AMGSTIG

Hi Guys,

I have some experience with w221s but have found a S65 for potential purchase the price I can deal with. The mileage is low for 08 and the carfax is clean with long history of service at MB dealer and is now being sold by MB dealer. But what worries me is how for low mileage 42k it has had 4 owners is this a red flag for a unusually unreliable S65. And not saying all w221s are unreliable but I mean that could this be a major red flag to pass on this specific car.

Btw I looked for another thread before I wrote this one and didn't see anything relevant and like most guys on here don't like repeat posts.

Thanks Guys,
Paul

WHPH28

The number of owners doesn't matter...you could have a 1 owner that abused it or 4 people who babied it. Some people buy these cars and get bored with it after a short time and sell or trade it for something else. It depends on how they took care of it, service records, etc. I would check it with a fine tooth comb before you buy it but if all service records are available, that is a good start. Also, check to make sure it doesn't need anything right after you buy it such as brakes, tires, etc. If so, have the dealer do it before you buy it, at their expense.

Mike5215

Sounds like a good find. Go get it, and a warranty if you can find one on an AMG car. There are no guarantees with these cars, especially the bad boy AMG machines but that one doesn't throw up any red flags to me. Seems lightly used.

AMGSTIG

Thanks guys and WHPH28 the 600 is looking HOTT with those wheels and sweet pic!

AMGSTIG

Already looking for JM fidelity quotes!

WHPH28

canes85

Sounds like the 2008 S65 at AutoNation Pembroke Pines. I checked into that one. I had MB contact look into the car for ongoing issues. The AC was replaced by MB on May 2014 & again by AutoNation after trade in a few weeks ago . It's a great price but buyer beware if you can get warranty you might be ok just might spend alot of time in the shop.

Mike5215

With an older S65 you're paying a fraction of its original value and getting a lot of car and the potential for a lot of great miles behind the wheel. The downside is it can nick you with repairs and I'm not sure any decent warranty company will touch it being an AMG car. Worst case the thing might cost you half again the purchase price over the next three or four years. But if the car is straight, the mileage is right and you're okay with a little risk, go for it.

WHPH28

I agree. I called several companies for a warranty and no one will cover an AMG. Also, test drive it really good. Turn the AC on and run it hard, but not too hard to make sure you don't get any CEL, etc.

Mike5215

I don't think the AC is any different on an S65 than a 550 . Expensive stuff would be coil packs, turbos, ABC valve body. The AMG brakes are really pricey as well.

DaveW68

Call around to all of the local credit unions in your area and see if any of them sell the CUNA Mutual warranty. If any of them do, you can purchase very solid coverage on that car.

WHPH28

No, I meant as far as the car working harder. With the AC on, it's more work when under full throttle, or running the car hard as opposed to the ac being off. Just more likely to trigger a code as it's working harder under pressure then with it off.

I hope what I am saying makes sense. Makes sense in my head lol.

DaveW68

The only things working harder with the A/C on are the A/C compressor and fans...and only because they are on instead of off. Your comment might be somewhat true on a little 4 banger engine that works a little harder to spin the compressor, but not on a Benz V8 or V12.

AMGSTIG

Thanks Canes it is that car and you guys are right about the Warranty the ones that are available are anywhere from 8-10 grand. I might pass on it because I can't get over the fact that 4 different people owned it and decided not to own it long term. Like most people on the forum I own MB cars and love them almost no matter what and the long service history which has its pros and cons the fact that any of the 4 owners could have loved the car for what it is like any of us on here would makes me go look somewhere else. But it looks greats other than designeo it looks like it has everything as far as options.

AMGSTIG

Not entirely worried about the AC thing.

ItalianJoe1

Remember, most owners of these cars have it as a 3rd, 4th, 5th car and it's just a toy. Short ownership is a trend with higher end extra cars, most people in that bracket get bored easily or want something different and can afford the depreciation hit to just trade it back in whenever, they don't have to keep it to absorb some of the value loss.

AMGSTIG

I guess you are right Joe.

ItalianJoe1

Pretty sure my CL is a 4 or 5 owner car, and from looking at it, it's in fantastic shape inside and out and was well serviced at the dealer from what records I could find through MB. You could have a 1 owner car that was a disaster, or a 6 owner car that's perfect, it's all in the car itself, having it checked properly and taking good care of it once you get it.

Mike5215

That TTV12 has so much power I can't imagine spinning the little AC compressor even registers on it as a load. It is odd that it's been in for AC work twice but hard to draw a conclusion without knowing what was done at each respective visit.

AMGSTIG

Update on the car…

I passed on it I'll keep you guys updated on future purchases as always. I using autospector out in Miami now to inspect all cars for me they do a great job.

canes85

Did you take it out for extended test drive?

AMGSTIG

No I had a local company do an inspection they had great reviews and the report I got had high resolution pics and was like 70 pages with all the pics and thorough report the guys is a certified mechanic and the report was ok but I decided to pass just on a gut feeling and I heard from the salesman helping me that he sold the car yesterday. I've bought vehicles out of state and always drive them before I purchase them while I coulda got a killer deal on this S65 don't know something just didn't feel right for me, it was probably nothing the report was great the car looked great like I said I just decided to pass.

WHPH28

Why didn't you fly out there? I would never buy a car sight unseen unless it was brand new with 0 miles on it.

AMGSTIG

I never buy sight unseen.
I always have an inspection done and then fly out there. The inspections don't take more than a day to get the report to back to me and then most of the time I just fly out the next day and drive back to CA. Make a road trip out of it. Done it couple of times.

WHPH28

I guess gut feeling is usually right. I flew down to FL buy mine. I didnt get an inspection or anything. I just looked at the car, drove it, knew it was the one, handed her the cash and drove it back to MD with a big grin and smile the whole 1200 miles.