Murtz

Howdy!

I'm looking to buy a 2007 MB S550 with 89,000 miles. It's a 'one-owner' car, driven by several in the family. It's black and has the AMG wheels and currently runs good - all services performed at dealerships (two).

Owner is asking $22,000.

1) Good deal/bad deal? Any advice would be much appreciated - first MB.

2) How's the routine maintenance on this? Are oil changes, brake pads, tire rotations, spark plugs, etc all DIY'er kind or does it require a trip to the stealership for even the minor things?

3) Any obvious things to look out for?

Thank You in advance

bha

They are good cars, considering the complexity. But keep in mind they are complex.

Oil changes and brake pads are quite easy.. spark plugs a little harder but still doable. If you can do these things on any other european car (BMW, Audi, Jag, etc.) you should be fine doing the same on an S550.

Things to look out for are same with any other large german sedan or same as any other S-Class (front suspension, Airmatic, electronic items not working, etc) and also the following:

Transmission issues with the 7Gtronic unit
Engine problems with the V8 engine, when it was first produced. Very expensive to fix. Make sure to buy a car 'after' the cutoff VIN #. Let me know if you need help on this, as I have the documents from MB.

MBNUT1

Sounds like a great deal providing concerns above are addressed. Let us know if you decide to buy it or not.

Murtz

Thank You to everyone for helping out so far.

The VIN is WDDNG71X27A150143 , if someone can email me details on recalls or recalls that have been done to the car that would be very helpful. I played a little bit with the VIN decoder link on this forum and also BHA helped get some info, but the more the better.

Thank You - magha87@gmail.com

MagCL

That car does is not affected by the balance shaft issue. I'm not sure about the tranny but it has version 2 of the valve body which means that if it does have a problem, you can replace just the conductor plate instead of the complete valve body.

That car is loaded. Without seeing the condition or knowing if it was in an accident, looks like a good deal.

Basic maintenance is not hard on this car.

Murtz

I've received mixed takes on the VIN falling under the balance shaft issue list - your info above says this model would not be in.

Can you confirm please and also if the issue does arise how much does just replacing the conductor plate normally cost?

Thank You all for your help.

MagCL

The balance shaft issue is for engine serials up to 30 088611. This car has # 30 154385.

Check your pm as well for more info.

mb_21

You really can't go wrong with the price considering the miles.

By AMG wheels do you mean it has sport package or just after market wheels?

Good luck you will love the car!

Murtz

When the car was ordered, they selected option 770 which was 19" AMG wheels.

I'd like to thank everyone that has chimed in so far - great community you folks have built here .

I shall be deciding very soon!

911turbox50

Hello..Im selling my 2007 S550 Black Black True SPort Package only 52k miles...Its mainly used when I visit my home in FLorida. Mint Condition....Only option doesn't have is auto trunk closure and distornic....

Just did major tune up 50K at my Mercedes service dept...

35k

Send me your email and I can send pics if your interested....

Harley42

I too have a 2007 s550 4matic. just did a partial "A" service, oil change, radiator flush, general check over. I changed the cabin air and engine air filters. they wanted over $400. to change the spark plugs, as they looked a little carboned up. I thought that was a bit much. could you tell me if it would be to much to change them myself without damaging the direct ignition coils? my car has about 66,500 miles. I've done some mechanic work but not on this car as there's really been nothing to do. it runs great, except for a small vibration the dealer thinks is nothing. they can't find another 4matic to compare it too. park place in grapevine,tx. trying to save some money as I'm 73 now and on soc. sec. changing batteries as they were also 7 years old. will do the starter battery asap, other is done. also, is there a counter-rotating balance shaft?, I asked them to check the free play in the gears and they didn't thing there was such a shaft. thanks for your time. Dave C.

Harley42

I would also like to know information on how to change the spark plugs on my 2007 S550. I have a hard time letting go of $400. at the grapevine dealership. thanks, Dave C.

hemmissey

Who can check my vin?

AZBENZ-CTSV

VIN: WDDNG71X87A034039
any help with this vin#
thx in advance

AZBENZ-CTSV

anyone???? ^^^^^^
looking for a nice daily driver 4 the wifey
just wanna know about vin
thx

kiddkynetik

Your engine number is 30 017849. Not sure when the affected range is though.

bha

Are you referring to the balance shaft problem? If so, this engine is within the problematic range, since the engine number is less than 088611:

“Applicable Models (Not Applicable to Model 164.156, 204 or 216.386): Equipped with M272 Engine Up to Serial No. 2729..30 468993 or M273 Engine Up to Serial No. 2739..30 088611"

Note that this doesn't mean every engine will be a problem. If it does affect you, it will be expensive. But not every engine will have an issue.

With a car this complex, remember the 7Gtronic transmission and other things could cause you problems too.

Not trying to scare you away, just realize this isn't a huge roadblock to buying this car. Just be ready for problems if they do occur.

Mike5215

My advice to prospective S Class buyers is to assume that a good warranty is a necessity and build the cost of one into your calculations. Regardless of how much due diligence you do...checking the VIN, pulling the service history, running a CarFax, having it inspected, these are the wrong cars to roll the dice on unless you have very deep pockets and are comfortable with the possibility that on a $20,000 S Class you could easily spend half that again in unexpected repairs.

The problem on an 07 with 90k miles is that no reputable warranty company will touch it. If you really want an S Class (and who wouldn't?) either find a CPO car and pay to extend the basic coverage, or look at stuff a little fresher (08-09 under 60k miles) with lower miles that a reliable third party warranty company will underwrite.

Finer6527

How do you know what valve body version that you have in the trans? Looking to see were they changed from the version 1 to version 2?
Thanks,
Paul