SFBlue

Hi everyone-

I would appreciate your opinion(s) on an S600 that I'm considering purchasing...

I have owned a 2006 E500 and a 1987 560 SEL, but this would be my first W220.

The car is a 2002 S600 Designo edition. It has 62,000 miles on it, and they want $9,000.

It is being sold by a euro motors mechanic, and they gave me receipts for a bunch of work that they did on it, including:

Power steering pump $2,400
B Service $500
Fuel Filter $230
Suspension valve and Front strut assembly $1,300
Evaporator temp sensor $300
AC recharge $260
Replace belt/tensioner/pulleys $800
Front ball joints $930
Front lower control arms/bushings $2,700

They also mentioned that they recommend replacing the spark plugs and ignition coils now, which I looked up on here and it sounds like it's about $4,000.

Lastly, the interior looks a bit rough. It has a light cream colored interior, and much of it appears to be stained with dirt and grease, almost as if a mechanic was using it as their daily driver.

They are supposed to be detailing it this week, but I am skeptical as to how well it will clean up.

Also in the interior, the fabric on the B-pillars is very worn and the cloth is pilling like a sweater. Is that something that could be replaced, or would it be cost-prohibitive?

I did some research on here before posting, and I read a bunch of people's nightmares about how much it costs to keep these cars on the road. (One poster mentioned that his annual cost for 40k miles was $13,000).

I definitely feel better knowing that all the above work has been done, but I am wondering if I should still plan on shelling out thousands every year.


There are a few other S600's around here that are priced closer to $12-14k with the same mileage, and with unknown service histories. So, based on the price and the work that was done I feel like it's a good deal, however I am not going to buy it if you guys think I will be spending another $3-4k each year on maintenance.

Thanks in advance for any input!

mrbobby

Wow, what a question. S 600's are not cheap to maintain. Simple response to your question is "if you're going to worry about high maintenance costs - walk away! Maintenance is guaranteed. The only question is how much. From what you say they have already performed a lot of high cost work. Is this the end or just the beginning? I suggest the latter. Walk away!

Welwynnick

Why would they recommend changing the coil packs? That's what you do when they go wrong. Do they KNOW that its missfiring?

Should you buy it? Well, how do you plan to maintain it?

Nick

MRAMG1

Frankly I would walk as 9K is too cheap. It has to have something wrong with it.

PS: Coil packs are every 10 years or 100,000

Coils about 1K each on the web, plugs, $4-15 each. Two-three hour home job.

SFBlue

Ok, thanks for the advice.... It sounds like I should probably steer away from it.

I wouldn't mind dumping $4-5k into it if that would make it reliable for the next few years, but I'm not willing to be constantly spending money on it to keep it on the road.

Here's a link to the craigslist ad, in case you guys are interested:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4924498125.html

For what it's worth, the shop that's selling it gets great reviews on Yelp. (I have no experience with them, I have another MB mechanic that I use). They also said that they guarantee any of the work that they've done for 3 years.

-Angus

wallyp

It appears that there are basically two options on a W220 S600: DIY and spend moderate amounts of money, or pay someone else large amounts of money.

AlexMercedes

In all honesty, avoid pre-facelift W220 S600s. WAY too many problems. If you have all the money in the world for repairs then go for it.

I have a facelift S600 though, and it's not horribly unreliable. If you really want a W220 S600, go for the facelift.

VMAX7

Looking at the pics that interior looks clean. In person you say it's rough...hate when that happens.

rik881

These bills are very high, if you are not a DIYer i would walk away.

islandbeef

The most expensive car in the world is a cheap Mercedes.

cybertronicify

99-02 W220 is the worst year for S class, if you don't have 10k on top of the 9k to burn, then steer away because that is what you are gonna spend on repairs. (except for when you're extremely lucky and get one with 0 problems, but that is like winning the lottery.) Even when you do it yourself, it still costs a pretty penny.

SFBlue

Haha. Very true.

Thanks for the insight everyone. I am comfortable doing some small things myself, but this is more than I want to take on.

Maybe someone else with more mechanical skills will pick it up and rescue that interior.

islandbeef

If you're hellbent to get a Benz, step up to a cheap lease offer of a newer model. At least it's still under warranty and you still have the cachet of possessing a Benz (without bleeding money in post-warranty repairs).

cybertronicify

If you are able to dump in another 6k in repairs, then you might aswell just get a W221 S550 for 15k. Its much more reliable, not bulletproof, but much more reliable than the W220's

ibeforreal

If it has ABC suspension then that is an entirely different world. Find someone with a STAR diagnostic computer and pay the $100 or so to have it checked out thoroughly before purchasing. I agree with Jason, either go for the S550 or get a newer S600.

tusabes

Run away

The early non turbo s600 was the worst w220 ever
It will cost you much more than the sales price in repairs

tusabes

For the same price you can get the coupe with the better twin turbo v12

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4925654955.html

Of course it still has the expensive abc and coil issues

S430LUCKDRAGON

There is a 2001 S 600 for sale in rhode island for like 6 grand it only has 85 k miles on it I am tempted but my s 430 has already eaten up untold thousands and I think I should wait till I can get a newer s 550 after reading and not to mention the gas milage cant be to great with the v 12 , this thanks guys