Carsieve Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse 221 S 500, 388 PS, 7-speed automatic, all-wheel drive (2006–2009)
- Power
- 388 PS (285 kW)
- Engine codes
- 273968
- Gearbox
- 7-speed automatic
- Production years
- 2006–2009
- Running cost per month
- €768
- Fuel
- Petrol
- Median price
- €14,000
- Reliability
- 2/5
- DIY
- 1/5
Research for this car
- Gearbox guide Mercedes 7G-Tronic (722.9) 7-speed automatic: problems, costs and what to check
Buy only with fluid records and a clean full-system scan, and avoid any car that has run in limp mode or judders at a steady speed.
Known issues for this car
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conductor plate and speed sensor failure | All 722.9 cars; early 2004-2007 builds most | 50,000 to 80,000 km | About 850 EUR for the control board (Russia, 2019 press article) | Gearbox guide |
| Torque converter lock-up clutch judder | All 722.9 cars; a Daimler bulletin covers Plus cars built 2011-2012 | 100,000 to 200,000 km | No confirmed price | Gearbox guide |
| Valve body and clutch pack wear | All 722.9 cars | 100,000 to 180,000 km | 1,500 to 1,700 EUR for a complete mechatronic (Russia, 2019 press article) | Gearbox guide |
| Old fluid and missed adaptation reset | All 722.9 cars | 80,000 to 100,000 km | About 600 EUR for a flush with new fluid (Austria, 2022) | Gearbox guide |
Before you buy this car
From the gearbox guide
- Read the shift pressure data with XENTRY or an equal Mercedes scanner. Bad result: pressure deviations above 0.5 bar, or adaptation values above 30 percent. Those point to valve body wear.
- Read the full gearbox fault memory with a full-system scanner. An engine-only OBD2 reader does not show it. Bad result: speed sensor codes P0717, P0718, P0722 or P0793, or any stored limp mode.
- Test drive cold and warm, and pull away from a stop. Bad result: stuck in 2nd, slipping between 1st and 2nd, or limp mode at about 48 km/h (30 mph).
- Hold a steady light throttle at about 60 km/h. Bad result: a shudder or hum. A scanner shows converter slip; 5 to 25 rpm is normal, and above about 80 rpm points to clutch wear.
- Ask for the fluid invoices and check the fluid. Bad result: no change after about 80,000 km, dark brown or black fluid, a burnt smell, or a fluid other than the one for the build. A wrong fluid can cause code P0741. Red-amber is the correct colour.
Running costs
| Operational | €361 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €180 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €227 |
| Total per month | €768 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €86 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de in this generation with this fuel, gearbox and power.
- Listings
- 158
- 25th percentile
- €10,950
- Median price
- €14,000
- 75th percentile
- €17,900
- Median mileage
- 183,000 km
- Median first registration
- 2006
- Dealer share
- 43.7%
Check a listing
Prices by first registration
| First registration | Listings | Median price | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | – | – |
| 2010 | 6 | €11,950 | 190,000 km |
| 2009 | 10 | €18,900 | 161,171 km |
| 2008 | 26 | €14,990 | 177,000 km |
| 2007 | 33 | €14,590 | 189,015 km |
| 2006 | 68 | €13,000 | 186,100 km |
| 2005 | 14 | €11,999 | 111,000 km |
Medians only for years with at least 5 listings. Many cars are first registered after production ends, so years can run past the build years.
Price history
| Month | Listings | Median price | Middle half | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2026 | 158 | €14,000 | €10,950 – €17,900 | 183,000 km |
| Oct 2026 | 158 | €14,000 | €10,950 – €17,900 | 183,000 km |
Median asking price at the last snapshot of each month.
ADAC versions
All 2 ADAC versions
| Version | Power | Production years | Running cost per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| S 500 4MATIC 7G-TRONIC | 388 PS | 2006–2009 | €767 |
| S 500 lang 4MATIC 7G-TRONIC | 388 PS | 2006–2009 | €769 |