S-600 w/V-12.. what happened?
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S-600 w/V-12.. what happened?
Why does the S600 with the M-120 V-12 powerplant have such weak resale? I have a strong urge to buy this lo-mileage vehicle, BUT from $127,000USD to $13,000 in 14 years!!?? Some issues vs./vs. the 500-series???
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Irvine, CA
2008 E550, 2012 GL450, 2014 GLK350, 2015 S550, 2020 GLC350e
Welcome to the "New" Mercedes -- where volume is more important than quality.
I just realized that my Dad's 1989 420SEL that I now use, was $85k. Thats probably $125k in today's money, if not more. S430 sells for around $85k today. How can that be? More volume, cheaper parts, poorer quality. You can't get more for less. Back in 89, MB didn't even HAVE a budget class like the C-Class.
Now they do .. I don't expect MB prices to hold up too well unless there is a clear cut off where poor quality ended and "good quality" began.
I just realized that my Dad's 1989 420SEL that I now use, was $85k. Thats probably $125k in today's money, if not more. S430 sells for around $85k today. How can that be? More volume, cheaper parts, poorer quality. You can't get more for less. Back in 89, MB didn't even HAVE a budget class like the C-Class.
Now they do .. I don't expect MB prices to hold up too well unless there is a clear cut off where poor quality ended and "good quality" began.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Albany, NY
2014 C300, sport, black/black
Originally Posted by Vik888
Back in 89, MB didn't even HAVE a budget class like the C-Class.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
Originally Posted by Vik888
Welcome to the "New" Mercedes -- where volume is more important than quality.
I just realized that my Dad's 1989 420SEL that I now use, was $85k. Thats probably $125k in today's money, if not more. S430 sells for around $85k today. How can that be? More volume, cheaper parts, poorer quality. You can't get more for less. Back in 89, MB didn't even HAVE a budget class like the C-Class.
Now they do .. I don't expect MB prices to hold up too well unless there is a clear cut off where poor quality ended and "good quality" began.
I just realized that my Dad's 1989 420SEL that I now use, was $85k. Thats probably $125k in today's money, if not more. S430 sells for around $85k today. How can that be? More volume, cheaper parts, poorer quality. You can't get more for less. Back in 89, MB didn't even HAVE a budget class like the C-Class.
Now they do .. I don't expect MB prices to hold up too well unless there is a clear cut off where poor quality ended and "good quality" began.
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From: Houston
88 Caddy on 28's
Originally Posted by chanarambie
Why does the S600 with the M-120 V-12 powerplant have such weak resale? I have a strong urge to buy this lo-mileage vehicle, BUT from $127,000USD to $13,000 in 14 years!!?? Some issues vs./vs. the 500-series???
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
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BMW E30. I've turned to the dark side.
140's w/ v12's can have extremely expensive repair bills even by MB standards. one example in approximates: throttle actuators $2500 x2, and EA control unit(if it was shorted out by faulty actuators) $4000. and this is NOT and uncommon repair even on later S/CL600's. buyer be(VERY)ware. have the car checked out before you buy it, and even then, expect to budget for repairs. i do like the leather everywhere though...and for 13grand...
How's this for an afterthought: put the engine in a boat (how many lake-use boats have a V12 these days?), use the seats in your home theater, power them up and everything. and then part out the rest of the car.
How's this for an afterthought: put the engine in a boat (how many lake-use boats have a V12 these days?), use the seats in your home theater, power them up and everything. and then part out the rest of the car.
Thread Starter
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S600 hmmm..S500 BETTER, ya??
My 'thing' for reliability, value, and respectable performance leads me to the S500 rather than the V-12er M-120. But hey to his own...but when I see a 1992 S600 for under $15,000USD I'mma thinkin' "somebody found out the hard way"; that not EVERYTHING can talk the talk AND walk the walk. I think the V-12 will have to find somebody else to love it rather than I.
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