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Mercedes-Benz S-Class
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Comments
I drove the LS430 and although it is improved over the earlier models I found it lacking when compared to the Mercedes or Jag XJR which I also considered. I am a car enthusiast and belong to a number of car clubs including both MB and Jag. and this also influenced my decision.
My next decision is whether to have an antenna installed on the trunk for Sirius radio which can be integrated into the Command system. I am going to look at it tomorrow. Any experience with this issue?
Thanks
Thanks,
nano
I would put 29 psi front, 32 psi rear - COLD. There is a sticker inside the fuel filler flap.
The fans blow air on you butt. Nice in hot weather, but they can break and rattle, causing replacement of the whole seat cushion pad. BIG bucks.
The ABC however, is GREAT!!! It really works. Why didn't somebody think of this before???
Thanks
Ricky
The Mercedes system is "TeleAid" but all I believe are run by OnStar. After driving the new S500 and now my older S500(99)and the new Jaguar XJR Super I am even happier I turned the car back. It's not thatI don't like Mercedes(still have several) but I think the Jag. is a better car. I also have had an XKR convertible for three years and it has been flawless. My major points are 1) The salespeople at MB didn't know or tell me about the valet locking,2)They list it in their current(2005) brochures 3)They offer it in their Euopean models and 4) It's another example of either cost cutting or lack of engineering skills. I am sure that if they had an electronic valet function like Jag. they would be able to control it remotely.
As to it being a Ford I suggest you check JD Powers re reliability between Mercedes and the JXR/8 before you make such negative comments.
Also, I know that MB has has some bad quality control issues so I'm not saying it's the best. However, ever since Ford bought the Jaguar marque, it hasn't been the same to me. It's a personal issue. Same thing with Saab and GM. When I was a kid, my dream car was the Saab convertible in Black and Tan leather. I even considered the new Saab against the MB but the GM thing just didn't sit well with me. Yeah, the MB is another Dodge but I'm not there yet.
Re: Pathdocs Trunk: We live in a diverse country. I never would have imagined an area where valet parking was "mandatory" or consenting to a life style where as mbzlvr put it in his post "the natural way to park...". The rationale not to buy an S Class because one has to valet park wherever you go and you can't trust the underclass not to rip you off because you carry more than a gymn bag in your trunk raises a lot of issues. Most of them off topic. But, wouldn't pathdoc be a lot happier, more relaxed, and safer ("hey look, its a doctor in a Mercedes....") in a SAAB Aero with the rest of the MSRP thrown into a small cap index fund?
I wonder if anyone know the newer Motorola phones such as V265 or V710 will work well with the MB integrated system?
Thanks in advance,
George
So, once we paid the $2k plus for the option, we basically are stuck with what we got. This reminds of the similar problem I had with my 1994 BMW 740 integrated car phone.
Given the change in body style for the S-Class coming in 2006, does anyone know the last date MB will take an order for a build to order S500, as opposed to taking what's available off the lot?
Also, anyone have current experience on pricing of a 2 or 3 year lease on S500?
I am thinking of purchasing either a 1997-1999 S320 or S420 or S500. Any comments? I intend to have the car evaluated by an independent mechanic etc, etc.
From researching this board I get the impression that MB changed designed significantly for the 2000 models. I also get the impression that as far as the S series is concerned, models produced after 2000 were somewhat of a dissapointment for their owners.
Anyhow, any advice is greatly appreciated.
thanks
roger
Yes your guess is correct. The "W140" is the 1992-1999 "big body" S-Class that was so prized back in its day. The "W124" is the 1986-1995" E-Class, quite possibly my favorite Benz sedan of all time, and the "W126" is the 1981-1991 S-Class that many Benz folks say was the best. You know the old 560SEL, 420SEL, 300SEL models.
I think you have the basics covered about buying a W140 S-Class, as the car is very expensive to maintain and even more to repair if you get an ill-kept example. Other than that it is a fabulous car.
M
Not to defend the S-Class or any other vehicle, it's just I just hate to see people make a total judgment of any car based on anecdotal collections.
FWIW.
I'm disappointed in my ownership experience. I'm just trying to drag it out until I find another car (not a MB) that convinces me worthwhile.
If reliability is high priority for you, MB is not the one.
Consumer Report's findings certainly are accurate in my view.
M
Go to this site and scroll down to 5/28/99 (on right side):
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/allex26/allex//Bin/info1.html
CELL
Wow, folks, don't buy new Mercedes... buy used certified. THE WAY TO GO.
Meanwhile, we'll wait to see if someone here has some suggestions.
I'm stymied about what to plot for now....
You are exactly right about the S-Class, and what you've described isn't all that uncommon with the 2000-2002 models. The 2003+ model was gutted of the things you had problems with, especially that troublesome Comand system. Mercedes got a new supplier for it and the Airmatic suspension parts were overhauled. I'm really curious to see if there are any 2003+ S owners here and how their cars have been?
The warranty costs for the S, ML and 2001 C-Class have come home to roost.
M
complete fate in the car.I don;t know what to say- beatiful car but this is 3 pumps in three months- an insult to any mercedes owner.Anyway to delete/ drive this car without this feature or ???
My dada wants to sell it and trade it for a e class or a BMW 5/7 series.I would like for him to stay with this car- but the quality is not what it was on his 1987 420sel. ANy more surprizes I need to know on my fathers 2000 S500.Anyway to stop this continual failure?Our mechanis says it was a poorly made oem pump Thanks agla
The CLS500 is indeed a gorgeous car with a better build than any other current Benz sedan, and the electronics should have been sorted by now, gee whiz. I wonder what warning light exactly had lit up???
M
miles since 1989 running perfectly as a work horse
and a newer 1998 M3 that runs without any one issue for years.But the new BMW designs I can not recommend since they are so but ugly!So I do not know where to have my dad go trade in his S500.
And frankly my dad and I do not see any japanese car as safe in a crash like a big german sedan.
Is there an aftermarket fit to the airmatic becasue the oem stuff is horrid,Thanks AGLA
I am looking at a 1994 w/ 74,000
curious if you had any feedback?
i have been hearing horror stories about a/c evaporator core.
I hear all these stories about terrible reliability of MB cars, but my brother has more than 20,000 miles on his CL600 and has never had it to the dealer for repairs. It's just one data point, but it seems significant to me. The CL600 has every bell and whistle available. I've driven it a couple of times and didn't notice any transmission problems, but it has the old 5 speed.
One other impression: I ran a test on the S430's NAV system to see how well it would calculate a route, and I was extremely impressed with how well it did. I have not at all been impressed with the Lexus nav in my LX470. Yes, it has touch screen inputs, which is nice, but what good is that if it can't calculate good routes?
Mercedes Benz is probably the best car ever made in my opinion. It was the first car I ever sat in the driver's seat of when I was little and I drive one to school. (yeah I drive the car to my highschool) Yeah my dad bought me a 1986 M-Benz 420 SEL with about 120 k miles. and I'm only 17 years old! This car is in mint condition, the former owners were senior citizens and obviously kept good care of the car seeing that there's absolutely no rust or any signs of damage to the engine. I will probably trade this car in for a year 2000 or up S500 or S600 as soon as I finish going through Air Force basic training, complete four years of active Air Force duty then save up for a down payment for one.
I was also wondering how I could add more horsepower to this car...I was thinking about adding another air intake system but then I'd have to re do the muffler system as well to get all that air out efficiently.