genealogyxie

Ok so I found a really nice 2007 S550 with the designo interior. I wasn't really sure if the extra cost of the S class was worth it over an E class, but the fully adjustable and ventilated seats in the back are really making me consider getting it. That and it's a special edition S class!

It also has one owner on the carfax, and they're really advertising that the owner regularly serviced it at the dealer for everything. I see they also replaced some suspension parts too, but that's pretty much it. It also has ABC which is pretty nice, not sure if that's better than 4matic though

The biggest problem is I fount that in earlier models, they failed to fully harden the idler gear and could cause the engine to immediately stop - a dangerous situation since you'd probably lose power steering and braking too D:

Then I found out about balancing shaft issues? Hmm making me rethink the deal since those repairs require taking apart the engine.

But it has 150k miles on it! If it was defective wouldn't it have self-destructed on the highway by now? Maybe it didn't have the defective parts?

The engine number is 273961 30 074225

Jason B

I'd be scared to buy that car.

Nuru

+1 that car is probably not a good idea unless you are an experienced mechanic with MB and want it as a project. because without a warranty, when it breaks it will cost a bundle.

The usual comparisons are between AIRMATIC suspension and ABC. ABC is quite a bit more to repair than AIRMATIC

bigjets

+1 What Nuru said. ABC problems are very expensive for several reasons. First, parts are expensive and second, labor for diagnosis can get crazy. I had an issue with the ABC in my 2007 S600 with 38k miles. It was at the dealer for over a week while they changed part after part. I had to negotiate with the regional manager to get to a reasonable repair price for their "flagship sedan". Yeah, walk away from the ABC.

Nickthegreek

ABC is wicked expensive to repair and also to maintain. And if you get contaminants in the system say bye bye. Airmatic is so much less hassle free

Nickthegreek

it will probably need new engine mounts and maybe a tranny mount. If your extent of car repair knowledge is changing the oil or less, do not buy it unless you have a lot of dough. I did the engine mounts in mine. It wasn't too hard but you have to be very clever and good at manipulating objects and have the right tools. Get a Star Diagnosis computer from EBay ASAP if you choose to buy this so you can do a lot of the diagnosis on it yourself. It's 1000 dollars but its much less than what the dealer will charge you. In fact see if you can take it to a dealer and have it scanned to save yourself time and grief.

Mike5215

Just a couple of quick points. ABC is not an alternative to 4matic, it's an alternative to AirMatic. I'm not sure what a Special Edition S Class would be. Any S can be outfitted with pretty much any option at the factory. It sounds like this has an optional interior color scheme (Designo) and a rear seat package. The rear seat package is somewhat rare in the 550 but they're out there. My local dealer has one now as a matter of fact.

As others have said, I would RUN from that car no matter how seductive it may appear to be. If you have your heart set on a W221, look for a CPO car and get the full extended warranty. If a CPO car is out of your price range, forget the S. There's no such thing as a cheap S Class. It'll either get you up front or kill you on the back end.

genealogyxie

So you guys are saying it could still have a defective engine?

I'm pretty sure it would be a breach of contract if it threw a fault with a computer plugged in since they told me it "needs nothing" though I think I might look for a 2008 one instead if you guys are saying it could still have the defective engine even after 150,000 miles

I've read that the ABC/transmission is pretty reliable if the fluid is changed every 40k miles or so and you don't get a single piece of dirt in it (lol), but I'm not sure how often they changed it, if at all. Does the dealer change the ABC/transmission fluid at some point during the service or do you need to request that?

I wanted ABC because I figured it would be smoother over the bumps, but maybe all it does is eliminate body roll and give high repair bills :/

Motor mounts were quoted $1200 at Mercedes dealer. I can deal with that since that's a relatively small amount and should be less at an indy, but a $7k ABC repair would be crossing the line if it turns out their dealer didn't maintain that properly. (I assume indy places still won't touch it?) Then I'd just get a 2007 E320, especially since I don't drive that often.
I want the safety, comfort, and quiet (having a phone conversation without them even knowing you're driving!) in the S class, but the E class looks like it's 70% as good at 50% the price

Nuru

BTW, what are you looking to spend for the car?

genealogyxie

I'm willing to spend $18-25k an a S550 and $2k/yr in repairs/maintenance on average. I'm wondering how many people have problems with their S class because it has high miles, or because the failed to maintain it properly. Getting stuck on the side of the road doesn't sound very luxurious (or safe) :P

A fully loaded E320 in great condition looks like it'll be $13k and much less in running costs. Getting 35mpg vs 20mpg on long road trips is also a big plus, but if the S class can be just as trouble free, I'd probably spend the extra bucks for the S550 because it's just so nice (some of my other family members spend that much on much lesser luxuries)

genealogyxie

Btw, I said it had ABC instead of 4matic because someone told me for some reason you couldn't order it with ABC and 4matic.
Kinda strange since if you wanted the slightly better handling of ABC, wouldn't you also want 4matic to accelerate slightly faster in those corners too?

Nuru

You can probably get a loaded W212 E class for $25 - 30k, if you are willing to handle a car wit over 45k miles on it. A few less features and the cost goes even further down.

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-...aidSearchNoZip

genealogyxie

I think the newer E class looks pretty ugly. Like it has a deformed nose or eyes or something. They tried to make the 4 eyes look modern or Japanese, but it just doesn't work

On a less superficial point, it wouldn't have the dual pane glass, ventilated seats, or the extra safety/quiet of the S class. If I'm spending the extra money, I'd want the whole package

I'm fine with a higher mileage car as long as it's in great condition since I'd put less than 10,000 miles/year (mostly highway) on it anyway

Mike5215

It's not a question of maintenance. For a lot of these systems, including Airmatic there is no scheduled maintenance. They work until one day they don't. Sometimes there are warning signs and you can salvage the pump, sometimes not. You can be stung just as easily by an S with a clean maintenance and repair history as one without. They're built well with good materials so they can look very clean at 100k+ miles if they've been kept up cosmetically, and they can have extensive MB service records and a clean CarFax, and all of that is a zero hedge against the possibility of a major mechanical failure, or a string of minor failures, or both.

Presently there are 9 CPO W221's in the country priced in the $35k range. Much better bet.

Jason B

When you saw newer E, you mean 2014+ right? I love the 2010-2013 style E. Great looking car, that will look much newer longer than the 2014+

Mike5215

The E is proof that not even Mercedes can replicate an S Class driving experience in a less expensive package.

Nuru

+1 and that is the year range I was talking about, not the 2014's

Jason B

Good. 2012, $32k miles, $34,900 on dealer lot. A friend was looking at it by is scared to death to move up from his Camry. I told him to pay sticker and say he wants the extended warranty thrown in. That would be a nice deal.

Nuru

Actually, no, they weren't trying to replicate the S class's driving experience, they were just trying to field another model within their line. They all need to be distinct so they will sell. The E was never intended to be a smaller S Class.

Jason B

But the new C is....

Nuru

....the New C and it does not drive like an S at all, it may look similar (i.e looking like a pint size S), but it is not, definitely does not drive lie a S. However, I think the C400 is probably a great car to commute in everyday!

genealogyxie

Huh just making sure we're talking about the same thing, I mean this car looks deformed
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merced...t_20100705.jpg

this car looks good (probably the best looking E class in this millenium
https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.thec...00425562_l.jpg

Mike5215

Yeah, right down to the optional AirMatic suspension. Plus a lot of S Class switchgear and equipment in the new C. The CLS is also on Airmatic and I drove a 2010 that felt like an S with more sportiness, but still ultra quiet and smooth.

Nuru

Mike I am sorry, I don't typically disagree with you , but -1 2014 C-class is still not an S-class! I have driven a 2014 C-class and it is still a C-class. Next time you drive one, take it through the paces, and you will definitely see the differences, especially in the road noise, handling, pucker factor, size etc. When I get out of a C-class, it seems like the front door is so small that I can reach the trunk by just a slight stumble, it seems so small now that I have moved from C-class to E-class to S-class. That short wheelbase makes a huge difference in the comparison.

Mike5215

I wasn't saying Mercedes succeeded in replicating an S Class driving experience in the new C, but it does seem that's what they were going for. Or at least to give prospective buyers the impression that's what they were going for.

Most of MB US sales are at the C Class level, and those buyers don't cross shop the S and the C, or the S and the E. It helps C Class sales to suggest that the car has the S DNA in a smaller, more economical package.

The prior gen C couldn't be mistaken for an S at any distance, but the new C is clearly an S Mini-Me in form if not function. It's a way to let an entry level buyer feel good despite being at (or near I guess with the A) the bottom rung. I guarantee sales guys at MB dealers everywhere are using the phrase "Mercedes calls it "The Baby S Class"!"

But yeah, to those of us who've driven an S, obviously it's still a C.