log1k

Where to start....I am a 23year old grad student who is hoping to get an s65 in the next 7months. Obviously it will be slightly used, and I am fine with that. Infact I love the w220 S class way more than the newest version. I am aware that they don't hold their value, and I am fine with that, I don't intend on getting rid of it for a long long time....What I need from you seasoned veterans is advice. What should I know prior to purchasing this particular automobile? This will be a tremendous upgrade from my current automobile (1999 Olds Intrigue, it will be a collector though LOL).

How do extended warranties work with these cars ?

Can I purchase an extended warranty even if the manufacture's warranty is over?

Can I purchase another extended warranty after an extended warranty is over ?

Are there any serious issues regarding electrical or mechanical that have plagued the s65 ?

This car will be driven all the time except for snow or rain....it won't be a garage queen by any means....Being a 200k vechicle can it handle the roads in the NYtristate area without giving me problems every month?

Lastly, are there any forum threads that I should read so I can know everything about the w220 ?


I thank you all in advance....and please bare with my newbie questions.

srknutson

Congratulations on your first step with your journey towards your W220. Wow a student and wanting to purchase an S65! I don't know what your expecting me to say given I own only a S500. Which is a third car and has not even been driven in the rain. But hear goes!

I would check to see how much insurance and personal property taxes are before making any further moves towards this car. Secondly when looking for a used car which they all will be, you may want to limit your choices. I believe if you purchase a certified MB S65 you will receive an additional 12 months warrenty. You may also be able to purchase the extended warrenty you desire when the first expires, from MBUSA. Which will cost more than a third party extended warrenty, but may provide better coverage of a major problem the car may have in the future.

Lastly it's been my experience with used MB cars to choose wisely. The lowest miles are only your first step, you must then be very knowlegeable about how many times the car has been sold. You must then look very close at the vehicle to see how it has been cared for. Only then will you be able to start your neogiations on price. Good luck, these are very special cars don't go into purchasing one if you belief you can't afford the next service. I'm very certain an oil/filter change will cost close to 1k.

LetsJet

Do you think this might be a bit much car for a recent grad student? Even if money isn't an issue are you concerned about how it will present? You realize it would be a bit unusual for someone your age to be able to make this purchase a fiscally sound idea....


You asked for advise from seasoned veterans.... so let me start with these few questions first.

victorylap

When I purchased my pre-owned vehicle at MB, purchasing the 'starmark' extended warranty was the best thing ever - the extended warranty covers bumper to bumper drivetrain for an add'l 4 years and up to 100k miles and most of all piece of mind. Good luck with the new ride.

log1k

You're absoloutely right....To me this purchase is something more (sounds corny I know)...I am not thinking of what others will think. Based on things I am currently working on I am projecting seven months. This will be my own money, no one is going to help me, my parents think spending money on automobiles is foolish. I definitely would not make such a purchase if I thought it would ruin me financially. Throughout my short time on this earth I have set goals for myself. So far I have achieved them all. This is just one of those goals.

LetsJet

Goals are good to have and I wish you well on all of them. I only caution you to focus the majority of your goals on appreciating assets... not depreciating....

If you are 7 months out on this issue I'd table it for now, but to answer your questions. It will be easier and cheaper to get an extended warranty before the manufacturers warranty expires. I know of no real issues specific to the car but when things go wrong repairs are expensive. I'm sure a lot of NY guys ride their v12s hard year long but like anything else, you pay a price.

Keep us posted.......

Skylaw

There are quite a few forum threads on the W220, particularly with regards to reliability. However, it will pay you to ascertain the differences between the S65 and the S500/S430. I have no hands-on experience with the S65 - but its suspension uses spring struts, not airmatic. It does have Active Body Control (ABC), an hydraulic system for additional control. Therefore, the bad stuff you see on airmatic failures for the S500/S430 does not apply. Some of the writeups on ABC may carry over.

Second, as I'm certain you're aware, it uses a V12 from the S600, souped up. You might have good luck researching S600 reliability as a carryover. You ask us for strings, and perhaps someone has some good ones bookmarked to give you - but you can do your own advanced search as well. Do the same on BenzWorld. Be sure to search all forums (except kids') on each.

Third, if things like DVD navigation vice CD, satellite radio, iPod integration, cell phone/PDA upgrades etc. are of concern, pay attention to whether your car has a D2B fiber optic bus or a MOST bus. The D2B bus is older (in the W220, it was used through the 2003 model year) and was used only by Mercedes; because it is older, for a time, more devices had been designed to add to its capabilities. However, the newer and more capable MOST bus is used by a variety of manufacturers; and because of the wider market, new products are becoming available at an increasing rate. Versions are not always made available for D2B equipped cars, and upgrade paths tend to be more limited for the older cars.

If I understand properly, you're looking to purchase a vehicle with 200K miles? Inadvisable. You won't be able to get much in extended warranty, and repairs will likely eat your budget alive. If I misunderstand, and you mean you'll keep it until you reach 200K miles, it's a different story - but once again, it is not likely you can get good extended warranty coverage that far out.

log1k

^^^I was referring to the price.....thank you very much for the information

my06clk

200K for ANY W220? You must be mad.Those car are no where near that now..In fact, 60'ish for a 2005 or 2006 MAY raise a brow.. otherwise you are in preowned w221 territory. So my advise is.. If you are going to splurge, widen you horizons a bit and get a w221. To me, it makes No sense to even consider paying anywhere near 50K ( which is my reasonable cut-off figure) for a W220 when the preowned W221 is already near or at that price. Even if its a S550 Who cares? there is absloutely no comparision between the two cars technology, looks and performance wise. Being 23, you should be able to appreciate that fact.
Don't get me twisted.. I like my w220, but there is no sentimental love that would make me buy another one as long as I know I can afford a pre-owned w221.

Plus, In seven months a w221 would be an even better buy since there will be more for preowned for sale AND, you have the resources.(or will ).Believe me, there will be plenty of preowned W221's on the market so I would wait.

Skylaw

You indicated "slightly used." A 2006 S65 in my neighborhood would bring about $121K in a private sale, and $128K from a dealer, in "good" condition. A good chunk of change, but at least it's not $200K, as it could have been brand new.

my06clk

I Get your point Skylaw but lets be even more realisitc here...

According to the Known inflated market values of KBB, the trade-in on a 2006 s65 with 35K miles in my zip code would fetch 71K to 85 from fair to excellent. Using the middle figure that would put you at about 80K for "good condition".

to my earlier point.. Umm hello?? why would a person do this when he can move into the new era of luxury for the same money?? Infact. Autotrader currenty has appox 461 2007 S550's listed with and average price of 93.9K, 64K being the lowest.
On the 2006 S65 there are around 24 listed with an average price of 121.6K,
5 are in the 90's and 1 is in the 80's
So it seems there are PLENTY of w221's out there... and will be more since the 08's are inbound...

I guess its just my money talking out loud..but I'm for the future of cars.. and the twin turbo headache on wheels with the old body style purchased at a premium for a daily driver is NOT the move....

But we are talking about a dream in the mind of a 23 year old here.. his mind probably had changed before he finished typing the thread.
(remember those days...)

log1k

I was referring to the original price of the car.....and if its capable of handling being used everyday. I am not changing my mind by any means. I will have an s65

AsianML

Meh, personally, I'd just get an S500. A W220 is a W220. Spend the extra money leftover to start a business, invest in some real estate, anything that can go up in value. Then much longer down the road, I could buy a whole fleet of S69483 AMGs or whatever they'll be by then.

newton22

Are you positive the S65 uses the same V12 motor as the S600? For the longest time, I was pretty sure they were entirely different blocks. Or are you suggesting both cars use the same blocks, with the S65 bored out to 6.0L (I think it was 6.0L)?

LetsJet

Have you driven the 600? It's worth the extra as these are depreciating quick. I don't think there is much need for the 65 but that's just IMO.......

log1k

I know you guys are concerned with a 23 year old purchasing an s65, but I already have one home, and I am about to get another...nothing fancy, but they do the job...


Thanks for all the input

Skylaw

I only know what I have read about the engine, so rely on the writeups of others. The articles I read (one MB release simply stating the displacement and that the engine was turbocharged, and two automotive reviewers, one of whom stated that it was the same V-12 used in the S600, bored and turbocharged). If anyone has different or contrary information, I would defer to that.

AsianML

Fine, go with the S600. S65 is a little over the top at this point in time, IMHO.

newton22

AML, if I gave you a S500 to drive, you would come back to me in two years begging for a S-class with more power.

AsianML

Baaaaa....not if I drive in Michigan!!! I'd be begging for a new Airmatic and new wheels before I got the chance to beg for more power...

LetsJet

Hey, I've been on 75..... they move out on that road.

Still, I thought you could only drive American up there.

AsianML

I live in the West side where they make furniture and farm.

2k2s430

Actually you would be surprised, here where I live the most popular American car is the Grand Cherokee, and the majority of cars on the road here in my neighborhood are foreign.