Many people might walk right past a V12-engined Mercedes-Benz S-Class and not realize how special it is. They might just see another large black luxury sedan with a three-point star up front, without realizing the potential of the machine. Avid enthusiasts, however, know that a W222-generation S600 or a Mercedes-AMG S65 is something to savor.These vehicles represent an old-school approach to over-engineered luxury, with hand-built or ultra-low-volume bi-turbo engines, and they now come at the kind of price you might expect to pay for a new midsize SUV. The W222 S600 was the final regular S600 sedan for Americans, and the AMG S65 carried the V12 performance sedan idea to its conclusion in AMG circles. And for those in the know, these vehicles represent a very enticing proposition in the current used market. The V12 S-Class Has Become The Quiet Exotic Mercedes-AMGIf you like to enjoy exotic performance without too much visual theater, then a Mercedes-Benz S-Class V12 is just perfect. It simply did its job in spectacular style, carrying four adults in silence and generating enough torque to make any backroad overtake a real breeze. Some people who wanted to announce their appearance might turn to a Lamborghini or Ferrari V12, but those cars came with their own drama. The S-Class simply got on with its job, fully enjoying its understated character.On a used car lot today, a W222 S600 can sit among ordinary S-Class sedans and may appear to the uninitiated to be just another S550 or S560. The AMG S65 is a little more obvious, especially to enthusiasts, but it’s not one of those big market magnets like an AMG GT, a G-Class, or even a modern high-performance SUV.In 2017, when the S600 was at its peak, the original MSRP was $170,750, and a 2019 Mercedes-AMG S65 sedan would cost from $232,550 before options and destination. But CarBuzz Marketplace suggests that a W222 S600 has an average of around $28,800 with a range from the high-sixteens to the low-sixties for a cleaner one. W222 S65 listings elsewhere sit from the high $40,000s to the mid $80,000s, with some final-year or exceptional cars a little higher. And a few of those prices place these executive-level flagship cars in the same shopping universe as some ordinary used luxury vehicles. Not The End Of The V12, But The End Of The S600/S65 Era Mercedes-Benz With the departure of the W222, Mercedes-Benz wasn't about to kill its V12 idea outright. It still offers such an engine in the Mercedes-Maybach S680 4MATIC, as a handcrafted 6.0-liter bi-turbo V12 that turns out 621 hp and 664 lb-ft. But the V12 did disappear from this particular lineup, however, as Mercedes-Benz pulled the traditional S600 sedan and the AMG S65 flagship from the US marketplace. And to frame this properly, consider this the last chapter of a familiar formula. Mercedes-Benz would no longer offer this type of rear-wheel-drive S-Class sedan with its huge V12, bags of torque, and a badge that told people it was the top of the company hierarchy.The W222 S600 first came to US buyers for the 2015 model year and after 2017, the S600 name bowed out in favor of Maybach-branded V12 luxury for US buyers. Over at AMG, the W222 S65 stuck around a little longer in this guise, and its V12 was a 6.0-liter bi-turbo rated at 621 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes said goodbye to this creation with an S65 Final Edition, offering only 130 units to collectors worldwide. And as production of the new-generation S-Class started at Factory 56 in September 2020, the broader W222 cycle bade farewell. Why These Cars Sit Cheaply On Used Lots Mercedes-AMG As grand and impressive as the V12 engine was in these new vehicles when new, it's probably the bad boy in the liability picture today. The market hasn't forgotten how special these cars and engines were, but it's now realizing that they can be too expensive from an ownership point of view today. After all, these engines are certainly complex and more than just an engine with extra cylinders over a V8. You're looking at a motor with turbochargers, tightly packaged cooling systems, and a long list of equipment that was innovative when it was new. But now, there are high-end electronics to contend with, advanced suspension systems, and generally costly parts lists, making this kind of used vehicle not for the faint of heart.Today, buyers may have to contend with turbocharger oil leaks, suspension warnings, cooling leaks, electrical issues, transmission concerns, and generally high running costs. And these are the types of realities they'll have to consider when looking at any W222-era cars. These vehicles are also particularly thirsty, and that doesn't go down well in some parts of society.A later AMG S65 only returned 13 mpg city, 20 mpg highway, and 15 mpg combined, and even if buyers can afford that fuel bill now, they may worry about how others view such V12 irrationality. After all, this is a world increasingly shaped by electrification, hybridization, and other cost-cutting and efficiency measures, so a V12 engine today may have an element of social or practical stigma that it might not have had in the 2000s.There’s also one other thought to process within this particular part of the used market. While imagery and ongoing costs may limit the buyer pool and dampen used values, these vehicles may also be overlooked due to the sheer scale of choice in the market. The type of buyer who might once have picked a V12 S-Class sedan might now be interested in a G-Class, Bentayga, Range Rover, Cullinan, or some type of electric flagship instead. M275 Vs M279, And Why Enthusiasts Still Care Mercedes-AMG These cars present a tale of two engines. The earlier W221-era S600 had the M275 V12, a 5.5-liter twin-turbo rated at 510 hp and 612 lb-ft, which came with a five-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, and delivered effortless speed for its owners. You could also choose an AMG S65 from that period, with output varying by model year and market, between 612 hp and 621hp with 738 lb-ft. In the W222 era, the S600 moved to a later 6.0-liter biturbo V12 interpretation and the regular W222 S600 offered 523 hp and 612 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, the AMG S65 used the new M279 6.0-liter biturbo V12, with 621 hp and 738 lb-ft, and a much more assertive AMG character.Neither the S600 nor the S65 was a lightweight performance sedan, but both featured a magnificent V12 at the heart of the action. And the character of the engine is what separates it from any newer turbo sixes or plug-in hybrids, even if some of those later cars may be technically quicker on paper. And for all its potential liability these years later, the appeal of the engine, whether the M275 or M279, is the big draw for enthusiasts.A CarBuzz review noted the vehicle's size but felt that it performed like a much smaller car. Mercedes also provided an excellent package to back up that engine's performance, with reviews noting that it could handle sharp turns with surprising athleticism. The reviewer felt that it could deliver one of the more comfortable cruising experiences in its class. The Ownership Reality Frames The Definition Of Bargain Mercedes-Benz When making a purchase decision, the unfortunate reality is that a cheap V12 Mercedes like this is only likely to remain cheap on day one. After that, owners will need to take into account sharper insurance policies that consider factors like repair costs, engine size, vehicle value, safety records, and the likelihood of theft. Registration costs will vary state by state, and some places have value-based formulas that could punish a heavily depreciated luxury car more than a normal used sedan.Also, there’s the subject of parts to consider, and to remember that these are not ordinary S-Class sedans at all. They can be difficult to work with due to their crowded engine bay setup, and some of the V12-specific components may be more expensive and harder to come by today. It's important for a buyer to look carefully at prior service records and, ideally, to get a Mercedes specialist to inspect it. They should also put aside a pool of money that more reflects the original six-figure status of these vehicles and what might happen down the road.For someone searching from a pure collector's point of view, there may be more of an argument for a cleaner S65, especially a low-mileage example or a Final Edition car. Some of these can still go for significant money, such as a 3,800-mile 2020 S65 Final Edition that went at auction in early 2025 for $168,000. But against that, ordinary high-mileage S600s have a different value proposition and unfortunately, these cars may carry a similar cost risk to the S65 but without that AMG halo.Perhaps this final regular V12 Mercedes sedan is so cheap because it represents a mix of desire and fear. There’s a lot to love and look forward to as an upcoming owner, but there are also red flags to consider, linked to rare parts, complex electronics, and everyday running costs.So, from a simplistic point of view, the W222 S600 and S65 may not be long-term bargains, and they’re probably not for the casual shopper. But they may still represent one of the most compelling used luxury stories on the market for those who understand what they’re buying into. After all, these are among the last attainable versions of a famous Mercedes V12 sedan era, and they may be hiding in plain sight on that local used lot.
