coloradosclass

Gentlemen I defer to you!
Can anyone explain the differences between the two? 2000 and up only please. The base price is only 7-8 g's difference, Tell me if I am wrong here but if you switched the motors there would be no difference. Care to partake

Nick

I had a 1999 S420 (W140) and everytime I drove it around and saw a S500 (W140) I would feel (in my own mind), that I had a lesser car.

So when I stepped into the W220 in 2001 I went with the S500. Now I do not feel like that anymore. The S600 to me is too out there. Too much power, etc.

Other than the motors as you put it -- you can option both the S430 & S500 cars similarly.


Nick--

Caliz_Finest

same car, u can get all the options in th 430 that u can in the 500, only difference is power

AMG4life

if u can get the s 500 go for it

internet_mafia

The real major difference between the two is resale value. The S430 is regarded as the "I barely made it" S class(on the W140 it was the S320). And it shows this as it's value tumbles year after year compared to the 500's modest depreciation. The bottom line is that the 430 is cheaper, but it costs more to own it in terms of depreciation. This explains why there are so many 500's on the road. The $7k increase for the 500 can be viewed as an upfront fee for retaining a better value.

As far as power, the the 430 does 60 in 6.9sec while the 500 does it in 6.1. Is this really noticible during normal driving conditions? I think that one could only appreciate the difference if the two models were being raced side-by-side on a track.

To the person who felt less when next to a 500, it's only psychological. THe two cars are equal length, made from 99% of the same materials, and both have ample power. However, when spectators look at the rears of the two, they automatically pride the 500. My suggestion to anyone who has a 430 is to rebadge it as a 500. Most people are not educated enough about Mercedes cars to actually notice the subtle differences between the 430 and 500.

Nick

Internet Mafia,


I know it is only psychological and I admit it myself. I also know that the two cars are the same length... When I said lesser I was mirroring your opinion "The S430 is regarded as the "I barely made it" S class" and "However, when spectators look at the rears of the two, they automatically pride the 500." That is why I now drive a S500.

I think it is disgraceful for someone to re-badge a car with another number. If I were to do something I would de-badge instead.


Nick--

coloradosclass

Interesting information and I appreciate it.
I am sold on the S500 always have been, I just wanted to
find some differences other than the motor but it does not appear that there are. I too share the same view that the $7,000 is worth the ownership pre-paid expense to reduce depreciation.
I have been looking on Cars.com, autotrader.com, and ebay and the differences in the same year are dramatic! 7gs now or 15gs later. I beleive the New S-Class will be model year 06' released in fall 05'. I should have close to 3 years before it's time to upgrade.
I also agree debadging is much better than rebadging.
Thank You for the advice
Hoss79

AMG4life

if u wanna get the s 430 get the short wheel base version. it's slightly lighter. i dont feel much power difference when i test drive the demon s 500 and the 430 but more power def wouldnt hurt

wmak8

I thought they stopped producing the short wheelbase for the U.S. after the 1999 models?

Dizzy

They did discontinue it. Everyone bought the long wheelbase so the short wheelbase had lousy sales.

Dizzy

internet_mafia

Again, when you debadge a car, most people are going to rationalize that you are hiding the fact that you have a 430. If you had a 500, would you debage it? So this goes back to what's on the rear of the car. The best way to come out on top in this scenario is to falsify a little. Wouldn't go so far as to say that it would be considered disgraceful, because we're only talking about some chrome numbers.

Nick

Yes Disgraceful is too strong a word . However, taking a re-badged S430 to your service manager at the dealer and the crew is not a fun prospect. I would not do it. I was proud driving my S420 it is still big bucks. I am happier with the S500 though.


Nick--

apricotscrub

Damn... were talking about the S430 like its a peice of crap, only poor people get it and beggars right? Rationize that its a low-crappy S430 when its debadged? This is a car 99% of the population in USA will never have but dream about. I do suppose that true MB lovers and fanatics and the dealership guys will not like you for "upgrading" the chrome lettering, i thought about changing my S430 to S63 --- ///AMG after putting 5000$ worth of exteriror styling into it.

vraa

i would put S430 AMG like someone did to their SL500 after they sent it to AMG for a LOT of work on it.

btw: there is a S500 next door to me.. it has Lorensir rims.. i think the LM5's.. and the front Lorensir grill.. i think.. it has the small star in the center.. its debadged.. but you can tell its a S500.. for some reason.. maybe it takes a mb nut to feel a presence from a car

AMG4life

you can still get one from canada wanna come?

ano0oj

well i would go for the s500 if u can get it...mainly power...and the name(only to me) :p

AMG4life

in that case u might get a s 430 and rebadge it as s 600

ano0oj

true true...but then u'd have to pay for the rims.....so reabadging is more expensive then u think....i mean if u really wanna make it loook like the 600

Caliz_Finest

I have an S430 and I would never rebadge it cause i think its stupid to lie about what kind of car you have (I bought a 80k car and im gonna make people think its a 90k car!)... Ive seen an S430 rebadged to S55 AMG, it was especailly stupid because it had calyptus wood on the interior, its just stupid... and if you do plan to rebadge at least get burl or chestnut wood

coloradosclass

Well I am glad I have sparked some interest in this forum.
Let me introduce myself my name is Jason and I live in Beautifull Littleton, Colorado. I have descided to get the S500 and throw some nice wheels and tint the windows. I Love the S Class I like the 300 horse motor so the extra 7g's doesnt bother me. Depreciation is somewhat sickening for the S430 and that had alot to do with my decision. As far as the badging goes even the guy driving the S600 would look over at the S430 and know the guy driving is no joke. Spending 80K on a car is not something joe blow can do. I would love to have the S55 but I have to draw the limit somewhere. Call me nuts but the S Class means Class so 80K good buy and hello reality.

Caliz_Finest

thats what im saying, people here make the S430 sound like something people should be ashamed of... and for S430 people who rebadge, why would you have lie about a 80k car?

internet_mafia

Actually, the 430 IS a better value than the 500. Anyone care can replicate my findings?:

1) I acquried the MRSP figures from MBUSA for both the 430 and 500, $73,320 and $81,720, respectively.

2) Went to Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com) to calculate "my car's value" for a 2001 S430 and S500. I left the option fields to their defaults, used 30000 miles for the calculation, and considered both vehicles to be in "good" condition. I used the year 2001 because cars depreciate the most in the first 2 years. The trade in values for the S430 and S500 are $43,400 and $50,100, respectively.

3) S430: $73,320 - 43,400 = $29,920*
S500: $81,720 - 50,100 = $31,620
*Showing that the S430 loss less in value compared to the 500.

However, this only applies to "base" models. I am sure that depending on how someone options out a 500 or a 430, that will make some difference.

coloradosclass

I do appreciate your findings and your numbers in a perfect world are pretty close between the two. But.... here is were the market data fails, Book value is about 5,000 soft across the line. Options and all that Dealers dont even look at until the retail customer comes along. They base the trade-in minus 5gs and that what one would get right now. If you want more realistic numbers check out the paper, ebay, cars.com, and autotrader. The people selling are mostly dealers and there prices are on the money. You have to figure they try to make 3-5gs per car so after absorbing clean-up costs you can see what they paid for the car.
I hope this helps good day.

Kerr

from what i read in the brochure, the S500 has everything standard. then it has the options like air conditioned rear seats and such where as the S430 does not come with everything standard....


the main reason i will not look at S430 is MB states there 0-60 time as 6.9 seconds for the S430 and 6.1 seconds for the S500. .8 of a second is not a lot unless your drag racer like i am. then the .8 turns into 8 cars. Not that i will be running the S500... well never mind im sure i will be.

If i had the cash i would go all the way and jump on a S600 but i dont .....

Also with the money you saved on the 430 you can ad a blower if the power is what is bothering you.

sportlichE430

Nice thread freunds!
I'm planning on debadging my S430 this weekend and badging the right side AMG since I paid a couple grand for the 19" wheels.
Hopefully, next year when the wife's purse strings untwine, I'll add the aero kit and exhaust.
Before I bought (last month) I looked at ebay and dealers and the S500 seemed to add $5-7k on 2001s. These days I'm taking that extra 1mpg to the bank.