Should I buy a 2007 s600 v12 twin turbo?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
(Ok, let me say right off the bat that "Fried Chicken" is a great username and I wish I'd thought of it.)
I have a really good relationship with my local Indie shop and several other trades and service people. The main reason our relationships are so good is because they do good work for me and I pay them good money for it. The benefit of the relationship is that if I need something in a hurry they'll find a way to make it happen, and I trust them to do only what needs to be done. Never price.
Unless you're involved romantically with your mechanic, or you helped him bury a body, he's not going to continuously cut his own throat on price so that you can enjoy low cost S600 ownership.
Hourly rates at a good Indie are not substantially less, and they buy Mercedes parts and mark up Mercedes parts like anyone else. They're good for personal attention. They're not good for service loaners. Some Indies may not want the hassle of dealing with an aftermarket warranty.
In short, unless you're an accomplished Mercedes tech yourself, and there are at best three guys on this board who meet that standard, an S Class, particularly a 600, will eat you alive if you own it long enough unprotected.
I have a really good relationship with my local Indie shop and several other trades and service people. The main reason our relationships are so good is because they do good work for me and I pay them good money for it. The benefit of the relationship is that if I need something in a hurry they'll find a way to make it happen, and I trust them to do only what needs to be done. Never price.
Unless you're involved romantically with your mechanic, or you helped him bury a body, he's not going to continuously cut his own throat on price so that you can enjoy low cost S600 ownership.
Hourly rates at a good Indie are not substantially less, and they buy Mercedes parts and mark up Mercedes parts like anyone else. They're good for personal attention. They're not good for service loaners. Some Indies may not want the hassle of dealing with an aftermarket warranty.
In short, unless you're an accomplished Mercedes tech yourself, and there are at best three guys on this board who meet that standard, an S Class, particularly a 600, will eat you alive if you own it long enough unprotected.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
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W212 FL
Hmmm, the name Fried Chicken reminds me of Kentucky . I appreciate your audacity and courage given picking up such a name would be a matter of derision easily otherwise that's very unusual one to opt from
Last but not least, if you ask whether or not it's a good idea to buy a high end car you may better walk away
A side note, no matter how old the car is it's an S Class and to top things off it's S600 V12 . You would be paying for a car of $100.000 in parts although the value is drastically dropped like Avalanche curling off the hill
I have asked a few V12 Owners and annual upkeep was around $5000 . I take one must be shelling away a value that's on par with a Rolex Oyster just to keep the car in good condition
Last but not least, if you ask whether or not it's a good idea to buy a high end car you may better walk away
A side note, no matter how old the car is it's an S Class and to top things off it's S600 V12 . You would be paying for a car of $100.000 in parts although the value is drastically dropped like Avalanche curling off the hill
I have asked a few V12 Owners and annual upkeep was around $5000 . I take one must be shelling away a value that's on par with a Rolex Oyster just to keep the car in good condition
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 628
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
A side note, no matter how old the car is it's an S Class and to top things off it's S600 V12 . You would be paying for a car of $100.000 in parts although the value is drastically dropped like Avalanche curling off the hill
I have asked a few V12 Owners and annual upkeep was around $5000 . I take one must be shelling away a value that's on par with a Rolex Oyster just to keep the car in good condition
I have asked a few V12 Owners and annual upkeep was around $5000 . I take one must be shelling away a value that's on par with a Rolex Oyster just to keep the car in good condition
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 204
Likes: 18
From: Connecticut
2018 E400 Coupe | 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge
http://www.source-automotive.com/veh...nc-id-12644371
32,900 dealer ask for clean carfax 36,000 mile S600.
So it should be possible to find an owner willing to sell a similar car for mid to upper 20s.
Then grab a warranty from Baxter credit union in Chicago.
32,900 dealer ask for clean carfax 36,000 mile S600.
So it should be possible to find an owner willing to sell a similar car for mid to upper 20s.
Then grab a warranty from Baxter credit union in Chicago.
Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 97
Likes: 1
From: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
2008 S550, 2006 911, 2006 M5, 2005 F-150 King Ranch
If I were in your position...
I would do it.
Your young, single and only live once
You make decent money and it's only $24k.
Everyone should own a V12 in there lifetime.
Your young, single and only live once
You make decent money and it's only $24k.
Everyone should own a V12 in there lifetime.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 379
Likes: 38
From: middle o' ma
15 AMG S63 4-matic coupe
One also has to consider if this is primary transportation or a secondary vehicle.
Can you afford the downtime? Can you afford to rent alternative transportation when it's on the fritz?
Can you afford the downtime? Can you afford to rent alternative transportation when it's on the fritz?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
It's a good idea to ask your MB service manager about their experience with a given warranty company. Are they a nightmare to deal with? Are they a slow pay? Do they need to field inspect everything? Once you have a company they do business with, let the dealer handle the repairs. Grab a cup of coffee and a Danish from the lounge, get your service loaner and come back when she's done.
(If no Danish chicks are available in the lounge, grab a Swede instead.)
(If no Danish chicks are available in the lounge, grab a Swede instead.)
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Super Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 579
Likes: 37
My 2 cents.
Never look back. You are young with a good job and no kids so why not? Because something could break?
I know many say never buy a V12 or AMG with no warranty but again I say why the hell not.
That being said last year I brought my S65 into the dealer to look at my sunroof and they gave me an estimate for 10K. I laughed a bit and left thinking they must think I am a complete dumb ***. After a bit of research it looks like it is just a busted/skipping gear on the sunroof motor. Used on ebay it was about $200 or so.
I purchased my S65 last year with no warranty and I do understand that it may cost me at times but that is just the way it is.
I say it all the time the V12TT is an amazing engine and I never regret my purchase. I love it!
Good luck
Johan
Never look back. You are young with a good job and no kids so why not? Because something could break?
I know many say never buy a V12 or AMG with no warranty but again I say why the hell not.
That being said last year I brought my S65 into the dealer to look at my sunroof and they gave me an estimate for 10K. I laughed a bit and left thinking they must think I am a complete dumb ***. After a bit of research it looks like it is just a busted/skipping gear on the sunroof motor. Used on ebay it was about $200 or so.
I purchased my S65 last year with no warranty and I do understand that it may cost me at times but that is just the way it is.
I say it all the time the V12TT is an amazing engine and I never regret my purchase. I love it!
Good luck
Johan
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
Mechanical breakdown insurance is like any other insurance. It seems like a waste of perfectly good money right up til the minute you need it.
Like when you're getting your auto insured and the difference between $10,000 in Property Damage coverage and $50,000 is $25 a month more so you get the lower limit, which seems smart because you're such a good driver.
Until the moment you're not, and you plow into a line of cars stopped at a light. Common accident...you've probably driven past a half dozen chain rear Enders in the past year. Every one of those at fault drivers was certain he was a safe driver when he woke up that morning,
You total the first car, and your $10k is gone but it's not enough. You owe that guy another $15k. His own insurance makes up the difference. The second car has $7k in damage, the third only $3000. Their carriers also make up the differences. So far you're underinsured for $25,000,
The carriers that fronted the $25k want their money back. From you, personally. And if you can't pay it or don't pay it, the state permits them to take your driver's license until you make them whole.
Now saving $25 a month sounds pretty silly. I don't sell insurance, I've never sold insurance, but I've handled lots of claims where somebody underinsured and there was zero I could do to protect them from excess exposure.
In this example, given the commonness of an accident and the cost to repair or replace any reasonably decent car...or three...
Likewise the S600 or S65 has both a likelihood of major mechanical failure and the potential for repairs to be very expensive. I'd want to be protected.
Like when you're getting your auto insured and the difference between $10,000 in Property Damage coverage and $50,000 is $25 a month more so you get the lower limit, which seems smart because you're such a good driver.
Until the moment you're not, and you plow into a line of cars stopped at a light. Common accident...you've probably driven past a half dozen chain rear Enders in the past year. Every one of those at fault drivers was certain he was a safe driver when he woke up that morning,
You total the first car, and your $10k is gone but it's not enough. You owe that guy another $15k. His own insurance makes up the difference. The second car has $7k in damage, the third only $3000. Their carriers also make up the differences. So far you're underinsured for $25,000,
The carriers that fronted the $25k want their money back. From you, personally. And if you can't pay it or don't pay it, the state permits them to take your driver's license until you make them whole.
Now saving $25 a month sounds pretty silly. I don't sell insurance, I've never sold insurance, but I've handled lots of claims where somebody underinsured and there was zero I could do to protect them from excess exposure.
In this example, given the commonness of an accident and the cost to repair or replace any reasonably decent car...or three...
Likewise the S600 or S65 has both a likelihood of major mechanical failure and the potential for repairs to be very expensive. I'd want to be protected.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 61
Likes: 3
CLS500 AMG package 2006, CL600 2002, SLK230 kompressor 2003 sold, E500 2004 sold, BMW 335xi M sport
So? what was the outcome then? did the guy buyed the S600? im looking to buy a CL600 as a fourth car, but despite the cost i dont want a garage queen, i want a car that every weekend i want to use it it will work, anibody knows how many components does the ABC suspension has?
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 857
Likes: 501
From: Washington, DC
2007 S600, 2007 Chrysler 300 SRT8, 2000 C5 Corvette, 2017 Mustang GT, 2023 300C, and a 2019 Lincoln
I bought a 2007 S600 Designo with 55K miles from an Embassy in DC in April through a broker. Car was $24.5K I also bought a 4 yr/50K miles warranty for $5800. Did a Pre-Purchase Inspection and had the Mercedes service recs and Carfax printed. Love the way it drives. Faster than my C5.
It is now pretty well dialed in but it took a radiator, a front control arm, and an ABC hose covered by the warranty but only at about 50% of the true costs. I have spent about $5K and they have reimbursed about $2.5K. I also put in a set of Hawk brake pads because this thing is stupid fast.
I say go for it. You only go around once.
Good Luck.
It is now pretty well dialed in but it took a radiator, a front control arm, and an ABC hose covered by the warranty but only at about 50% of the true costs. I have spent about $5K and they have reimbursed about $2.5K. I also put in a set of Hawk brake pads because this thing is stupid fast.
I say go for it. You only go around once.
Good Luck.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 579
Likes: 37
A few years ago I went for it and bought a 2007 S65 sight unseen in California and I live in Maine. I spent countless hours thinking and contemplating if I really needed a S65 and I was prepared for the worse but hoped for the best. Well, I have had to replace the front brakes, radiator, plugs and coil packs and I did it all myself over the past few years. The coil packs did not NEED replacement but I was being proactive since I was changing the plugs and they had seen 78k miles. I would still do it all again, I LOVE this car. I also had the ECU and TCU tuned to help her out. This car is crazy fast. The only way I can describe it to my buddies is it is a car that is on the edge of out of being out of control, so much power.
