DecodedCars2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.
- Class
- Large Cars
- Body styles
- S450 4matic 4dr Sedan AWD, S550 4matic 4dr Sedan AWD, S600 4dr Sedan RWD, S63 Amg 4dr Sedan RWD
- Engines
- 5.5L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl, 5.5L 12-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 16 combined · 14 city / 21 hwy
- Length
- 200–205.1 in
- Curb weight
- 4,619–5,038 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 16 MPG combined, 12% below the 2008 large car average of 18.2 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 5 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a large car offered with 4 engines (5.5L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl, 5.5L 12-cyl turbo and 6.0L 12-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 200 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 120-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,619 lb (S450 4matic 4dr Sedan AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 21 highway), 12% worse than the 2008 large car average of 18.2 MPG, for an estimated $5,150 a year in fuel.
There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.
What changed for 2008
- Engine added: 6.2L 8-cyl
Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 S-Class →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S450 4matic 4dr Sedan AWD | 200 in | 73.6 in | 57.9 in | 119.7 in | 62.6 / 62.2 in | 4,619 lb | 52/48 |
| S550 4matic 4dr Sedan AWD | 205.1 in | 73.6 in | 57.9 in | 124.8 in | 62.6 / 62.6 in | 4,630 lb | 52/48 |
| S600 4dr Sedan RWD | 205.1 in | 73.6 in | 57.9 in | 124.8 in | 62.6 / 62.6 in | 4,960 lb | 50/50 |
| S63 Amg 4dr Sedan RWD | 205.1 in | 73.6 in | 58.7 in | 124.8 in | 62.6 / 62.6 in | 4,751 lb | 50/50 |
| S65 Amg 4dr Sedan RWD | 205.1 in | 73.6 in | 57.9 in | 124.8 in | 62.6 / 62.6 in | 5,038 lb | 50/50 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S550 | 5.5L 8-cyl | Automatic 7-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 21 / 16 | -12% | $5,150 | 555 |
| S550 4matic | 5.5L 8-cyl | Automatic 7-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -12% | $5,150 | 555 |
| S63 AMG | 6.2L 8-cyl | Automatic (S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 / 17 / 13 | -29% | $6,300 | 684 |
| S600 | 5.5L 12-cyl turbo | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 / 17 / 13 | -29% | $6,300 | 684 |
| S65 AMG | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 / 17 / 13 | -29% | $6,300 | 684 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2008 large cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (this car) | 16 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2008 BMW 7 Series | 18 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2008 Audi A8 | 18 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class | 17 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2008 Audi S6 | 16 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2008 Audi S8 | 15 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
No owner complaints for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class in NHTSA's database since 2015.
Used 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other S-Class years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 S-Class | 23 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 S-Class | 23 | 208.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 S-Class | 24 | 208.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 S-Class | 24 | 208.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 S-Class | 23 | 209.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 S-Class | 24 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 S-Class | 24 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 S-Class | 23 | 201.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 S-Class | 23 | 201.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 S-Class | 22 | 201.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 S-Class | 26 | 201.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 S-Class | 26 | 201.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mercedes-Benz. How we calculate this →