Thinking of buying 2006 S500 AMG
#1
Thinking of buying 2006 S500 AMG
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.
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.
#2
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96 and 08 911 turbos
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.
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.
#3
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2005 S500 4Matic
Besides that, don't feel tempted to leave the key in the car! Doesn't work either (for safety / security reasons).
#5
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96 and 08 911 turbos
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.
#7
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!
Last edited by blk133; 10-18-2008 at 05:01 PM.
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#8
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96 and 08 911 turbos
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) speed difference?
Thanks guys!
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.
#9
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White S63 AMG W/Designo Interior
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.
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'15 CLS63 sAMG, '91 GMC Syclone, '89 Saleen Mustang Turbo Intercooled
#12
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FR-S, GLK, M5, 250KM Eclass
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.
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.
Last edited by twinturba; 10-18-2008 at 09:34 PM.
#13
V12 is 100% out of a question for me.
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'15 CLS63 sAMG, '91 GMC Syclone, '89 Saleen Mustang Turbo Intercooled
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.
Last edited by Sysopz; 10-18-2008 at 09:54 PM.
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2005 S500 4Matic
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!
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.
#17
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2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
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.
As for acceleration, the S500 4-Matic is no slouch, even if just a tad heavier than the RWD.
Last edited by Skylaw; 10-28-2008 at 11:59 PM.
#18
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2005 S500 4Matic
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.
As for acceleration, the S500 4-Matic is no slouch, even if just a tad heavier than the RWD.
It's only that I was looking for a RWD in the first place, but was not able to find one
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
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
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
The 4Matic really gives better handling under non-optimal road conditions (Full stop)
![bow](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/bowdown.gif)
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
![drive](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/driving.gif)
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
End of hymn to my S-Class.
![bow](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/bowdown.gif)
![bow](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/bowdown.gif)
![bow](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/bowdown.gif)
Last edited by Dino I; 10-29-2008 at 10:46 AM.
#19
MBWorld Fanatic!
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![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
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
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
End of hymn to my S-Class.![bow](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/bowdown.gif)
![bow](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/bowdown.gif)
![bow](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/bowdown.gif)
It's only that I was looking for a RWD in the first place, but was not able to find one
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
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
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
The 4Matic really gives better handling under non-optimal road conditions (Full stop)
![bow](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/bowdown.gif)
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
![drive](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/driving.gif)
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
End of hymn to my S-Class.
![bow](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/bowdown.gif)
![bow](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/bowdown.gif)
![bow](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/bowdown.gif)
#20
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.
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.
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#22
#23
Senior Member
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.
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