Hey guys, my first post so please take it easy if my questions were answered before.

As topic says I am looking to buy an S500 '06 (AMG).

Anything I should look for that should've been changed by previous owner?

I understand that car is still under warranty for some time, but still it's nice to know what goes bad first and if it hasn't gone bad yet, when can I expect it to go...

Also the engine stop/start button, do I still need to insert the key in? Or can the key just be in my pocket?

Thanks,
B.

 

First off, the S500 is not an AMG model. You can get it with the AMG sport package, but that does not result in any engine modifications, just wheels, and body kit.

Look at the airmatic strut tops for cracking in the epoxy, a bad instrument cluster, and some typical problems with door control modules, or other electronic items. With a car this loaded with electronics, its hard to know if a failure is right around the corner. The mechanicals of the car are solid.

If you spec a car with keyless go, you do not need to insert a key into the ignition.

close the door, foot on brake, push button, and its running. the key only needs to be in the car.

 

Adding to that, I have to emphasize, that the key has to be in the car. It doesn't work, if you stand next to it (showing your friend the feature by saying "step on brake, press the button". Nothing will happen!

Besides that, don't feel tempted to leave the key in the car! Doesn't work either (for safety / security reasons).

 

And a small footnote: The door does not need to be closed...the key just needs to be inside the car and someone's foot on the brake.

 

hmm. I don't think my car will actually start with the door open. I know the ignition will come on, and I'll get all the warning lights/radio, but I don't think the engine actually fires. I"ll have to test it out.

 

at this rate id rather buy an 05 s55 or 04 05 s600 amg over an 06 s500

 

To be honest with you, I wanted an S600 since 1994 back in that body, so I've been wanting this car for almost 15 years now. But times change and our views change and V12 is just not what I can afford to fix when it brakes right now. Of course if I had a lot of money I'd go for a 2009 S65 but it's just not the case. An S55 I like very much, but pricewise I can't get 2006 and 2005 is almost out of warranty. On this note, anyone has any idea on the cost of an extended warranty for an S500 or S55?
For those people who think if you can't afford to fix it then don't buy it please don't waste your time responding.

One more thing... Since I never did any research on the car even though I always knew I want one, what is the difference between S500 4matic and S500 with AMG body kit except that 4matic is 4 wheel drive of course.
a) is there difference in transmission?
b) is there 4matic with AMG body kit?
c) performance difference?

Thanks guys!

 

In 2006, you could get the amg (sport) body kit on either the rwd s500 or the 4matic awd. The number of drive wheels had no effect on the bodykit option.

The 4matic option means you get the 5 speed tranny as opposed to the 7 speed. I actually prefer the 5 speed, as I feel the 7 speed is always shifting, and tends to hunt for gears a bit.

B. Yes, you can get the 4matic with the sport option (which I have).

The 4matics are about 100-150 lbs heavy because of the front diff, axles, and the transfer case, but lets face it, on a car like this, that much difference in weight is not going to change the car from fast to slow. its a "quick" car either way, but if you are looking for speed, a 55 might be a better option. Both are limited to 130mph.

 

do what you want, there one year apart in warranty wise an 06 s500 and 05 s55....plus you can get extended warranties.....and trust me....ive owned an s500 for two years....yes its great....but s55 is even more fun.

 

What he said...get the extended warranty for about $2-3K...should extend it to 100K miles.

 

Extended my MB warranty till 2011 or 100k miles for $3900, I only have 42k miles now so it was a good deal.

 

I just bought an '06 S500 and am happy with the buy so far. It was a CPO from MB dealer so I paid a little more for the 100k Warranty extension, easy finance, great service and the fact my Wife and I have have purchased a brand new E from them years ago. They offered to extend the warranty further 2 years for $3600 which I might end up doing.

Before buying I considered an older S55 and same year S430 and S500 4matic. I ended with the S500 because of the good MPG and smoothness of the 7-speed transmission. The 4-matic was not more important than better MPG for me as I live in a mild climate area and never see snow and not much rain. The S55 was what I really wanted, but I couldn't find one with low mileage or factory warranty or new enough in my price range, and the fact that the mpg is similar to S600. The S430 was a little cheaper but not that much better of MPG to sway me from the "500" MB prestige. In the end I rationalized the S500 being the best compromise of all aspects of ownership of the w220 and purchased accordingly.

For "fun" factor I will sell my GS400 and buy something "fun" like a w208 55 amg. If money was no object of course I would buy a new S65 or whatever the newest, biggest, baddest S-class there is out there now or just buy another more expensive and even more fun sports car.

 

I guess it's more cause of V12? Read somewhere that warranty company don't even want to give a quote for S600's because of a high repair cost.

V12 is 100% out of a question for me.

 

I think you are right a 3rd party warranty company won't even quote the v12. The CPO S class 500/600/55/65 are one the best value deals in the used car market today, I have seen some sick deals on CPO S65's for under 70k, that's just crazy for such a world class car.

I got my CPO '03 S600 sport w/ 42k miles and 3 yr or 100k miles warranty for 40k, I think I did pretty good. My prior car was a '03 S500 4 matic that I had for 3 years and 30k miles and it was a great car never any problems.

 

As already stated, (but not 100% correct)

a) 4Matic gets 5speed, RWD gets 7speed transmission.
b) yes, but no staggered setup, you get 18 inch same size all around (and you shouldn't consider changing that to a staggered setup, do a search on the forums).
c) yes. The 4Matic is heavier and has the "older" 5sp. Less MPG. Less acceleration. Less shifting.

 

Thank you guys! Now it's the time to find one!

 

I agree with Dino 1, but would add that even in dry conditions, the command of the road is absolutely great with a 4-Matic. Of course, its wet or otherwise slippery road handling is superb. As soon as I drove one, I traded my '00 S500 for the car I have now. Having been spoiled by driving Audi's Quattro system for more than a decade, I was happy to get back to AWD.

As for acceleration, the S500 4-Matic is no slouch, even if just a tad heavier than the RWD.

 

I fully agree with that.

It's only that I was looking for a RWD in the first place, but was not able to find one .

That is with a whole bunch of installed options and a good warranty (i.e. CPO'ed). The only missing options on my S500 were designo (rarely available on 05 models), sport package (I could easily go without) and heated steering wheel (what for?). But I was keen on getting the 7sp tranny and the ABC, both of which were not available as an option on the 4Matics...

I have (and will) get used to that. Satisfied with what I got

The 4Matic really gives better handling under non-optimal road conditions (Full stop) And that (now) outweighs the absence of the other options.

You only need to get saved by 4Matic once, to get paid back in full.

I really like and enjoy driving my W220 (more so than my previous W140). I even asked my wife to move a little bit further away from my working place, just to be able to drive it longer during the day

End of hymn to my S-Class.

 

GOT TO LOVE THE W220'S TOTAL PACKAGE

 

Hi, I have a 2006 s500 bought at 142000 miles now it's at 187000 miles. first thing i did was change engine oil added liquid molly 0-40 and added ceratec additive from liquid moly and changed air filters to k and n air filters then i did transmission fluid change diff fluid change first thing went bad was coils spark plugs wires so i changed maf sensor all map sensors egr valve check valve charge valve sensore crankshaft sensor new s55 injectors then engine rear mail seal goes out alot on w220 models so i replaced that for $750 with my guy shop motor mounts transmission mounts and u gotta change flex disks u need 2 for drive shaft 1 on each side and i did front upper lower control arms all 4 struts arnott remanufactured brand $50 each at junkyard yes at pick a part. i did new oil pan and new emgine oil level sensor, i did fuel filter fuel pump then added s55 airbox for more air big ddifferance then s65 mufflers cut secondary cats added x pipe deleted resonators i also upgraded to s55 calipers rotors brakes new fluid flush added ate racing grade fluid i also flushed radiator added new coolant rasivour tank flushed the cradiator 3 times added new coolant and rear firewall plastic hose gos bad cracks leaks the coolant i replaced that also rear sunshade goes bad takes hours to replace. then important to replace coolanr sensor then i replaced radiator at 181000 miles new lower and new upper radiator hoses new thermostat new water pump new manifold module that opens and closes the valve. new idler tenshioner pullies new belt and i do oil change every 5000 miles and every 40000 miles transmission fluid and diff fluid i replaced diff seals i did drive shaft support replacement and did new starter i did shifter reprogramming cuz parking sensors wouldnt work it had o do with shifter going bad so i bought new shifter and reprogrammed it, call me any time 424-999-6000.i have list of what i did first i got the car on march 6 2020. i will never sell my car. and u will have internel seal cracks where oil will drip n cause blue smoke needs to be checked its pistons or top seals i also replaced the valve seal gaskets they were leaking when i got the car i change them every 40000 miles. but trust me worth it this all id did half of it cuz i wanted to do them before they went bad i hav had w220 since 2007 had 2000 s500 2003 s500 2004 s430 2004 cl500 2003 ml350 2005 c230k now have 2006 s500.

 

Epic bump. This thread was 14 years old lol

 

lmaooo this was my first time i didnt see the date cuz when i see w220 owner in need of help i jump in lol.

 

I continually see negative comments on the ABC system. The system provides a fantastic ride and suspension control when properly set up. The ABC system is no more complex or troublesome than other 'semi/active 'suspension systems. One big difference is the use of high-pressure hoses everywhere with b-spoke connections. All the high-pressure hoses are CRAP, with consistent failures caused by deteriorated rubber and failures at the ******* hose/metal pipe transitions. One can remove ALL the offending hoses and have a good hydraulic shop make-up ones with new, U.S. made 'double wire' hoses and TIG welded on original fittings for less than $2,000. The hydraulic accumulators ARE a 5 year routine replacement item for another $1500. Then, the system is bulletproof. Change the fluid and filters every 50,000 miles.