Used S280/S320 a good idea?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2
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Used S280/S320 a good idea?
Hi,
We're in the UK and are looking to buy a 2 or 3-year old S-class (smaller engines only). We've seen one that seems to fit the bill (S320 w/COMAND, lowish mileage, local seller, 'X' reg).
Before we take the plunge though, is there anything we should think twice about? Are the year 2000 cars at all ropey, being so near the start of the model cycle? Might the COMAND system prove buggy, being an earlier model? Price-wise, is now a good time to pick one of these cars up? Finally, given the model's legendary ability to depreciate, will this car be worth just pocket change in about 4 years?
Thanks.
We're in the UK and are looking to buy a 2 or 3-year old S-class (smaller engines only). We've seen one that seems to fit the bill (S320 w/COMAND, lowish mileage, local seller, 'X' reg).
Before we take the plunge though, is there anything we should think twice about? Are the year 2000 cars at all ropey, being so near the start of the model cycle? Might the COMAND system prove buggy, being an earlier model? Price-wise, is now a good time to pick one of these cars up? Finally, given the model's legendary ability to depreciate, will this car be worth just pocket change in about 4 years?
Thanks.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 306
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From: Atlanta
2004 S 600
As much as I like the S series...I have 2001 S600, I would stay away from the 2000 model year. Had bad a/c compressor design which means to fix they have to spend 22 hours taking entire dash out (people who have had this done can't stand the rattles) and windows were not UV tinted properly.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Hi,
As an update, just to say that we've seen a used S320. Colour's nice, it's low mileage and well spec'd. Also drives smoothly. But, 2 things:
1. The interior. OK so the light cream leather isn't the easiest to keep looking good, but even so, it does all seem very worn and marked for what is a relatively recent car with low mileage. Should the condition of the interior normally be a big concern when buying one of these cars?
2. Car hasn't been serviced for a year now, which doesn't fill us with confidence. The dashboard is saying stuff like 'brake pad lining needs changing' and 'change water'. A cause for concern? We're gonna ask the seller to get it serviced before selling it, if he agrees then should we just overlook these details?
Thanks.
As an update, just to say that we've seen a used S320. Colour's nice, it's low mileage and well spec'd. Also drives smoothly. But, 2 things:
1. The interior. OK so the light cream leather isn't the easiest to keep looking good, but even so, it does all seem very worn and marked for what is a relatively recent car with low mileage. Should the condition of the interior normally be a big concern when buying one of these cars?
2. Car hasn't been serviced for a year now, which doesn't fill us with confidence. The dashboard is saying stuff like 'brake pad lining needs changing' and 'change water'. A cause for concern? We're gonna ask the seller to get it serviced before selling it, if he agrees then should we just overlook these details?
Thanks.
