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Mercedes-Benz S-Class
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Comments
So, I think that next year, when we're all settled in and I'm used to the higher payments, she'll get a new car. We're thinking about an S550 4Matic, probably used, because I think we could pick up a great deal on that.
1. I'd like to know about personal experiences with S550 4Matics. Does anybody here own one, and does it drive like such a big car? We haven't driven it yet, but I'm wondering whether it's too big- she's coming out of an RX330, and wants an upscale sedan.
2. Reliability problems. I don't care if it has 4Matic or not, but S550 owners, how has it been? All the brilliant electronics, have they failed? I love the car, but this is one of my biggest fears for her, because she's had a perfect Lexus experience.
Thanks.
'06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330
I know because I own a high-end luxury tuner shop that specializes in Mercedes-Benz, and I also own a Mercedes-Benz CL Structural certified collision center. Now this message is more for the AMG buyers out there but everyone can benefit. A comparision was done a few months ago on a SLK, what is the difference in: Price, Reliability, Performance, and Customer Satisfaction. The magazine bought a stock SLK 55 and then bought a stock SLK 350. They completely customized the interior of the 350, new seat leathers w/ alcantara inserts, pedals, carbon fiber trim and roll bars, etc. They also tuned the 350, the end result was about 30hp less than the stock CLK55.
The point is that anyone can buy a SLK 55, but if you would buy the SLK 350 and customize it, you would have a One of a Kind. The SLK 350 was customized from top to bottom and the end price was pratically the same. And the same goes for all of the Mercedes-Benz line. because I cant think of anything better than getting a brand new car and putting my tastes, my opinions, my passion into the car making it exactly what I want. So keep an open mind out there and look at all of your options.
And by the way, I know that Mercedes-Benz doesnt educate buyers but please let me give everyone some advice on accidents. If you wreck your Mercedes, ALWAYS take it to a Mercedes-Benz certified collision center. Your warranty could be voided if you dont and even worse, someone could lose their life.
Mercedes recently wrecked 2 W221 S classes, and fixed one the correct way and one the incorrect way. On the incorrectly fixed car they spot-welded the frame together and added a bead weld on each side to make it stronger, unfortunately when they re-crashed the car the frame rail was more rigid so it deployed the driver airbag 3 mili-seconds early. In 3 mili-seconds the airbag deployed and deflated, the dummy hit the steering wheel and was killed. Please dont let this happen to you, get educated go to WWW.MBUSA.COM and get the info you need. Thanks
Well, I never!
'06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330
M
Welcome everyone!! :shades:
Granted a car of the S-Class' stature and price point shouldn't have any "squeaks" but lawyers function on a plaintiff's alleged damages and I'm not sure that this constitutes damages.(?)
Definitely not normal, that is BS. Would you take another S600 if they offered to replace yours for nothing out of pocket?
M
Does the dealer have another S600 on the lot for you to try out to see if it has the same squeak?
M
I love the car, from its stunning exterior design to its world-beating engineering.
But I have a feeling, besides the steep price (I want to buy used, anyway), that there's a cost under all that goodness. Has anyone had serious problems with their S550, 4Matic or not?
'06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330
Any quick tips on learning this bad boy? It is my first MB but I got rid of a Lexus LS 400 and moved up. After one day I love it. What a ride! Any tips?
First find out what type of Nav system you have. Older models had CD system and from 2003 on now have DVD. CD systems require large number of CD's to cover the country. It may be that you do not have the correct CD for your area. DVD system covers US & Canada with 1 Disk.
Finally read your books from cover to cover--probably several hundred pages. You can also call MB--number should be include with your books and they will walk you through.
Good luck. Welcome to MB.
I have the CD type as my car is 2000. It was a great ride today for 250 miles. No kidding, a great ride. But I can not work half of the stuff it came with. Oh well, positive problem. I am going to go back tot he guys who sold me the car (Genuine Motorcars in St. Pete Fla) who have been AWESOME and get their advice.
Again, positive problem!
Should take it back to painter OR should I look ???
Charlie
Deadeye
My sister just purchased a very well kept 1997 Mercedes S 320.
Can anyone tell me which tire would have the best grip and quietness to suit this car?
The Lexus has never been top notched in roadhandling and also in resale value. In fact a lot of Asians that I know refer Lexus as a poor man's Mercedes Benz.
So far among my small circle of friends who owned a Mercedes, not one had any major complaints. In fact, a lot of wives complaint that their husbands took better care of their car than themselves.
A senior manager who bought the latest BMW 530 also did the same (takes care of his car better than his wife) had spent quite a good amount of time at the service center fixing the computer-sync glitches.
So I guess maybe the more hi-tech a car is, the greater the possibilities of things going wrong. :sick:
HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR TO ALL MY CHINESE PALS! MAY YOU BUY MORE MERCEDES BENZ !
Now, priorities have switched. We're still going to get a new house in April and the new car (for the wife) won't come until early next year. However, our son has convinced us that we should look into leasing again. Believe me- he knows at least as much as I do about cars on the market, although he has a limited mechanical knowledge.
He has said that, instead of buying a used S550 4Matic (which would be terribly hard to find in my wife's specific colors), we should go back to leasing. I feel there's a little stigma there, because I tried to dump leasing when I got rid of my '00 A6 2.7T. Right now, I own all four of our cars. I see his point, though. I built an S550 4Matic online. With the Premium I Package, Rear Seat Package (unnecessary but awesome- we'd like heated rear seats), power trunk and backup camera (as well as the no-cost five-spoke 18s), the car comes out to a whopping $96K. Nevertheless, if we got $20-25K on the RX330 and I payed $3-8K down, it would cost about $794/mo on a 39mo lease. That's assuming we get 4.0% interest, as well as 12K miles per year. My credit rating is excellent.
I would consider this to be a relatively good deal, especially when I pay a bit over $1,000 a month for my car. Remember, though, I own it. Is it truly a good deal, or should I look elsewhere for her car?
I do love the S550. It's the ultimate sedan, and I wouldn't mind taking it to work once or twice a week. It's mutual- she loves driving the S4. Especially in the summer
I still have one question left. I'm not familiar with the MB custom delivery program, and would I be able to lease a car that I custom-ordered from the factory. Hers would have the specific options I mentioned, and she has equally specific colors. She needs a beige interior, and she'd love to have either Pewter or Mercedes's dark green on the exterior.
Thanks.
'06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330
Hopefully, the indefinite suspension of the built-to-order option will end by then.
The thing is, she also wants exact colors for her car. I don't think it would be hard to find a Pewter/beige S550 with her options, but a 4Matic... hmm...
We'd want Premium Pkg I, Rear Seat Pkg, "Dynamic Rear View Monitor" and the electric trunk, as well as the no-cost 18" five-spoke rims.
I think we'd have to custom-order it for those...
'06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330
I live in Chicago, but eventually I could probably get my dealer to transfer one of the cars in NJ or NY over here.
Just a quick question- is the S450 coming here? I'd heard rumors, and that might be the car. My girl doesn't have a lead foot like me, and she honestly doesn't need 380hp. The 335hp S450 4Matic would be superb-- better mileage, lower price (for my benefit), and still very swift. I'd heard it was being imported here next year from AutoSpies and wikipedia, but neither is the best source for this kind of stuff!
'06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330
I do recognize the potential electrical problems in these cars. But I wonder, does the onset of these problems some with age of the car or mileage? If aging and not miles cause the electrial head aches, does this mean that one can safely disregard mileage in considering a used S Class? (The only mileage component I can think of would be tires and brakes. A good set of replacement tires and some brake work could/should cost upwards of 2K.) If we can agree that the drive train is bullet proof, it is just the electrics that have non-mileage related gremlins.
What do you think? Or is this penny wise and pound foolish?
Cars like Mercedes, BMW, Audi, etc are specialty cars and not just anyone can work on them esp. newer ones because you have to have a special computer and you can only get the updates to the software through MB. Anyways, the MB dealership near me charges $185.00 per hour for electrical work, now thats crazy but if they're the only people who can do it what are you going to do?
So you may have these existing problems, it is true that if you've had problems you're most likely going to have more later on, thats just the nature of it. But when you take your car let them know to call you before they start on anything. Because if they do a lot of work and then you dont think you needed it, you're almost stuck having to pay it under the law. If you dont pay, they can put a Mechanics Lean against the car to pay the bill. So again, not all dealerships are like that but I have definitely known a couple that are. Good luck with it.
I've had a 1995 600s, similar issue. It cost me $6,000
Sold the car 2 years ago and the new owner ran into the same problem.
Good luck.
I am so happy that I don't have to worry when i stated the MB in the morning which YELLOW light will come on. And the time i spent at MB service department. You are at their mercy everytime you drive your car into the service dept.
good luck to everyone who has a MB.
Thanks. I'm on my fifth, from 1986-2007, all bought new, and have had a great ownership experience with all of them.
Bought my first MB ( 280SL) in 1971. Since then I have had 19 more. Presently a 2005 E320CDI and 2007 350SLK. I must be under a lucky star as I have NEVER had a bad one.
Just thought that you all might to hear some good news and that all MB's are not bummers.