Hi Guys I have a friend selling his 2007 S65, I have taken it for a test drive and it's an unbelievable experience with a smile on my face, I just loved it.
My question is are these 07 S65s reliable and can parts be found aftermarket or dealer only, what should I expect to pay for regular maintenance, any input is appreciated.
Thanks

 

As much as I'd love to own one of those, I'd vote against it unless you have a lot of money. It's a $200k dollar car, definitely not cheap to maintain. Just doing the brakes on an AMG car can be cost prohibitive. Ask you friend for receipts for work he's had done and see how bad it is

 

I would assume few, if any, parts unique to the S65 would be available aftermarket since very few of these vehicles were manufactured.
There were only 477 of these made for export to the US in 2007 per http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/m...model-usa.html

Do not purchase this vehicle unless you are prepared to pay a lot for parts.
Everything about the power train is unique as well as the brakes.

If you read the fine print in all advertised dealer service specials, vehicles like this one are excluded.

This vehicle is an excellent toy for the very wealthy only.

 

Thanks for the info guys, what about S63s?

 

Nonsense...

While it's clear that brakes and other things will cost more on an AMG, parts are not rare for that car. It is an S-Class first and foremost and shares most parts with the S600 and S63. The engine and brakes can be found in the CL65 and SL65.

Just like a S550 without warranty, maintenance and repair will add up. If you are prepared to set aside $3k to maybe $5k a year you should be fine...

 

Wolfman do you know of any common repairs owners of S65s experience, my friends is an 07 with 70000 kms.

 

I would check in the S-Class AMG forum here, but they are typically these:

1. latest by 50k miles. -> Spark plugs. MB will charge you $1500 plus for that but for the DIY will be much less and easy to do...
2. Coil packs. If they go, I think $2k each side. Easy to find on Ebay though...
3. Motor & transmission mounts. Heavy, high torque engines wear these out by 70k miles at the latest. Dirt cheap parts. On our SL, the engine had to come out and I think also on the S-Class but I might be wrong. Think $3k on the S550 it would be $500 to $800.
4. Brakes: Rotors are pricey if multi piece, just check for condition before purchase and negotiate the price down if replacement is imminent.
5. ABC pump, lines, struts. I never had a strut go bad, but if the pump goes, think $3.5 to $4k...
6. Tires, if you enjoy driving the car

The rest is just like a S550. Keep in mind that Mercedes will pay for parts if the car is out of warranty as well ( at least here in the US) if the car 7 years or less and has less than 100k miles on it.
It just requires the Service Manager of the dealer to call the MB area manager.

I had that done several times and Mercedes always (I mean 100%) pay at least for the parts and you cover the labor.

The S63 will be cheaper on the engine, but if it's naturally aspirated, it's a slow(ish) and non-exiting car. I would take a S600 anytime before the S63. Much faster and easily tunable to be in the stock S65 performance territory...

 

Thanks, really appreciate the info