2011 Mercedes-Benz S-Class | Car Model History

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What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 2011 Mercedes-Benz S-Class model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.

Complete, source-verified lineup

Find your exact 2011 S-Class

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

7factory configurations

Verified complete for the U.S.-marketHow this lineup was verified

We checked this U.S.-market lineup against period sources for factory sedan, coupe, cabriolet, drivetrain, and powertrain roster represented by the cited exact-year or factory-archive evidence. Every version shown below has its own detail page.

Verified 2026-09-01 from Mercedes-Benz Public Archive — 221-series S-Class model history.

Four-door 4MATIC all-wheel drive luxury sedan

Mercedes-Benz S 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC Automatic

Body: Four-door 4MATIC all-wheel drive luxury sedan
Engine: 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6
Gearbox: 7-speed automatic
Built: Regular production

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Four-door rear-wheel drive luxury sedan

Mercedes-Benz S 400 HYBRID Automatic

Body: Four-door rear-wheel drive luxury sedan
Engine: 3.5-liter V6 with electric motor
Gearbox: 7-speed automatic
Built: Regular production

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Four-door rear-wheel drive luxury sedan

Mercedes-Benz S 550 Automatic

Body: Four-door rear-wheel drive luxury sedan
Engine: 5.5-liter V8
Gearbox: 7-speed automatic
Built: Regular production

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Four-door 4MATIC all-wheel drive luxury sedan

Mercedes-Benz S 550 4MATIC Automatic

Body: Four-door 4MATIC all-wheel drive luxury sedan
Engine: 5.5-liter V8
Gearbox: 7-speed automatic
Built: Regular production

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Four-door rear-wheel drive luxury sedan

Mercedes-Benz S 600 Automatic

Body: Four-door rear-wheel drive luxury sedan
Engine: 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12
Gearbox: 5-speed automatic
Built: Regular production

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Four-door rear-wheel drive luxury sedan

Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG Automatic

Body: Four-door rear-wheel drive luxury sedan
Engine: 5.5-liter twin-turbo AMG V8
Gearbox: 7-speed automatic
Built: Regular production

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Four-door rear-wheel drive luxury sedan

Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG Automatic

Body: Four-door rear-wheel drive luxury sedan
Engine: 6.0-liter twin-turbo AMG V12
Gearbox: 5-speed automatic
Built: Regular production

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The 2011 model year

Overview

The 2011 U.S. W221 range broadened again with the diesel S 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC. The S 63 AMG also moved from the earlier naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 to a 5.5-liter twin-turbo AMG V8, making this a critical engine and service-parts boundary.

Specifications

Engines: 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6
3.5-liter V6 with electric motor
5.5-liter V8
5.5-liter twin-turbo V12
5.5-liter twin-turbo AMG V8
6.0-liter twin-turbo AMG V12
Transmissions: 7-speed automatic, 5-speed automatic
Body styles: Four-door 4MATIC all-wheel drive luxury sedan, Four-door rear-wheel drive luxury sedan

Year over year

What changed

The S 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC added a turbo-diesel, all-wheel-drive configuration.
The S 63 AMG changed to the 5.5-liter twin-turbo AMG V8 while the hybrid, S 550 pair, and V12 cars continued.

Worth knowing

Notable

A 2010 S 63 engine assumption must not be carried onto the 2011 car; the AMG V8 families differ.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

Inspect Airmatic or Active Body Control operation, electronics, cooling-system condition, and documented service history on the individual car; a generation-level reputation is not evidence that every example has a fault.
Match filters, fluids, ignition or diesel-service parts, brakes, and transmission service items to the exact engine, drivetrain, build date, and VIN before ordering.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 2011 S-Class on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service topics: 6
Factory intervals: 6
Fitment-scoped: 6
Exact references: 1

Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

Synthetic engine oil and filter
Sourced interval available
Applies to: 2011 · United States · Only unambiguous rows from Mercedes-Benz's MY2010–2014 table are transcribed; its multiple engine-dependent spark-plug and transmission dots remain unclaimed.
Published interval: 10,000 mi / 16,000 km / 12 months · Every listed annual/10,000-mile service.
Source: Mercedes-Benz USA service-and-warranty library — select 2011 S-Class · PDF page 6 — All Models: synthetic motor oil and filter at every 10,000-mile/one-year increment · checked 2026-08-05
Activated-charcoal combination and dust filters
Sourced interval available
Applies to: 2011 · United States · Only unambiguous rows from Mercedes-Benz's MY2010–2014 table are transcribed; its multiple engine-dependent spark-plug and transmission dots remain unclaimed.
Published interval: 20,000 mi / 32,000 km / 24 months · Both published filter rows repeat at 20,000-mile/two-year increments.
Source: Mercedes-Benz USA service-and-warranty library — select 2011 S-Class · PDF page 6 — All Models: activated-charcoal combination filter and dust-filter rows · checked 2026-08-05
Brake fluid
Sourced interval available
Applies to: 2011 · United States · Only unambiguous rows from Mercedes-Benz's MY2010–2014 table are transcribed; its multiple engine-dependent spark-plug and transmission dots remain unclaimed.
Published interval: 20,000 mi / 32,000 km / 24 months · Whichever comes first.
Source: Mercedes-Benz USA service-and-warranty library — select 2011 S-Class · PDF page 6 — All Models: brake-fluid change at 20,000-mile/two-year increments · checked 2026-08-05
Main-circuit coolant
Sourced interval available
Applies to: 2011 · V12 · United States · Only unambiguous rows from Mercedes-Benz's MY2010–2014 table are transcribed; its multiple engine-dependent spark-plug and transmission dots remain unclaimed.
Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km / 36 months · V12 models only.
Source: Mercedes-Benz USA service-and-warranty library — select 2011 S-Class · PDF page 6 — Specific Model Services: V12 main-circuit coolant at 30,000-mile/3-year increments · checked 2026-08-05
Rear-axle oil
Sourced interval available
Applies to: 2011 · Mercedes-AMG S-Class · United States · Only unambiguous rows from Mercedes-Benz's MY2010–2014 table are transcribed; its multiple engine-dependent spark-plug and transmission dots remain unclaimed.
Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km / 36 months · Mercedes-AMG models; the table also calls for an initial 2,000-mile change.
Source: Mercedes-Benz USA service-and-warranty library — select 2011 S-Class · PDF page 6 — Specific AMG Model Services: rear-axle oil at 2,000 miles, then 30,000-mile/3-year increments · checked 2026-08-05
Initial AMG rear-axle service
Applies to: 2011 · Mercedes-AMG S-Class · United States · Only unambiguous rows from Mercedes-Benz's MY2010–2014 table are transcribed; its multiple engine-dependent spark-plug and transmission dots remain unclaimed.
Published interval: 2,000 mi / 3,200 km · Initial service.
Source: Mercedes-Benz USA service-and-warranty library — select 2011 S-Class · PDF page 6 — Specific AMG Model Services: initial rear-axle oil change at 2,000 miles · checked 2026-08-05
Mercedes-AMG engine air filter
Exact reference available
Applies to: 2011 · Mercedes-AMG S-Class · United States · Only unambiguous rows from Mercedes-Benz's MY2010–2014 table are transcribed; its multiple engine-dependent spark-plug and transmission dots remain unclaimed.
Published interval: 40,000 mi / 64,000 km / 48 months · Mercedes-AMG models.
Source: Mercedes-Benz USA service-and-warranty library — select 2011 S-Class · PDF page 6 — Specific AMG Model Services: engine air filter at 40,000-mile/4-year increments · checked 2026-08-05
S 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC — 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6
K&N 33-2940
Applies to: 2011 · 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 · S 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC · Exact 2011 S 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC engine application. Confirm VIN and build date before ordering.
Source: K&N Engineering — 2017 European Automotive Catalog, S-Class application tables (archived copy) · W221 S-Class table — 3.0L V6 diesel, 2011 — 33-2940 (two required) · checked 2026-09-01
Verified ordering references
- Service replacementK&N 33-2940
  Qty. 2 · Reusable engine air-filter element · catalog-listed
  K&N lists two elements for this application; confirm VIN and build date before ordering.
  Catalog: K&N Engineering — 2017 European Automotive Catalog, S-Class application tables (archived copy) · W221 S-Class table — 3.0L V6 diesel, 2011 — 33-2940 (two required) · checked 2026-09-01
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S 400 HYBRID — 3.5-liter V6 with electric motor
K&N 33-2181
Applies to: 2011 · 3.5-liter V6 with electric motor · S 400 HYBRID · Exact 2011 S 400 HYBRID engine application. Confirm VIN and build date before ordering.
Source: K&N Engineering — 2017 European Automotive Catalog, S-Class application tables (archived copy) · W221 S-Class table — S 400 HYBRID, 2011 — 33-2181 (two required) · checked 2026-09-01
Verified ordering references
- Service replacementK&N 33-2181
  Qty. 2 · Reusable engine air-filter element · catalog-listed
  K&N lists two elements for this application; confirm VIN and build date before ordering.
  Catalog: K&N Engineering — 2017 European Automotive Catalog, S-Class application tables (archived copy) · W221 S-Class table — S 400 HYBRID, 2011 — 33-2181 (two required) · checked 2026-09-01
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S 550 — 5.5-liter V8
K&N 33-2474
Applies to: 2011 · 5.5-liter V8 · S 550 · Exact 2011 S 550 engine application. Confirm VIN and build date before ordering.
Source: K&N Engineering — 2017 European Automotive Catalog, S-Class application tables (archived copy) · W221 S-Class table — S 550, 2011 — 33-2474 (two required) · checked 2026-09-01
Verified ordering references
- Service replacementK&N 33-2474
  Qty. 2 · Reusable engine air-filter element · catalog-listed
  K&N lists two elements for this application; confirm VIN and build date before ordering.
  Catalog: K&N Engineering — 2017 European Automotive Catalog, S-Class application tables (archived copy) · W221 S-Class table — S 550, 2011 — 33-2474 (two required) · checked 2026-09-01
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S 550 4MATIC — 5.5-liter V8
K&N 33-2474
Applies to: 2011 · 5.5-liter V8 · S 550 4MATIC · Exact 2011 S 550 4MATIC engine application. Confirm VIN and build date before ordering.
Source: K&N Engineering — 2017 European Automotive Catalog, S-Class application tables (archived copy) · W221 S-Class table — S 550 4MATIC, 2011 — 33-2474 (two required) · checked 2026-09-01
Verified ordering references
- Service replacementK&N 33-2474
  Qty. 2 · Reusable engine air-filter element · catalog-listed
  K&N lists two elements for this application; confirm VIN and build date before ordering.
  Catalog: K&N Engineering — 2017 European Automotive Catalog, S-Class application tables (archived copy) · W221 S-Class table — S 550 4MATIC, 2011 — 33-2474 (two required) · checked 2026-09-01
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S 600 — 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12
K&N 33-2412
Applies to: 2011 · 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12 · S 600 · Exact 2011 S 600 engine application. Confirm VIN and build date before ordering.
Source: K&N Engineering — 2017 European Automotive Catalog, S-Class application tables (archived copy) · W221 S-Class table — S 600, 2011 — 33-2412 · checked 2026-09-01
Verified ordering references
- Service replacementK&N 33-2412
  Qty. 1 · Reusable engine air-filter element · catalog-listed
  K&N lists one element for this application; confirm VIN and build date before ordering.
  Catalog: K&N Engineering — 2017 European Automotive Catalog, S-Class application tables (archived copy) · W221 S-Class table — S 600, 2011 — 33-2412 · checked 2026-09-01
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S 63 AMG — 5.5-liter twin-turbo AMG V8
K&N 33-2474
Applies to: 2011 · 5.5-liter twin-turbo AMG V8 · S 63 AMG · Exact 2011 S 63 AMG engine application. Confirm VIN and build date before ordering.
Source: K&N Engineering — 2017 European Automotive Catalog, S-Class application tables (archived copy) · W221 S-Class table — S 63 AMG, 2011 — 33-2474 (two required) · checked 2026-09-01
Verified ordering references
- Service replacementK&N 33-2474
  Qty. 2 · Reusable engine air-filter element · catalog-listed
  K&N lists two elements for this application; confirm VIN and build date before ordering.
  Catalog: K&N Engineering — 2017 European Automotive Catalog, S-Class application tables (archived copy) · W221 S-Class table — S 63 AMG, 2011 — 33-2474 (two required) · checked 2026-09-01
  Search this part on Amazon
S 65 AMG — 6.0-liter twin-turbo AMG V12
K&N 33-2412
Applies to: 2011 · 6.0-liter twin-turbo AMG V12 · S 65 AMG · Exact 2011 S 65 AMG engine application. Confirm VIN and build date before ordering.
Source: K&N Engineering — 2017 European Automotive Catalog, S-Class application tables (archived copy) · W221 S-Class table — S 65 AMG, 2011 — 33-2412 · checked 2026-09-01
Verified ordering references
- Service replacementK&N 33-2412
  Qty. 1 · Reusable engine air-filter element · catalog-listed
  K&N lists one element for this application; confirm VIN and build date before ordering.
  Catalog: K&N Engineering — 2017 European Automotive Catalog, S-Class application tables (archived copy) · W221 S-Class table — S 65 AMG, 2011 — 33-2412 · checked 2026-09-01
  Search this part on Amazon

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2011Mercedes-Benz S-Class

What do you need to know?

Find your exact 2011 S-Class

Mercedes-Benz S 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC Automatic

Mercedes-Benz S 400 HYBRID Automatic

Mercedes-Benz S 550 Automatic

Mercedes-Benz S 550 4MATIC Automatic

Mercedes-Benz S 600 Automatic

Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG Automatic

Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG Automatic

Overview

Specifications

What changed

Notable

Reliability & ownership notes

Keep your 2011 S-Class on the road

What this car needs & when

Bring this model year home

Sources