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Mercedes-Benz S-Class

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Comments

  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Consumers' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2004 Survey is posted and ready for your input!
  • jamesfletcher2jamesfletcher2 Member Posts: 127
    Thanks for the feedback.

    Do you happen to recall what kinds of problems they had with their S600s?
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Oh yeah..... Air Conditioning, and various items relating to the power windows, and the multipass system, that controls everything on one screen. Sure dig that keyless entry/ignition system though. That's way cool!
  • smrmersmrmer Member Posts: 2
    I have a 1999 S320 which requires premium unleaded fuel. Seeing how the gas prices are becoming out-of-control, I was wondering if regular Unleaded or ever super would damage the fuel system?
  • merc1merc1 Member Posts: 6,081
    No damage to fuel system per say, but your car will run slower and only ultimately use more gas if you drive in a way to compensate the loss of power. Modern cars are readily able to deal with crummy fuel, but like any other car a Benz will run slower on less than the required octane.

    M
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    And, I always have to wonder, when I see this question, what it is about a Mercedes owner, who is into Premium cars, but is too cheap to buy the gas they were engineered to burn? You will also not "improve your performance" in a Camry if you buy Premium for it either. Engines are tuned for a specific octane for optimum performance and economy. Any voluntary monkeying with the recipe of the food will only cost you, now or later.

    You may have reasons we aren't aware of, so I'm not trying to be judgemental, but every auto engineer who is worth a gallon of unleaded will tell you it's best all the way around to buy the fuel the car was designed to run on. If you can't handle that, you should get a cheaper car, generally.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    >> what it is about a Mercedes owner

    This is not limited to owners of any one vehicle by any means. This question comes up in nearly all of the vehicle-specific discussions here in the Town Hall (and I'm sure it's a common topic in the fuel related discussions as well). :)
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    I wasn't trying to be rude, or isolate Mercedes drivers per se, it's just that this is the forum we're in, and what they drove.
  • smrmersmrmer Member Posts: 2
    Yes, I own a MB. Unfortunately when one states that they own certain makes/models of autos people (in general) tend to act differently towards the owners. That's why I distinguish my cars by the size, not the name. I keep my cars for 10-15 years so I wanted something which would stand the test of time. My prior car was a Nissan Pulsar (13 yrs. old at the time it was donated to charity). I Know have a family consisting of very tall people so our transportation and comfort needs are limited. By the way, our MB was purchased used so I paid a lot but not the "ungodly" amount a new one goes for. So, please understand that not all luxury car owners have more money than they know what to do with.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    I understand, and if your luxury ride is 10 years old, it may not matter so much the fuel you use in it, but my engineer friends still maintain, that if the engine in your 10 year old Benz is tuned correctly, and for Premium 91 octane fuel, it will run best and most efficiently on 91 Octane, and you save nothing over time by feeding it 89. I'm sure there are lots of folks out there who do, and the consequences aren't horrible in most cases. But they tell me, and I believe them, they went to school for years to understand the molecular physics of the functions of fuel and energy, that you don't actually save money by skimping on the fuel, nor do you help an engine by giving it a "treat" of 91 octane when it is designed for 89.

    That's all I'm saying. I didn't to insult anybody, nor am I a John Kerry elitist either. If the car is on its last legs, who cares?
  • mbnut1mbnut1 Member Posts: 403
    I'm not sure that you can guarentee getting better mileage from using premium. The reasoning is while the premium would allow you to exploit the max power from the engine, in the cases where you were cruising I doubt it would make much difference. I doubt that the ignition is managed such that it drives right to the point of knock during cruising. There really isn't any additional energy released by the premium short of pushing the knock envelope. Around town where the engine would be more heavily loaded would be a different story.
  • nubenzguynubenzguy Member Posts: 1
    I'm considering buying a '97 S320 with 76000 miles on it. Currently the agreed purchase price is $20,500. Is this a good price to pay for this car with this many miles? All the services are up to date. The car has had 2 owners and it was originally a lease car.
  • dunn2inladunn2inla Member Posts: 1
    Hello. Turning in my wife's 1999 S320 in July after its lease expires.

    Are there any significant differences between 2001 and 2002 S430? Also we don't need the power, as she is satisfied with the current S320, so are there any other differences other than power between the S430 and S500 for those two years? Thanks in advance. Larry Dunn
  • jamesfletcher2jamesfletcher2 Member Posts: 127
    Larry,

    I don't believe that there were any marked differences between the 2001 and 2002 S430. However, the was a slight refresh of the some exterior lines and accents and possible some slight interior modifications in 2003.

    I personally would focus on the fact that MS was having some problems with the electronics and centralized navigation system in the S-Class in that period and they might have gotten things ironed out better by 2002. Also, initially my memory seem to recall that they had a CD-based navigation system and later went to a DVD-based system but I do not recall which year it was. A gentlemen who goes by merc1 and posts regularly here should know more exactly when electronics and other S-Class changes were made.

    Other then that I would just focus on the mileage, price and your color preferences, etc.

    Jim
  • jaymjaym Member Posts: 1
    Hello all:
    I'm currently on the market for a 97-99 S420...(a W140 body if I'm not mistaken?) I've found one locally priced at about $22K with 66K miles (a 1997 model). I've driven the model before, but I'm interested in hearing from current/previous owners about the reliability of the sedan and any trouble spots I should look for in a used model (97-99). I have several friends and family members (none of who've owned MBZ mind you) warn of heinous maintenance issues and costs. I understand parts and service costs are rather high, but nowadays even taking a Ford to a dealership can be expensive! Thanks to all in advance, I appreciate hearing from you.
    R/ Jay
  • mbnut1mbnut1 Member Posts: 403
    The later the better. They had an expensive air conditioning problem (the evaporator leaked). Required disassembly of dash. By '99 I'm pretty sure it was cured.
  • ejerodejerod Member Posts: 86
    I have had the great displeasure of leasing three MB vehicles over the past 4 years. The first was a 2001 S500 with AMG sports package. It was a demo and a good deal so I decided to do the deal. The car had 1800 miles on it and was nothing but a nightmare. First the COMAND system went totally blank and had to be replaced. The phone handset went blank next and had to be replaced, the tail lamps kept burning out for no apparent reason. The fuel guage would not register full and had to be replaced. The suspension system went out, twice. Then the catalytic converter had to be replaced. I then took the car back and to avoid a lawsuit they gave me a great trade in value and I leased a 2002 S500V with the exact same features. Last week lo and behold the suspension goes out. The car has 38000 miles on it. I took it to the dealership and they repaired it and I got it back Monday. Thursday of the same week as I'm picking up my wife from the airport, I get the warning message " Stop, car is too low" the suspension system again. In between these two vehicles my company leased a 2003 SL 500. Beautiful car, but the cd player worked intermittently. I was driving on the expressway on a beautiful day and was stuck in a traffic jam. I go to let the retractable roof down and walla.. the trunk mechanism wont lock into place, so I had to drive to an important meeting with my trunk half up. Needless to say I have hired a law firm to have a friendly discussion with MB. " Mercedes Benz, Unlike any other!" Yeah. All the other manufacturers build quality vehicles or announce recalls to correct known deficiencies. My wife has had 2 Lexus GS's and we had 1 problem, a defective oxygen sensor that they replaced. Other than scheduled maintenance the Lexus vehicles have never given us any other problems. I've been at the MB dealership so often I feel like I work there. A word to the wise that are shopping for vehicles. IF you purchase a used MB make sure you buy the extended warranty. It will save you a ton of money if you plan to keep the car. IF you really want to be wise, don't buy a MB at all. The reputation for reliability they once were known for is a thing of the distant past. It's as though they have swapped identities with Jaguar.
  • mbnut1mbnut1 Member Posts: 403
    Thanks for the heads up. Can you tell me exactly what failed on the suspensions? Was it the compressor or the struts themselves?
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    or any number of hoses, pipes, joints, elbows, and fittings in between?
  • ejerodejerod Member Posts: 86
    To answer your question about the suspension, according to the tech notes on my copy of the service receipt, the relays had gone bad and had to be replaced. Apparently these relays are computer chips that constantly monitor the weight distribution of the vehicle and adjust the ride height accordingly. Like I said before, my first MB was a 2001 S500 and it had the same problem. The warning sign was a very loud noise coming from the wheel wells as the compressor was struggling to adjust to a certain height and apparently couldn't make up it's mind about which height was correct, and then walla, a low rider S Class that high school and college kids think is really cool when you drive by.. lol... by the way, my wife and I decided against suing. No offense to the lawyers in here but it will just be an added expense with a long drawn out case. If there is a class action suit started we will definitely participate. I recommend to all of you if you purchase one of these vehicles get that extended warranty for about 2k or so. The car is a wonderful machine when it isn't malfunctioning, but the next vehicle will definitely be the Lexus LS430. 25k less, all the bells and whistles and no service issues. No offense to loyal owners of MB but I've owned both and Lexus wins in the quality build department hands down. If only Lexus would create a new body style that doesn't look like something my dad would drive......
  • mbnut1mbnut1 Member Posts: 403
    Thanks for the details.

    If Lexus would only create a car that drove like a Mercedes, better yet if only Mercedes would make a car as reliable as a Lexus....
  • acco20acco20 Member Posts: 211
    With no disrespect intended, " if only Mercedes would make a car as reliable as Mercedes once was"........
  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    See the June Motor Trend for the next gen Lexus LS. I think you will like it. I just took a 2004 LS lease to set me up for the 2007 LS redesign. But the next LS may arrive as early as 2006 with a lot of variants, including a long wheel base version and poweful hybrid engines as well as a $100K super LS equal to a 12 cylinder.

    MB has to get their quality and reliability back at least partially. The bulletproof cars of the past are what MB is all about. I think it'll only happen if they cut back to a nore manageable production level. I've leased nothing but Lexus since 95 and yes they've all been letter perfect. But I'd like to put a CL or SL in my garage alongside an LS and GX. It'd make for a great garage and it would be nice to experience the greatness of both manufacturers at the same time. But its posts like your earlier ones that scare the heck out of me.

    Good Luck.
  • mbnut1mbnut1 Member Posts: 403
    " if only Mercedes would make a car as reliable as Mercedes once was"........

    True indeed. How quickly we forget....

    And to think my dad bought his first Mercedes because he was so tired of poor American car quality. Like piston rings that wore out in less than 50K miles
  • washington2washington2 Member Posts: 10
    I have just purchased a 2000 S430 51,000 miles on it. I traded in a 98 Lexus LS400 with Nav. Excellent reliable car. I Bought the Mercedes from Carmax with the 36 mos/36,000 Maxcare Extended Warranty. Is there any specific problems to look out for in this year car? I also looked for a Lexus LS430 with Nav. But got a better deal on the Benz surprisingly.
  • oacoac Member Posts: 1,594
    Good luck with your new ride. There is a reason why the 2001 LS w/Nav was higher priced. For one, it is a year newer than the MB, and it has a higher *perceived* quality than the 2000 MB. You gotta pay for quality.

    Just for reference, my good buddy just bought a 2004 E320 Black/black, to add to his 2000 E320 white/tan, bringing to 4 the number of cars in his garage. His 2000 E has been stellar in reliability. Of course, he's only put on about 30K miles in 4 years, with no problems to date. That gave him more confidence purchasing another MB. On the flip side, I know of a wife of a colleague who purchased an '03 E320 last Sept., which had been nothing but trouble. The car has spent more time in the shop than on the road. Major trouble: electrical. BUT, she still swears by her MB. So I asked her why ? Her response: That was her 50th birthday gift from her hubby ! Another buddy of mine continues to drive his 1997 S500 to date, with 120K miles on the ody. Loves it like a second wife !!
  • auroraborerauroraborer Member Posts: 4
    I have a chance to pick up a spotless 2002 S600 with all the options. Sport package, distronic, radar, etc. The mileage is what has me hesitating to buy, but on the other hand, is also the reason I can afford it. It has 69,500 miles, but is Starmarked to 100K. I put on about 24K a year, so might only get about 16 months before the warranty runs out. I can get this beauty for around $58,000. What would the value be in 2 years with approx 120K miles? Does this sound too good to be true? Thanks in advance for any opinions.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Auroraborer, also try asking Terry in Real-World Trade-In Values - take a look at some of the other posts so you'll see what info he needs in order to give you his opinion.

    Good luck - let us know what happens!
  • bryan3bryan3 Member Posts: 2
    Hi: Try Fleetrates.com. This is an excellent source for s class. You will be very pleased.Good Luck.

    Bryan
  • ltoozedmundltoozedmund Member Posts: 1
    Hello all,
     I looked at a 95 S320, I noticed that the doors and trunk are not pneumatically closed as my 93 S320. Did Mercedes stop this feature in 95? I didn't see the headlamps wipers. Please let me know if something is wrong with this car or it's just the way it's built.

    Thanks,
  • 418april418april Member Posts: 1
    I have a MB 2004 S Class with 4500 miles and the system shutdown leaving manual steering, no brakes, no power, the dealership said that they have never had this problem or heard of it which I find hard to believe.
    I guess they haven't solved the electronic problem. I don't want the car back. I feel I might end up to be a hood ornament for an 18 wheeler. Any advice.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Trade it on a Lexus.
  • acco20acco20 Member Posts: 211
    Amen.
  • quik4444quik4444 Member Posts: 3
    Any new options or features for the 2005 s600?
  • merc1merc1 Member Posts: 6,081
    Probably not. There might be a special edition package for the S-Class, if MY 2005 is the last MY for the U.S, but I think the S-Class will go onto a short 2006 (Sept05-spring 06) 2006 model year.

    M
  • boxcarboxcar Member Posts: 1
    Anyone with experience with the non AMG "Appearance Package" (18" Wheels & Tires). Do they adversely affect ride? Is the set-up only advantageous on dry road? What about the "Comfort Package" - Active Ventilated Seats. Aside from the cooling fans, do they offer any more comfort than the standard units? Finally, any feedback on the "Active Body Control"?

    I thank you in advance for your comments.
  • carmaven18carmaven18 Member Posts: 21
    How are the power rear seats in the S-Class? What parts move, and how much room is there-- are they actually worthwhile (and is there enough legroom) while spread all the way out? Thanks in advance for your help.
  • rellotsrellots Member Posts: 2
    I'm really close to buying a 1999 S320 with only 14000 miles. It sounds weird but I'm trading in a Honda Odysee ( sick of van world!) and looking for a little more stylin'. However, my kids say "its old school" and so many of the message boards talk about big repair costs. The dealer is giving me a 3yr 100,000 warranty...but is it worth the trips to the shop? The price seems great.
  • pathdocpathdoc Member Posts: 126
    I have a99 S500 that has been nearly trouble free. It was the last year produced and so I think they got most of the problems fixed. I also had a 93 which was relatively trouble free and actually thought the 99 had been decontented in comparison to save money. I don't think I would consider the new 2000 + version until the 2004 model.
  • rellotsrellots Member Posts: 2
    Thanks for your response... still weighing it over. I bet the car will be snapped up pretty quick. Always a day late and a dollar short.
  • designodesigno Member Posts: 14
    If anyone here have seen the spy pics lately, is the front really going to look like that? looks too similar to the Nissan Maxima! The front looks too Japanese, yet the side like the CLS, and the rear like the Maybach. Very wierd.
  • washington2washington2 Member Posts: 10
    I have a 00 S430 with the AMG wheels Nitto Extreme Z rated tires. I looked in the trunk and the spare is a regular size mercedes wheel with a continental tire. Will this spare be useful in case of a flat tire? and also i believe that these Nitto Z rated tires are just summer tires. Will someone help me?
  • merckxmerckx Member Posts: 565
    your owner's manual would give you the definative answer,but I'd think that your spare is undoubtly mounted on a wheel not the same style as your other four that you'd not want to leave it on long. At least your spare isn't limited to 50 mph and 3000 miles like a true temporary. However,I've heard a mismatched tire can cause problems with the rear drive over time.

    I'd imagine your tires are summer ones-great grip and fairly bad wear charestics...
  • mbzlvrmbzlvr Member Posts: 14
    I just leased a 2005 S430. I have a couple of questions:
    1) the owner's book says that the glove box has a second closed compartment on the inside of the lid. Mine doesn't have it and we checked another one at the dealer and it also did not have this compartment. Does anyone have this or has it been changed for 2005?
    2) what tire psi do you recommend for the Continentals that come with the S430?
    Thanks in advance,
    Ricky
  • mbzlvrmbzlvr Member Posts: 14
    I just found out that the free Maintenance Service Program was eliminated by MB starting with the 2005 Model Year (just my luck). Any feedback on why MB would do such a thing that is perceived as a "takeaway"?
    Thanks,Ricky
  • houstonmerchoustonmerc Member Posts: 65
    I assume in part because I don't think Japanese companies ever offered this (although with the real / perceived quality difference MB could use this program to make up some of the difference). Also I think I heard that there was a lot of confusion with consumers about what was covered and what wasn't. A lot of consumers wanted what MB considered as routine wear and tear to be covered, so just eliminate the program to avoid problems.
  • mbzlvrmbzlvr Member Posts: 14
    I've heard the comment about the confusion. I thought it was rather simple and straightforward--Maintenance items listed in the manual were covered. I took my car in, they worked on it per the maintenance schedule then I signed the warranty invoice then left. I paid for wipers, brakes, tires, etc.

    Oh well, some people--you give them a bone and they want the whole cow. Ruins it all for the rest of us.
    Ricky
  • pathdocpathdoc Member Posts: 126
    I have a 99 S500 that has been a great car and I have been waiting for them to get the bugs out of the new model before upgrading I stopped by my MB dealer today and learned that they are giving great deals on the 2004 model ($9000 off). I don't believe there are any changes for 2005. Does anyone have any comment on the 2004,2004 versus 2005 or thoughts on the discount?

    Thanks
  • ejerodejerod Member Posts: 86
    I own a 2002 S500v, this is my second S class, my first was a 2001 S500, with all the toys. Both have been nothing but headaches. I'm a business man and I've sold cars in the past. Anytime a manufacturer takes back something like free maintenance it's because the dealers are complaining about lost revenue. Especially when it comes to a car like Mercedes where a simple oil change can run 90 dollars. The manufacturer has dealers sign an agreement to provide free maintenance at a reduced rate that the factory reimburses the dealer. For dealers who have been around for years this is a huge hit in their revenue streams, especially with companies like Lexus being around that build better quality cars at a reduced price. I paid 85k for my 2001, then traded it because of the problems( with the so called MB trade in assistance) and paid well over 100k for the second car that I still posses. Compare that to any other luxury car manufacturer other than the super lux like Bentley etc. Its all economics at the end of the day. No customer in his right mind that can afford a 80+k automobile, is going to complain about maintenance costs for that vehicle. Its more than understood that the cost of ownership is significantly more than say a Maxima, which is also a very nice car. The service department makes up nearly 60% or more of a dealerships revenues, so I can guarantee you that it wasn't some retired judge or doctor crying the blues about a 500.00 brake job that had MB take back the free maintenance. It was a wealthy dealer, crying the blues because his private coach and yacht money is a bit tighter with only 7% markup in MSRP and free maintenance... lol
  • ejerodejerod Member Posts: 86
    If your dealer is giving discounts thats the first I've heard of it. If you are seriousl considering a new MB, ask the dealer if they can rent you office space at the dealership, because you will be there in the service department more than he will. 9k off is a tremendous deal. I love the car when it works. I just cannot afford to have to go the dealership 3 times in 1.5 months for the same problems. My only problem now is what do I buy now ? I just cannot for the life of me drive an LS430. My dad has Lexus. That car was built for the older crowd. When I'm 65 nearing retirement and I want to feel like I'm floating across the road maybe. MB makes perhaps the most beautiful high profile sedan available, I just wish they would make sure it was as reliable as they were in the past
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