sub786sub

I am planning to buy a Mercedes Benz S class. I can afford 15 to 16 k dollars. So here are my questions thinking I have 15 to 16 in my pocket as a loan

1) What years I am looking into 2007 to 2009
2) What milage
3) What kind of mentainance I can do as DIY. I am pretty good in DIY I used to have E320 2003 and learned oil, transmission fluid, breaks, belt so I can do those maintenances
4) Any known defect which I should know
5) Or should I go for Lexus LS
I heard 2007 S class has some pully problem made of low material or a single gear rather double gear for the chain.
Note I am planning to keep it for the next 10 years. Compared to Acura is the maintenance is the same..

Thanks
Sid

steveb9771

if you have to borrow up to $16K to purchase this vehicle, you can NOT afford to maintain it! Keep in mind that these vehicles sold new for close to $100K and repair parts are expensive. As an example, re-manufactured Air Suspension Struts cost over $800 each and are usually replaced in pairs. Struts for vehicles with ABC are even more expensive.Then there is the cost of labor if you can't do this yourself. Repair of the audio system can easily easily exceed $1K for re-manufactured parts. Motor mounts usually need replacement in older vehicles, parts are over $300 and then there is labor. In most cases, the brake rotors need to be replaced every time the brake pads are replaced. One of the contributing factors to heavy depreciation in value of these vehicles is the potential high cost of repair parts.

Based on your budget, you can only afford a Honda or Toyota.

DaleB

Yeah... there's a difference between being able to afford to buy it, and able to afford to own it. As I have discovered, there's a whole lot you simply can't do yourself on these cars, at least not without sinking another pile of money into diagnostic tools and equipment. What might cost you a few dozen bucks on any other car could cost hundreds or even thousands on a Benz... and the simplest appearing problem can turn into a major issue.

Of course you might get lucky, and buy a decade-plu old, budget priced, high mileage car that's never going to have a major problem. If you have that kind of luck, you would be better off sinking that $16K into lottery tickets, then you can buy several new S650s to keep in rotation.

Beeson

I’d honestly recommend an E or C class with that budget. I have an 07 S550 with 100k miles (just rolled over 3 days ago) and it is not a cheap vehicle whatsoever to own. My amplifier went out a few months ago, that was $950 for a replacement from Harman, I get about 10k miles per tire with a good set, (my cooper RS3G1 tires have lasted 3k miles in the rear and are at 2/32 tread. ) Brakes are expensive, fuel mileage is abysmal, and the airmatic system is always on the brink of failure. My car has easily over 5k in maintenance, repairs, and slight mods over the past 2 years I’ve owned it. Sure I absolutely love it and wouldn’t trade it for any lesser car, but just be prepared to fork out lots of money. (Honestly, including repairs, insurance, and gas it probably would’ve been cheaper for me to lease a brand new E300 as an 18 year old. No joke. Insurance was $700 a month at one point, though is less than half that now for me. )

WHPH28

I would simply say don't get an S class.

Shadly1

So many Negative Nancys in this thread...

If you have your mind set on a 2007-2009 s-class, you'll probably pay around $10k for it. Look for an example with no or very few dash warning lights. Ideally, you'll want a low mileage car but something with 100k on it isn't the end of the world. It's probably a good idea to stay away from cars with 200k+. Take the car to a shop and have the appropriate service interval performed. It will vary depending on mileage. You can have them give an overall inspection, too. Also, keep some money in your bank account for unexpected things.

sub786sub

Appreciate for the suggestion. Yes E class are great but I like the looks of S class. I prefer 2015 to 2017 Honda accordV6 pre-owned over E class. Both E class and Accord V6 touring have the same 0 - 60 and all those bless and whistles like keyless entry, lane change, and forward collision, etc. But I always like S class that something stands out. Yea you guys are right I need to have more money to afford that S class. I like to buy for a long run something like 6 to 7 years. Maybe I should look some accords. Thanks again for your expert opinion.

DaleB

"E class" covers a lot of ground. My son recently replaced his Accord with an '08 E550 4Matic. I think you would be hard pressed to find an Accord that would keep up with it. Or even keep it in view, quite frankly.

WHPH28

Wise decision. Make sure you have savings in the bank, etc. before buying an s class...or any car that was close to or over 100k new.

Ninamashr

Take your time, even if it takes a while. I looked for 6 months before I found what I was looking for, an affordable black on black one owner 2010 S550, with mostly freeway miles, dealer only serviced car that had been babied all it's life. The original owner, a lawyer, handed me his stack of dealer service records when I was looking at my car, I know everything that has been serviced on it since it left the showroom. The service intervals where spot on and any repairs done by the dealer. I bought mine for $12k with 175K miles on the clock. Don't be too concerned with the mileage as long as the A,B,and C services where done at the appropriate intervals. My car currently has 200k miles and all I've ever done to it, besides the regular fluid maintenance, is new rear brakes, changed the serpentine belt and pulleys. Just be patient find a well taken care of car, and while you're at it, get exactly what you want, color, interior, etc.

DaleB

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Indeed. I got in a little bit of a rush, and I'm paying for it now.

sub786sub

Thank you for all. I have Honda accord V6 2015 which I enjoy a lot. Yea 0-60 around 6 sec. Very quiet and especially after deadening all four doors, hood, trunk and wheel weels with lining the wheels wells with carpet liner have muffled all road noises. My son is 17 and thinking of buy a care for him. But instead, I am thinking to give my accord and buy E class for myself. Now after looking at S class, ML and E I narrowed down to E350 2012 to 2014 model around 70K miles or Accord V6 coupe 2015 to 2017 model. My biggest concern is reliability with some power. I am still taking the time to make a decision.