MB_Fahrer

Hello all,

I'm selling my '99 SL500 for an S600... I'm debating between the W140 and the W220. I've heard bad stuff about both cars concerning the maintenance issues. What scares me about the W220 is the suspension. Any of you have any advice? Not just on the suspension but in general. What would the monthly costs be to own a W220 S600 if your driving say 8-10K miles per year. I do want to do most of the work myself which is another big issue: can you actually work on the W220 or do you need an MB tech standing by your side with a computer to diagnose everything? Also, the years I'm considering are 92-94 (W140) and 03-05 (W220).

Cheers,
Rick

rondocap

I have a 2001 S55 AMG - and it has over 100k miles. I drive about 4,000 miles a month, so close to 50,000 a year.

You need to stay up on the maintenance - things like ball joints, motor mounts, and stuff like that. If you do all of the preventive maintenance, it should last a long time. The ABC suspension does get a lot of airtime as being problematic, I have not had an issue yet - but just prepare for it as a possibility since it can happen.

One thing I learned - find a good indy Mercedes Mechanic and you'll save a lot of money over going to the dealer. I am sure you can DIY a lot of stuff, but these cards have certain things that are really beyond the grasp of even a mid-range mechanic. (Stuff like the ABC suspension.)

Reckless

Personally, I prefer the styling of the W140 (classic and timeless). But the technology and performance of the W220 600TT can't be matched (other than by a W221). Once you have a TTV12, cars will never be the same. I can not even begin to describe what it feels like.

I drove 40 miles today racing around the highways and used a quarter tank of gas (8 mpg, my normal driving is around 12). I have to go to the gas station every other day.

I only would let the best professional touch my car, ABC suspension is known to go out once in 100k miles or so (my repair bill ran $10k). Other than that a later model TTV12 is pretty reliable but I wouldn't own one without a warranty.

Bukwild

gas useage is shocking because you are going 40 mph and the rpms are at 1500 and you are only getting 12 to the gallon? but man it will put a smile on your face once you put the pedal down slightly. I love my 03. I say get it because with the prices these days you can get one 100k of the sticker price.

MRAMG1

Not mine my friend.

What AMAZED me was my little V-6 C32 was getting 16-24 C H
And my V12 TT gets 15-21 C H

And that is driving with some fun if you know waht I mean and cruising at 80.

I will admit, that after I did a little tuning, THANKS JERRY, city did drop around 11, but the fun factor went up by 5

Fraser

Strange. According to my trip computer I get 11mpg even if I drive like a nut case, and for a more civilised drive of 75mph or so on the highway I average about 21mpg. I suspect that is a little generous on the computer's front but it is pretty amazing for a V12 TT.

I'm a little biased but I think an S600 for the age you are looking at (03-05) represents one of the best driving experiences for the money. I slapped a Chrysler Factory Plans Maximum Care warranty on mine; 5yrs/70,000 miles with $200 deductible for just over $3000. That'll cover pretty much anything.

tusabes

Agreed, if you are getting an s600 or ANY ABC car , find a car with under 80k miles so you can buy the chyrsler warranty which will cover you an additional 5yrs 70k

factoryplans.com

Reckless

I may be biased but I think the W220 S600 is more fun to drive than the W221. W221 is too big (which is nice for back seat passengers but not as fun for the driver).

tusabes

IMO the w220 is the best "drivers car" out of any sClass ever made.

And its plenty roomy for rear seat passengers too.

MB_Fahrer

Thanks for all the input guys! I appreciate all of your help very much. I think maybe I have finally made up my mind...sell my current cars and go find an S600. Now one more question: what do you all think of an '03-06 S600 versus an '03-06 S55/65 AMG? I doubt I can manage to pull together the funds for the S65 but it is a possibility... The S55 would work out no doubt and same with the S600. Yes I know the S65 blows the other cars out of the water when it comes to sheer performance but on a day to day basis how do these cars compare? Are maintenance costs very different for any of these cars? How about insurance? How about general practicality? (etc, etc, etc)

Cheers!
Rick

qcar

I bought a one-owner 2003 S55 with about 54,000 miles this past summer. Very nice condition. I now have 59,000 miles on it.

Luckily, it's still under the Starmark factory warranty because the ignition module failed once and my ABC suspension has failed twice (front and rear valves). Without a warranty I'd probably be out about $5,000 for repairs, which equates to $1 per mile driven.

This doesn't include the $1,300 I spent for brakes or $250 for transmission service, $150 for a license plate bracket (required in CA), oil changes, etc.

But it's worth it. Trust me.

Good luck on your search. As someone once said, a cheap Mercedes is the most expensive car you can buy.

-qcar

MB_Fahrer

Do they offer that warranty for the 2006 S65?

MB_Fahrer

Wow, sounds like a headache, but as long as you enjoy the car it's worth it IMO. You don't get the good without the bad unfortunately.

Fraser

Try the quote. The one thing I noticed when shopping for warranties was that a lot of the big places wouldn't do one for a V12. The Chrysler plan will cover a 600 so don't see why not.

tusabes

Yeah the factoryplans.com chrysler warranty is recommended bc they do not surcharge or decline AMG cars and v12s. That is the way to go...just have to have under 80k miles on the car to get the warranty.

Again, an absolute MUST HAVE on any AMG or v12 benz since they have the ABC suspension. Just one ABC suspension repair will pay for the warranty.

tusabes

Well there are some BIG differences between model years because in 2003 the AMG s55 started using the supercharged engine, and in 2004 the s600 started using the twin turbo engine. So 2003 s600s are much cheaper than 2004s because the twinturbo is preferred for its vastly greater power. Same thing between a 2002 s55 and 2003s55.

Again, whatever you do, find one under 80k miles and get a warranty, unless you can stomach repair bills in the mid 4 figures.

MRAMG1

No my friend, the 2003 has the TT motor as well.

Check autotrader, that is here I found my 1 owner 04

tusabes

right , 2003 on up

patrat

Get ext. warranty for peace of mind. Don't count out '03 S600 which i found the only year that had the keyless go "credit card" instead of regular keys that you can place in your wallet for convenience & auxilliary connector in glovebox.

scarybary

buy the s600tt. find one with a ecu and tcu tune , or reserve the $ and get it done. you cant buy a faster or more luxurious car for the money. the only thing that might be better is the r 600tt with a tuned ecu and tcu , but thats a matter of taste. yes get the chrysler warranty, cause these things arnt cheap to repair, so far the extras bose radio head, side mirror cracked rims etc , with 600 hp just a stop light is a prelude to an orgasm of accelerating pleasure, plus when you mash all the opposition with a walnut steering wheel an airconditioned seat giving you a shiatsu massage while giving the starship voice commands. the only lame item is the cup holder , so just get a goodlokking passenger and she can hold the cups. i love my 2004s600tt.