Buying a S500
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 185
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From: San Diego
CLK 430
Buying a S500
Hopefully I will be joining some of you soon in owning a S500. I am looking into a 2000 S500, but I am nervous about reliability. Are these cars pretty reliable, especially since 2000 is the first year out. Since I am looking at all kinds of sedans I found myself at a Lexus dealership looking at the new LS 430. The dealer told me that the perforated air-conditioned seats in the LS were better then the S classes. He said the S class has had a couple of seats catch on fire due to faulty mechanisms. Is there ANY truth in that statement? Anyway any info on reliability or what to look for when I am checking out an S class is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 566
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From: Los Angelos
what else do u expect a lexus dealer to say? a friend of mine has a 2000 5 double O and the only prob he had so far with his car was with the sunroof. he more than 40000 miles on it. to be safe just buy a car with low miles or with xtended warranty.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 894
Likes: 1
There has been only ONE reported incident of a heated seat malfunction on any benz related message board. It was on a CLK w208. The heated seat function has two settings.. the highest setting is suppose to turn off into the lower setting after a set amount of time. I guess for that person, it did not turn off. The seat did not catch on fire. It burned a small hole in the leather and I believe burned the driver also. Nothing too severe, but that shouldn't be happening anyways.
The w220 is a solid car. Well built and runs very well. I've had mine for 19k miles in 17 months. Not a single problem.
The Lexus LS 430 is a good bargain. Hell, all japanese cars are good bargains. But in the end, a Lexus is a toyota. A Benz is a Benz.
The w220 is a solid car. Well built and runs very well. I've had mine for 19k miles in 17 months. Not a single problem.
The Lexus LS 430 is a good bargain. Hell, all japanese cars are good bargains. But in the end, a Lexus is a toyota. A Benz is a Benz.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 306
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From: Atlanta
2004 S 600
Don't buy it. The A/C can't keep the car cool....a combination of too weak a compressor and improper UV sheilding of glass. Also, problems with steering control arms and software of command systems.
Look at Consumer Reports recent car issue......they DO NOT reccomend you buy the 2000 model S as a used car. They have it on their avoid list...that's a first for Merc!!! Also, surveys in Europe studying 2000 Merc's wound up giving Mercedes a quality rating last on the list of all makes sold in Europe....even behind GM Opel which has always been a joke to Europeans. Problems with the S 2000 and other models where what caused such problems in European surveys.
The S is a great car....I own a S600 2001.....lot's of problems with it and it's been in the shop for 47 days during 1.5 years of ownership. But, I love Merc's....so I'll put up with it's "bugginess".
Look for a used 2001.....steer way clear of the 2000!!!!!
Look at Consumer Reports recent car issue......they DO NOT reccomend you buy the 2000 model S as a used car. They have it on their avoid list...that's a first for Merc!!! Also, surveys in Europe studying 2000 Merc's wound up giving Mercedes a quality rating last on the list of all makes sold in Europe....even behind GM Opel which has always been a joke to Europeans. Problems with the S 2000 and other models where what caused such problems in European surveys.
The S is a great car....I own a S600 2001.....lot's of problems with it and it's been in the shop for 47 days during 1.5 years of ownership. But, I love Merc's....so I'll put up with it's "bugginess".
Look for a used 2001.....steer way clear of the 2000!!!!!
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 222
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1999 Porsche 911 Carrera
2000 S 500
I know that with any car's first year in production there will always be glitches that have to be worked out. We are truly the ginuea pigs for the car manufacturers...no matter how much testing they do, once its on the road owned by different owners, a true story of how the car performs surfaces; and usually it involves 1 or 2 major problems.
My advice: get the 2001 or newer.
Sean
My advice: get the 2001 or newer.
Sean
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 1
From: Bloomington, IN
1997 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
Re: Buying a S500
Originally posted by nuttertmf
Hopefully I will be joining some of you soon in owning a S500. I am looking into a 2000 S500, but I am nervous about reliability. Are these cars pretty reliable, especially since 2000 is the first year out. Since I am looking at all kinds of sedans I found myself at a Lexus dealership looking at the new LS 430. The dealer told me that the perforated air-conditioned seats in the LS were better then the S classes. He said the S class has had a couple of seats catch on fire due to faulty mechanisms. Is there ANY truth in that statement? Anyway any info on reliability or what to look for when I am checking out an S class is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Hopefully I will be joining some of you soon in owning a S500. I am looking into a 2000 S500, but I am nervous about reliability. Are these cars pretty reliable, especially since 2000 is the first year out. Since I am looking at all kinds of sedans I found myself at a Lexus dealership looking at the new LS 430. The dealer told me that the perforated air-conditioned seats in the LS were better then the S classes. He said the S class has had a couple of seats catch on fire due to faulty mechanisms. Is there ANY truth in that statement? Anyway any info on reliability or what to look for when I am checking out an S class is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 98
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From: New York
2008 S550 4Matic P3, Pano, Distronic, Sport
I just bought a 2000 S500 in January with 30K and loaded. I love the car!
However, we have a few 2001 S500 in my family and I have driven them and I can honestly say it is a better car! Much nicer to drive.
Spend a little extra for the '01.
The most annoying problem: you can not retrofit a new digital telephone system. I am very annoyed at this. If I had known I would have gone for an '01!
Good Luck!
However, we have a few 2001 S500 in my family and I have driven them and I can honestly say it is a better car! Much nicer to drive.
Spend a little extra for the '01.
The most annoying problem: you can not retrofit a new digital telephone system. I am very annoyed at this. If I had known I would have gone for an '01!
Good Luck!
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 279
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From: Boston
M3 Cab
Re: Re: Buying a S500
Originally posted by mbtech208
Buy the Lexus, you won't regret it. This is coming from a dealer technician that works on 2000 and newer S-classes every day.
Buy the Lexus, you won't regret it. This is coming from a dealer technician that works on 2000 and newer S-classes every day.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 1
From: Bloomington, IN
1997 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
Re: Re: Re: Buying a S500
Originally posted by oresama99
MB-Tech, what are your impressions on the 2001 onwards s-classes? even with the improvements are they still sketchy?
MB-Tech, what are your impressions on the 2001 onwards s-classes? even with the improvements are they still sketchy?
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5
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S600C, 97
600 SL coupe questions and comparisons
[
Hello there,
I just read your post and joined MB forum.
We bought a 97 S600 over the weekend and really love it.
Have a 97 E420 and was surprised that they both have a kinship.
The 420 takes off like a bat, the 600 has an even power curve and is just a bit more damped suspension wise and feels heavier of course.
Do you have any comments on this model as far as build/ reliability or anything to look for?
I have seen posts of people lowering the car and adding 19-21 inch wheels. Won't this make the suspension harsher (the 420 is really tight) and cause problems in the wheel wells?
We also have a 90 300E, XJ12 and XJ6 (94-95).
I am also of the opinion that the older S class has a better look than the newer diminuative series that shares so much styling now with every other model in the lineup.
Best,
JHenry
Hello there,I just read your post and joined MB forum.
We bought a 97 S600 over the weekend and really love it.
Have a 97 E420 and was surprised that they both have a kinship.
The 420 takes off like a bat, the 600 has an even power curve and is just a bit more damped suspension wise and feels heavier of course.
Do you have any comments on this model as far as build/ reliability or anything to look for?
I have seen posts of people lowering the car and adding 19-21 inch wheels. Won't this make the suspension harsher (the 420 is really tight) and cause problems in the wheel wells?
We also have a 90 300E, XJ12 and XJ6 (94-95).
I am also of the opinion that the older S class has a better look than the newer diminuative series that shares so much styling now with every other model in the lineup.
Best,
JHenry
