Mercedes-Benz S-Class IV

Photo: IFCAR / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class IV (1998–2005): dimensions, weights, reliability and the official figures of its 53 versions in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

Model codes: W220, V220

Dimensions, weights and capacity

Specification	Europe	North America	Wikipedia
Dimensions
Length	5,040–5,160 mm RDW	–	–
Width	1,860 mm RDW	–	–
Height	1,440–1,480 mm RDW	–	–
Wheelbase	2,970–3,090 mm RDW	–	–
Front track	1,558–1,606 mm ASTRA	–	–
Rear track	1,558–1,593 mm ASTRA	–	–
Weights and towing
Kerb weight	1,670–1,935 kg RDW	–	1,810–1,880 kg
Mass in running order	1,810–3,365 kg ASTRA	–	–
Gross vehicle weight	2,340–3,850 kg ASTRA	–	–
Towing, braked trailer	2,100 kg RDW	–	–
Towing, unbraked trailer	750 kg RDW	–	–
Seats and space
Seats	5 RDW	–	–
Doors	4 RDW	–	–
Luggage space (EPA)	–	425–453 L EPA	–
Passenger space (EPA)	–	3,002–3,171 L EPA	–
Performance
Top speed	235–250 km/h RDW	–	–
Torque	315–800 Nm ASTRA	–	–

Tyre sizes (most common first): 245/45R18, 225/55R17, 225/60R16

Ranges cover the generation’s versions and body styles; European and North American versions can differ. Sources: RDW type approvals (Netherlands), ASTRA type approvals (Switzerland), Wikipedia (en, de), US EPA fuel economy data, Traficom type approvals (Finland). Wikipedia figures are used under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Reliability and owner reports

UK MOT: first-time pass rate by age

Age at test	Pass rate	UK average	Tests
13 years and older	77.5% (76.6–78.3)	69.2%	9,637

What the MOT finds

Area	This model	UK average, same ages
Brakes	38.5%	36.4%
Suspension	32.3%	41.6%
Tyres	28.9%	31.2%
Lights and electrics	23.6%	28.8%
Noise, emissions and leaks	13.3%	17.1%
Body, chassis and structure	10.3%	18.6%

First MOT test of each car per year in 2022–2024, from the DVSA’s anonymised test results; only ages with at least 500 tests are shown. The figure in brackets is the 95% confidence interval; green or red means clearly above or below the UK average. The second table shows how often an item was noted (defect or advisory) in each area, against the UK average for cars of the same ages. DVSA anonymised MOT tests (Open Government Licence)

Owner complaints to NHTSA (US)

618 complaints for model years 1999–2005. 18 crashes · 19 fires · 22 injuries

Electrical system 269
Lights 118
Suspension 118
Engine 56
Transmission and drivetrain 28
Airbags 22

Complaints are reported by owners and not checked by NHTSA; they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models have more. NHTSA owner complaints

All 53 versions of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class IV

Show all 53 versions

United Kingdom 28 versions

New cars on sale in the UK, from the Vehicle Certification Agency. NEDC figures until 2018 and WLTP figures after; years are the editions a version appeared in.

Years and version	Engine	Fuel	Gearbox	Consumption (combined)	CO₂
2001–2004S 280	2.8 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	11.1–11.5 L/100 km NEDC	266–276 g/km
2001–2004S 320	3.2 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	11.1–11.5 L/100 km NEDC	266–276 g/km
2003–2004S 320 CDI	3.2 L	Diesel	5-speed automatic	7.7 L/100 km NEDC	204 g/km
2003–2004S 350	3.7 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	11.1 L/100 km NEDC	266 g/km
2001–2004S 430	4.3 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	11.5–12.3 L/100 km NEDC	276–294 g/km
2004S 430	4.3 L	Petrol	7-speed automatic	10.9 L/100 km NEDC	263 g/km
2002–2004S 500 · S500	5.0 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	11.9 L/100 km NEDC	285 g/km
2002–2004S 500 (ZEV) · S500 ZEV · S500 (ZEV)	5.0 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	11.9 L/100 km NEDC	285 g/km
2004S 500	5.0 L	Petrol	7-speed automatic	11.4 L/100 km NEDC	270 g/km
2003–2004S 55 AMG	5.4 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	13.2 L/100 km NEDC	317 g/km
2003–2004S 600 · S600	5.5 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	14.8 L/100 km NEDC	355 g/km
2004S 65 AMG	6.0 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	14.9 L/100 km NEDC	357 g/km
2002–2004S63 AMG	6.3 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	14.1 L/100 km NEDC	338 g/km
2000–2002S 320 CDI Saloon · S 320 CDI	3.2 L	Diesel	5-speed automatic	8.0 L/100 km NEDC	212 g/km
2001–2002S 500 Pullman · S500	5.0 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	14.0 L/100 km NEDC	335 g/km
2001–2002S 55 AMG	5.5 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	13.0 L/100 km NEDC	310 g/km
2001–2002S 600 Pullman · S600	5.8 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	14.6 L/100 km NEDC	349 g/km
2002S 600	5.8 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	13.4 L/100 km NEDC	320 g/km
2000–2001S 320 Saloon · S 320 Limousine · S 320	3.2 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	11.5 L/100 km NEDC	276 g/km
2000–2001S 400 CDI Saloon · S 400 CDI	4.0 L	Diesel	5-speed automatic	9.6 L/100 km NEDC	253 g/km
2000–2001S 500 Saloon · S 500 Limousine · S 500 and 1 more trim	5.0 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	13.4 L/100 km NEDC	320 g/km
2000–2001S 500 (ZEV) Saloon · S 500 (ZEV) Limousine · S 500 (ZEV) and 1 more trim	5.0 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	12.5 L/100 km NEDC	299 g/km
2001S 600 · S 600 Stretch	5.8 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	13.9 L/100 km NEDC	333 g/km
2000S 280 Saloon	2.8 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	11.5 L/100 km NEDC	276 g/km
2000S 400 CDI Limousine	4.0 L	Diesel	5-speed automatic	10.0 L/100 km NEDC	253 g/km
2000S 430 Saloon · S 430 Limousine	4.3 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	12.3 L/100 km NEDC	294 g/km
2000S 55 AMG Saloon · S 55 AMG Limousine	5.5 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	13.4 L/100 km NEDC	308 g/km
2000S 600 Limousine	5.8 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	13.4 L/100 km NEDC	321 g/km

United States 15 versions

Model years sold in the USA, from the EPA and the Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov). MPG on the EPA test; litres per 100 km = 235.215 ÷ MPG.

Years and version	Engine	Fuel	Gearbox	Drive	Consumption (combined)	CO₂
2004–2010EMS 2MODE CLKUP · PR	5.5 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	13 MPG (18.1 L/100 km) EPA	425 g/km
2004–2006EMS 2MODE CLKUP	4.3 L	Petrol	7-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	19 MPG (12.4 L/100 km) EPA	291 g/km
2004–2006EMS 2MODE CLKUP	4.3 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	17 MPG (13.8 L/100 km) EPA	325 g/km
2004–2006EMS 2MODE CLKUP	5.0 L	Petrol	7-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	17 MPG (13.8 L/100 km) EPA	325 g/km
2004–2006EMS 2MODE CLKUP	5.0 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	16 MPG (14.7 L/100 km) EPA	345 g/km
2004–2005EMS 2MODE CLKUP	5.4 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	15 MPG (15.7 L/100 km) EPA	368 g/km
2000–2003EMS 2MODE CLKUP	4.3 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	18 MPG (13.1 L/100 km) EPA	307 g/km
2003GUZZLER, EMS 2MODE CLKUP	4.3 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	17 MPG (13.8 L/100 km) EPA	325 g/km
2000–2003GUZZLER, EMS 2MODE CLKUP	5.0 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	15–17 MPG (13.8–15.7 L/100 km) EPA	325–368 g/km
2003GUZZLER, EMS 2MODE CLKUP	5.0 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	16 MPG (14.7 L/100 km) EPA	345 g/km
2003GUZZLER, EMS 2MODE CLKUP	5.5 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	14 MPG (16.8 L/100 km) EPA	394 g/km
2001–2002GUZZLER, EMS 2MODE CLKUP	5.4 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	17 MPG (13.8 L/100 km) EPA	325 g/km
2001–2002GUZZLER, EMS 2MODE CLKUP	5.8 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	16 MPG (14.7 L/100 km) EPA	345 g/km
1998–1999EMS 2MODE CLKUP	5.0 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	16–18 MPG (13.1–14.7 L/100 km) EPA	307–345 g/km
1998–1999EMS 2MODE CLKUP	6.0 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	13 MPG (18.1 L/100 km) EPA	425 g/km

Canada 10 versions

Model years sold in Canada, from Natural Resources Canada fuel consumption ratings (5-cycle test).

Years and version	Engine	Fuel	Gearbox	Consumption (combined)	CO₂
2000–2006Full-size	4.3 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	12.7–13.9 L/100 km 5-cycle	292–320 g/km
2004–2006Full-size	4.3 L	Petrol	7-speed automatic	12.6–12.7 L/100 km 5-cycle	290–292 g/km
2004–2006Full-size	5.0 L	Petrol	7-speed automatic	13.8 L/100 km 5-cycle	317 g/km
1998–2006Full-size	5.0 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	13.9–15.1 L/100 km 5-cycle	320–347 g/km
2004–2006Full-size	5.5 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	17.6 L/100 km 5-cycle	405 g/km
2002–2005Full-size	5.4 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	14.1–15.6 L/100 km 5-cycle	324–359 g/km
2001Full-size	5.8 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	14.2 L/100 km 5-cycle	327 g/km
1998–1999Full-size	3.2 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	13.2–13.3 L/100 km 5-cycle	304–306 g/km
1998–1999Full-size	4.2 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	14.6 L/100 km 5-cycle	336 g/km
1998–1999Full-size	6.0 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	17.5 L/100 km 5-cycle	403 g/km

Similar models from other brands

Official figures are measured on standard test procedures and differ between markets. Your consumption depends on how, where and in what conditions you drive.