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Mercedes-Benz S-Class
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Glad to find the forum, so here is my newbie post.
I am considering a 2001 s430. The MB has 45k miles and is listed at $24990.00.
Fair price? It seemed so to me but I am looking for a few real world examples of repairs, pitfalls, etc. I located one post indicating the instrument cluster is known for dropping dead on the job.
Can anyone share some feedback around the total cost of ownership?
TIA-
MC
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has begun an investigation into recent versions of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class for a potential problem with the vehicle's gauges, according to the Associated Press. NHTSA has received seven complaints about speedometers and fuel gauges that failed to light on the 2000 and 2001 model-year vehicles. Seventy-two thousand S-Classes are being investigated for the problem, which could become a full recall if the agency determines the problem to be a flaw in the vehicle's design.
The fact is Mercedes makes (1) great looking, (2) great handling cars that used to be (3) "built like tanks". They still succeed on (1) and (2), but have totally fallen down in point (3). For some people, 2 out of 3 is still good enough; for others, they hadn't heard the news on MB's reliability problems until after they plunked down their $70K+ and learned for themselves.
If you've got time to burn and like the coffee, perhaps you won't mind the time spent dealing with the dealer's service department. Even better, if you can have your personal assistant deal with the service department for you while you ride in one of your other fine autos, who cares about reliability?
Personally, my time is my most precious commodity, so I had to pass on the S last year when I was in the market (I still own 2 older MBs), and went with a Lexus LS430. It's a great car that I am enjoying a lot, but I would have rather gone with an S if it was even reasonably reliable. But selecting any one of even all these great and expensive cars involves compromises in some regard or other. It just comes down to how you order your own priorities between styling, handling, gadgets, brand prestige, dealer experience and reliability.
The S450 should be shown at Detroit and price a little below the outgoing S430, which is priced at $78,025.
M
I don't expect any of the new S-class models sold in USA to be short-wheelbase models, in deference to Mercedes-Benz selling this car as a top-line luxury model.
The S450 is pegged at 335hp. I would expect it to be priced around the current S430 - 78K. Slightly less standard equipment than the S550.
Surprisingly the S600 for 2007 will have NO options. Everything is standard, as well it should be for a projected 130K.
M
M
On an interesting note, down here in s Florida, you get to see all the big exotic cars up close and personal...Today there was a new RR waiting to be parked...Man I tell you that is a big car..Standing beside it it looked almost six feet tall, and had an elegance that is not easily explained//I have always sort of thought that it would have to be chauffered(sp) but on really thinking about it,I imagine a person would be ok driving it in person...I just can`t get comfortable with the immage personally, but it does speak volumes just sitting there..I guess England and the country estates...and the wealth that England had (and still does) back in the last century...Some of the Mercedes models ( I think 800) also had great presence in the eighties, but the Mayback just does not fill those shoes...It is fun to observe the owners of the RR that park in this building....The ones that are car people park in the middle of two spaces and cover their cars up, or further don`t pull all the way into the space leaving three feet of room all around....The others just sort of abandon the car where ever it is concenient...After having the tire tread do the damage it did to my car, just think what it would cost if the mighty RR had to contend with that repair?? There are plenty of them where I am going on Monday. I`l ask ...Tony
Standing at 121" in long-wheelbase, an S550-haunting 380HP, combined EPA in the mid 20's, an 8-speed Slushbox, Maybach-ish rear seats, suave styling, plus a guesstimated price to start in the low $60's, how does this affect interest in the recent S-Class and 750iL (which lacks it's sheer power, among other "Tings")?
Is this The End? Or a new Beginning?
DrFill
Except the headlights look very Honda Accord triangular from some angles.
But the New LS has much better balance, and gets better as you go bow-to-stern.
The 550's rear end is a swing and a miss, doh. The taillights are particularly off-putting.
C&D said it sure drove sweet, doh.
DrFill
The S-Class and everyone else will be affected, but the S is new also and that always plays in its favor no matter what anyone else does.
M
In the C-pillar, there is a hint of the GS, from the front quarter, but that also ties it in with the other designs, as was intended.
So are you deriding it as derivitive of Toyotas, not derivitive of Mercedes?
And, let's get it on the record, that you swear that the S550 is MUCH prettier than the new LS. That the LS is still light years behind. I shouldn't even ask.
And derivitive. Of something. Not evolutionary, much less a breakthrough.
Oh, and when has the S-Class officially gone on sale?
DrFill
If you're confused about that then I have mastered you style of post!
Kidding.
Seriously no I wouldn't say the LS is that far behind the S. As you know the current S has wheels arches that bother me, but I do like the car. Next weekend I'll get a chance to see it up close and personal. A rainy night looking the dealer's S550 (in near pitch darkness) a week or so ago didn't give enough of a look. I'll give you that the S might need its optional AMG package to really put some distance between it and the new LS compared to the old S. All the old had to do was show up and the LS was finished style wise.
To me the new LS just lost something from the original concept. It still has that overfed Toyota look to it, and its kinda slabsided too. The LS460L's proportions are off too. It isn't really evolutionary of the previous LS which didn't look half as good as this one, but it isn't even close to be revolutionary either.
I suspect the A8 will wear the styling crown for this generation of high-end luxury sedans. Details next week.
2007 S goes on sale in Feb.
M
Would you consider the humps "bold", or just a glaring mistake?
I don't get the proportional comment. The grill/fascia/hood are sleek, yet properly domed, and definitely convey a flagship, V8 image. Conservative, but progressive. Good size and is squared off, conveying strength and durability.
The depth of the hood and trunk lid balance nicely, to my eyes, letting us know the 20 cube trunk from before has not been forgotten.
The chrome detailing in the C-Pillar is strong, sharp, and novel. The chrome along the rocker/doors is a familial Lexus element that does keep it from being "Slab-sided", as you say. More successful than "Humps", no?
And the decklid has more style than any German, save maybe the A8. The exhaust-thru-bumper is a total winner. Pure concept. Pimpin'!
I liked the A8 a lot more before the new Corp. Grille.
And even the wheel design is bold.
Better-looking than a 750? You'll give me that much.
Let's put it this way. There are no smiles in Stuttgard (sic). And the best is yet to come (pricing, Hybrid, new technologies)
DrFill
I don't see the wheel arches as being a mistake just yet, but they are bold. The market will determine if they are a mistake. I suspect people that really like the car in other aspects won't care. I mean afterall people buy cars from other brand that have looked a lot worse in the past. The AMG packages is a exact fit for the wheel arches from what I've seen.
To me the LS460L looks long and unbalanced to say the least, but that is just in pics. It really doesn't look like much to me. I find the spec more impressive.
No smiles in Germany, well I seriously doubt they're worried about it over there since it won't sell in any numbers even close to the S-Class in Germany/Europe. Until Lexus offers a diesel they aren't going to crack Europe with a large car. Now the MB folk in Jersey might not like what they see as far as specs and potential prices, but then again none of the European/American luxury car execs would.
M
2. Take over America. Done.
3. Grab a foothold in China. Done in 3 years.
4. If you have time, get some love in Europe. 5-10 years.
Lexus knows Europe's a long shot, so when it's time to get paid, come here. We luv ya!
And they luv us back. It's a beautiful thang!
DrFill
M
At the time this was issued there were three option packages, P1,P2 and P3. Depening on the prices this may really work out for folks that don't want all the high-end toys. The pricing of these packages will be the key. C&D has a test of the S550 in their Feb 2006 with the option prices I believe.
M
I am very concerned about the 2000-2005 reliability record, and wonder if the previous model (1999) was a simpler, so more reliable car.
Thanks
Thanks,
HDY
Yes I like the Imperial concept. Big and bold, a total American throwback. Loved it inside and out.
M
I see '02 S Classes now down to 40K asking with a lower final net sale price. By now will the problems have been worked out under warranty, or could an '02 still be warranty problem on wheels?
I'd get a 2003 or better, a 2002 model would be before the facelift.
M
I just discovered this site and have enjoyed it immensely, particularly about the new S-class issues. I won't even consider purchasing one of those, now. I owned a 1982 300SD for 16 years, and enjoyed it quite a bit, except for the noise. It was a very reliable and economical car (for a car of that size). I then traded it for a 500SL and drove it for 4 years until I decided I missed a back seat. After a year of BMW 540i, (big mistake), I currently drive an Audi A6, which I believe is equal in quality to about anything on the road right now, especially the seats!!! I miss the Mercedes presence, however, and was wondering about all the comments regarding maintenance of the W140 series, S420, either a 98 or 99 model. I am strongly leaning towards buying one, with no more than 70K miles. What can I expect as far as costs and maintenance of this car versus the 500sl. Are they comparable? I am assuming they are, but I don't know if there are additional things about the S420 that would be necessary. Quite a few people have stated the 140 series is a wonderful car, if you can afford to keep it running. I am a big believer in preventative maintenance, but I don't go overboard. If anyone has any thoughts on this, I would appreciate it. Thanks, Dale
I couldn't exactly find the right thread to post this question (so perhaps you'll move it to the right one), but I was wondering if you had any experience with LeaseWizard software and what you thought about it. (www.leasewizard.com)
Krump
I'm not personally familiar with that site/software, but I can guarantee you that between the information on the Edmunds main site and the discussions here in Edmunds' Forums, we can provide the same information for you - all for only the price of your membership. Which you've already paid. :P
I see you have found a couple of our Lease Questions discussions for a couple different vehicles. Are you also interested in the S-Class? If so, try here: Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Lease Questions.
We don't really have a totally generic leasing issues discussion at the moment, but you could try Leasing vs. Purchasing if that's the type of discussion you're trying to find.
But I really think your best bet is to ask what you need to know in an appropriate Lease Questions discussion. You can look them up with the Make/Model dropdown on the left side of the page.
Hope this helps!
Plenty of delivered pre-orders in thur.
They can sell 25k plus for the first time in a long time! :surprise:
I guess we like "My Humps"!
DrFill
I was hoping that you would have used it and perhaps reviewed it as a legitmate consumer aid. I love the breadth of Edmunds, but thinking that Edmunds has ALL the answers is naive.
i'm purchasing a '57 220S and in order to tow it i need the approx. weight.
if anybody has any idea, please let me know :confuse:
What major maintainance would you all do at 60 K mileage ?