Looking into buying '96 S500 coupe, what problems can I expect?
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: bronx, ny
'05 C230 coupe auto
Looking into buying '96 S500 coupe, what problems can I expect?
Hello everyone!
I'm new to this forum.
After driving Hondas for a pretty long time I decided to get myself a 1996 S500 coupe. I found a white one with tan interior.
Currently the car has 83,000 miles on it. Had two owners, one issued the car for private use, other owner was a company that leased it and used it for its own purposes. Car was sold at an auction later on and now is for sale in NJ. They're asking $23,000 for it.
My question is, what do I have to look for besides blue smoke coming out of exhaust especially on a cold engine and oil leaks under car?
And even if the car appears to be fine what problems can I expect during the next 15,000 miles or so? I don't drive too hard but I drive pretty fast and like flooring the throttle on freeways.
Thank you all in advance,
Dmitry
I'm new to this forum.
After driving Hondas for a pretty long time I decided to get myself a 1996 S500 coupe. I found a white one with tan interior.
Currently the car has 83,000 miles on it. Had two owners, one issued the car for private use, other owner was a company that leased it and used it for its own purposes. Car was sold at an auction later on and now is for sale in NJ. They're asking $23,000 for it.
My question is, what do I have to look for besides blue smoke coming out of exhaust especially on a cold engine and oil leaks under car?
And even if the car appears to be fine what problems can I expect during the next 15,000 miles or so? I don't drive too hard but I drive pretty fast and like flooring the throttle on freeways.
Thank you all in advance,
Dmitry
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 109
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noisy window seals from front to back windows
loose back windows (roll down 2" then wobble them - they are a bit loose, but they sould not 'twist' back and forth (one of mine does
check they drop 1" or so when the doors are opened
all the usual electric gremlins -do a site search
air con
sticky / loose seat fold latch
unusual gear chages - make sure the gearbox oil has been changed if over 80K miles
good luck
loose back windows (roll down 2" then wobble them - they are a bit loose, but they sould not 'twist' back and forth (one of mine does
check they drop 1" or so when the doors are opened
all the usual electric gremlins -do a site search
air con
sticky / loose seat fold latch
unusual gear chages - make sure the gearbox oil has been changed if over 80K miles
good luck
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
From: Newport Beach, CA
2006 Mercedes E350 Sport
You'll need to refi your house for the ac evap $3000-$5000, tranny's aren't the best, door closer pump breaks, when the shocks/struts need to be replaced expect to fork out $800-$1200 each for the rears (self leveling), fronts ~$400-$600 each. Also the radio amps sometimes go out. Difficult to modify radio since its so intergrated into the car... so overall make sure you have the cash not only to buy the car BUT TO MAINTAIN IT!! Dont be a wanna-be-balla and drive around with a 7 year old top of the line car with half of the things in need of repair or maintaince! Flagship german cars are expensive to run! 
But if you can afford maintenance then go ahead- figure $2000-$3500 a year for maintence and repairs.
But if you can afford maintenance then go ahead- figure $2000-$3500 a year for maintence and repairs.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,081
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From: Indiana
1986 560SEL, 97 BMW 740iL
Okay, I have a 95 and I DON"T have the problems you mentioned. But I did had some issues repaired during the warrantee period. Even after 8 years, it still runs like new and smells like new. I think it's pretty much who owned it before and how much they took care of it. Good luck.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 48
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From: Hermitage Tn
96 S600C
I purchased my S600 about 6months ago. It is a 1996 and had 44600 miles. I now have 57000+ miles on it. The only problem I have had was some O-rings in the transmission ($600.00) (knock on wood) This repair also included filter and fluid change for the transmission. Only other things done have been normal maintenance as recomended by MB.
The car was serviced by my local MB dealer only and previous owner was very good about documenting the maintenance.
The car was serviced by my local MB dealer only and previous owner was very good about documenting the maintenance.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Hermitage Tn
96 S600C
Well Guess I did not knock on that wood hard enough. The other night I was going out to dinner. The alt light came on and the power stearing was gone. I got the car to the side of the road. Looked under the hood. The fan belt had broken. The belt was still in the front of the engine and I was able to pull it out. There was no wear showing on the belt. It was a clean straight break.
Anyway called MB roadside assistance. They arranged for a Tow truck for me. My car was towed to my dealer. Of course the dealer did not have a belt for a V-12 so it had to be ordered, so they could completly diagnose what caused the belt to break. Turns out the Water Pump was siezed. Now waiting on the order for the Water Pump. Dealer repair for belt, water pump and labor right at $1000.00. Dealer also provided me with a Rental car since they were out of loner cars.
The car only has 58000 miles on it. Just thought I would share with people interested in what things are going to cost if or when they happen.
Anyway called MB roadside assistance. They arranged for a Tow truck for me. My car was towed to my dealer. Of course the dealer did not have a belt for a V-12 so it had to be ordered, so they could completly diagnose what caused the belt to break. Turns out the Water Pump was siezed. Now waiting on the order for the Water Pump. Dealer repair for belt, water pump and labor right at $1000.00. Dealer also provided me with a Rental car since they were out of loner cars.
The car only has 58000 miles on it. Just thought I would share with people interested in what things are going to cost if or when they happen.
