jbodentrader

I am currently the owner of a 2000 W210 E430 that is in the process of dying, and it's breaking my heart. I bought it 7 years ago for $2800 with 190,000 on the odometer it now has 260,000 and the engine is strong as an ox. Got backed into a year ago and was sent a check by the insurance company for $2000. Replaced the fender with a recycled(junkyard) model for $100 and all was well. Now the radiator is leaking, the tranny slipped out of gear (code 7000) twice this month, and I have given up trying to stay ahead of the rust.
Dealer claims the tranny slipping out of gear is an indication that failure of the transmission is emanate. I have no idea if this is accurate.
I have located 2 S500's (2001, and 2002) both with relatively low mileage and seemingly in very good shape. Mileage on both is below 130,000.
Any ideas what problem I should plan for? What area would require closest examination?

chassis

A slipping transmission is usually a one way trip towards replacing the unit, or a new vehicle.

The W220 S500 appears to use the M113 and 5G-Tronic, both of which you have in the W210 E430. If you DIY, you can leverage your know-how. Beware of the additional complexity that S-Classes are known for, such as suspension, entertainment system and electrical systems in general.

jbodentrader

I DYI most that I can. Brakes, oil changes, replaced O2 sensors, changed radiator, replaced water pump and tstat.
But I see there are issues with these S class autos which may be over my head and require a trip to the dealer. I'm just trying to get some kind of any idea of the frequency of repair.

bamberger_1

chassis, you're completely right, however the driving experience is awesome and not comparable to a W210 or any other car, in that class. jbodentrader, you have to know, if you buy a W220 you'll never return to any other car, than S-Class, which can be an expensive trip, after all.
What you have to check is the Airmatic suspension, even more so if the car would have ABC, and you need to know the car's extras list, to check all the features, before you buy. Most owners don't even know the gimmicks they have. You can use the VIN-Decoder to find out. Corrosion is an issue, but the W210 wasn't any better, so you know. Try to get the (clean!) history, even the car is almost 20y old. The electronic issues are not as bad as what there to read about. As long you have average DIY knowledge, its one of the few modern cars which still can be maintained w/o a computer. I have a model 2000 for almost 190.000 mls and still be a happy driver, who wants nothing more, than that this car lasts another 10y+. So if the car seems to be ok, go for it, you'll never regret the move from W210 to W220, or W221???? (if the budget can do?)

tusabes

just check out the whole car. Suspension issues are common , as are the pneumatic soft close doors . The seat switches fail and leave the windows and seats inoperable .and the command stereo Nav system can go bad and cause a battery drainer. These are the really the only unique items to the w220

evrry other issue is same as e430- crank sensor , accelerator pedal , electrical connector on transmission. Etc . As they have the same drivetrain

wallyp

"Not being hampered by facts, I can speak freely on the subject."

I am not at all familiar with the W210, so this may well be worthless, but...

If the W210 has a driveline that is similar to the W220, you might be able to push it a little further. There is an electrical connector on the back of the W220 transmission that allows ATF to wick up the wire harness into the TCM (Transmission Control Module) in the right-hand SAM under the hood. If the transmission starts acting up, you can sometimes look in the SAM, find the wire harness with oily traces, and use the harness to wriggle the small black plastic TCM box out of the SAM. You then pop the box open and use spray cans of brake/parts cleaner to thoroughly clean the electronics inside. Let it dry and replace it, then see what happens...

I think that you will like a W220.

Race Reid

Just thought id thrown in my experience since i bought a 200k junkyard 2000 s500
The things that were wrong on mine is the vacuum pump so check soft close doors if it has them, door locks, the trunk opens. The air suspension which most people say is costly (its not) i redid the whole system for 1000$ but make sure its not a low rider before youve started it. And the ball joints were bad on mine but mines a 200k i dont think 130ks should have that but just in case make sure you listen for squeak in the front suspension when u drive it or turn the wheel and a little bonus. If the car looks pimped and blacked out google the wheels 😂 mine turned out to be real expensive amg wheels that almost out priced the car hehe.
GOOD LUCK FRIEND I THINK YOU WONT REGRET IT!

jbodentrader

To all my new friends: thank all of you for this information.

vinflouen

I have a 2005 S430 that I have restored to show room condition. My car has 107k on it.
With these cars you need to check the airmatic suspension as Bamberger said, many videos on youtube about this if you DIY like most of us do. Not expensive to fix if you wanted to.
Next are valve covers, make sure those have been done and are not leaking, there is also a breather cover.
Then you have to make sure the cars reed valve is clean and water never leaked in. (google it)
The trans on this car (5 speed) is pretty solid, but like anything, it needs to be maintained.
I would advise you to go for a 2003 or later w220 with good maintenance records on it.
These cars are in need of regular maintenance, they are not slap tires and brakes on and call it a day....
Because of that you get a car that is superior on the road and drives like nothing else on the road. The w220 has probably the best ride of any benz out there and the handling at high speed for such a large car is pretty amazing.

Kebowers47

Pay for a GOOD pre-purchase inspection at a good Dealership, including pulling ALL the codes--both current and stored. Include a thorough RUST inspection. There are many more 'features' in the S-Class that many say are not-needed, but are very nice to have, but can be expensive to repair if they quit working. WATER intrusion to under the passenger rear seat will happen is the cowl drain plugs from debris. That can cause numerous expensive modules to fail. Lift up the carpets and check thoroughly.

tonylinc

The pre purchase inspection may be hard to find. I took a Mercedes to a local Mercedes Benz dealership, they are as connected to MBZ as any dealership in the world, and bringing the car in I already knew the tail lights had no power and was looking forward to their telling me what was needed to make those work again. Charged me $450 and when i got the car back, the checklist indicated that the tail lights were in working order. (They were not.) They also stole the mint condition clean as-new floor mats out of my car, and replaced when with old worn out floor mats that were dirty and the wrong color. When I complained about the floor mats, it took me two weeks to convince this dealership what happened and make them order me a new set of the proper correct floor mats for my car, determined by the VIN as per color, from Germany. I told them I will drive up and get out of the car, and stand there and watch as a dealership rep took ythose old junk floor mats out of my car and replaced them with new ones. I still had to diagnose and repair the tail lights issue myself, after they told me to replace a trunk wiring harness for $873 which would not have solved the tail light issue. Cost me $149 for a used SAM, and a few hours labor followed by two days of back pain. Maybe some dealerships are different. But I wouldn't bring a car to this particular one again, for any reason.