177.8 lbs1920.0 kg / 4232.9 lbs1780.0 kg / 3924.2 lbs1800.0 kg / 3968.3 lbs1780.0 kg / 3924.2 lbs1800.0 kg / 3968.3 lbs1810.0 kg / 3990.4 lbs1875.0 kg / 4133.7 lbs1960.0 kg / 4321.1 lbs
Wheel Size7.5J x 167.5J x 167.5J x 167.5J x 167.5J x 167.5J x 167.5J x 167.5J x 167.5J x 167.5J x 167.5J7.5J
Wheelbase2965 mm / 116.7 in2965 mm / 116.7 in2965 mm / 116.7 in3085 mm / 121.5 in2965 mm / 116.7 in3085 mm / 121.5 in2965 mm / 116.7 in3085 mm / 121.5 in2965 mm / 116.7 in3085 mm / 121.5 in2965 mm / 116.7 in3085 mm / 121.5 in3085 mm / 121.5 in

Performance

Acceleration | 0 - 100 km/h9.5 sec8.2 sec8.8 sec8.2 sec7.8 sec7.8 sec7.3 sec7.3 sec6.5 sec6.5 sec6.0 sec6.0 sec6.3 sec
Acceleration | 0 - 60 mph9.0 sec7.8 sec8.4 sec7.8 sec7.4 sec7.4 sec6.9 sec6.9 sec6.2 sec6.2 sec5.7 sec5.7 sec6.0 sec
CO2 Emission275 g/km212 g/km253 g/km253 g/km253 g/km294 g/km294 g/km320 g/km320 g/km321 g/km
Coefficient Of Drag0.27
Fuel Economy11.5 L/100km / 20.5 MPG (combined) | 16.0 L/100km / 14.7 MPG (urban) | 8.0 L/100km / 29.4 MPG (highway)11.5 L/100km / 20.5 MPG (combined) | 17.1 L/100km / 13.8 MPG (urban) | 8.0 L/100km / 29.4 MPG (highway)8.0 L/100km / 29.4 MPG (combined) | 11.4 L/100km / 20.6 MPG (urban) | 6.0 L/100km / 39.2 MPG (highway)11.5 L/100km / 20.5 MPG (combined) | 17.1 L/100km / 13.8 MPG (urban) | 8.0 L/100km / 29.4 MPG (highway)9.6 L/100km / 24.5 MPG (combined) | 14.2 L/100km / 16.6 MPG (urban) | 7.0 L/100km / 33.6 MPG (highway)9.6 L/100km / 24.5 MPG (combined) | 14.2 L/100km / 16.6 MPG (urban) | 7.0 L/100km / 33.6 MPG (highway)12.3 L/100km / 19.1 MPG (combined) | 17.7 L/100km / 13.3 MPG (urban) | 9.2 L/100km / 25.6 MPG (highway)12.3 L/100km / 19.1 MPG (combined) | 17.7 L/100km / 13.3 MPG (urban) | 9.2 L/100km / 25.6 MPG (highway)13.4 L/100km / 17.6 MPG (combined) | 19.4 L/100km / 12.1 MPG (urban) | 9.9 L/100km / 23.8 MPG (highway)13.4 L/100km / 17.6 MPG (combined) | 19.4 L/100km / 12.1 MPG (urban) | 9.9 L/100km / 23.8 MPG (highway)13.3 L/100km / 17.7 MPG (combined)13.3 L/100km / 17.7 MPG (combined)13.3 L/100km / 17.7 MPG (combined) | 19.9 L/100km / 11.8 MPG (urban) | 9.5 L/100km / 24.8 MPG (highway)
Top Speed230.0 km/h / 142.9 mph240.0 km/h / 149.1 mph230.0 km/h / 142.9 mph240.0 km/h / 149.1 mph250.0 km/h / 155.3 mph250.0 km/h / 155.3 mph250.0 km/h / 155.3 mph250.0 km/h / 155.3 mph250.0 km/h / 155.3 mph250.0 km/h / 155.3 mph250.0 km/h / 155.3 mph250.0 km/h / 155.3 mph250.0 km/h / 155.3 mph
Towing Capacity750 kg / 1653 lbs (w/o brakes) | 2100 kg / 4630 lbs (w/ brakes @ 12% gradient)

Powertrain

Drivetrain LayoutFront-engine (longitudinal), Rear-wheel drive
Emission StandardEuro 4Euro 3Euro 4Euro 4Euro 4Euro 4Euro 4Euro 4
EngineM 112 E 28/112.922M 112 E 32/112.944OM 613 DE 32 LA/613.960M 112 E 32/112.944OM 628 DE 40 LA/628.960OM 628 DE 40 LA/628.960M 113 E 43/113.941M 113 E 43/113.941M 113 E 50/113.960M 113.960M 113 E 55/113.986M 113 E 55/113.986M 137 E 58/137.970
Engine | Bore89.9 mm / 3.5 in89.9 mm / 3.5 in88.0 mm / 3.5 in89.9 mm / 3.5 in86.0 mm / 3.4 in86.0 mm / 3.4 in89.9 mm / 3.5 in89.9 mm / 3.5 in97.0 mm / 3.8 in97.0 mm / 3.8 in97.0 mm / 3.8 in97.0 mm / 3.8 in84.0 mm / 3.3 in
Engine | Compression Ratio10.0:110.0:118.0:110.0:118.5:118.5:110.0:110.0:110.0:110.0:110.0:110.0:110.0:1
Engine | Displacement2.8 L / 170.8 cu-in / 2799.0 cc3.2 L / 195.2 cu-in / 3199.0 cc3.2 L / 196.9 cu-in / 3227.0 cc3.2 L / 195.2 cu-in / 3199.0 cc4.0 L / 243.9 cu-in / 3996.0 cc4.0 L / 243.9 cu-in / 3996.0 cc4.3 L / 260.3 cu-in / 4266.0 cc4.3 L / 260.3 cu-in / 4266.0 cc5.0 L / 303.0 cu-in / 4966.0 cc5.0 L / 303.0 cu-in / 4966.0 cc5.4 L / 331.9 cu-in / 5439.0 cc5.4 L / 331.9 cu-in / 5439.0 cc5.8 L / 353.1 cu-in / 5786.0 cc
Engine | Power204.0 hp / 152.1 kW @ 5700 rpm224.0 hp / 167.0 kW @ 5600 rpm197.0 hp / 146.9 kW @ 4200 rpm224.0 hp / 167.0 kW @ 5600 rpm250.0 hp / 186.4 kW @ 4000 rpm250.0 hp / 186.4 kW @ 4000 rpm279.0 hp / 208.1 kW @ 5750 rpm279.0 hp / 208.1 kW @ 5750 rpm306.0 hp / 228.2 kW @ 5500 rpm306.0 hp / 228.2 kW @ 5600 rpm360.0 hp / 268.5 kW @ 5500 rpm360.0 hp / 268.5 kW @ 5500 rpm367.0 hp / 273.7 kW @ 5500 rpm
Engine | Redline6000 rpm
Engine | Specific Output72.9 hp/L / 1.2 hp/cu-in70.0 hp/L / 1.1 hp/cu-in61.0 hp/L / 1.0 hp/cu-in70.0 hp/L / 1.1 hp/cu-in62.6 hp/L / 1.0 hp/cu-in62.6 hp/L / 1.0 hp/cu-in65.4 hp/L / 1.1 hp/cu-in65.4 hp/L / 1.1 hp/cu-in61.6 hp/L / 1.0 hp/cu-in61.6 hp/L / 1.0 hp/cu-in66.2 hp/L / 1.1 hp/cu-in66.2 hp/L / 1.1 hp/cu-in63.4 hp/L / 1.0 hp/cu-in
Engine | Stroke73.5 mm / 2.9 in84.0 mm / 3.3 in88.4 mm / 3.5 in84.0 mm / 3.3 in86.0 mm / 3.4 in86.0 mm / 3.4 in84.0 mm / 3.3 in84.0 mm / 3.3 in84.0 mm / 3.3 in84.0 mm / 3.3 in92.0 mm / 3.6 in92.0 mm / 3.6 in87.0 mm / 3.4 in
Engine | Torque270 Nm / 199.1 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm315 Nm / 232.3 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm470 Nm / 346.7 lb-ft @ 1800-2600 rpm315 Nm / 232.3 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm560 Nm / 413.0 lb-ft @ 1700-2600 rpm560 Nm / 413.0 lb-ft @ 1700-2600 rpm400 Nm / 295.0 lb-ft @ 3000-4400 rpm400 Nm / 295.0 lb-ft @ 3000-4400 rpm460 Nm / 339.3 lb-ft @ 3000-4250 rpm460 Nm / 339.3 lb-ft @ 3000-4250 rpm530 Nm / 390.9 lb-ft @ 3150 rpm530 Nm / 390.9 lb-ft @ 3150 rpm530 Nm / 390.9 lb-ft @ 4250 rpm
Engine | TypeNaturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol V6 engine with 3 values per cylinderNaturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol V6 engine with 3 values per cylinderTurbocharged commonrail diesel inline-6 engine with 4 values per cylinderNaturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol V6 engine with 3 values per cylinderBi-turbocharged commonrail diesel V8 engine with 4 values per cylinderBi-turbocharged commonrail diesel V8 engine with 4 values per cylinderNaturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol V8 engine with 3 values per cylinderNaturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol V8 engine with 3 values per cylinderNaturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol V8 engine with 3 values per cylinderNaturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol V8 SOHC engine with 3 values per cylinderNaturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol V8 engine with 3 values per cylinderNaturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol V8 engine with 3 values per cylinderNaturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol V12 engine with 3 values per cylinder
Transmission | Gears5-speed
Transmission | TypeAutomatic 5G-TRONIC

Production

Availability1998 ~ 20021998 ~ 20021999 ~ 20021999 ~ 20021999 ~ 20021999 ~ 20021998 ~ 20021998 ~ 20021998 ~ 20021999 ~ 20022001 ~ 20021999 ~ 2002

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