Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to learn more!
Options
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I just enjoy my first S! Went shopping this morning in it with my 2 year old.
The last 1200 miles, I averaged 17 mpg. This is pretty good, considering most of my driving's been inside New York City.
--------------------------------------------------
To S430 buyer:
I have driven the BMW 528 before. The S class is a nicer ride. Since the 5 series is a smaller vehicle; it should feel tighter and should have less noise. That's why your commuter bus will always be noisier than your car (my theory).
The drive in the BMW will be a tad more agile and spirited than the S. But the S is more refine. I think the new 530 is quicker than the S430, but I have not read the magazines reviews.
I did consider the 740 and 750 before buying my S500. The 5 series was just too small for my needs.
Hope this helps.
Trust me.
However, if that "particular" car was an order "cancellation, I wouldn't purchase it as soon as you are done "pricing" it out.
Seriously though, Mercedes all the way dude.
;^)
Now then ...
I'm just talkative tonight. A response to You. In the opinion of many people, Mercedes Benz traded off on the quality of the ML320 considerably in order to set a lower price point. I've heard many people say that the quality of the ML320 (also the 430) is definitely lower than other M-B models.
I would expect the S- build quality to exceed BMW's.
Anyways, before committing to the S-class, do yourself a favor a take a look at the 740/750 BMW. I do not want to put the S-class down, but I am on my second one, and both have been flawless. The S-class is definitely the better looking car, and probably more cushier, but if you want a great car for the money (and probably a better deal), visit the BMW dealer.
However, you can't really go wrong with either. Now, what were you thinking with the ML320? Total garbage. Sorry.
Drew/aling
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
More importantly, 2 of my Wall Street friends have tried (unsuccessfully) to return this piece-of-work to their dealers for something else.
-------------------------------------------------
I like the ML430 and other SUVs for what they are. A high-riding stationwagon for a family of 4 with young kids. You know what the other alternative is!
More importantly, 2 of my Wall Street friends have tried (unsuccessfully) to return this piece-of-work to their dealers for something else.
-------------------------------------------------
I like the ML430 and other SUVs for what they are. A high-riding stationwagon for a family of 4 with young kids. You know what the other alternative is!
You said it best: "for what they are". Give me a wagon if I needed it.
However, I have heard generally very good things about the X5. I think it looks rather strange, but I heard they were pretty decent rides. I have seen that they have VERY limited cargo space. It's a shame that two of your buddies have had such problems.
While driving home after dinner Sunday, I heard 'pops' from the dash area, in the dry quiet New York evening....
I decided to take the S500 back to Rally motors Monday morning. Once I arrived, unannounced; the chief 'shop' officier went out for a ride to ascertain where to noise came from.
We isolated that the irregular pops came from the wood panel surrounding the automatic transmission shift-stick.
George (the head tech) took apart that wood panel and the instrument panel rubber, with the plastic cover. He then clean the edges and used a 'dry' lubriant (that stunk) to moisten the edges. He then installed everything.
I drove about 90 miles after that, and I only heard some minor pops that did not repeat with any regularity.
It appears that George solved the problem.
The service was great; I would say they treated me even better than the 'legendary' care that I had years ago at Lexus.
BTW, the gross cost of this car is 85,965 + lic. heated rear seats, phone/CD (S1), and convenience package (S3)
I leased my S500. The total cost was 93,350. I have S3, rear heat/power seats, Parktronics, Distronics, and ABC.
My lease is 36 months, taxes down, 10,000 miles a year, and $1428 a month. Residual is roughly $62,000.
Mercedes lovers and admirers. Have a great day and safe driving in your shinny Benzs!
Paul
Drew/aling
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
P.S. Thanks for your detailed report on the squeaking fix. I'm glad that your car is now creak and rattle free!
I really could not find that much difference between a S500 and S600 except the visuals of extra leather...
XFactor51@aol.com
ALi.
Thanks in advance
An applause to you to have found the inner wisdom to admit that you were 'fooled' by the creature comforts inside the LS. And congrats to you in finding what really matters in an automobile.
I am sure that you will be as happy as I am with my silver/charcoal S500!
I'm looking to purchase either a 500 or 600SEL, probably a 92-94. Are these nice vehicles to own and are they reliable? What are the problems with them that I should consider. It seems that the 500SEL is everything the 600 is, except for the engine. Is that correct and is the 12 that much better or will it cost more to maintain than it's worth? Any other info regarding these would be very appreciated!
Thanks,
Rick
At this mode, I find the S500 to be at it's best. It feels a lot more solid, tank-like, noise-free, and best of all; drives very much like a sports car. I prefer the ride under this mode over the ride on a CL500.
Try it out, guys!
It's an S-class you know, not a Range Rover. I don't remember it precisely, but the high adjustment 2-3 inches maximum at the 2nd second. At 6 inches higher, the S-class would have more ground clearance than the M-class ;-)
Drew
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
S430 4Matic, I have heard a lot about in
model year 2003 S500 will get a 4matic,
but how about S430?
Drew
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
The learning curve for the Command System is not as bad as what I had feared. I love technology and once you understand how it works – it’s powerful, easy and a great asset. Using the steering wheel controls is easy and really eliminates having to distract yourself.
The clock is automatic and reads the Atomic Clock signals – never have to change it.
The Navigation system is not as good as on my wife’s 2001 ML430. The screen is smaller, and the system (when not guiding you to a destination) always points North – which makes it confusing. The NAVI content is better on the ML430, where you can more easily find major more classification of potential destination categories. Programming a destination is slow – takes longer than my wife’s system.
So far, only one problem. The “Active Body Control –Drive Carefully” red warning display comes on occasionally when the car is first started in the morning. The car doesn’t leave any malfunction codes in memory. Believe it or not, my MB dealer said a service bulletin came out and requires replacement of the Ignition Switch device (and reprogramming). Bizarre – but they’re confident that once the part comes in, it will do the trick. So the ABC is fine it’s the ignition switch.
Active Body Control is AWESOME. You quickly forget it’s a 4500 lb road machine. The handling is tight, crisp and road hugging. The Sport Package probably adds some road hugging due to the 18” tires. The tires are a big noisier than the stock wheels (I negotiated a set of 4 stock wheels and tires at no charge in the purchase price which was MSRP).
Fit and finish is superior. I have no objections to the plastic materials used (Black interior). I've read other comments that the plastic is cheap..but i don't see it.
It’s VERY easy to hit the cruise control activate switch when hitting the turn signal lever. It takes getting used to. My wife says the same thing about her ML.
Glove box is extremely tight for a luxo cruiser of this size.
You can’t activate the fog lamps when you’re in Daytime Running Lamp or Auto modes. I’m not happy about this.
Voice recognition system (with Timeport phone) is amazing, and fairly consistent. You can verbally tell it what AM or FM station (ie. 95.5) you want to listen to, which CD to play, and which track. Very cool.
Much like the window control lock out switch, MB should have put in a driver controlled lock out switch for the rear heated seats. Kids like to play with it, and heat the seats unnecessarily.
That’s it for now.. Let’s hope nothing changes and it’s smooth sailing from here on!.
I was also somewhat alarmed by the outside engine noise the first time I heard it, thinking something was not right. I'm glad my experience is not unique.
All that aside, it is a truly amazing car technically and aesthetically. It really settles in around the 80mph range, a true autobahn cruiser. I haven't gotten on it yet as it's still running in, but it seems very responsive despite the smaller displacement engine.
Also any tips from anyone regarding keeping the car clean between washings - i.e. post commute.
My compliments to all involved with the Conference - It's been very informative pre-purchase as well as entertaining since.
Best Regards!
Thanks for the advice...unfortunately it is partially wrong. You can order a wood steering wheel and knob from the parts department...but it will not match your S430 interior. The reason is the S430 has Calyptus wood interior. However, the S500 has Burl Walnut and the S600 has Chestnut wood. They only make the wood steering wheel and knob in Chestnut (s600) or Burl Walnut (s500). I guess if you don't mind having mismatch wood in a $75k car it is ok...but not me. If this is incorrect and they do make a Calyptus wheel/knob...please let me know. But I have investigated this extensively
I assume that there is a different handling/steering system on MBs from year to year--but since this is the car I am currently looking at--I would appreciate it someone could give me some guidance as to what I should look for in a car like this
(ie tires, steering system, LWB vs SWB, etc ) so I can use this car all year up here in Wisc. Thanks
I drove 850 miles in one day in my S500 and I found the seats and the car overall exceptionally comfortable. We all arrived much less fatigued than after much shorter journeys in other cars.
My own humble opinion is that firm seats are more comfortable in the long run. I think the S- class seats are very comfortable, AFTER you have adjusted them to your body. And actually it is quite difficult to adjust them. Some adjustments (e.g. to lift) move in somewhat different directions than you expected. So it takes much trial and error to make adjustments.
Fortunately seat position memory is present, so one can approach seating nirvana asymptotically.