Looking for a little direction
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 69
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From: West Covina,CA
2000 ML 320
Looking for a little direction
Hi guys,
I come from the lowly Chrysler ML320 forum and I am in the market for either an (W220) S500 or an E500. I've been following this forum for about a month now. Just a few things:
Are there certain years I should be concerned with?
Are there any consistent problems with the whole W220 run?
Do all S's have the door close feature? I'm not crazy about frilly bells and whistles as they just seem like another feature that could fail.
This seems to be a great forum, so thanks in advance for any advice.
I come from the lowly Chrysler ML320 forum and I am in the market for either an (W220) S500 or an E500. I've been following this forum for about a month now. Just a few things:
Are there certain years I should be concerned with?
Are there any consistent problems with the whole W220 run?
Do all S's have the door close feature? I'm not crazy about frilly bells and whistles as they just seem like another feature that could fail.
This seems to be a great forum, so thanks in advance for any advice.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 39
From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
the search is a powerful tool in this forum, but I'll shoot some things your way.
Yes, just act like the 00-02 don't exist. The use the old style command, have generally lower reliability, and appear more dated due to the headlight and tailights.
You didn't mention a budget, so I would go for the 05-06 models. I feel that the quality was quite good in these years, you get the updated looks, DVD wide-screen navigation, and you have a hope of still being under warranty for at least a little while.
Sure, airmatic struts up front tend to leak. While this is generally more pronounced on early models, a late model can have issues. Strut top seal plates are the most common fix, and that runs about $650 at the dealer. Reman struts can be had for $400 and seem to be a good option.
The instrument cluster can go dark, but that is covered under a 10 year factory warranty.
ABS/ESP errors are fairly common, but are typically attributed to either a weak battery or an ABS wheel speed sensor. Fairly cheap to fix.
There are other issues that people have had, but overall, not bad.
Yes, they should. I love this feature, and its honestly not that complicated. Failures do happen, but worst case, you close the door a bit harder. A failure here does not prevent the doors from closing. Most people fix it though because its so cool.
that should get you started.
Yes, just act like the 00-02 don't exist. The use the old style command, have generally lower reliability, and appear more dated due to the headlight and tailights.
You didn't mention a budget, so I would go for the 05-06 models. I feel that the quality was quite good in these years, you get the updated looks, DVD wide-screen navigation, and you have a hope of still being under warranty for at least a little while.
Sure, airmatic struts up front tend to leak. While this is generally more pronounced on early models, a late model can have issues. Strut top seal plates are the most common fix, and that runs about $650 at the dealer. Reman struts can be had for $400 and seem to be a good option.
The instrument cluster can go dark, but that is covered under a 10 year factory warranty.
ABS/ESP errors are fairly common, but are typically attributed to either a weak battery or an ABS wheel speed sensor. Fairly cheap to fix.
There are other issues that people have had, but overall, not bad.
Yes, they should. I love this feature, and its honestly not that complicated. Failures do happen, but worst case, you close the door a bit harder. A failure here does not prevent the doors from closing. Most people fix it though because its so cool.
that should get you started.
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: West Covina,CA
2000 ML 320
Thanks Oliverk, I think you just about covered what I needed.
My biggest concern was being able to do some work on it myself and this forum seems to have some great tips. I have been successful with working on my ML. Like many have said on this forum "It's still just a car..."
Thanks again...
My biggest concern was being able to do some work on it myself and this forum seems to have some great tips. I have been successful with working on my ML. Like many have said on this forum "It's still just a car..."
Thanks again...
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 378
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From: CT
04 S430 4Matic/03 Ml 320/ 98' E320 4matic/ 73' slc 450/ 05 cherokee
from what I have read...and from experience...04's are decent too if money is a little tighter...but wit hthe market the way it is you can get the 05=06 for what someone would have normally paid for that 04
these are great cars...you'll fall in love wit hbot hof them...especially the S.
goodluck
these are great cars...you'll fall in love wit hbot hof them...especially the S.
goodluck
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
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04 S430 (sold),05 X5 4.4i, 02 325i, 87 560SL, 85 Alfa Romeo
