Hello,

Looking for a car and the 2006 S350 has come to mind. I like the fact that it is shorter, and I don't really mind the lower power as it will just be am everyday driver. However, a few questions come to mind.

First, I know this car is a lot more rare then the 430/500, so anyone have any experience with it? Are they good? Is there any notice in how they drive as far as sportiness with the shorter wheelbase, even though they have less power?

The only thing is I really really have to have an AMG pack, and I am aware that it was not available on the 350, so I have been thinking about buying an 03+ front AMG bumper, and 03+ S55 rear bumper (with the quad tips) and I am just wondering if it would work. I am assuming that the front and rear bumpers on the SWB are the same on the LWB? I also am assuming that the side skirt is shorter and so therefore I would not be able to get AMG side skirts, but that's find as they are the least noticeable out of the three parts IMO. So anyone have some info on the replace of bumpers? Also, anyone have a recommended way to acquire these bumpers?

I would also get some AMG rims, probably from 00-02, I like those best, even though they are old.

I don't know if anyone remembers me, but I am still looking for my first car. I will be getting it in the summer. I was considering an ML55, a CL500, a C and now I like the idea of the AMG S350 as it isn't bad on gas(although its ironic is is worse then the 430) and it is the shorter wheelbase. I have always like w220s, just 430/500 are a little big for me and my first car.


thanks

Conner

 

don't bother...they are generally stripped cars.

For that size of car, the E350/500 is a better car.

I still don't know why a 17 year old would want an S-class as their only car, but good luck in your search.

 

I was under the impression that in the US, the S was only offered in one length, the LWB. I didn't think the S350 had a shorter wheelbase?

Edit: Looks like it was. And the S430 as well... wow!

I echo the above post. Most, if not all of the S350's i've seen are strippers. I wouldn't even consider an S430, but I know tons of people love those cars as well. If your getting an S-Class, why not get the top of the line? S600 or bust

Also, the car wouldn't look right with AMG bumpers, and not skirts. Good luck finding the shorter skirts too, as the SWB cars were pretty rare. If you can find anything, I'd probably be in Europe, where the smaller engines were more popular.

 

get a s430, its my first car.. i use to take the bus, now all my friends want to abuse my climate seats.

 

The S350 is a short wheelbase, and was offered in the U.S. as a 2006 model only. All S500 and S430s imported for sale in the U.S. were long wheelbase.

The S350 was sold in Canada for several years before it came to the U.S.

 

I would check the serial number of the engine against the list of Balance Shaft Problems shown here:

http://classactionlawsuitsinthenews....-m273-engines/

Also, could check with dealer to pull VMI to see if repair has been done, They have to pull engine to repair and could cost around $ 5,000.

 

Thank you for the heads up.

Are you saying that only some of the engines were effected by the problem or that all were and you just need to make sure the repair was done? Is it a matter of finding a unaffected vin or finding a repaired vin.

My other problem is finding the SWB. It would seem like it should be easy as most of the bumper manufacturers are in china or somewhere overseas, places where the SWB are common. But I have come up with nothing so far.

So you think the car would look stupid without the AMG skirts? I do want it too look right as I hate the look of cheaply modified mercedes.

Lastly, any people that have driven an S350, how does it feel when you put your foot down? Is it at least decently fast? The problem is I am used to driving my fathers S550 which is pretty damn fast, so an S350 may feel like a dog.

I'll see. What I really want is a beautiful AMG (body kit) W220, however I feel like in the end I may go with a C300.

 

The M272 engine from the beginning in 2004 of manufacture up to Serial Number 2729..30 468993 is included.

Even if repairs have been made, I personally would worry about the damage from the metal filings that were circulated thru the engine. They do flush the filings out with mineral oil and remove the drain pan as part of the repair.

I’ve previously owned a 300SL, and a S320 LWB and did not have any problems with the power of the v6 engines. I didn’t need the extra power to enjoy the ride.

See the link below for a time-limited listing for a 2006 s350 for sale

http://www.daveedwardshyundai.com/us...9f06b72e3d.htm

I noticed that they described the engine as 3.7l v-6 ??

 

which is exactly what it is.

 

It could be the M112 E37 engine if it's actually 3.7l. It looks like both the M272 or M112 was used in the S350's. If it's a M112 engine, then the engine is not listed as being affected.


Conner,

On the link to the S350 for sale, the VIN number's 5th digit shows code F which is regular sedan code. The Sedan LWB code would show a G.

Jayz

 

so the only short S class 220 in the US is the 2006 s350?

No short s430 or s500 were ever US models?

 

no, every 220 but the 350 is a LWB

 

The 2006 S350 for sale on the dealer link mentioned above on a previous post also has a 2006 S430 lwb for sale.

Below are 2 pictures. The first is 2006 S430 lwb. The second is a 2006 S350 swb.


2006 S430 lwb


2006 S350 swb


You can see the difference if you compare the length of the rear passenger doors.

 

interesting! I have never seen the swb and lwb side by side...no wonder there is so much rear seat room in my s430! What is the wheelbase difference between the 2?

 

SWB is 116.7" (2964mm) and LWB is 121.5" (3086mm) , so only about 4.8" (122mm), but you can see the difference.