Mercedes-Benz S 560 Cabriolet

Core summary

The S 560 is the facelift V8 S-Class Cabriolet, not an S 500 with a new caption. Its purchase case rests on comfort, condition and a realistic maintenance reserve.

The S 560 Cabriolet is the V8 version of the facelift A217 open-top S-Class. It offers four seats and a fabric roof in a considerably more substantial luxury-car package than a small roadster. Its point is the way the entire car serves leisure travel, not merely its acceleration figure.

Cariary would buy one only with a clear maintenance reserve. Depreciation can make the asking price inviting without reducing the complexity of its roof, suspension or comfort equipment.

History & generations

The S 560 designation arrived with the 2017-announced update to the S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet. The Cabriolet's body code is A217, distinct from the fixed-roof C217. Earlier S 500 or S 550 photographs should not be silently presented as the facelift S 560.

The gallery uses a documented 2019 Geneva show S 560 Cabriolet. Its exhibition label includes 4MATIC; this page does not use that label to assume identical drivetrain availability in every market. Confirm the specification of an individual car from its vehicle record.

Body, platform & design

The open cabin, broad body and long doors define the S 560's character. The photograph shows a facelift display car with its roof down; it is a body and styling reference, not proof of a particular buyer's option list.

Check garage access and door clearance before committing. A luxury convertible can be easy to admire yet inconvenient in a narrow parking space, particularly when occupants need the doors opened widely.

Engine & drivetrain

The facelift manufacturer table lists a 3,982 cc twin-turbo V8 producing 345 kW/469 PS and 700 Nm. The S 560 uses a nine-speed automatic; this is not the S 65's V12 and seven-speed transmission.

The manufacturer's 2017 release explicitly limits its cylinder-deactivation description to the coupe. It should not be copied into this Cabriolet profile as a universal feature. Market and model-year records remain the authority for an individual car's drivetrain.

Trim differences

Keep S 560, S 63 and S 65 distinct. AMG Line presentation on an S 560 does not install either AMG powertrain. Upholstery and decorative packages also do not establish the presence of every comfort or assistance option.

Make an equipment checklist from the actual car. Massage, ventilation, audio and assistance functions should be demonstrated, not inferred from the original retail price.

Interior & seating

Four seats are part of the appeal, but rear access remains through the front doors. Bring the people who will use the rear seats and check entry, legroom and comfort with the front occupants correctly seated.

The cabin's many comfort features make a systematic viewing worthwhile. Test each seat function, climate zone and display. Cosmetic cleanliness and functional health are separate questions on a car with this much equipment.

Efficiency & range

Treat fuel consumption as one cost among many rather than the sole measure of affordability. A V8 luxury convertible requires an operating budget consistent with its original class.

Ask for local servicing, tyre and insurance quotations. If those costs leave no reserve for an unexpected repair, a smaller E-Class Cabriolet may be the more enjoyable ownership choice despite the S-Class's appeal.

Safety & equipment

Check the exact assistance systems fitted and request recall completion records by VIN. Advanced equipment requires correct repair and calibration after relevant damage.

Inspect warning messages and have suspicious roof, restraint or suspension behaviour diagnosed professionally. Do not let the presence of an S-Class badge replace a mechanical assessment.

Strengths

The S 560 combines an open four-seat layout with the S-Class's luxury focus and a V8 powertrain. It occupies a different space from compact convertibles that prioritise small size.

The strongest example is one whose comfort systems and roof are healthy. A desirable colour cannot compensate for a car that repeatedly interrupts the touring experience with unresolved faults.

Considerations

The Cabriolet uses air suspension; do not transfer the coupe's MAGIC BODY CONTROL description to it. Have ride-height irregularities and suspension warnings investigated rather than accepting an explanation based on normal ageing.

Inspect roof seals, glass alignment and signs of dampness, then operate the roof as directed by the manual. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is a proportionate expense for this level of complexity.

Recommended use

Best for leisurely touring with one or two occupants and occasional rear passengers, where the open cabin and comfort are the purpose of the trip. Check luggage space in the roof-down configuration with your actual bags.

If the car will spend most of its life parked outdoors or making short urban trips, think carefully about whether its size and maintenance obligations fit that routine.

Rivals & related

The E 300 Cabriolet offers a smaller Mercedes four-seat alternative, while the S 63 adds a distinct AMG drivetrain. Compare them by intended use rather than assuming the most powerful model is always the best luxury purchase.

A Bentley Continental GTC is another luxury open-top reference, but its maintenance and purchase context require a separate assessment. Similar appearance in a shopping list does not mean equivalent running costs.

FAQ

Is it the earlier S 500? No, this profile concerns the facelift S 560.

Is it a V12? No; the S 560 is a V8, unlike the AMG S 65.

Does every market have the same drivetrain? Verify the vehicle record; do not infer it from a show-car label or a coupe specification.

Does it have the coupe's cylinder-deactivation claim? The 2017 release specifies that feature for the coupe, not this Cabriolet.

Sources & updates

Manufacturer publications linked below provide the dated model and technical references. The buying assessments are Cariary editorial analysis, not a claimed first-hand road test. Photographs are independently credited, with early and facelift appearances identified where relevant. Equipment and homologated figures must be checked against the individual vehicle’s market and model year.

• Mercedes-Benz — 2017 S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet update →
• Mercedes-Benz dealer — S-Class Cabriolet specifications →
• Photograph — Silver A217 S 560 Cabriolet at the 2019 Geneva motor show →Matti Blume; CC BY-SA 4.0

Last editorial review: September 20, 2026. Specifications remain market- and model-year-specific.