W220 Reliability?
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Member
Joined: Sep 2002
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Broke Acura
W220 Reliability?
Hi guys,
I'm thinking of upgrading my 03 E to and S500 due to the new addition coming into our lives in March (baby for those who couldn't figure that out). However, I'm concerned with its reliability considering all the ticky tack problems I had with my 03 E. What's your consensus on the S? I do not really want the new one at this point. Thanks!
I'm thinking of upgrading my 03 E to and S500 due to the new addition coming into our lives in March (baby for those who couldn't figure that out). However, I'm concerned with its reliability considering all the ticky tack problems I had with my 03 E. What's your consensus on the S? I do not really want the new one at this point. Thanks!
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Get an extended warranty and don't worry about it. ;)
Get a warranty. A 48x48 (48mos, 48k miles) warranty (with $100 deduction per incident) should run you under $3,000 if the car has less than 50k miles on it. If it is over 50k miles... it will be hard (or impossible) to get a 48/48, and you will want to get a 36/36. These (depending on brand and level of service) should cover any/all issues in the car (except where you actually break something).
If you can't get it for under $3000.. then you are being ripped off. In fact, my warranty was WAY under that price. If you want... contact me and I will put you in contact with someone (I don't know if he works outside of Seattle, but can check) that will sell you a killer warranty.
When you get the new car... take pics and post them!!!
If you can't get it for under $3000.. then you are being ripped off. In fact, my warranty was WAY under that price. If you want... contact me and I will put you in contact with someone (I don't know if he works outside of Seattle, but can check) that will sell you a killer warranty.
When you get the new car... take pics and post them!!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Baltimore MD
MB, BMW
no offense but if reliability is your primary factor then skip the W220 unless you can buy the b2b full warranty. you'll be kicking yourself when you get slammed w/ the repair bills.
if you want more room, get a CPO S-class or a lexus LS
if you want more room, get a CPO S-class or a lexus LS
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
CPO, certified preowned, is called Starmark by MB dealers. The car comes with one year longer than the original warranty (which makes 60 months from the original delivery date) and the mileage limit bumped to 100K miles. Of course, like all warranties, it's whichever (time or miles) comes first.
If you buy a Starmark (again -- only MB dealers sell Starmarked cars, and not all their used cars are Starmarks), you also get to buy a one or two year time extension. That gives you six or seven years from original delivery or 100K miles, whichever comes first. Starmarked cars cost more than non-Starmarked used cars at the dealer, which cost more than used cars acquired other ways. And the one or two year extensions aren't cheap either. But it's buying peace of mind, which is very valuable with these cars.
I bought a Starmark S55 with two-year extension. It certainly paid for itself many times over. Yes, things break on these cars and they're very expensive to fix. I've never had any questions asked with the Starmark. I always had the same service as if it were the original factory warranty.
When I traded the car with almost a year left on the extension, the factory even refunded most of the second-year premium. That was a very pleasant surprise but I understand it won't happen in all states.
I would never own a W220 without some factory coverage, but they're great cars.
If you buy a Starmark (again -- only MB dealers sell Starmarked cars, and not all their used cars are Starmarks), you also get to buy a one or two year time extension. That gives you six or seven years from original delivery or 100K miles, whichever comes first. Starmarked cars cost more than non-Starmarked used cars at the dealer, which cost more than used cars acquired other ways. And the one or two year extensions aren't cheap either. But it's buying peace of mind, which is very valuable with these cars.
I bought a Starmark S55 with two-year extension. It certainly paid for itself many times over. Yes, things break on these cars and they're very expensive to fix. I've never had any questions asked with the Starmark. I always had the same service as if it were the original factory warranty.
When I traded the car with almost a year left on the extension, the factory even refunded most of the second-year premium. That was a very pleasant surprise but I understand it won't happen in all states.
I would never own a W220 without some factory coverage, but they're great cars.
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'03 S600
If repair issues rack your brain, yes, think "Lexus". Entry price might be reasonable, but you gotta pay to play.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Dont let the S class scare you. For every bad there's a good. It's true some have reliability issues but you never hear of those that don't. People tend to report the bad and say stay away from the S class but the same applies to any used car that you buy. There will be some kind of repair down the line. I would buy one with the factory warranty remaining on it and purchase the extended from a reliable company (Some will burn you). Also remember that the newer the ride the better the reliability factor. 04-06 seems to be the best. True we had airmatic problems but over the years we've learned how to deal with it. There are plenty of people on this site with 00-02 that have never had problems with their cars, but you don't too much hear about them. If you plan right you'll have a good car. Ensure you ask for the maintenance record, carfax report and have that car checked out well.
I had numerous problems when I used to babysit my car but now that I really push it hard, no problems out of it. It's been 25K miles of pure fun. Good luck with your purchase and keep us posted.
I had numerous problems when I used to babysit my car but now that I really push it hard, no problems out of it. It's been 25K miles of pure fun. Good luck with your purchase and keep us posted.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 26
From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
The following post has a number of imbeddded links on the topic. http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...questions.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 377
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 26
From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
