Hello all! First time poster.....has a question 01 S500
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Super Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 646
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15' W222
Hello all! First time poster.....has a question 01 S500
Hello everyone. I've been lurking around the forum awhile as I've always been a big fan of the 00-06 S-Classes and since the prices have dropped like a rock I have decided to bite the bullet and go for it. I'm considering purchasing a 01 S500 from a used car dealership for $17k with 94k miles on it. I have seen them for a few thousand cheaper in the private sector but I plan on financing it and if all goes well it will work out well with what I'm comfortable with montly payment wise.
My question(s) is: What specifically should I be looking for? Anything I should be leary of?
There is an independant MB mechanic in town that will go over the car for no charge but needs the car for the whole day. I haven't asked the dealer for this option to have it checked out first, but I will. The dealership offers a 1 year warranty as well, but I'm sure it's just a major power-train parts warranty and nothing that will cover expensive struts or things like that.
My question(s) is: What specifically should I be looking for? Anything I should be leary of?
There is an independant MB mechanic in town that will go over the car for no charge but needs the car for the whole day. I haven't asked the dealer for this option to have it checked out first, but I will. The dealership offers a 1 year warranty as well, but I'm sure it's just a major power-train parts warranty and nothing that will cover expensive struts or things like that.
Last edited by LAWYER2; May 12, 2008 at 03:16 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
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Well, first things first. Welcome aboard. Now the real stuff. It would be a great car if you pay cash and save the monthly note for repairs and maintenance. If you finance that baby you may regret your decision down the line especially considering depreciation rate of the W220. It's one thing to afford the monthly notes, it's another to maintain these cars especially considering it's an almost 8 year old car. Just because it says MB doesnt mean it maintenance free. If you feel your finances are great to purchase and maintain, get it, if not, get something else under warranty. If you want to finance, get a 2004-06 model years and finance that then buy extended warranty. You'll need it. There are alot of updates on those model years that are missing on the 2000-2002 model. If you are brave enough, then get it.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 64
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From: O'fallon
01 S500, 02 Volvo C70, 96 Royalstar
If it's at a dealership then they shouldn't have any problem taking the car to your mechanic. They would probably want a deposit to make sure you're serious about the car. I just bought an 01 S500 in March and I love it! The things to check for are the airmatic suspension. Check to make sure there aren't any warning signals coming from the display screen. Get a Carfax report on it for sure. I know the 2000 has some first year problems but you should be better with the 01. Good luck.
Dennis
Dennis
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 349
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S430 Sold :(
Well, first things first. Welcome aboard. Now the real stuff. It would be a great car if you pay cash and save the monthly note for repairs and maintenance. If you finance that baby you may regret your decision down the line especially considering depreciation rate of the W220. It's one thing to afford the monthly notes, it's another to maintain these cars especially considering it's an almost 8 year old car. Just because it says MB doesnt mean it maintenance free. If you feel your finances are great to purchase and maintain, get it, if not, get something else under warranty. If you want to finance, get a 2004-06 model years and finance that then buy extended warranty. You'll need it. There are alot of updates on those model years that are missing on the 2000-2002 model. If you are brave enough, then get it.
Last edited by jfendis430; May 12, 2008 at 04:24 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 27
From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
Here's some good advice regarding evaluating a warranty: https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w220/243788-extended-warranty.html
Unfortunately, most good warranties will not extend past 100K miles - so setting aside $$ for maintenance may be your only choice.
Some opinions on reliability and systems are here: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...-look-out.html
Unfortunately, most good warranties will not extend past 100K miles - so setting aside $$ for maintenance may be your only choice.
Some opinions on reliability and systems are here: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...-look-out.html
