Buying a used German luxury car is usually a one-way ticket to financial ruin. We’ve all heard the horror stories. But then there is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG. It’s different. This was the year everything clicked for the W222 chassis, mostly because Mercedes finally stopped playing around with the old 5.5-liter engine and dropped the 4.0-liter biturbo V8 into the engine bay. It changed the car's entire personality.
Suddenly, you had a private jet on wheels that could actually dance. It’s heavy, obviously. You can’t hide 4,800 pounds of leather, massage motors, and sound deadening. But the 2018 refresh—the "facelift" model—brought in the 9-speed MCT transmission and a much smarter 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system. It’s a beast.
Honestly, if you see one on the road today, it still looks like it costs $150,000. It doesn't, of course. You can find them for half that now, which makes them both the best bargain and the most terrifying potential repair bill in the world.
The 4.0-Liter Shift: Why 2018 Was the Sweet Spot
Before 2018, the S63 was fast but a bit clumsy. The old M157 engine was a sledgehammer, but the 7-speed gearbox struggled to keep up. When Mercedes introduced the M177 4.0-liter V8 for the 2018 model year, they weren't just downsizing for emissions. They were looking for response. This engine uses a "hot inside V" configuration where the turbos sit inside the cylinder banks. It makes 603 horsepower and a ridiculous 664 lb-ft of torque.
The result? Zero to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds.
That is supercar territory from a car that has an "Energizing Comfort" mode that changes the fragrance of the cabin air based on your mood. You’re sitting there in a ventilated seat, getting a hot stone massage, while effectively outrunning a Porsche 911 Carrera from a stoplight. It’s absurd. It shouldn't work. The 4MATIC+ system is the secret sauce here because, unlike the older fixed-ratio setups, it can send 100% of the torque to the rear wheels when you're just cruising or it can claw at the pavement with all four when you pin the throttle.
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Inside the Cabin: Where Most Cars Feel Old (But This Doesn't)
Most 2018 cars feel dated the moment you look at the infotainment screen. Not this one. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG benefited from the massive dual 12.3-inch widescreen cockpit display. It’s crisp. The graphics are still sharp even by 2026 standards. You get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which, let’s be real, is all anyone actually cares about once the novelty of the factory navigation wears off.
The materials are just silly. You’ve got IWC Schaffhausen clocks in the dash. You’ve got DINAMICA microfibre headliners. Everything you touch is either cold metal, soft leather, or real carbon fiber. If you find a model with the Rear Seat Package, it basically turns into a limousine. We're talking reclining seats, individual climate zones, and wireless charging in the armrest. It’s the kind of car where you’d rather be the passenger, until you remember what happens when you put it in Sport+ mode.
What Nobody Tells You About the Maintenance
Let's get real for a second. You aren't buying a Honda. If the Airmatic suspension bags go out—and they eventually will—you’re looking at a bill that would cover the down payment on a Civic.
The carbon ceramic brakes are another "gotcha." If the car you’re looking at has the bronze-colored calipers, those are the ceramics. They’re amazing. They stop the car like you’ve hit a brick wall. But replacing those rotors can cost upwards of $15,000 for the set. Most people don't need them. The standard compound brakes are more than enough for street driving and significantly cheaper to service.
Oil changes are pricey because the V8 holds about 9 or 10 quarts of high-grade synthetic. You’ve also got to watch out for the "Cylinder Deactivation" system. In Comfort mode, the 2018 S63 can shut down four cylinders to save fuel. It’s seamless, but it adds complexity to the valvetrain. Always check for a consistent service history at a Mercedes dealer or a reputable AMG specialist like Renntech or Weistec. If the owner skipped the 10,000-mile intervals, walk away. There are enough of these on the market that you don't need to buy someone else's headache.
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The W222 vs. The Newer W223
A lot of enthusiasts actually prefer the 2018-2020 S63 (the W222) over the newer 2021+ models. Why? Buttons. The newer S-Class went all-in on touchscreens. It’s sleek, sure, but trying to adjust your lumbar support through three sub-menus on a giant tablet while driving 80 mph is a nightmare.
The 2018 model still has physical switches for the climate control. It has a physical scroll wheel for the COMAND system. It feels more "mechanical" and substantial. The build quality in 2018 was arguably the peak of Mercedes' "Best or Nothing" era before they started focusing heavily on interior ambient lighting and massive hyperscreens to distract from thinner plastics.
Performance Reality Check
Driving this car is an exercise in restraint. The 9-speed AMG Speedshift MCT uses a wet start-off clutch instead of a torque converter. This makes the shifts lightning-fast, almost like a dual-clutch, but it can be a little jerky in stop-and-go traffic if you aren't smooth with your inputs.
The exhaust note is another highlight. 2018 was before the strictly enforced European gasoline particulate filters (GPF) became universal, so the North American spec S63 still has that deep, guttural V8 bark. It pops. It crackles. It sounds like a motorboat at idle. If you put it in "Silent" mode, it’s quieter than a library. The duality is the whole point.
What to Look for When Buying
If you're scouring the listings for a 2018 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG, you need to be surgical. Look at the tires first. If a seller put cheap, off-brand tires on a 600-horsepower car, they definitely cheaped out on the internal maintenance too. High-performance Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires are what this car deserves.
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- Check the Head-Up Display: It’s a common failure point and expensive to fix.
- Scan for "Soft Close" Door Issues: The pneumatic pumps can fail, meaning you have to slam the doors like a 1990s truck.
- Transmission Software: Make sure the TCU (Transmission Control Unit) has the latest updates from Mercedes. It solves 90% of the "jerky shift" complaints.
- The Burmester High-End 3D System: If you find a car with the "rotating" tweeters in the A-pillars, buy it. It's one of the best audio systems ever put in a production vehicle.
Practical Next Steps for Potential Owners
Don't just go to a local used car lot and buy the first black-on-black S63 you see. These cars are plentiful, so you can afford to be picky.
Start by pulling a detailed Carfax, but don't stop there. Get a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) from a technician who actually knows AMG engines. Specifically, ask them to check for any signs of oil seepage around the turbo oil lines—a known but manageable issue.
Invest in a third-party warranty if you aren't prepared to self-insure for a $5,000 repair. Companies like Fidelity are often cited in enthusiast forums as being relatively fair with AMG claims.
Finally, check the "VMI" (Vehicle Master Inquiry) at a Mercedes dealership. This will show every single warranty repair and service performed at any Benz dealer in the country. If the car spent three months in the shop for electrical gremlins back in 2020, let it be someone else's problem. When you find a clean one, though, there is simply nothing else on the road that combines this level of thuggish power with absolute, world-class dignity.