S600 reliability
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Newbie
Joined: Mar 2003
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S600 reliability
hi everyone, I'm the new kid on this board, but have been reading it for the past few months. I'm about to swap my '92 600 SEL (75k miles) for an '03 S600, and I have some concerns about reliability.
My SEL is a great car - when it runs. More than half the engine and most of the suspension components have been replaced - 75% under warranty, thankfully. Many of you probably know about the issues surrounding early 600s and the settlement MBUSA reached with owners (we got a coupon good for some money off a new one - pretty lame, huh?). Anyway, I just don't want to have to go through all that terrible stuff again, just to be one of the first with a new twin turbo 600.
To '03 S600 owners: have y'all had ANY problems at all with your cars? Anything mechanical, any annoyances, anything you don't like at all?
Thanks in advance for your time; I look forward to reading y'all's responses.
My SEL is a great car - when it runs. More than half the engine and most of the suspension components have been replaced - 75% under warranty, thankfully. Many of you probably know about the issues surrounding early 600s and the settlement MBUSA reached with owners (we got a coupon good for some money off a new one - pretty lame, huh?). Anyway, I just don't want to have to go through all that terrible stuff again, just to be one of the first with a new twin turbo 600.
To '03 S600 owners: have y'all had ANY problems at all with your cars? Anything mechanical, any annoyances, anything you don't like at all?
Thanks in advance for your time; I look forward to reading y'all's responses.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
2004 S 600
I've had my 2001 S600 since August of 2000. It was one of the first in country and first year of production run for the new V12. Now first.....you're getting the same V12 with twin turbos.....so that will be a new set of concerns.......let me add that I'm getting 2004 S600 in August.....so, I'm not that concerned.
I have loved my current S600. OK, it has a new steering rack, and two new plug, condenser, coil, wiring module packs (these get replaced in a day)......when one is dealing with 369 HP we all tend to forget that a few years ago this was supercar performance level. With that in mind.........I'm going for another one. BTW, my current ride got hit by an LX 470 and I didn't get a scratch when it wiped out the entire drivers side form front bumper to rear bumper....you can see post on this in this section.
Couple cool things to consider....On my 2004 S600 I'm gettting Renntech engine computer upgrade which tunes engine back to Maybach level of 550 HP and 663 ft lbs of torque, doing this also takes off top end limiter (if that's your kind of thing....but I don't recc. trying the top since tires can't handle 200 mph in a 4800 pd car....there's been problems on German Autobahn with tire blowouts on the new super fast heavy cruisers.). Also, I like the stock wheels and you can order them in staggered version from Europe.
I have loved my current S600. OK, it has a new steering rack, and two new plug, condenser, coil, wiring module packs (these get replaced in a day)......when one is dealing with 369 HP we all tend to forget that a few years ago this was supercar performance level. With that in mind.........I'm going for another one. BTW, my current ride got hit by an LX 470 and I didn't get a scratch when it wiped out the entire drivers side form front bumper to rear bumper....you can see post on this in this section.
Couple cool things to consider....On my 2004 S600 I'm gettting Renntech engine computer upgrade which tunes engine back to Maybach level of 550 HP and 663 ft lbs of torque, doing this also takes off top end limiter (if that's your kind of thing....but I don't recc. trying the top since tires can't handle 200 mph in a 4800 pd car....there's been problems on German Autobahn with tire blowouts on the new super fast heavy cruisers.). Also, I like the stock wheels and you can order them in staggered version from Europe.
Last edited by MercManiac; Mar 2, 2003 at 07:45 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 3
From: So. Cal
2024 S580 | 2024 Escalade ESV Sport Plat | 2022 X5M Competition
A couple things...
First of all, I don't think the new bi turbo V12 is simply the 2001-2002 600 V12 with turbos. I believe the 2003 V12 is a 5.5 liter vs. the 5.8 liter of the 01-02 V12. So, I'm not sure if you can compare reliability with the two.
We have a 2001 S600 and have had one engine problem with the ignition coils going bad or something and the part took about 3 weeks to get here. The ABC compenents have been replaced too.
I'm not too sure how the long term reliability will be. The 600 seems to make some strange engine noises, but this is our first V12, so I have nothing to compare it with.
I will say, the 2003 600 must be a BEAST.
We have a 2001 S600 and have had one engine problem with the ignition coils going bad or something and the part took about 3 weeks to get here. The ABC compenents have been replaced too.
I'm not too sure how the long term reliability will be. The 600 seems to make some strange engine noises, but this is our first V12, so I have nothing to compare it with.
I will say, the 2003 600 must be a BEAST.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,856
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From: Sugar Land, Texas
09' 335i coupe
reliability is awesome.....well with the s-500 but im sure it will be the same with the 600...weve only had to go to mb for service checkup thing....btw:get the 600...u'll be happy
