Mercedes-Benz S-Class Fourth generation
Mercedes-Benz S-Class (Fourth generation) was built from 1998 to 2005. Powertrain: 2.8 L 204 PS V6; 3.2 L 224 PS V6; 3.2 L 197 PS I6 diesel; 3.7 L 245 PS V6; 4.0 L 250 PS V8 diesel; 4.0 L 260 PS V8 diesel; 4.3 L 279 PS V8;…. Layout: Front engine, rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive; model_code = W220.
Composed from the specifications below, so it states nothing the specs do not. Photograph: IFCAR, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons), from this generation's own encyclopedia entry.
Overview
Mercedes-Benz presented the W220 in July 1998, marketed as a sedan, only. Despite being smaller than the previous generation, the W220 offered more interior space. Production of the W220 totaled 485,000 units. The W220 introduced air suspension, marketed as Airmatic, as well as a navigation system with center console-mounted screen display, along with its input control system, marketed as COMAND. Other options included keyless entry and ignition, a radar-controlled cruise control system marketed as Distronic and a cylinder shut-off system marketed as Active Cylinder Control. The all-wheel drive system was introduced to the North America market S-Class for 2003, and marketed as 4MATIC.
Engines
The W220 was available with more engine options than the W126 or W140. The range started with smaller 2.8 (Singapore) then 3.2L 221 hp V6 motor, which was superseded by an enlarged 3.7 L 242 hp V6 in the S350. The S430 was powered by a 4.3 L 275 hp V8 and the S500 was powered by a 5.0 L 302 hp V8. The S55 AMG was outfitted with a supercharged 5.4 L 493 hp V8 motor, the S55 AMG 2000/2001 was outfitted with the naturally aspirated 5.4 L 355 hp V8 motor. The S600 was outfitted with a 5.5 L 493 hp M275 V12 biturbo engine, the S600 2000/2001 was outfitted with the naturally aspirated M137 5.
Source: the English Wikipedia article on this model, CC BY-SA 4.0. Text may be shortened; read the full article for the complete text.
Not yet sourced for this model. Used prices swing with year, mileage, grade and country, so we publish a market range only when it comes with a named source and a date, and never an estimate. For a live figure, use the landed-cost tool with the price on the auction sheet.
Check before you buy
- Check the emissions equipment (particulate filter, NOx treatment) and the destination country's emissions rules; some markets restrict used diesels.
- Test the four-wheel-drive system (transfer case, differentials) and look for uneven tyre wear.
- Inspect for corrosion at sills, floor, subframes and suspension mounts, and replace perishable rubber (hoses, bushes, boots) at import.
- Read the auction sheet grade and notes, and verify the odometer against service and inspection records. How to read an auction sheet
- Run a history check (accidents, flood, mileage) before you bid. History check guide
- Import age rules: this generation already qualifies in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia. Confirm the rule for your exact vehicle with customs before buying. Landed-cost calculator
General guidance for this type of vehicle, worked out from its body, powertrain and age. It is not a finding about this particular model; use an inspection and the auction sheet for the car you are actually buying.
Worked out from this generation's production years and each country's age rule. Rules also depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.
Other generations of the S-Class
- W180 · 1954-1959 (W180)
- W111, W112 · 1959-1968 (sedan); 1961-1971 (coupe and cabriolet)
- W108, W109 · 1965-1972
- First generation · 1972-1980
- Second generation · 1979 - 1992
- Third generation · 1991 - 1999
- Fifth generation · 2005 - 2013
- Sixth generation · 2013-2020 (W222); 2014-2020 (C217/A217)
- Seventh generation · 2020-present
More from Mercedes-Benz · all Mercedes-Benz models
- C-Class (Battery electric) · 2026-present
- GLB (Second generation) · 2026 - present
- CLA (Third generation) · 2025 - present
- G-Class (Mercedes-Benz G-Class (W465)) · 2024-present
- Mercedes-AMG GT (Second generation (C192)) · 2023-present
- GLC (Second generation) · 2022-present
Can I import a Mercedes-Benz S-Class (Fourth generation) from Japan?
By production year alone, Mercedes-Benz S-Class (Fourth generation) is inside the age window for United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia. Rules depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.
What powers the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (Fourth generation)?
Per its encyclopedia infobox, engine: 2.8 L 204 PS V6; 3.2 L 224 PS V6; 3.2 L 197 PS I6 diesel; 3.7 L 245 PS V6; 4.0 L 250 PS V8 diesel; 4.0 L 260 PS V8 diesel; 4.3 L 279 PS V8; 5.0 L 306 PS V8; 5.4 L 500 PS V8; 5.8 L 367 PS V12; 5.5 L 500 PS V12; 6.3 L 450 PS V12; 6.0 L 612 PS V12.
Answered from this page's own data, not from outside claims. See the sources below.
- en.wikipedia.org (retrieved 2026-10-19)
Confidence: single-source (Wikipedia infobox). Specifications differ by market, trim and model year; the auction sheet or the vehicle's registration document is the final word on a particular car.
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