2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S 600

2004 Mercedes-Benz S600 — Twin-Turbo V12 Flagship with Documented Service History


Why This Car Is Special

The 2004 Mercedes-Benz S600 sits at the top of the W220 S-Class lineup, and it earned that position through one of the most capable engines Mercedes-Benz ever put into a production sedan. Under the hood is the M275 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V12, rated at 493 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. That torque figure is what separates the S600 from everything else in the class — it arrives early in the rev range and stays flat across a wide band, which is why the car accelerates with almost no drama at any speed. Mercedes-Benz quoted a 0-60 time of around 4.5 seconds for the S600, which in 2004 was a serious number for a full-size luxury sedan weighing in at over 4,400 pounds.

The W220 generation ran from 1999 through 2006. The S600 specifically was never a high-volume car — Mercedes-Benz produced it in limited numbers compared to the S430 and S500, and it was priced accordingly at new. The original MSRP on a 2004 S600 was well over $120,000, putting it above the AMG variants in base price and in direct competition with the Bentley Flying Spur and Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph in terms of what the engine alone communicated to the buyer.

One detail worth understanding: the W220 S600 used a five-speed automatic transmission rather than the seven-speed unit found in some of its contemporaries. Mercedes-Benz paired this gearbox specifically to handle the V12's torque output, and it shifts smoothly without calling attention to itself. The car also rides on Airmatic air suspension, which continuously adjusts damping based on road conditions and speed. This system is one of the reasons the S600 remains one of the quietest and most controlled highway sedans ever built.

This particular car comes with paperwork documenting recent repairs and upgrades, which is meaningful with any W220 S600. These cars reward buyers who have kept up with maintenance, and documented service history is the clearest signal that a previous owner took the car seriously. The undercarriage photos show solid structure with no visible corrosion — a meaningful detail on a Florida-based vehicle.


Features List

- 5.5L Twin-Turbo V12 — 493 HP
- 5-Speed Automatic Transmission
- Airmatic Air Suspension
- Bi-Xenon Projector Headlights
- Aftermarket 20-Inch Mercedes Alloy Wheels
- Tinted Windows
- Power Sunroof
- Quad Exhaust Tips
- Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- Navigation System (COMAND)
- BOSE Surround Sound System
- Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
- Heated Rear Seats
- Power Memory Front Seats
- Rear Seat Adjustment Controls
- Burled Walnut Interior Trim
- Multi-Function Leather Steering Wheel
- Power Windows and Locks
- Keyless-Go Entry
- Parktronic Parking Sensors
- Cruise Control
- Pre-Safe Collision Preparation System
- Disc Brakes — All Four Corners
- SRS Airbags
- Power Steering
- Mercedes-Benz Illuminated Door Sill Plates
- Soft-Close Doors


Mechanical

The M275 engine in this car is a 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V12 — two banks of six cylinders with a turbocharger on each bank. At 493 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, it was among the most powerful engines available in any production luxury sedan in 2004. The engine photos show the V12 cam cover clearly, and the engine bay presents cleanly with no visible fluid leaks or deteriorated hoses from what can be seen in the photos.

The five-speed automatic transmission is specific to the V12 application in this generation. It was engineered to manage the torque load that would overwhelm a standard unit, and it operates through a fully electronic shift control system with no mechanical linkage to the shifter.

Airmatic suspension is standard equipment on the S600 and does two things simultaneously: it adjusts ride height based on load and speed, and it continuously varies damping stiffness through electronically controlled struts. The result is a car that drives smaller than its footpr