cyberglk350

Hello.

I wanted to share my story for others who may be considering purchasing a used 220.

I found a very sweet black 2002 s500 with only 32K miles. This was at a Benz dealership. I was told prior to purchasing the car that if anything was wrong they would fix it. As it is thier policy that all S Class are not permitted for sale unless they are prestine. So I bought it. Remember, the car looks brand new, the engine even looks brand new. Car drove like new as well.

First day, after about 100 miles the car starts pulling really hard to the right. Literally have to hold the wheel to keep from going off the road. Turns out the tire on the right side front had a separated belt. $700 later car drives straight. Dealer paid for the tires.

Day two, the airmatic warning states, "Car too low" Stop! So I took it back to the dealer. Dealer says the front struts leak and it needs a repair kit. So they complete that work as well. I imagine this would have been big bucks. But the struts are good now and the car drives like new again. Drives way different then it originally did. So they were bad when I bought it.

Day three, smoke coming from under the hood. Valve cover gaskets are leaking like crazy! Dealer fixed this as well on their dime. I inspected thier work and they did a good job. But again, how much would this have cost?

Day 5, oil all over my garage floor in the morning! Towed to the dealer. Oh, it needs a rear main seal and two oil pan gaskets! The have agreed to repair this at thier expense as well. Thank God! I can't imagine what this would be costing.

So I am trying to let people know that even though you may find one of these with low miles and it looks and drives like new...

**DO NOT BE DECIEVED! GET A THIRD PARTY INSPECTION AND DO NOT BUY ONE UNLESS THERE IS A WARRANTY INCLUDED OR YOU HAVE THE DEALERS WORD IN WRITING THAT THEY WILL FIX THE EXISTING ISSUES.**

Otherwise you may be really sorry. I am very lucky my dealer is a straight shooter. Through all of this they have even provided me a loaner C300.

We have concluded that being such low mileage, the car sat for too long without being driven and the seals have dried out. Only thing we can think of for a $80K car to have these problems.

RXBENZ

Had dinner with a client who told me her mother had 06 S550 with 3,000 miles!!! Warned her that it may be a could idea to DRIVE the car, after all this is what these 100k machines want and need...Good cautionary tale...

Corsa9000

Cars with very low mileage who just sit have their own special problems. A good used car that is regularly driven and maintained properly is far superior to one that sat most of its useful life. Cars are designed to be driven not sit, seals get dry, crack and cause all kinds of expensive problems, tires get old, lose proper chemical composition.

jemfrap

the stealership was just trying to get your money

Fraser

Well the good news is by December you should have an entirely new S Class!

On a more serious note, glad to hear the dealer stood by their word and covered everything.

clkwork

Wow, good to hear that you were covered. Great advice, too...

shellshock

Yikes. I've not had any if those troubles with my 01 s500 with 120k now.

Glad your dealer is taking care of you!

AH1W-COBRA

this dealer treated the client as though he had purchased a new vehicle. try to imagine this situation with a domestic car dealer. im loyal to MB and to MB of Escondido who have allways given us a vip treatment and went above and beyond to make us feel good about owning MB'S. there is a definite cost of ownership to $100k automobiles. you cant be on a "budget" and drive an S class, these cars consume $100 dollar bills like pac man on cafine