Reaction to the W220
11-10-2006, 02:48 PM
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Reaction to the W220
Guys, what was your reaction to the W220 when it was launched in late '99? For me, I had never had any signficant experience with Mercedes Benz, but I saw an ad in Car & Driver or Motortrend magazine and was hooked!
I immediately called MBUSA to mail me a brochure, and there it was: I fell in love with the Mercedes Benz S-Class - it was (and is) the most beautiful car in the world! I was a freshman in high school at the time, and I think I carried that brochure with me everywhere I went?
What was your initial reaction to the W220 when it was launched?
I immediately called MBUSA to mail me a brochure, and there it was: I fell in love with the Mercedes Benz S-Class - it was (and is) the most beautiful car in the world! I was a freshman in high school at the time, and I think I carried that brochure with me everywhere I went?
What was your initial reaction to the W220 when it was launched?
11-10-2006, 04:00 PM
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Whatever there's gas in...
I thought it looked like a 300m at first...then slapped myself as I was signing the papers for an '02 S55...took it home...couldn't sleep...missed my 95 S600..then I forgot all about the 600 about a week later.
11-10-2006, 04:30 PM
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Hmm, I see. Y'know I was a big fan of the 300M when it first came out (for some strange reason).
11-10-2006, 04:36 PM
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BMW E39
I thought the S-class was ugly when it first came out. Looked like a big luxury pig. It's styling quickly grew on me.
It was different for my father though. He was looking for a new luxury car in 1999 and he came across the W220, he was very impressed at the technology featured in the car at the time. He also loved the styling. He took delievry a S430 a few months later. A few years later, he passed the car down to me. That's my story.
It was different for my father though. He was looking for a new luxury car in 1999 and he came across the W220, he was very impressed at the technology featured in the car at the time. He also loved the styling. He took delievry a S430 a few months later. A few years later, he passed the car down to me. That's my story.
11-10-2006, 10:45 PM
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11-10-2006, 10:57 PM
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We first looked at a 2000 when they came out here. I was in love at first sight...but the $$$$were staggering. A few years went by and we "got by" with a 540 BMW. Last year we decided we wanted luxury and knew what we wanted....the S500. We have had it about 14 months and have driven it about 12K miles. It is still a marvelous automobile even though the '07 is reported to be much more refined. I am tempted to take the plunge again but a 44' Sea Ray has distracted me.
11-11-2006, 06:00 AM
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Absolutely the best..
When I first set eyes on a black on black S500 I had to own one. I sat in the car for the first time and I believe that my Self-esteem went through the roof. The car made me feel better for some reason. It had every possible luxury option available.
The car that I bought was immaculate.. warm cush leather seats (not stiff and uncomfortable like BMW) ,burlwood dash and trim; when you tell your friends you have heated and cooled seats... seat positioning in the front and back and massage option.. you definitely got a reaction.
The 2000-2006 W220 is definitely one of the if not the best luxury vehicle assembled (especially S55 engine wise). The car definitely makes heads turn. The reason I liked the car is due to the curves and the bubble lights. Navigation in 1999 and 2000 was like cell phones back in 1980's
No ONe had it!
THe new W221 is once again is at the front of the pack. The design is a bit more edgy and square; It has a little bit of getting used to but I'm sure I will purchase one in the next year or two.
However at times I do wish that the W220 was the same body style "Forever" but everything must change. I wish I had the money and know how to be a Car Collector. When I sell the car it will be like losing a family member. But until then..
W220 S500
The car that I bought was immaculate.. warm cush leather seats (not stiff and uncomfortable like BMW) ,burlwood dash and trim; when you tell your friends you have heated and cooled seats... seat positioning in the front and back and massage option.. you definitely got a reaction.
The 2000-2006 W220 is definitely one of the if not the best luxury vehicle assembled (especially S55 engine wise). The car definitely makes heads turn. The reason I liked the car is due to the curves and the bubble lights. Navigation in 1999 and 2000 was like cell phones back in 1980's
No ONe had it!
THe new W221 is once again is at the front of the pack. The design is a bit more edgy and square; It has a little bit of getting used to but I'm sure I will purchase one in the next year or two.
However at times I do wish that the W220 was the same body style "Forever" but everything must change. I wish I had the money and know how to be a Car Collector. When I sell the car it will be like losing a family member. But until then..
W220 S500
11-11-2006, 07:40 AM
#10
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We first looked at a 2000 when they came out here. I was in love at first sight...but the $$$$were staggering. A few years went by and we "got by" with a 540 BMW. Last year we decided we wanted luxury and knew what we wanted....the S500. We have had it about 14 months and have driven it about 12K miles. It is still a marvelous automobile even though the '07 is reported to be much more refined. I am tempted to take the plunge again but a 44' Sea Ray has distracted me.
11-11-2006, 08:10 AM
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2000 S430
My Experience
It first happened to me at a stoplight. I had never seen one of these. It was probably about 2001. It was silver and had dark tinted windows. I was driving my 98 rusted nissan stanza. I loved it instantly but knew it was way out of my reach at the time. This year I joined a band and the bass player drove up in his 2000 S500. I was amazed. I sat in it and instantly felt the power of luxury. 2 months later, I bought a S430 on ebay. Well, with luxury comes responsibility and not always reliability. I ignored my spidey sense that day. It hasnt been smooth sailing. I found out the car was burning oil and transmission differentials are out of spec. The salesman would not let me take it to the Mercedes shop to run a diagnostic. You'd think I would have got the HINT!HINT!HINT. Being inexperienced and naive and not realizing how much my sense of self was in the car that I drove.. I let the salesman pressure me into signing. The first week I had it home it broke down on my wife. I have to put 1 quart of oil in about twice a month as it burns oil. There is a vibration in the front that I cannot diagnose. The rear brakes squeal like 100 pigs and it has 111000 miles. And reading some of the posts here give me nightmares!!! But you know what!!! I love this car. What should I do to get a 2004 S500? Should I try and trade it or sell it out right?
11-11-2006, 10:59 AM
#12
It first happened to me at a stoplight. I had never seen one of these. It was probably about 2001. It was silver and had dark tinted windows. I was driving my 98 rusted nissan stanza. I loved it instantly but knew it was way out of my reach at the time. This year I joined a band and the bass player drove up in his 2000 S500. I was amazed. I sat in it and instantly felt the power of luxury. 2 months later, I bought a S430 on ebay. Well, with luxury comes responsibility and not always reliability. I ignored my spidey sense that day. It hasnt been smooth sailing. I found out the car was burning oil and transmission differentials are out of spec. The salesman would not let me take it to the Mercedes shop to run a diagnostic. You'd think I would have got the HINT!HINT!HINT. Being inexperienced and naive and not realizing how much my sense of self was in the car that I drove.. I let the salesman pressure me into signing. The first week I had it home it broke down on my wife. I have to put 1 quart of oil in about twice a month as it burns oil. There is a vibration in the front that I cannot diagnose. The rear brakes squeal like 100 pigs and it has 111000 miles. And reading some of the posts here give me nightmares!!! But you know what!!! I love this car. What should I do to get a 2004 S500? Should I try and trade it or sell it out right?
Oh and just because no one was responding doesn't kill this board, it's just because this is a seven year old model and most people are now asking the same in the W221 forum.
Last edited by kenstudios; 11-11-2006 at 11:02 AM.
11-11-2006, 12:39 PM
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2000 S430
Just trying to help you. The vibration could be the result of your wheel alignment being off. Get your alignment then balance all four wheels and see if that stops the vibration. The 220 is a nice looking car and can quickly drain your wallet at the repair facility. We have people who've never had any major problems with their S class and then we have some (myself included) who've put a big a** hole in their wallets trying to keep this car running.
Oh and just because no one was responding doesn't kill this board, it's just because this is a seven year old model and most people are now asking the same in the W221 forum.
Oh and just because no one was responding doesn't kill this board, it's just because this is a seven year old model and most people are now asking the same in the W221 forum.
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S
225/60ZR-16 98W DIR (34159)
Would increasing to 17' help the ride or should I just stay with the 16s?
11-12-2006, 09:02 AM
#14
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See if they will take it as a trade and get a 2003 or newer with an extended warranty.
11-12-2006, 09:39 AM
#15
The Pilots are some good performance tires from Michelin. A little pricey. You can get the Yokohama's Advan S4 with same capabilities but W speed rated which is good up to 168 m/hr. They are quiet and $113 each are a burgain. If you want to increase size, go with 18 stagered set up. 245/45/18 front and 275/40/18 rear. You'll get a very stable ride.
The burning oil part of your car kinda scares. It would be time to trade.
The burning oil part of your car kinda scares. It would be time to trade.
Last edited by kenstudios; 11-12-2006 at 09:47 AM.
11-14-2006, 08:37 PM
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'22 Alpina B7,'21 G63 Renntech obviously (wife), Wrangler(kids)
Guys, what was your reaction to the W220 when it was launched in late '99? For me, I had never had any signficant experience with Mercedes Benz, but I saw an ad in Car & Driver or Motortrend magazine and was hooked!
I immediately called MBUSA to mail me a brochure, and there it was: I fell in love with the Mercedes Benz S-Class - it was (and is) the most beautiful car in the world! I was a freshman in high school at the time, and I think I carried that brochure with me everywhere I went?
What was your initial reaction to the W220 when it was launched?
I immediately called MBUSA to mail me a brochure, and there it was: I fell in love with the Mercedes Benz S-Class - it was (and is) the most beautiful car in the world! I was a freshman in high school at the time, and I think I carried that brochure with me everywhere I went?
What was your initial reaction to the W220 when it was launched?
Did not like the interior at all.
Then, I bought an S600....
