Educate me about 2000 up S class Mercedes

[aigel]

Anyone have one of these? Are these any good (mainly worried about reliability and DIY support and serviceability). It is mind-boggling to me that these are on the used market for as little as $10-12k with around 100k miles. That's 10% of their new price ...

Thanks!

George

[NineOhOne]

Originally Posted by aigel

Anyone have one of these? Are these any good (mainly worried about reliability and DIY support and serviceability). It is mind-boggling to me that these are on the used market for as little as $10-12k with around 100k miles. That's 10% of their new price ...

Thanks!

George

"DIY support & serviceability" and "Mercedes" in the same sentence?

[aigel]

Originally Posted by NineOhOne

"DIY support & serviceability" and "Mercedes" in the same sentence?

I actually have heard good things about their serviceability from techs I knew years ago. I suppose the DIY network may be lacking then?

George

[slodave]

My dad had a 2000 S430. It was OK. About 3 years into its life and I think after warranty, I was driving the car and a nice warning light came on, I think I noticed something at the same time... I believe I pulled over on the freeway and noticed that it was riding a lot lower in the front.

I got to work and called my dad, he called Mercedes. They said to not drive it anymore and have it towed. Turns out the air ride suspension failed up front - I was doing around 75MPH at the time. It was fixed and until he sold it a couple years later, trouble free. One headlight was acting up when he sold it.

I think the regular maintenance was a bit expensive.

He now has a S550, 2 years into its life, the computer scrambled. Car was drivable, but forget trying to make a phone call and some menus were missing. The cell phone modules are phone specific. He bought the S550 wile using a Razr... His new iPhone is not fully compatible and Mercedes wants something like $700.- for the new module. He is dealing with it as is.

As far as performance, both cars are fun, especially in sport mode. The S550 is scary! He is on a 5 year plan with cars now, so I think he doesn't see the major problems as the cars get older.

[NineOhOne]

Originally Posted by aigel

I actually have heard good things about their serviceability from techs I knew years ago. I suppose the DIY network may be lacking then?

George

I have no personal experience, but a friend who has a late 90's Mercedes (E Class?) always calls me cussing his head off every time he has to do something under the hood. $450 for the rear-view mirror, etc., etc.

[aigel]

I just checked Pelican's Mercedes catalog and the front disks for an S500 are around $100 with the pads around $60. That's a lot better than my 993 TT brakes.

Keep them coming. I can see myself in a nice black on black 2001.

George

[slow&rusty]

This is what you need....the ultimate ultimate Lamborghini crusher for Camry money...twin turbo V12...and yes quite reliable..and so amazing.

W220 are reliable cars.


Yasin

[Embraer]

Definitely a car I would NOT want to own outside of warranty. We used to get these into our shop all of the time with some type of electrical gremlins. The main body control harnesses were often a culprit. Started to get better after 2005, but I'd only buy one if I considered the car to be truly disposable.

[Ray 911s]

I have a 2003 AMG S55. Very little DIY maintenance, and very expensive. The AMG may be more so than other models. Computer went bad in my headlight. Yes, computer in the headlight. $1800. The ABC suspension WILL go bad. Plan $2000 to $8000 depending on when and how bad it fails.

It's not that this is a bad car or has design flaws - just plan on the expenses of maintaining an exotic. In my opinion - it is worth it. This is a beautiful car and an absolute blast to drive. Self-adjusting bolsters when cornering hard, electronic paddle shifters, ride height adjustment, and 600 hp from the kompressor. But not DIY in most cases.

[speeder]

AMG cars are apples/oranges to regular Mercedes in terms of maintenance expense and operating costs in general. Like comparing BMW M-cars to regular BMWs. No comparison.

[aigel]

Not interested in an AMG cars. I am trying to find out if a regular S430 or S500 would be an okay car. Is there really a suspension issue that can crop up and cost $8k to fix DIY? What would that be and what parts go bad?

George

[EarlyPorsche]

George,

I believe there are coil-over companies that will take the air suspension off and turn the vehicle into a normal spring suspension. Without the ABC system the vehicle will have much better reliability. I have a benz with the 500 engine and its a blast to drive. No need for AMG. The only downside is that the internet support leaves something to be wished for (either nobody answers or a know-it-all tries to tell you and the person is really a huge failure) so I completely quit visiting those site and call up part sellers for any help. Also, Chrysler sells extended warranties for Benz vehicles if they meet some mileage and age requirements. Not too expensive either. I would google both the warranty and the coil suspension I mentioned.

[aigel]

Hi EarlyPorsche,

What year is you Benz and what model? The coil suspensions are sold for other cars, i.e. the Crown Vics and that sure sounds like a good fix when the air stuff goes out.

The S seems to be a lot more car for the money. I don't care for the E. I'd go CLK before I'd buy an E, I think, but then I am in BMW territory and I think a 3 series would suit me better. That's another group of cars that look like an excellent value for around $10k.

George

[island911]

I looked at those newer S-Classes for a bit. -my wife has a '97 which I like a lot. I concluded that newer was better. (surprise) ...the first few years have the funky Nav screen.

The S-classes always have smart builds. With the exception of the interior bits, the cars are very serviceable. ..the interior design intentionally hides fasteners.

I ended up buying a pepperwagon instead. (and liking it, a lot)

Oh, also check out the CL series. Much like the S-Class, but 2door, rather than 4dr ...and very cool hinging mechanism on those two doors (four-bar linkages)

[slodave]

A bit more on the S430 my dad had. The sensor in the door that allowed the windows went out, he had them switch the right door sensor into the left. Early on, there was an oil leak that had the local dealer ordering a big part from Germany. The alarm had issues where the battery needed to be disconnected and then the dealer neede to reset lights.

He likes both. The S550 is a 2007.

[slow&rusty]

You are probably looking at:


I find the S430 not all that fullfilling to drive (or look at) and the 268ish hp feels the lethargic, the S500 is a little better with 300hp (not much). My co worker recently bought a S500 of this vintage with the Designo interior and then drove my 6 year old Infiniti M45 and was surprised how much better the M45 was in comparrison.

Yasin

[aigel]

Hi Yasin,

Yes, that's the vintage. Went to CarMax today but they had none on the lot. Sat in a bunch of other cars - was a fun trip, but I haven't given up on the S yet. I like large interiors and a lot of the cars I sat in left a lot to be desired. I was amazed how crammed the Lexus GS interior was. It has a center console the size of a Hummer. I don't need any of that sheet. I am coming from large SUV / Trucks as daily drivers, I don't want to feel like I am sitting in an F1 car. My knee needs to be able to move out towards the center of the car.

Another complaint on the newer cars are the very flat windshields with the a pillar being at a 30 degree angle - visibility on some of these cars is worse than a gun turret.

I am going to hit up a few private sales for S class MBs to get a better feel for them. The E just doesn't do it. I think I'd like the C better than a E but then I am in 3 series territory and might as well get one of those.

Thanks for all the replies. Keep them coming!

George

[slow&rusty]

George - I am not a fan of the GS either, glorified Camrys.... If interior is space is your desire, the S class is hard to beat, my co-worker that I was telling about who bought the S500 was fortunate to buy a car that had the Designo interior, it is AMAZING! I love it, it does not look like the interior of a 7 year old car...get this even the dash is leather..novel...not practical but cool! It is a great place to travel in, again I will emphasize the interior is AMAZING on these S class cars if you get the right one.

I prefer lighter colored interiors, rather than sombre black (especially in the midst of the summer heat).

CarMax will not have these older birds, they tend to have 5 years and newer cars. I do recommend looking at the Infiniti M and G series, also the Lexus LS series (RWD platform, the range toppers and more room, comfort, class and performance).

Yasin

[onewhippedpuppy]

Funny, I just saw an S55 priced very cheaply.......tempting.

[aigel]

I wanted to get back on this thread. I am still shopping. I talked to an old buddy of mine who is a lifetime MB tech. He strongly felt I should stay away from the S. He says the electronics on it can kill the fun, most of the data going through the instrument cluster, making it a nightmare to work on if anything goes out - several grand just for the instrument ... yadda yadda. He said the E with the 3.2 was a better bet and the E500 was nice too. He thought the C was the best DIY car in the lineup. If I'd buy an S, he recommends going back to 91 and earlier.

My beater is running better than ever - I think I am holding off for now. Maybe get a Panamera in a decade or so.

George