horsepit

Why would they buy two similar v8s I assume there must be a reason to get one over the other. Can anyone enlighten me?

Quadcammer

one was cheaper with fewer options when new.

some buyers did not need or want the additional features or additional hp.

babyman1737

It really depends on year, but take 2004 as an example.
S500: 300HP, standard bixeon headlights, heated front seats, Nappa leather seating surfaces, walnut trim
S430: 270HP, calyptus trim

classyS

same **** different toilet.

Fraser

Also the 600s didn't come out immediately when the W220 was released, at least in the UK. The 500 was top of the pack and in UK spec came massively more equipped than the 430s.

The 430s didn't even have COMAND as standard until 2003 and below the 430 was the 320, 320 CDi and the 280!

horsepit

I was looking at a 2006. Were there still differences other than the power?

srknutson

I believe 06 models came with AMG package or 4 Matic N/C that is the reason you see more 05 & 06's with these packages. Also from 04 on these models have the 7 speed transmission.

jd986s

S500 has these standard (some are options on S430)

302hp
Bi Xenon head lights
Nappa leather
Heated Seats

In 2006, AMG package OR 4 Matic was a no cost option, so most cars will either have AMG package OR 4 Matic but I've seen a car w/o these options.

If you're buying it used, there is not much differences in price. Find a car with best condition / options you prefer.

bha

Additional differences:

In the USA, both the S430 and S500 were LWB (long wheelbase) models. The only SWB was the S350 that came out much later (2006?)

In Canada, you had two variants of the S430 for every model year. SWB or LWB.

So if you wanted a SWB model, it had to be an S430.

Lots of non-4matic SWB S430's in Canada (I drive one myself).

Still an excellent luxury car, even though I don't have an LWB car, don't have 4matic, and don't even have vacuum doors (it was an option on SWB 430)

I suspect Europe and much of the rest of the world is the same way. Only in the USA did both cars come pretty much 'fully loaded' with the S430 missing some of the S500 options.