Hi all. New member here.

I currently have a 2008 E350 with the AMG sport package. It is Sienna black with Sahara beige leather and Designo burl walnut (I am told that apart from the Designo burl walnut, it is basically the 2008 equivalent of a 2007 Saks Fifth Avenue breast cancer awareness special edition E350). Anyway, I think it is a beautiful car, and I love it. BUT, I am thinking about buying a 2003 black/ash S600 without the AMG sport package with 42,500 miles for $23,000. The thought of a twin turbo V12 with 590 ft/lbs of torque is intriguing as hell to me, and I wouldn't mind a bigger car with a fully leather-lined interior and better ride either. I have also always thought that the W220 is a beautiful and classically clean design (as is the W211, in my opinion). Of course, however, I am concerned about an S600 becoming a complete money pit (I have looked into a Fidelity extended warranty for the 2003 S600, and it offers little benefit - it costs $3,500 for limited coverage and only pays out for covered repairs up to $6,500).

SO, I have found a ton of generalities about the ownership costs of the S600 on the internet and in other threads on this site (such as, "I spent $20,000 on repairs for my S600," or "a $30,000 used S600 will become a $60,000 car without a warranty). Not to be too rude in my first thread, but I don't find such generalities terribly helpful, and I am hoping actual S600 owners can contribute here with the specific items that required repair on their cars and how much such repairs cost. I think a thread listing only specific repairs required and the associated costs would be helpful to me and to others as we contemplate jumping into the used V12 end of the MB pool.

Thanks in advance for any contributions.

Cheers.

 

weve been through this a million times.

As for specific problem issues:

ABC is the biggest failure on a 600 (or 500 or 55 with ABC). Repair is easily $2-8k depending on what components fail. So if your warranty doesnt cover ABC forget it.

Coil packs are another common v12 failure item, another 4 figure repair

 

Your post appear sincere, and I've been in your shoes(just got my S600 three months ago), and I've had the ABC issues from prior S55. Tusabes is right...those are the basics. However, my understanding is that the biggest issue is that the V12TT is packed so tightly under the hood that literally EVERY little thing that goes wrong may require removing the engine. Whether it's a $20 part or a $1,000 part, the labor of removing/disconnecting/fixing/re-connecting the engine...that could run $2k in labor charges alone. No wonder most warranty companies want to put a cap on it, especially if a part wears out and then requires the engine removal. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of the car. I'm just saying that compared to the E-class, owning the S600 will be like owning a Ferrari - everything will run quite a bit of money, especially if you want to keep it in perfect shape.

Just for reference:
In past 3 months, I wanted to get car perfect - on 3 separate visits:
1) engine mount - covered by warranty, but involved engine in/out
2) power steering/ABC tandem pump - warranty, expensive if not.
3) AC part - not sure what, but special order from germany, NOT universal like on S-class, waited 3 weeks for part. warranty, (previously faulty part made engine whine).

p.s. I don't expect monthly repairs forever, but this is DEFINITELY not like the E55 or S55 that I've owned before...just think of it as marrying a superstar actress or model, a bit more needy vs. the E-class as a great girl next door.
PL

 

I think that is correct. Though I have a 2008 w221 S600, I was quite surprised when one of my turbo-chargers developed an oil leak, that the mechanics had to remove the entire engine to get access to fix it and then put everything back again. (Glad I paid for the full 7 years extended factory warranty)

Great superstar model metaphor!

Chris

 

I know the generals have been covered a million times, and I know, generally, what the usual problem areas are, but, as I indicated, I thought actual experience, such as offered by bzliteyear, would be a helpful addition to the S600 discussion.

As a follow-up question, I also wonder what experiences folks here have had with trying to unload their S600s. The one I am looking at has been at the dealer since May. I tend to keep my cars for no more than 2 years, so I want to be able to unload the S600 when I get my next itch. Seems to me that most buyers may be too spooked by the costs of ownership, so they may be difficult to sell.

Thanks again.

 

Chapel, if you want more detailed insight, read my thread from earlier below. It's about my S55, and it is older and has more miles than your S600 example, but everything aside from the engine is pretty much the same, and a lot of these issues can happen at 40k miles just as well as 140k miles.

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...surprised.html

 

Thanks, rondocap. That is exactly what I was looking for. Specific repairs needed and specific costs. $9,000 in just maintenance in one year would be nuts for me (which is to say nothing of the number of times per month you appear to be at the MB shop). I only drive 10,000 miles per year. You, though, are in a tough position driving 40,000 miles per year. If you're not paying to maintain a mostly depreciated car, you're paying a ton in depreciation on a newer car with a warranty (which won't remain in effect too long with your annual mileage). For me, if I am out $9,000 per year in maintenance (or even half that), plus whatever the car itself costs me each year, I am going to buy a newer, cheaper car, such as a CTS-V, which is better than the W220 S600 and S55 in just about every way except for interior room, and still come out with about the same costs.

 

The 600 is the best car I have ever driven. I haven't drive then W221 600 yet, but I hate how long the car is and the 550 feels way to planted. The W220 is a drivers car but you need to upgrade the brakes. The car feels like butter to me every time I pull it out. I'm so spoiled with the power that I really can't stand most cars now - everything seems slow.

It ain't cheap and without a proper warranty its pretty scary. My service advisor always tells me differently, if you know where to go it's not that expensive to fix he says. I disagree - everything costs more than I would like to fix. Spark plugs ran me $1200 at 60k miles.

I believe the engine/turbos to be really strong and not really have any issues other people are describing of having to remove the engine. The engine purrs like a baby and feels very solid and strong IMO, much better than the v8. The V12TT drinks gas like no tomorrow, I pretty much fill up gas every 100 miles (I get ~220 miles to a tank).

The transmission is a bigger issue - if you floor a lot than it is bound to break the top end with the insane power (done that already). The ABC is really the only other big thing than generally goes wrong (cost my warranty co $12k). Everything else is pretty good but I have a 2005 and I believe they fixed more issues as each year went by.

They just don't make cars like these anymore. I have no idea what car I'm going to get after this.

 

this is why you dont want to own an ABC car out of warranty.... unless you get one that just had the full system recently replaced *unlikely.

 

I have MB's CPO/ELW warranty for 20 more months...it's zero deductible and covers the majority of the original mfgr warranty, but it still doesn't cover some leaks (as I found out recently if it relates to the Turbo).

Now I'm thinking about cashing out and getting a Fidelity Platinum "exclusionary" warranty with $100 deductible. It's more money and has deductible, but the good news is that it can take me out to 48 months and is supposed to be bumper to bumper except wearable parts(so more than the MB coverage). Im thinking I can just drive the car until the last day of warranty and then sell it for $10k(maybe)...just thinking out loud here.

PL

 

bz: Are you sure you are able to get the platinum? I remember when I got mine it was because I had less than 25k miles and was within a certain year range. I believe I have a zero dollar deductible. I was able to go out 7 years/100k miles additional.

I wouldn't buy the 600 (or any german car) without fidelity or CPO. The cars are much more technology sophisticated, not what they used to be, too many parts/systems fail and labor is ridiculous.

MBs are the best cars but they aren't cheap to fix.

 

Hi all. I'm not a regular here, hang out more on Audi boards (I sell a lot of Audis) and Bnezworld (long-time poster there in the W126 forum with 2K+ posts).

But I've spoken to Bzliteyear, just delivered NJ's car, and I think Tusabes knows me from BW.

Feel free to ask any questions about cars, car buying, warranties, etc you'd like and I'll do my best to answer them. I'm not promoting my services or selling anything here (have to be advertiser and I am looking into that now), but I'm happy to provide info.

I'm a lowly used car dealer, but am a car enthusiast first and foremost so always try to provide info, cars, and other products as I'd like to have them provided to me as an enthusiast.

Bruce
President, Becks Imports LLC
856 - 912 - 2600

 

Bruce got me into a sick 05 S600 that is in great condition.
I can speak to his knowledge, honesty and strong values when buying cars for his clients (he has hundreds of positive feedback entries on ebay).
He made the process easy for me as I have always purchased cars from a dealer lot.
Bruce hand picked cars that met my criteria within my budget.
Kudos, Bruce, for sure.
Thank you again. I love my new beast.

-Chris

 

Bruce helped sell my MB and is a person of highest integrity and caliber and knowledge of these cars. You will not be steered wrong with him. If he can find you a warranty that covers the ABC and other complex components on these cars, GET IT!

Hey Bruce- I happen to have a question about warranty on a 00 cl500 with under 75k miles, is there a warranty company that covers ABC on these cars? I know the Chrysler plan did until 2009, but no more.

BTW to the other members above - you can often transfer the warranty when you sell the car, so instead of waiting till the last day of the warranty to sell the car, I would advise to sell it while it still has 3-6 months warranty remaining. That way youll get a MUCH HIGHER sales price, and the new owner will be assured any issues that pop up after purchase will be fixed under warranty. Better for everyone.