Segment:
Full-size luxury sedan
Target Audience:
Luxury car buyers seeking comfort, technology, and performance
Key Rivals:
BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, Lexus LS, Jaguar XJ
Prestige:
Represents the pinnacle of Mercedes-Benz engineering and luxury for its era
Technology Advancements:
Introduced many innovations like COMAND, AIRMATIC, DISTRONIC (optional)
Powertrain:
Engine mechanical, fuel system, ignition, exhaust, cooling, lubrication
Drivetrain:
Automatic transmission, differential, drive axles, prop shaft
Chassis:
Suspension (AIRMATIC), steering, brakes (ABS, ESP), wheels, tires
Electrical:
12V system, battery, charging, starting, lighting, instrument cluster, ECUs, CAN bus, SRS (Airbag), comfort modules
Body:
Body panels, doors, windows, locks, seats, interior trim, climate control (THERMATIC/THERMOTRONIC), lighting, wipers, exterior trim
Maintenance:
Scheduled maintenance, oil changes, filter replacements, fluid checks and changes, belt inspection/replacement
Troubleshooting:
Diagnostic flowcharts, symptom-based troubleshooting, fault code interpretation
Repair:
Component removal and installation, adjustments, calibrations, component overhauls
Diagnostics:
OBD-II diagnostics, sensor testing, actuator testing, ECU programming and diagnostics
Depth:
Complete factory-level diagnostic and repair procedures
Special Tools:
Identification and usage of specific Mercedes-Benz special tools
Schematics:
Detailed electrical wiring diagrams for all systems
Engine Codes:
M112 (V6), M113 (V8)
Displacement M112:
3.2L (3199 cc)
Horsepower M112:
221 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque M112:
232 lb-ft @ 3150 rpm
Displacement M113:
4.3L (4266 cc) and 5.0L (4966 cc)
Horsepower M113 4.3L:
275 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque M113 4.3L:
295 lb-ft @ 3250 rpm
Horsepower M113 5.0L:
302 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque M113 5.0L:
339 lb-ft @ 3250 rpm
Injection Type:
Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI), Multi-point sequential
Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline (91+ octane recommended)
Engine Layout:
V6 and V8, front-engine, longitudinal
Cylinder Head:
Aluminum Alloy, DOHC, 3 valves per cylinder (early M112/M113) then 4 valves per cylinder
Transmission Type:
5-speed automatic (5G-Tronic)
Transmission Type Optional:
5-speed automatic with TOUCHSHIFT manual control (standard on some V8 models)
Transmission Features:
Electronic control, torque converter lock-up, adaptive shifting
NHTSA Front Impact:
Not explicitly rated for 1999 model year by current NHTSA standards, but designed to high safety standards.
Airbags:
Front dual-stage airbags, front side airbags, optional rear side airbags
Seatbelts:
Pretensioning front seatbelts, 3-point rear seatbelts
Structure:
High-strength steel safety cell, crumple zones
ABS:
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) standard
Esp:
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) standard
Traction Control:
Traction Control System (ASR) standard
Infotainment System:
COMAND (Cockpit Management and Navigation) system, featuring radio, CD player, optional navigation, and climate control interface.
Audio System:
Optional Bose premium sound system
Driver Assistance Features:
Optional DISTRONIC adaptive cruise control, parking assist (PARKTRONIC)
Connectivity:
Analog cellular phone integration (often retrofitted/removed), basic diagnostic data through CAN bus.
Convenience Features:
Keyless-Go (optional), power everything, multi-zone climate control (THERMOTRONIC)
Oil Change Interval:
Typically every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first (refer to manual for specific variant)
Major Service Interval:
Refer to manual for specific mileage/time intervals for spark plug replacement, transmission fluid service, coolant flush, etc.
Engine Oil Spec M112:
MB 229.3 or MB 229.5 (e.g., Mobil 1 0W-40, Castrol Syntec 5W-40)
Engine Oil Spec M113:
MB 229.3 or MB 229.5 (e.g., Mobil 1 0W-40, Castrol Syntec 5W-40)
Transmission Fluid Type:
MB 236.10 or MB 236.12 Automatic Transmission Fluid (e.g., Pentosin ATF 1)
Coolant Type:
MB 325.0 / 326.0 (Blue or Green ethylene glycol based, silicate-free)
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 4 (MB Spec 331.0)
Common Problems General:
Electronic module failures (EIS, ABC/AIRMATIC pump, ECU), oil cooler leaks, transmission control module issues, rust on rear wheel arches and sills, vacuum line degradation, ignition coil failures.
Airmatic Suspension:
Air spring leaks, compressor failure, valve block issues, control module malfunctions.
Cooling System:
Plastic coolant reservoir cracks, thermostat housing leaks.
Heritage:
Mercedes-Benz has a long-standing reputation for luxury, engineering, and safety since the early 20th century.
Predecessor:
W140 S-Class
Design Philosophy:
The W220 marked a shift towards a more svelte and technologically advanced design compared to the imposing W140.
Production Years:
1998-2005 (W220 generation)
Manufacturing Locations:
Germany, USA
General Recognition:
While specific awards for the 1999 model year may vary, the S-Class consistently received accolades for luxury, safety, and engineering from automotive publications worldwide.
Safety Ratings Contemporary:
The W220 was engineered to meet and exceed contemporary safety standards, featuring advanced passive safety systems.
