quantira2

Hi Guys,

I am new to the mercedes world.. Coming from BMW, having owned 7 so far, recently bought my wife a brandnew 2006 C230.. We liked the car very much! I just sold my M3 and looking to get a used S Class. 2003 2004 0r 2005, s 500, s 600 or s55 AMG,.. Is there any difference between 2003 and 2005? I am trying to get the best bang for my buck.. Heard 00 and 01, 02 's have reliability issues.. No offense to owners of these model years!.. Is there any option that i should get you guys think well worth it?? Maybe active ventilated seats?.. Please help me finalize what options i should look for ?
Sorry if my post is too general.. I dont know much about these cars and actively researching..
Thanks in advance!!

kenstudios

2003 has the wide screen but CD based command while 04 has the DVD based. 2004 S500 has 7 speed tranny while 03 is 5. Not available on 600 and 55. get the car as new as possible and keep some warranty on it. 600 engine is expensive to keep and maintain. Just a thought. Welcome

anthem

as ken indicated above. I would not consider a 600 series (V12) model without some time on the warranty. I usually will only keep a 600 while its under warranty and then trade it in for something else as its just too costly if anything goes wrong with it out of warranty.

Skylaw

See the posts at https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w220/124317-comparison-00-05-w220.html, http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...-4matic-2.html and https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w220/138366-03-w220.html. They go a bit past your questions, but will answer many aspects of it. And, you won't get just my view of it.

I have had minimal problems with my '05 S500 4Matic and love the car, except for the lame-brained decision not to provide a way to integrate an iPod. However, some 3rd party MOST bus solutions are now coming out for that (see http://www.benzworld.org/forums/audi...-adapter.html).

quantira2

Thanks guys,
Great insight.. I think i will focus on 2004 and 2005 S500.. Seems 04 represents a good price/value point..
Now on to the next question, seems a nicely equipped 04 varies between 41-49.. Assuming mileage between 30-40K, what do you guys think is a fair price/good deal for a nicely equipped one..
Thanks again,
Ozgur

ex-BenzDriver9

Get an LS Lexus. The S class is a terrible car.

Skylaw

I had asked to be put on Steve Krabbenborg's mailing list for his iPod integration kit for MOST bus (the one I believe miroj has posted pictures of on BenzWorld). Today I received a disappointing but straightforward e-mail from Wanda (Big Sis), Steve's sister:

"MBenzNL iPod kit:

"I asked Steve about status of the MBenzNL iPod kit. A friend of ours was helping us develope such a kit. However, there have been quite some issues with it - one of which was that it took quite a lot of time to get this kit finished and fully tested.

"Steve decided to no longer try and get this kit finished and released. It doesn't matter how well your product will work: if you are the last one to release it on the market, you are simply too late.

"We realize that you have been waiting for a positive feedback, but unfortunately Steve decided otherwise."

The e-mail does not indicate that Steve doesn't install other iPod kits - including those from MB - but it's bad news for the one that looked the best so far.

Thus, the kits offering integration (steering wheel controls and some kind of song information readout) for MOST bus seem to be the Dension Gateway 500 (available from European sources, and perhaps some in Canada), and the Neo ProLink available from Mp3YourCar.com. See http://www.benzworld.org/forums/audi...d-adapter.html for links and some discussion.
_____________

rieger

Seems like you had problems with your 2001 S430 also. Mine was mostly rusting. Did you have the same problem with yours or was yours mostly electrical?

ex-BenzDriver9

My S 500 was an absolute nightmare, and it was in the shop once every 2-3 months for electrical problems.

I get the 430 this coming Friday, but it's had the A/C unit replaced twice already and it has about 30K on the odometer.

My plan is to keep this **** sled for a few months once a better job firms up then I will sell it for an Acura RL or an LS Lexus.

kenstudios

I feel your pain. I've fixed just about everything on this one.

ex-BenzDriver9

At least we are in the same boat. I find it funny over on the 221 forum how some of those owners are raving about how spectacular their vehicles are.

It's nice to see people enjoy their new cars no matter what kind of car it is, but I have a strange feeling they will go the same route of the 220's and **** the bed sooner or later.

After such a terrible ownership experience, I will gladly give my money to the Japanese. You at least know they will do anything and everything to make sure you love your car.

rieger

No kidding it is nice to meet another down to earth MB owner. When my car is junk I'll admit it no matter if it is a hyundai,MB or Lexus.