HoustonJohn

Hello my friends. July was the first anniversary of ownership of my 2004 S430. I thought that I would share an honest account of my experience. Hopefully potential buyers could get a decent take-away and you pros could advise on my current issues.
*The Purchase - This was an '04 with AMG sport package with 115,000 miles. I won't specify what I paid, but it was WAY too much in retrospect. Overall, the car ran fine, but had a number of minor cosmetic and electrical problems that I SHOULD have used as leverage. All I can say is it was a learning experience.
*Repairs to Date - The emergency brake pedal was soft and did not engage brake. I had to get that assembly replaced to pass inspection. $300. This week I replaced rotors, pads, and sensors. That one was more painful. $1,000. Oil leak due to worn plug gasket. $20. Rear driver's side window was cracked by rock. $400 for replacement. Tires and battery have been replaced and pricing was more in accordance with what you'd expect. Brake and headlight bulb replacement. (All major repair done by German mechanic at Skeeter's Automotive. Outstanding customer service.)
*Lingering Issues - Trunk lid falls randomly. Soft-close does not work on front doors. The LCD screen has blotches of blank spots. LCD does not open properly to insert cassette (for iPhone adapter). Door handle light on rear door is out. Someone stole my lower AMG center grill. AC tends to take a while to cool car on hot days, particularly in the back (no AC motor on rear center vents). Occasionally, driver's seat does not return to my setting when starting car. Sun visors reluctant to stay all the way up and passenger vanity mirror does not stay up enough to turn light on.
*The Positives - This is an incredible road car. At least once a month, I drive it on 6+ hour trips. If the idiots on 59 and on I-10 in Texas would get out of the left lane, I'd be smiling like a 'possum. ** The stereo system sound is exceptional. ** When driving in manual mode, this car will snap your head back. ** The materials in the interior are high quality and can take a deep scrubbing. I was able to get out tough coffee and busted ink pen stains.

So, with one year down, I can report that my experience has been generally very positive. The car looks beautiful in pewter metallic and rides like my own private jet. Special thanks needs to be expressed to the admins and members of this forum. This is an invaluable resource and the information is greatly appreciated.

tusabes

Sounds like very little was needed. Any used car will need tires and brakes if they weren't changed right before you bought it

Rock chips /window cracks would happen to any car

The little electrical gremlins are unfortunately unavoidable on a 10 year old car loaded with so much electrical wizardry

Keep on loving it !!

I'm in my fifth year of ownership of an s430 with 200k+ miles.

ibeforreal

One thing you might want to consider in the future is full glass coverage from you insurance company. I think mine is less than an additional $5 per month. It covers all of the windows on the car. Matter of fact, I didn't even have to pay a deductible to have a window replaced.

Quadcammer

the lcd doesn't open properly for cassette?

since when does a 2004 w220 have a cassette player?

HoustonJohn

The cassette is top-secret on mine. Eject>Tape>Screen shifts downward revealing cassette

HoustonJohn

This is extremely encouraging. What are your thoughts on transmission fluid? Did you have yours replaced?

tusabes

I replaced my whole transmission at 190k miles with a used one from a guy on this forum parting his car out

$500 for the used tranny and $300 for my Indy mechanic to install it

Quadcammer

pic of this?

HoustonJohn

HoustonJohn

Funny thing...when I tried the cassette function this time, it WORKED!

Quadcammer

woah...I have never seen that. Is that 2004 only? I have to see if my 2005 does this... I don't think it does.