mfiner

My boss has a 2002 S500 with 235,000 miles on it. He asked me if I wanted to buy it for $5,000. While I can afford the price I'm concerned about the useful life left in the car. He takes VERY good care of the car. What I'm looking for is a feel on how long the car will last. I don't want to drop 5K and then have the car drop dead in a month. . I understand that could happen in any circumstance.

I guess I'm trying to better understand the "lifespan" of this particular model/year. It has been driven in Southern California so it doesn't have any body defects, etc., due to salt and snow.

Any advice would be appreciated!

S-Clusiv

$5k? If you don't, I will.

Quadcammer

Meh, most likely that car will have some significant expenses fairly shortly.

If you can afford to pay them, then you're fine...if not, pass.

Dreamer_d13

5000 for an s 500 is a steal, if your like me, a diy, you should know that on any car nothing will last forever, but however, if you you do decide to get the car and anything goes wrong with it you most deff will find the fix on here... I have a 2001 s430 that had many issues before I found these forums, but now my s430 is "like new" thanks to the guys on here and my hard resentment aginst mbsd (Mercedes Benz San Diego) but just so you know driving a Benz WILL spoil you!!!!! Lol

mfiner

Yes, for $5,000. I think the price is because we are in real estate and he wouldn't mind me showing up in something a bit nicer.

I'm not a DIY person at all. . at least when it comes to cars.

Yeah, I am concerned about maintenance costs. Are there particular issues this model/model year are prone to? If we are talking about a grand this year. . in addition to routine maintenance. . oil changes, tune up's, etc. . I'd probably be ok with it.

Quadcammer

It could be nothing, or you could have a transmission, a few airmatic struts and a few electronic modules go bad and you're looking at $6k.

Not being a DIY'er...I'd be careful here.

Dreamer_d13

My bad, they do have new ones, they didn't have those when I got mine

s5benzo

find out from your boss the service history. has the airmatic suspension been replaced ? fluids, belts , major tune up done? look at the service history and see what has done thoroughly . im sure the car will be fine if it has been properly maintained, my cousins 01 s500 is at 180k and runs fantastic. only major issue he had was airmatic suspension , he had to replace compressor , front struts, relay. everything else is routine maint. 5k sounds good, goodluck

02Drunkenup

5K for a S500 with that mileage sounds good... KBB suggests 11K for a S500 in excellent condition. But you got to remember, with a prelift w220, there are could be massive problems, resale with a 2 owner car with that kind of mileage is also unappealing, so trying to sell it after you're done is not really a option. I wouldn't do it, but it really is up to you.

mfiner

What is this "prelift" at 220K that you refer to? As I said, I don't know that much about auto repair or MB's in particular.

I wouldn't really be worried about reselling it. At $5K. . as long as I got 2 years of relatively problem free life out of it. . I wouldn't care . it' just $5K and another $6K on top that I WOULD care about it . . . since at that point the amount would be better spent toward a new or used but fairly low mileage vehicle.

02Drunkenup

Prelift is the pre-facelifted S-class that goes from 1999-2002. They're notoriously more unreliable first off, and lack some other features that 03-06 models have.

mfiner

Gotcha. . I thought when you said "prelift" you were referring to a specific repair recommended around 220,000 miles. Now as I understand it. you are referring to changes to the model.

I'm not so concerned about newer features. **** I drive a Nissan Maxima so it is going to have more features than my current car.

My main concern is repair costs, which you are saying could be more, since it's from the 1999-2002 design. Were there no changes or did they tweak the mechanics so that the 2002 was more reliable than the 1999, 2000, 2001?

02Drunkenup

Well, repairs can be little to extreme. The most common repairs will be a failing vacuum pump, various electronics (instrument panels were recalled for early years, other little things may not work), and the suspension tends to be a problem child. It is most likely the most expensive repair, W220s with ABC tend to be more problematic, but repairs for both ABC and Airmatic easily exceed 4 figures. If you got a thing for these cars, 04-06 S-class' are far more reliable and while there are some kinks that haven't been worked out yet (ABC, Airmatic suspension), otherwise they are bulletproof as I've heard. Maybe you'll get lucky and not have too many problems down the road should you decide to take on your boss' offer. As for me, a 02 S430, I've had every repair done known to man, except (thank god) airmatic problems.

Ifari

One thing is for sure....you know the car has proven roadworthiness. $5k for a contemporary 500 Benz is a good deal imo and the mileage is NOTHING for a V8 Mercedes - seeing as MBZ are renowned for having the most high mileage cars on the road around the world.

The Rest Is Up To You!

2H S5

he mentioned 2002, so it's the pre-facelift (2000-2002).
In approx. 2006 was when MB got their act together and was more reliable.

It's best to scroll down the whole w220 threads and you'll see the most common problems that plague the S class.

generally, and really generally, I'll expect the same problems recurring every 100k miles (or so, remember I said "generally" so it's not really engraved) if you're somewhat concerned about the maintenance.

mfiner

So let's say I'm being pessimistic for a second. Let's say I had to repair BOTH the ABC AND Aimatic in the next 12 months. . what does that typically run? 3 to 4 grand total? I don't know if it makes a difference, cost-wise, but I'd use a local mechanic (using him for 15 years and trust him implicitly) rather than a dealership. . which I expect costs more. Plus, for regular old repairs, my mechanic is more likely to go to the junkyard or get a used part if it works. . if that is what I wanted. . compared to a dealership.

I am going to ask my boss if there have been any recurrent problems.

I'm starting to be swayed toward buying it. I'm willing to eat the increased insurance costs as well as the lower mileage/higher fuel costs. . its the repairs on a 235K vehicle that worries me since that is more of an unknown.

02Drunkenup

ABC and Airmatic are separate suspension systems. Airmatic are airbags that can control ride height, ABC takes it a step further by eliminating any body roll through hydraulics. I'm sorry, I should have said that a little clearer. I'm guessing that the car has Airmatic, now, let say the system is completely fubar'd. Each airbag are leaking and need replacing, that'll cost you anywhere between 4-7k. Alternatives are plenty, yes you can find junkyard replacements, as well as aftermarket alternatives at far cheaper prices.

mfiner

I appreciate the info 02Drunkenup. . as well as your help/advice on the thread.

02Drunkenup

No prob, good luck with the purchase if you decide to continue.

s5benzo

arnott industries sells rebuild and newly designed airmatic struts for these
cars. the rear struts rarely go out , front struts were the problem childs. being at 235k im sure the suspension has been replaced at one point. worse case scenario you can get all four struts from arnotts for about $1,800.. new air compressor for $300. dont let people scare you. i have 02 s500 and 05 s600, facelifted cars are nicer but still have issues. mercedes used same bilstein oem air struts in the w220 s class. eventually the 03-06 will have airmatic failuires too. if you have the money go for 03 and newer, but i enjoy my 02 and 05. goodluck and check out arnotts.
Air Suspension Kits, Air Shocks, Suspension Parts, Struts - Arnott Industries

fourday

I just replaced most of the Airmatic system on my 2000 S 500, you can read my post, all parts I bought from arnott, The compressor came damaged and had to be sent back. My local MB dealer did R&R. total cost came to around 3 Gs. I could have gone with kits for the front struts, but decided to go with new. Drives like new, if you cant diy, check out who will do the work. Iniatlly an indy MB shop started the work, but coudnt figure it out. good luck Bob.

Dreamer_d13

Don't let the stealership rob you if you live around san Diego I'll help you with a pump or strut swap out...

calgary

One of the first questions should be: Does it have AIRMATIC or ABC suspension...Big difference in repair costs..

mfiner

I'll ask. . but if I were to guess. . he'd get whichever system was better. . since my boss earns 7 figures

mfiner

Dreamer_d13. . thanks for the offer. I actually live in Corona. . so I'm not super far away.