hadam

I am out to buy 2003 or 2004 S500, can any one tell me what was the upgrades on 2004.

I know the NAVI is DVD based on 2004 S-Class. I have seen in the trunk DVD slot in 2004. 2003 has only CD changer in trunk.

Is 2003 and 2004 both have 5 speed transmission? When the 7 speed transmission was introduced on W220?

sprink49

2004 was the first 7 speed.

kenstudios

Besides the two changes (DVD comand and 7G tranny) there is no other major change. I would buy the 04 simply because it's newer than 03 but both are perfectly good cars.

hadam

Thanks for reply.

One more, Is it worth to go with S500 vs S430? I can not drive fast any way on California high way [No autoban here, only CHP].

Only differences I see teh Xenon headlights plus the wheels. If I get S430 AMG [sport package] then I should be fine?

I can save $10000-$15000 by going to S430.

Following prices are from Dealer Only Auction by Manhiem Simulcast. These prices call as MMR, these prices are at the auction block.

All of the following cars are lease return.

Here are some pricing for 2004 and 2003.

2004 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 26,419 PEWTER $41,500
2004 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 36,958 BLACK $39,500
2004 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 34,845 BRI SIL $35,750
2004 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 16,673 ALB WHT $53,000
2004 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 16,707 BLACK $43,500
2004 S600V 12G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 34,080 MCH BRN $60,000


2003 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 27,436 PEWTER $40,000
2003 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 31,154 BRI SIL $39,750
2003 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 30,103 DES SIL $37,500
2003 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 31,537 DES SIL $34,500
2003 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 39,824 BLK 040 $33,000
2003 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 44,799 BLK 040 $33,000
2003 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 38,259 BRIL SIL $32,250
2003 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 39,337 DES SIL $32,000
2003 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 44,553 BRI SIL $32,000
2003 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 59,066 CAP BLU $31,750
2003 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 58,705 SIL 744 $31,000
2003 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 50,623 WHT 960 $31,000
2003 S430V4 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR AWD 55,026 PEWTER $31,000
2003 S500-4MATIC 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 89,902 BLACK $29,000
2003 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 42,002 SLV 723 $40,500
2003 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 31,804 SIL 744 $40,000
2003 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 42,895 GRY 723 $39,500
2003 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 20,110 BLACK $38,750
2003 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 40,697 ALB WHT $38,500
2003 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 35,285 WHT 960 $38,000
2003 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 43,413 BLU 189 $37,500
2003 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 25,706 BLU 904 $37,000
2003 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 38,863 SIL 744 $37,000
2003 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 40,467 SIL 744 $36,500
2003 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 58,923 ALB WHIT $36,000
2003 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 59,573 GRY 723 $35,000
2003 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 53,823 BLK 040 $34,500
2003 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 24,283 DES SIL $34,000
2003 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 61,855 BLACK $33,250
2003 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 56,294 BLK 040 $33,000
2003 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 72,226 BRI SIL $31,500
2003 S500V4 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 39,653 OBS BLK $40,500
2003 S500V4 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 46,686 BLACK $37,000

newton22

Go 500, 430s are slow.

Kar don

2004 will also have the scratch resistant clear coat and th 7spd transmission. 04+ is a no brainer to me. S430 isnt bad, but I doubt u will be saving 10-15k.

kenstudios

The choice is totally dependent on your preference. I would go with 500 for the 25+ extra ponnies. Also the 500 gets nappa leather standard.

HLG600

They're not that slow. Comparing a 500 RWD and 430 4Matic, I didn't feel THAT huge of a difference in acceleration (on ramp acceleration up to 100). The 430 4Matic did have dual K&N filters, which made the engine growl slightly more audible and the car slightly more responsive. Only past 100 did I feel the difference, with the 500 pulling to 140 and going on very quickly. But for normal driving, the 4.3 Litre offers more than enough power. Also, I do recommend the 4Matic; you have more control of the vehicle and actually "feel" the weight of the car.

Skylaw

I drive a 4-Matic ('05 S500) -and would take a 4-Matic over a higher horsepower engine any day!

hadam

Thanks for the feed back, I believe 2004 S500 will be the best.

Can you get option Code 772 [AMG Styling Package-Front spoiler, side skirt], option Code 774 [Shell modification for AMG Wheels] and Code 782 [AMG-Spoken Wheels 18" Mixed tires] for S500 4-Matic????

Skylaw, Is it possible to get S500 4-Matic with AMG sport package?

Skylaw

I don't know for sure, but I suspect that getting an S500 with both 4-Matic and the AMG sport package is possible - certain promotions offered one or the other, but I don't know why they would be mutually exclusive.

The one limit for 4-Matic I am aware of was the 7-speed transmission was not available. The 7-speed was introduced in the '03 W220, but if you bought 4-Matic in any year you couldn't get it.

hadam

Skylaw, thanks for your reply.

I have noticed that pricing for W220 is coming down quickly this year compare to last year.

I have been long time W210 guy and finally going to upgrade to W220.

The way the pricing is coming down on W220 I may hold down on purchase till November or December.

I always got good deal on W210 around end of year betwenn September/November.

hadam

Today I was at the MB of Santa Barbara to get service on my 2001 E-430.

I was talking to service adviser about 2004 S500 with 7 speed transmission. According to MB service adviser that 7 speed transmission still have some bugs in it. Some time it does not shift smoothly from 2-3 gear.

He recommend me to go with 2003 S-500 that has last year of 5 speed transmission, which is much better then 2004 S-Class 7 speed transmission.

Is any one had any problem with 7 speed transmission on 2004 on S-Class?

Any feed back will be appreciated.

ProV1

can u get that manheim price? let me know if u can hook me up too - i could buy one at that price!

1phd1jd

If you can pick up a 2004 S600 for $60K, than jump on that deal.

hawk20

On another forum an insider said Mercs were fully galvanised (wherever steel used in the body) from 2004 onwards. Before that some panels were galvanised but not all. BMW went over to full galvanising around the same time.