The W220 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was a watershed moment for the brand. Produced from 1998 to 2005, it represented a shift from the massive, brash W140 Seven Pence to something more refined, more technological, and controversially smaller. But don’t let the dimensions fool you. Underneath that sleek design lay one of Mercedes’ most bulletproof powertrains ever built: the M113 V8.
The M113: Mercedes’ Greatest Engine?
The 5.0L M113 V8 in the S500 was nothing short of legendary. 302 horsepower, 339 lb-ft of torque, and a reputation for durability that bordered on myth. These engines ran and ran and ran – we’re talking 300,000+ miles with basic maintenance.
What made it special was its simplicity. No complex variable valve timing, no turbochargers (in naturally aspirated form), no hybrid systems. Just iron block, aluminum heads, and decades of refinement. The M113 powered everything from the S500 to the early 2000s AMG cars before Mercedes switched to turbocharged architectures.
By The Numbers
Production: 1998-2005 (484,683 units total)
Engine: 5.0L M113 V8, 302 hp, 339 lb-ft
0-60 mph: ~6.2 seconds
2000 MSRP: ~$75,000-$85,000
2026 adjusted: ~$135,000-$155,000
The $3,000 W220
Which brings us to The Backspeed Boys’ find: a non-running 2000 S500 listed for $1,800, negotiated to $1,500. The previous owner thought the alternator had failed. Turns out it was a seized belt tensioner pulley – a $310 fix.
This is the magic of the W220 S-Class in 2026. A car that cost $80,000+ new can now be had for the price of a used Honda Civic. The catch? You need to know what you’re looking at. The W220’s complex electronics (Airmatic suspension, COMAND system, adaptive damping) can bite the unwary. But the core drivetrain – that M113 V8 – is remarkably forgiving.
The Backspeed Boys spent their remaining budget on aesthetics: lowering links (tricking the air suspension into a tuck), a muffler delete for that “Brabus-style” V8 burble, and some wheels. Total investment: under $3,000.
Design Legacy
Steve Mattin designed the W220, with input from the legendary Bruno Sacco. It was controversial at launch – the “bi-polar” headlights (each unit containing two projector beams) were a departure from the W140’s flush headlights. But the design aged well. The 2002 facelift refined the front end, and today the W220 is increasingly recognized as one of the best-looking modern Mercedes.
At 484,683 units produced over seven years, the W220 wasn’t a volume leader. But it marked the transition from old-school Mercedes engineering to a new era of technology. And for enthusiasts, that makes it a fascinating snapshot – the last of the analog Mercedes, wrapped in digital promise.