I have asked very few question since being a member. Mainly someone has already asked and answered...which is great. Thanks guys! My situation is I own a 2003 e320(one owner, myself). It has 114,000 miles. It has always been serviced at the dealership. I came across a 2000 s430 sports pkg with 52,000mi its in great condition. The asking price is 16,995. Would this be a wise trade? Thanks for the wisdom...

 

No. Stay away from 2000-2003 W220s!

 

The history on the car is pretty bad huh! Are the 2004 s430/500 better with maintenance..

 

The reason he said this is because most of the problems that are posted on this forum are specific to the older predated models from 2000 to 2002. Problem that scare me to death. Problems that don't occur in the updated models.

Get the 2004 and above with the new DVD nav. I personally have a 2004 S500 4Matic and it's one of the most reliable car I have driven. Way more reliable than my 2006 C230 I had brand new. Just some Airmatic issues (search the forum) but it only came once for me 30,000 miles ago and hopefully won't come again for another 50,000 miles.

 

Dont listen Oxygen, lol (Im playing man). A 2000 2005 doesnt matter. Every car has problems. If you like something then get it. I traded a 1997 bmw 740il for a 1995 mercedes S coupe back in the day and yeah, it was older but boy was it worth it. That being said. I understand that some E class units have air suspension and some do not. Not sure what the e class model years are when this is but if it where my choice I would do it on certain conditions namely one. If you have air suspension on you e class then it doesnt make a difference, get an S class and enjoy. If you do not have air suspension I would keep the e class. Also, the money you can get for a s class has hit a low point to were it is at a very slow decline now. If its a money and savings issue the E class still has some plummenting to do on the resale value. Keeping it could cost you even more than any maintence issue on any model S class.

Plenty of people here have 2000-2003 s classes and enjoy them as much as people with 04-06. If you want one then test drive them and see. I trust my 2000 before a lot of 2004's I have been in. Recalls and proper maintenance on a older w220 has addressed most of the issues. Like yourself I have had newer mercedes and older ones than the s class I have now plus I have other cars to go with it. Without a doubt, whichever choice you make, in which ever s class you decide even if you do. You will enjoy what you want more that what people recommend.

 

Anyway 16,995 is waaay to much to pay for a 2000 S class... I'm barely scraping 22K value for my 04. Which has a trade value of 13 to 14. so a 2000 is worth 7 or 8 tops... Keep your car or get a newer one.

 

My intention are to find a great deal on a 03/04 s430/500. Going back to autotrader and/or cars.com right now. I think i will extend my search area about 100 miles and see what comes up..Thanks GUYS for your input..power to the MBWORLD

 

If the person is doing a direct trade I would do it. The s class is worth more with that mileage then the E class by a considerable amount. I am looking at a money making point of view. Sorry, havent lost money on a car since 2002 and will hopefully never again. I just see a way to profit and still have a very nice car that you can sale for a lot more than what you have. This is assuming it would be a direct trade.

P.S. Dont forget to use craigslist.com along with yahoo.com to find auto's.

 

The saleman just sent me a video of the car. It was a trade for a lexus I did get a carfax report. It was just recently serviced at 50,000 at MBenz. I would only do a direct trade. That's kinda why it peaked my curiosity to ask you guys. it also has a 6 month 7500 mile nationwide warranty on the car fax.

 

16K Is still too much for a 2000 model S.Look at the actual trade vlaue for that car. Wholesalers and dealers are giving nothing for those cars.
Who cares about a 7500 mile warranty when you are paying tooo much for the car in the first place.

Truth is, dealers aren't stupid and they are n the business to make money not do you any favors.
That car more than likely has been sitting so long it wil soon be auction bait. How much do you think it will bring there?

IF you want to do that wanna give me 25 for my 2004 S and leave your E in my driveway?

 

This may have been true in the good ole days. but those days have long past.

the S class has a value of 15kish While the E clas is aroung 18K ish even with the miles.

The trade value and the value we really need to be looking at has a middle of 10.5 ish and 12.5 ish respectively.

How do you make money from that? and where do you see a cinsiderable amount of value in a 9 year old S class? IT's simply not there.

I don;t belive the dealer is even talking to you about an even trade unles its for the exact reason I stated above. He ca unload the S on you, take your E and actually sell it to somebody because E classes outsell S classes on the secondary market by a LOT, and actually make a few thousand dollars in the process.

Meanwhile you get stuck with a 9 year old problem child. Make no mistake about it. There is a huge difference in the two cars. Do what ou want, but I'd be trying to do the same deal with a newer S class. As I said you can find an 04 in the low 20's or even high teens.

 

Kbb List a 03 e class with 114k miles at 10,000 dollar's. Not only that it is hard to sale a car for high value with over 100k miles. The S class has 54k miles and kbb's is 14,000 dollars. He is saying they have it for sale for 16k which is a little much I agree. But the question is trade. I would do it if I didnt have to come out of pocket for anything but taxes. Where the heck did you figure 18k for a 03 e class with 114k miles?????

He said he would only do it as a direct trade. If thats the case I would do it in a heart beat. No additional money, except taxes of course. I dont see a considerable amount of money being made but I see a considerable of amount of not taking that big of a loss. Another year from now he will still be able to sale the car for over $10,000 while the e class well be worth even less. Its to late to actually make a profit but not to take a bad hit and he still keeps a really nice car.

 

Look at this one. 2003 S430 42k mi for 16900
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true

 

not a bad price

 

I used KBB as well but put 78745 zip code. Remember it prices care by value.

Even so, there is only a few grand diference in the cars across the board. Also there may not be mane S classes there, but there are literally zillions here in Texas and they don;t sell well. My 04 only prices 3K higher here than the 2000. That's weird. I never even bothered to check another market. Maybe I should yes?..

That's why I am so tellng the OP to find the sam deal on a nwere version of the car because a 2000 model here is a waste of money. Yes E classes sell rings around the S class. I'm not a dealer but I deal or dealt with a lot of these cars since the past 9 years and I know a lot of guys who do nothing but wholesale. That;s why I know where the real money is on these cars.. You can;t mix retail and wholesale in the same transaction. Dealers buy just aboove wholesale and try to sell as close to retail as possible That's how they get money. This deal doesn't even make sense for the dealer so I'm actually starting not to even believe its possible either way. UNLESS that dealer has a trick up hi sleeve and figured a way to take two cars and make money off the one that has to most potential to make him money.

In this market, for those who know how to shop, you don;t pay anything near 16K for a 2000 S. YOu find a great deal on a 2003 for that money. See post # 13

 

With w220's, ALWAYS get the newest, lowest mileage, and well documented history version you can afford. A warranty that has a decent reputation (most of the better/legitimate companies won't cover an older w220, especially if over 80K miles, and if they actually WILL, it will be costly). Sadly, one repair/problem that may seem minor on another kind of car, can make a "good deal w220" a rotten one real quick. I would imagine the "included national warranty" is gonna be FULL of "exclusions", "denials" or require the use of inferior and/or used parts when/if, you actually try and make a claim. It's been said many times before, these are not the vehicles you want if you desire years of "trouble free" motoring. The W220's are attention requiring no matter what "rare" person might claim to never have ANY issues. It's more likely they have either not owned it very long, or don't "attend" to it as they should IMHO. That being said, when they are "right" there is nothing better.

 

I bought my 03 S430 4Matic and just purchased extended warranty.
From: "Auto Repair Warranty" <support@autorepairwarranty.com>
Sent: Monday, February 9, 2009 10:52:12 AM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central
Subject: Auto Repair Warranty Quote Return


Dear Sir/Madam,



Thank you for your interest in Auto Repair Warranty. Below is our quote as you requested.



Bumper to Bumper coverage for 48 additional months, or 60,000 additional miles which ever occurs first, for $1,899.00 on your 2003 Mercedes Benz S430 4matic with 80,000 miles.



WINTER SPECIAL!!! 0 DEDUCTIBLE @ NO ADDITIONAL COST!!! ENDS FEB. 11TH!!!



Please revisit our Website: www.autorepairwarranty.com. Our coverage can be reviewed by clicking on the corresponding icons located on our Homepage.



Call us at our toll free number 1 888 645 5040 with any questions you may have, and be sure to ask about our free service that no other warranty company offers.



Thank you again for contacting Auto Repair Warranty.

 

Here it is what is covered on bumper to bumper from Auto Repair Warranty.
•Engine: All internally lubricated parts of: pistons, piston rings and pins, crank shaft and main bearings, connecting rods and bearings, camshaft and bearings, timing gear chain and/or belt, rocker arms, shafts
and bushings, valves, valve springs, guides and seats, push rods and lifters, oil pump. Externally: water pump, mechanical and/or electric fuel pump, oil pan, flywheel, valve covers, intake manifolds, distributor shaft, gear and bushing, engine head(s), engine block, gaskets and seals, if damaged as a result of failure of covered engine parts.
•Transmission: All internally lubricated parts contained within an automatic transmission and transfer case inclusive of: clutches, bands, pumps, carrier assemblies, internal shafts (main, intermediate, reaction), thrust washers and bearings, governor, valve body, servo and accumulator, torque converter, shift linkage, throttle valve cable, case, if damaged as a result of failure of covered automatic transmission parts, internally lubricated parts contained within a manual transmission inclusive of: main shaft, coupler shaft, all gears, synchronizer hub assemblies, bearings, shift rails and internal shift forks, input shaft synchronizer rings and retainers, case, if damaged as a result of failure of covered components. Internally lubricated parts within the trans-axle of a front wheel drive, including ring and pinion gears, internal bearings, axle(s) and case, if damaged by covered components.
•Rear-Wheel Drive: Parts contained within the differential housing, if damaged by failure of internally lubricated parts, axle, and universal joints.
•Four-Wheel Drive: Parts contained within the transfer case; transfer case, if damaged by failure of internally lubricated parts.
•Air Conditioning, Cooling, and Heating: Factory installed compressor, clutch, heater core, blower motor, main radiator, main fan, and fan pulley.
•Electrical: Starter, starter solenoid, alternator or generator, voltage regulator, windshield washer pump, wiper motors, trunk lid motor, engine control computer, ignition control module, blower motor, power seat motor,
door window motors, speedometer, tachometer, oil pressure gauge, water temperature gauge, electronic control module (ECM/ECU), climate control unit and power train control module.
•Sensors: Manifold pressure temperature, throttle position, coolant temperature, vehicle speed, camshaft/crankshaft angle, wheel speed, and climate control sensors.
•Wear & Tear: Any covered part listed, if it breaks due to excessive wear or is worn out.
•Steering: Steering gear, power steering pump, steering column shafts, and coupling rack and pinion.
•Brakes: Master cylinder, vacuum assistant booster, emergency brake cable, brake calipers, (ABS), wheel cylinders, compensating valve, and brake line tubing and fittings.
•Front Suspension: Upper and lower control arms, control arm shafts, upper and lower ball joints, tie rod ends, constant velocity joints and axle(s) wheel bearings.
•Seals and Gaskets: All seals and gaskets are covered in conjunction with covered parts.
•Labor: All necessary labor will be paid by A.R.W.I. to repair or replace all components covered under this Agreement.
•Rental: If a vehicle requires more than an eight (8) hour period of labor to be repaired, A.R.W.I. will pay up to thirty dollars ($30.00) per day, for a maximum of four (4) business days on repairs that would be covered under this agreement.
•24/7 Roadside Program: Towing to the nearest repair facility, emergency tire, battery, gasoline, lockout service and emergency transportation up to fifty (50) miles.
•Trip Interruption: If a vehicle requires more than an eight (8) hour period of labor to be repaired, and the vehicle is more than 200 miles from Customer's home address, A.R.W.I. will pay up to four (4) days of overnight stay and car rental up to an aggregate amount of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) per day.

 

Doesnt cover airmatic components. I'd keep the 1800 and fix things along the way on a S class. This is of course assuming you are not going to keep the car longer than two years.

 

no airmatic coverage on that warranty whats the point of that?

 

hey guys thanks again.I will take your advice and look for a 04 with decent mile. ActuallyI I found a 2005 s430 4matic with 59,000mi. The asking price $22,900.

 

Hey guys what do you think? The car has 49,000mi. it is also a 4matic. The service info looks proper on the carfax.

 

i dont know how far you are willing to travel for a car but you can do better I think, not sure if you are looking for a specific color or only s430

 

Do you think this is kind of high? I will continue to be patience and look around..It just some deal with alittle less had accidents according to carfax. I have seen one for $17000 with same milage but accident reported.

 

does anyone know this company, or who might be better warranty? i need one for my mom's 2003 bmw 530i.
p.s. i didn't see airbag sensors on the warranty above!?!
Patrick