Just bought 2004 s430 4-matic with 135k. What's the highest mileage you guys have?
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Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 100
Likes: 4
Just bought 2004 s430 4-matic with 135k. What's the highest mileage you guys have?
This car is SO pristine, always maintained at the dealer, doctor owned, not a single scratch on the vehicle, suspension feels NEW, transmission feels NEW everything feels great. The doctor just spent 3500$ at the dealer before trading it off. 
Good for me =)
Now for the problems: Front 2 doors assist not working. They work for about 2 days after you disconnect the battery for 2 minutes, and then they quit.
TPMS Not operational.. no yellow tpms light, but constant message in cluster. Can't reset it.
Those issues aside, I'm hearing that the 2004 model year airmatic struts were problem free, and I have the "Facelift" s class. I am really enjoying driving this car, the guy put brand new 17" tires all around (factory equip) and new brakes and rotors (Lots of $$)
Picked the car up for $10,600, one owner/black on black. Did I do good?
Good for me =)Now for the problems: Front 2 doors assist not working. They work for about 2 days after you disconnect the battery for 2 minutes, and then they quit.
TPMS Not operational.. no yellow tpms light, but constant message in cluster. Can't reset it.
Those issues aside, I'm hearing that the 2004 model year airmatic struts were problem free, and I have the "Facelift" s class. I am really enjoying driving this car, the guy put brand new 17" tires all around (factory equip) and new brakes and rotors (Lots of $$)
Picked the car up for $10,600, one owner/black on black. Did I do good?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 431
Likes: 1
From: Midwest USA
2004 S500 & 2011 Mini JCW
Time will tell how well you did. The TPMS error is very normal I am guessing the batteries are weak in sending units inside the tires tirerack.com can tell you the correct units to buy (4). As for the soft close on the front doors I would preform a search on this site there could be many solutions to your problem to check before knowing how to fix. The 04's airmatic is better than the earliest W220 models however with the mileage on your car I'm guessing you will experience failure in parts that normally wear out which could be the airmatic. My advice would be to save the money you did not spend on this car and use it for repairs which will surely be experienced. As for the engine I rarely hear of failures so perform regular mainentence and you should have quit a few miles left if the first 134K were not on a race track or drag strip. Welcome to the club.
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 111
Likes: 1
From: Stn Mtn Georgia
2005 S500
I had the same problem with the TPMS a few weeks ago
. It means that one or more of the TPMS has totally gone bad and cannot reset. You should be able to tell which one on the dash, best to replace all. I bought new ones at Tirerack for $95 each, reset and they work perfect.
. Welcome to the club and hope that you enjoy your MB.
Enjoy every mile with a smile
. It means that one or more of the TPMS has totally gone bad and cannot reset. You should be able to tell which one on the dash, best to replace all. I bought new ones at Tirerack for $95 each, reset and they work perfect.. Welcome to the club and hope that you enjoy your MB.Enjoy every mile with a smile
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 646
Likes: 2
From: Seattle, WA
2001 S430
welcome to the club nimski62!!
u did very good... it ALL depends on previous owner, i picked up my 01' s430 with 95k miles for 9.5k cash, the day i bought mine but ******* friend picked up a 2003 with 85k miles for 13k cash.
treat this car good and it will treat you better!!
1. warm up car always.
2. avoid potholes/bumps
3. even thou have every option in your car, dont always push your cars buttons!!!
forgot to say, i have another buddy who bought a 2000 s500 back in 04 with 55k miles.. til this day it has 167k miles, runs like it has 60k miles, typical service A & B's and never missed a day without warming it up lol
u did very good... it ALL depends on previous owner, i picked up my 01' s430 with 95k miles for 9.5k cash, the day i bought mine but ******* friend picked up a 2003 with 85k miles for 13k cash.
treat this car good and it will treat you better!!
1. warm up car always.
2. avoid potholes/bumps
3. even thou have every option in your car, dont always push your cars buttons!!!
forgot to say, i have another buddy who bought a 2000 s500 back in 04 with 55k miles.. til this day it has 167k miles, runs like it has 60k miles, typical service A & B's and never missed a day without warming it up lol
Last edited by classyS; Nov 7, 2010 at 04:45 PM. Reason: 2 more cents
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 9
From: SoCal OC
S, GL, Escalade ESV, my shoes
For the mileage that I put into it in the last four years (bought used at 52K mile), the repair and problem aren't that bad. Basically, oil change every 10K mile. On average, the car visit shop every 8 months or so for repair & major maintenance. I do oil-change and minor services at home.
I had to perform repairs on the following: front air-matic seal ($400), instrument cluster (free), EIS ($500), CPS sensor ($150), air-matic pump ($500), front wheels bearing ($700), fuel pump ($400), engine & trans mount ($400-500 ??), and flex disc (forgot cost). All works were done at MB Indy shop, saved lot of money that way.
Replaced belt and plugs at 140K mile, will probably do another one in a year or so.
And lot of tire, filters, and brake replacement
It's an awesome car.
Last edited by zam2000; Nov 9, 2010 at 12:34 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 769
Likes: 5
From: New York
Mercedes S55 AMG
Mine has 150,000 miles now, 2001 S55. I am doing the motor mounts now, second time I do them in a year - but after 33,000 miles.
It's a great car, so the maintenance is worth it, but definitely it is not entirely considered reliable or cheap - there is a lot of stuff that can go wrong because these cars are packed with technology, and they are not the cheapest to fix. But stay on the regular maintenance, and you will have less surprises.
What's important is to learn how to listen and read your car, to know when a part is failing before it gives you more problems. For example, if you hear rattles, clunks, vibrations, anything that was not there before, chances are something is going wrong. Try to search up similar symptoms online, and take it to an mechanic you trust and go from there.
It's a great car, so the maintenance is worth it, but definitely it is not entirely considered reliable or cheap - there is a lot of stuff that can go wrong because these cars are packed with technology, and they are not the cheapest to fix. But stay on the regular maintenance, and you will have less surprises.
What's important is to learn how to listen and read your car, to know when a part is failing before it gives you more problems. For example, if you hear rattles, clunks, vibrations, anything that was not there before, chances are something is going wrong. Try to search up similar symptoms online, and take it to an mechanic you trust and go from there.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
S430
you did well, i paid $8256 for a 2003 s430 with 187000 miles on it....i had to repair both front end upper and lower control arms, airmatic suspension compressor and valve and relay, replace crankshaft pulley and get a tune-up on it...i feel like i have since lost $$ compared to what i can buy, so for the year and mileage you have, you got a great deal and this car drives so beautifully it really doesnt matter what mileage you get so long as you keep up with critical maintenance issues
