hadam

I have been W210’s Owner for while. I have done most of the work on W210’s as DIY. The cost of owning W210 is very good.

I love the style and driving of W220, but always worry about Airmatic failure. Now the prices of W220 have dropped down significantly and I can easily afford 2006 S500, I want to go for it.

I am getting ready to buy 2006 S500. I will be buying from Non-MB used car dealer or private seller. The Car will not be CPO, but it still have 1 year or 10000 miles left on base factory 4years/50000miles warranty.

I am getting now 2006 S500 with 40000 miles in good condition for just under $30000. I know prices will fall more lately this year due to sluggish Economy and high fuel cost.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true


http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true



Lots of used car dealer are willing to negotiate prices. They are getting desperate to sale the cars.

I got following questions for all before I jump in buying 2006 S500.

1. Can I get MB extended warranty if the car still covers under basic 4years/50000miles warranty? Can I extended 50,000 miles base warranty to 3years/100000miles?

2. Is Airmatic still problem in 2006 W220?

3. If I don’t buy CPO MB, how much $$ I shall keep as reserve in case if Airmatic fails.

4. After the purchase of 2006 S500 while it is still under basic 4years/50000miles warranty, can I push MB dealer to change my Airmatic System under warranty?

5. What MPG you get on 2006 S500? Can I get at least 20 MPG in city/highway mix driving?

6. Is 2006 S500 comes with sport option as base offer? Because I am finding all the 2006 S500 has AMG sport on it.

whoover

1. You can't. The original (first) owner can buy one or two years of extended warranty with 100K mile limit. If you find a car from a private party who was the first owner you might be able to work this out, but CPO is a lot easier way to get this warranty, and it can be for 1, 2 or 3 years.

2. The latest Airmatic struts are more robust, but there are many parts of this system that can lead to failure.

3. Airmatic is not the only expensive failure possible. Many electronic components (modules, door-close/seat pump, SAMs, ...) are likely candidates and can easily result in $2,000 or more in repair. Airmatic can be $4,000 or more depending on what goes. By the way, have you considered an ABC car? Many of us think the handling is dramatically improved, and while ABC can also have expensive failures they seem to be less catastrophic. The usual repair is a valve block and fluid flush, which is more like $1,000. In any case, you really should invest in a CPO or extended warranty car unless you enjoy gambling.

4. I don't understand the question. If the system isn't broken, nobody is going to repair it.

5. I think so but I drive a different model.

6. Yes, 2006 S500s had the Sport package standard.

Gondon

Why not get a 03-05 S55/S600?

Quadcammer

maybe he doesn't care about the power?

I sure don't. My 500 has more then enough power to get me around, and I have a sports car for the rest.

Hadam, you won't regret a 220. It is most certainly an upgrade from a 210, regardless of what Ohlord tells you.

zam2000

I went through the same ordeal a year ago, so allow me to pitch in:

1. Yes, most likely the front strut cap crack, and cause the air matic failure. Upgrade part came out lately, and seem to completely eliminate problem. On 2000-2000, air matic is much less reliable, and could fail anywhere (very expensive repair), on 2003-on, the only common problem is the front cap crack. $400-500 job. No you can't extend the warranty if you're not the one who purchase the warranty originally.

2. See (1)

3. None. The smart money is the one spent to have the car checked out when you inspect & buy it. On 2000-2002, you should set aside couple K for strut failure. I was offered warranty to 100K mile when I bought it (54K mile back then) for $3400. I declined. A year later, and my car is now 100K mile, I spent $1000 for repair total (EIS and air-matic), most warranty don't cover suspension job, so the most they would pay is $450 for the EIS repair. So look like I made out okey.

4. No unless it fails, which is unlikely.

5. Yes. I am avg 21-22 on my S430, 160 daily commute. My colleagues get 19-20 on his S500.

6. Yes

hadam

Thanks every one for your feed back.

Zam, dam you drive a lot. Thanks for your advice.

Zam, is Fletcher Jones Motorcars (Newport Beach) is good dealer, I am seeing lots of used cars 2006 S500 deals. Look like they are getting lot of lease car back.

Also Mercedes - Benz of Laguna Niguel is offering many lease return 2006 S500, any one have any experience with this dealership??

Is most of the MB cars get 36 to 39 months lease? I am seeing many of 2006 S-Class coming out of lease for sales; most of them went on lease around 4/2005 through 8/2005.

SKYLAW, one question for you about the phone system in 2006 S500, is phone system already was offer as standard like sport package on 2006 S500? Do I only need Bluetooth puck to get my phone system going in 2006 S500 or I need to spend $2500 to buy all kind of stuff to make my phone system work?

whoover

The phone wiring/voice control was not standard on 2006 W220. Look in the center console. If there's a cradle when you lift the small door, all you need is the Bluetooth puck. If it's a flat felt floor, you need another $1,500 or more of work

You should also see the VCS stalk on the right of the steering column if the car has had the phone electronics installed.

AH1W-COBRA

both of these dealers are top of the line that strive for customer satisfaction,but they generally cater to the wealthy that buy a new MB every two years.they get alot of low mile lease backs that they are motivated to sell,they arent likely to make any mistakes that would ever cost you a penny,and they will not sell/represent a lemon or problematic car.get a CPO car,the prices are fantastic right now and will enable you to buy from a reputable dealer.

wyatt earp

I have obtained all of my Mercedes from Fletcher Jones (3 cars over 10 years) and can rate them as an excellent dealer to do business with.

hadam

How CPO work?

Dealear is telling me it is 1 year and 100,000 miles limited warrenty.

Is CPO only good for 1 year?

I can save $7-8K if I buy car without CPO, If CPO only good for 1 year then is it worth to purchase preown certified car from Stealer?

Musikmann

CPO gets you 1 year and 100,000 miles factory MB warranty automatically. On a 2006 you can pay to extend that to at least 3 or 4 years and 100,000. MB will allow a total extension of 7 years, but no more than 100,000 miles, from the date the car was titled to the original owner. Also, you can pay to extend the CPO at any time during the 1 year/100,000 that comes with it.

my06clk

That's true... Its not worth the mark-up at all!!! Go for the under 30 car.. Its still under factory warranty so who cares about some stupid CPO. you automatically save thousands...Plus if anything is wrong those same "CPO" dealers have to fix it because of the factory warranty....

Thats my .02

hadam

Thanks for the input on CPO. Yep, I may don't waste my $$ and just get without CPO.

The next dealer only hiline auction in Riverside, California is on 8/14/2008. I might try my luck there. Prices are getting better each month. I believe the arrival of W221 realy depressed the price of W220.

2006 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 14,475 BRI SIL $38,500
2006 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 31,534 HOR BLU $27,000
2006 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 23,809 BLACK $24,500
2006 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 81,092 BRI SIL $21,000
2006 S500 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC MR 4X2 49,119 BLUE $26,000
2006 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 38,371 OBS BLK $33,250
2006 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 34,117 PEWTER $32,000
2006 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 63,465 ALB WHT $28,500
2005 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 53,606 BRI SIL $23,250
2005 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 106,599 PEWTER $17,500
2005 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 48,447 BRI SIL $24,000
2005 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 70,232 BLACK $21,000
2004 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 33,980 PEWTER $24,500
2004 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 51,027 BRI SIL $19,500
2004 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 63,490 BLACK $19,000
2004 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 86,243 WHI 960 $13,500
2004 S55AMG 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC MR 36,568 SILVER $32,500



You can see from below link how used car dealer buy the car from auction and then mark up from $7-10K.



http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...4&rdpage=thumb


2005 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 33,581 ALB WHT $28,000



http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e=&cardist=172


2006 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 36,344 TAN $26,250



http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...8&rdpage=thumb


2004 S430V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 68,124 BLACK $18,250

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...2&rdpage=thumb


2006 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 4X2 25,378 BRI SIL $34,750


http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/search...sfyc=&systime=

2005 S500V 8G 4DSN A PS PB AC SR 22,660 OBS BLK $28,750

hadam

Do any one have any check list that I can use to inspect the car?

Or you can direct me to link in this forum or Benzworld.com to find this check list.

Like I learn about Airmatic for 2006, look for crackes for leaks.

Like look for D connecton for phone system.

Something similar to any other issue that I check before purchase of 2006 S500.