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The 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is an excellent choice of used car; here at CarBuzz we found it to be the most reliable used Mercedes you can buy right now, based on our assessment of issues, complaints and J.D. Power Quality and Reliability score.

Although nearly 20 years old, this car still has plenty to offer for someone shopping for a Mercedes on the used market; there are plenty of examples out there that have been looked after well enough to still function as a reliable daily driver. Although some of the infotainment and tech features will have become outdated after two decades of progress, if having the latest tech on board isn’t a priority for you, the 2008 S-Class could be the car for you.

Let’s take a look at some of its most important features, and how the 2008 S-Class has fared on the reliability front since its release.

Base Trim Engine

5.5L V8 Gas

Base Trim Transmission

7-Speed Automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

Rear-Wheel Drive

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: An Overview

The 2008 model is a member of the W221 generation, the fifth in the S-Class’ history. This model was first unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show, and subsequently went on sale for the 2006 model year. In the US and Canadian markets, however, it wasn’t available until the 2007 model year.

The successor to the fourth-gen W220 model, the W221 represented a departure from it in terms of design. It was larger, with more interior space available, and had a sleeker silhouette. The headlights, which were rounded and bulbous in the W220, were given an update with a pointed, angular design. The rear of the car, meanwhile, takes styling cues from Maybach for an even more premium look. The interior also received a substantial update compared to that of the W220, with several plastic elements being replaced by more luxurious materials such as wood, leather, and metal.

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The design process of the W221 S-Class involved both Germany and Japan. While the car’s development phase began in 1999, the following year Mercedes’ Tokyo-based Advanced Design Center became involved. The overall styling of the car was, however, penned by a German designer, Gorden Wagener. A prototype version was completed in 2002, several years before the production version would see the light.

The W221 S-Class remained in production until 2013, when it was replaced by the sixth generation of the model: the W222, which lasted until 2020. The current generation of the model is the seventh (W223), launched for the 2021 model year.

Engines And Performance

The 2008 S-Class was sold in the US with a choice of two different engines: a 5.5-liter V8 (for the S550 model) or a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12 (for the S600). The former produced 382 hp, while the latter produced 510 hp, cutting the 0-60 time by around a second. The V8 was paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission, while the V12 was paired with a 5-speed automatic.

Fuel efficiency was, as expected, not this car’s strong point: the S550 achieved just 14 MPG in the city and 21 on the highway, while the S600 fared even worse at 11 and 17 MPG. In both cases, top speed was electronically limited to 155 mph.

Comfort And Tech

The 2008 S-Class prioritized passenger comfort, with ample space for five adult occupants to sit comfortably even on longer journeys. It offered 41.9 inches of legroom in the front seats, and 42.9 inches in the back seats. Cargo space was large enough for most essentials, although the rear seats did not fold down making it difficult to transport larger items.

It is equipped with the COMAND (Cockpit Management And Data System) infotainment system, a predecessor to the current MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) system. The version of the system installed on the W221 was given an update, offering an increased variety of functions. Dual-zone climate control and a power rear sunshade were both offered as standard, for the most comfortable travel experience possible.

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There were plenty of features on offer to keep passengers entertained, including an optional TV tuner, a DVD drive, and a Harman/Kardon stereo unit with 14 speakers (offered as standard, rather than as an option). The Linguatronic voice control system was available as an option, allowing drivers to make calls and select a navigation destination without taking their hands off the wheel.

Another function available as an option was a rear-seat entertainment system, not at all common in 2008 and still considered somewhat of a premium feature today. This package included two screens for the rear seat passengers, an additional DVD drive and a controller and buttons for independent functionality. It also came with two sets of headphones.

On the tech front, the S-Class was also very well-equipped for a 2008 model: heated and ventilated seats with optional memory were available, as well as “Drive-Dynamic seats” which used inflatable elements to contour the seats to the occupant’s body, providing better support during cornering.

Self-closing doors, a smart key system, and a garage door opener were all available optional features as well. While the tire pressure warning system was a standard feature, customers could also opt to have the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System installed; this provided more advanced functions, displaying the exact tire pressure and sending the driver a warning message when the vehicle had a puncture.

Buying A 2008 S-Class: Issues, Maintenance, And Pricing

In terms of prices, a 2008 S-Class can be found for as little as $7,000 (for a high mileage example in poorer condition) to around $12,000 for a car in better condition with fewer miles on the odometer.

High-end cars with a lot of tech and comfort equipment on board can sometimes be a reliability trap due to their complexity, with an increased number of components that can fail. The 2008 S-Class, however, does not fall into that trap; its reliability record is excellent, with few complaints and recurrent issues. J.D. Power gives it a Quality and Reliability Rating of 88/100, while RepairPal’s score is 3 out of 5.

There are only 23 NHTSA complaints on record for this model and year, and two recalls. The recalls are related to potential exposure to humidity in some of the lighting circuits, and a fuel pump software error. Looking at the complaints record, meanwhile, there is no frequently recurring issue that immediately jumps out, with complaints being more or less equally distributed across different components of the car.

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Faults in the electrical system were the subject of four complaints, the highest number of complaints grouped under a single category by the NHTSA; these were related to problems such as remote key functionality, tire pressure sensor faults, and wiring issues. Tire-related problems were also the subject of four complaints; a good sign from the perspective of a used car buyer, who simply needs to get a new set of tires to avoid running into issues.

Of course, even with the best reliability record and the highest level of care, the 2008 S-Class is still a car creeping up on two decades old. Any prospective buyer will need to carefully do their homework on the particular car they’re interested in, making sure the maintenance schedule has been followed closely by the previous owner. However, if you buy a car that has been looked after well and continues to stay on top of its upkeep, you are highly likely to have a good ownership experience.

Sources: Mercedes-Benz, Autotempest, NHTSA, RepairPal, J.D. Power