CEZA

I have a pretty good deal on an 2000 s430 with 70,000 miles, at my concern is at this mileage what problems does this car have?, and is there any particular problems this car has?

Mark_K

I would stay away from any s class 2002 and older. I have a 2002 and wish I bought a 2003 or newer.

JimsMBZ

I purchased a 2001 S430 with 62,000 miles on it. I have added 10,000 miles since then. The car runs and looks like it is a one year old MBZ. The only problem area I have heard of is the front suspension. I put about $500 into replacing front lower control arm and another part that my MBZ mechanic says has been a problem on the 220 model. But that took care of the vibration I noticed when I bought it. I had a new 1999 S class and a new 2001 S class previously and I think buying a used S class is a prudent purchase so long as you can check out the cars history, no major accidents no lemon etc. Other than that the ride, looks, luxury, & comfort are unbeatable by any other make in my opinion. The 2003 and newer did not have any major mechanical improvements, its more important on how the MBZ was cared for and serviced.

CEZA

thanks for the help guys, i got a few more months left on the lease on my e-class just throwing some ideas out there

newton22

I would never buy a 2000 S-class again. Hope that helps.

kenstudios

All kinds of problems. It's probably easier to ask what kind of problems it doesn't have.

fusion2007

and those are the ones that havent occured yet

newton22

The 2000 S-class is the very attractive blonde chick at the corner, free and available. She will give you the ride of your life for 4 years/50,000 miles, which ever comes first. After that, she will ask you for a $20,000 diamond and run off with it. A decade later, she will come back to you and show you a baby tested to be biologically related to you.

Go for the more subtle brunette, the 2003+ S-class.

fusion2007

excellent way to put it newt!!!

Big "H"

I have a 2001 S430, no issues; vehicle runs like a champ. BLUF you need to check the vehicle out from top to bottom, inside and outside. Then drive it at least four times, up and down a few steep hills, and during busy traffic; this should give you a good indicator of the condition of the vehicle. If I had to buy another S430, I will pick a 2005-2006 model.

Big H

tgood

I have a 2001 S430 with 85,000 miles about. Besides general maintenance I have had no problems with this car. I also have the 100k warranty but haven't really had to use it. The car is perfect for long drives, I put rims on it and the car still looks current.

On the otherhand, you are buying a GERMAN MERCEDES (!). These aren't cheap cars to maintain.

I used to be weird about putting miles on my car, but I did buy it for when I travel and now I can care less. I will be getting rid of it in a year or so and am going to drive the **** out of it until I do.

Hell, I put around 800 miles on it just in the past 7 days..

CEZA

im probably gona end up getting an 03(ish) s500, i can get really good deals on them if just wait it out and wait till they shopw up at the dealr auction

whoover

If you can swing an '04, the improved COMAND is well worth it. The DVD nav is a big improvement over the CD system in the '03. The COMAND user interface is better (with "soft buttons"), the nav display is better, it computes routes faster, has a bigger POI database and is easier to get updates for. It comes with an upgraded fiber bus (D2B changed to MOST), which allows for better phone and voice integration if you want to upgrade. The MOST-based VCS is very neat. You can speak the name of cities and spell streets to set destinations, for instance. With an '03 you're stuck with the earlier-generation media-based products.

'04 is basically the first year of the final generation of W220.

sho1sho1

I have a 2000 S430 which I bought in August 2006 with 89,000 miles on it. So far... I have replaced the crankshaft position sensor ($90) and took 30 minutes, spark plugs x 16 ($90), air filters Accel kool Blue ($70). Up to date, I have 113,000 miles on it already!

The rear airmatic does leak only during weather that's under -10 degree F, but once the car is started, it pumps up right.

Other than that... awesome car! If you are worried, change the crankshaft position sensor right away so you won't encounter start problems.

fkong777

I have read 2000 w220 may have issues with A/C that is not cold enough. a couple of updated a/c parts would take care of that but it isnt cheap if you have to pay for it. check with service history to see if the update was done.

fusion2007

thats exactly how mine is and mine is a 2000 s500 what parts are needed exactly?

jmiaebrown

I bought a 2000 S430 on ebay with 89,000. It now has 124,000 on it. I have to put a quart of oil in it atleast once a month. Dealer can't find the leak. Say I am buring oil internally and want to do a dsludge on it for $6000. Not... I just keep checking the oil and it seems to be ok. I get the airmatics and suspension checked everytime I get an oil change. I wonder how much the dealer would give me to move up to a 04?