DunninLA

Hello. Turning in my wife's 1999 S320 in July after its lease expires. I personally drive an '01 E320 with Eibach suspension, AMG 17" wheels and Pirelli Pzero Rossos.


Are there any significant differences between 2001 and 2002 S430? Also we don't need the power, as she is satisfied with the current S320, so are there any other differences other than power between the S430 and S500 for those two years? Thanks in advance.

I should mentione I'm thinking of going out with a dealer acquaintance to the auction in I think Fontana with about $45k cash for this purchase. Larry Dunn

IluvS500

I dont beleive there are really any differences on betweent the two years except maybe the digital speedometer option. Oh and the star in the center of the wheels is chrome, just look on ebay you will see what I mean. Other than that there isnt really a difference. From what I understand also there is little difference in power between the 430 and the 500 so if your wife is satisfied with the 320 then she should be more than happy with the 430. I would shoot for the newer and get the 02 if possible.

DunninLA

thanks Tyler, that's what I figured but didn't know for sure. I will try to find a 2002 S430 with less than 30k miles

IluvS500

have fun, let us know what you come back with

MB AMG

Yeah, i'd go for a 2002+ S430. With the 4.3L V8, it has enough power.

DMI+RY

The major difference (well, besides the engine displacement, power and fuel consumtino) is between S430 and S500 (IMHO), that interior trim on S430 is Calyptus (which I cannot stand, not with black interior though) and S500 has a Burl Walnut (which IMO fits best).

Other things that optional on S430 and standard on S500 are Xenon lights and Heated Seats.

DunninLA

Thanks. What exactly is calyptus?

IluvS500

Calyptus in a way looks like ply wood.

DMI+RY

IMO Calyptus looks to bright, light and yellowish for Charcoal Black and Ash Grey interiors. In Biege it looks ok though...

hongalan

Isn't the leather different? Nappa leather vs ??

DMI+RY

S430 equipped with "Premium leather upholstery hand-fitted to each seat, plus head restraints, seatback magazine pockets, center armrests and door trim inserts."

S500 equipped with "Hand-fitted glove-soft Nappa leather seating surfaces. Premium leather on remainder of seats, as well as seatback magazine pockets, center armrests and door trim inserts."

Napa leather is softer and cost more $$$

Incendiary

5-year lease? I've never heard of that before.

Auctions are the way to go, or so I've heard. GL!

DunninLA

No, it was a four year lease, after the original 2 year lease expired. The previous owner was (right there in the owner's manual.....Adrienne Barbau), that actress who was in some swamp monster movie.

DunninLA

Thanks for your input folks.

Did the deed today. Was intending to go to the Riverside auction this Thursday, or at least send a dealer with price range in mind, but decided to go the Starmark route instead because of a very good deal.

Picked up a 2002 March 2002 (in-service) S430, which had been purchased by the dealer at auction in Phoenix, its original home being Texas (car has tinted windows). Paid $50k even, 22k miles, very nice condition. Starmarked. Also bought 2 year's extended warranty for $2950 minus $250 AAA discount. Wheels are butt-ugly, but I'll replace those.

Drove it home. Leaving now to deliver to my wife. I will post details later.

IluvS500

Wow you finally did it. What options did you get?

hongalan

Hi DunninLA,

Congratulations on your purchase. It sounds like you got a good deal. Is the extended warranty by Mercedes...Starmark extended warranty? I have a 2002 S500 with (at purchase 36K miles) and an extended warranty but it seems that I paid a different amount. I was not aware of a AAA discount. I wonder if the Starmark extended warranty is priced differently depending on mileage, time of purchase, condition of car and other factors?

Alan

DunninLA

Hey, here are the details.:

The Starmarking of the car costs the dealer about $1000, so he gave me the option of $49k non-starmarked, or $50k starmarked. This gets me a warranty extension almost the same as Factory for 1 year, and unlimited mileage up to 100,000.

I bought an MBUSA extended warranty for $2950 for 2 years, also capped at 100,000 miles. I attempted to price-haggle, and the only accomodation at this dealer was a AAA or Costco discount of $250. The finance manager input my AAA card number into his computer.

Now, the post-purchase issues: Can't find an owner's manual, so will ask them to get one. Missing 2nd Key which is part of Starmark-- they've ordered me one. Cd for the Comand was CD #4 for South Central US, and one of the sales guys found a Disc #1 for california and gave it to me. Lastly, the previous owner had tinted all the windows, being the car was from Texas. As noted on lots of posts here, the windows have very narrow vertical scratching on the mylar tinting on the inside that I hadn't noticed at the dealer. I asked my wife whether she wants the tinting removed, and she says she'd rather have the tinting and live with the tiny scratching. No mats, but not a big deal I'll buy some.

DunninLA

Update: Turns out Starmark requires good mats, 2nd key, owner's manual, and really a lot of other things so I'm just awaiting their arrival at the dealer. Found some used S55 wheels on ebay, actually three different ads, all about $2000 with mated tires in the staggered 8.5" front, 9" rear wheels, which I think I'll do.

Last thing with the car is to get a DVD player. I don't really like the one's that have the LCD screens in the back of the seat or headrest, so I'll try to find an 11" screen that can click open and drop down from the roof just behind the sunroof, if such a thing exists. Otherwise I'll just buy a 15" portable computer and get a power hookup to the 12v outlet in the back seat, along with a 1->2 headphone converter. I think these built in DVD players are really only appropriate to use for 2+ hour family car trips, so I'm not sure why the money wouldn't be better spend on a portable computer to do the same thing.

Brian_I.

Congrats! I will be facing a similar dilemma in December so I don't know what to do. Hope everything works out okay.

DunninLA

Well, I bought and installed the 18" AMG split spoke wheels with Bridgestone 050 tires, in the staggered 8.5" front, 9" back. The tires/wheels had 800 miles on an CL55 that swapped up for 20" wheels.

I've also ordered the eucalyptus or whatever it's called shift knob, and that's about it until I retint the windows and have the door weather stripping changed from rubber to felt (or whatever materially they use) so the new tint won't be scratched.

My wife feels like Christmas came early. She's just thrilled, especially with the tinted windows.

Incendiary

Sounds like some nice upgrades. Any more planned? Maybe some Brabus engine and suspension mods? :v