MB S550 Lover

Hello friends:

I was looking at a 2012 S350 with 100K miles on it. The car appears to be in very good condition.
But, the the comman module (on the instrument cluster) is blank. Also the check engine light is on.
The car is with a reputed Nissan dealership; they got it as a trade-in. After they noticed the above issues they are not willing to sell the car. They want to sell it to an auction house like Manheim. I offered to buy it on an As-Is basis and get the Comman Module replaced.

My questions are:
a) Is it worth buying the car and replacing the comman module, given that everything else is fine about the car?
b) How much would replacing the command module cost? Parts + Labor?
c) The local Merc.dealership quoted $2,900 for the istrument cluster and $400 labor, is that the right part, and the right price?
d) I was initially looking for an S550. I am now attracted to the S350 as it gives better mileage and has all the features & looks of a S550. Am I making the right choice? Is the S350 as good & reliable as an S550?

Once I know the cost of repair, I can make an offer on the car.

Thanks in advance for your help and guidance on what I should do.

MB S550 Lover

Hello Friends:
Waiting to hear from you guys! Thx in advance!

artim808

d) The S350 bluetec is the right choice if you plan to drive this car mostly on FWY. Change oil every 5k miles and drive the car on FWY when DPF regeneration is active and you will be happy with the car. So far my record is 48mpg so no doubt this car has great mileage.

MB S550 Lover

Thanks! Still debating, mainly b'coz I don't know why the command module screen (on the dash) is black. I have the detailed Carfax car history (over 35 records) until101,600 miles; now it has only 300 miles more (102K miles -when traded in). No mention of the command module issue anywhere on carfax. Trying to get in touch with the dealership where it was regularly serviced (even 300 miles and 3 weeks before). The Mechanic said it was a very well maintained car, but seems not to be aware of the Command Module issue. Says it could be very recent and can't say much without diagnoising. Says if command module needs rplcmnt, I am looking at about 3K in expenses.
The dealership is not ready to let me take the car for inspection. They want to sell it as is, if at all I am interested, as they have alreday marked it to be sent for auction. They have pulled it out of their listings. They are also firm on the price - $14.2K.(2012. S350 BluTec, Black interior & exterior- 3 owners)
So, I am in a big dilemna. If it is a minor issue, I am interested in the car, as it is really beautiful.
Any help, guidance from our learned friends here is appreciated. Need to make a decision in 1-2 days max. THANKS!

MB S550 Lover

And one clarification. My use of the car is a mix of city & hwy.
The Merc. Mechanic says go for a S550 and NOT 350.

Polar Bear

Just to clarify, are you referring to then Audio System/Navigation Map display, or the LCD panel where the digitally drawn analog speedometer and odometer is displayed?

If it is the audio system, can you get audio out of the speakers if you press the buttons that should turn the system on?

MB S550 Lover

LCD Panel. Will go to the dealership and check the car thoroughly and clarify again, later today or tomorrow. I hope it is a learning experience for all of us. Thanks Guys!

artim808

Make sure the car doesn't have oil leak. Those engines are infamous for the oil cooler leak. Cheap parts but expensive labor to fix this leak.
If the car is mechanically OK and everything else works, I would take a risk. You can purchase used instrument cluster relatively cheap on ebay. You will need to virginize it and then program to your car, but it should not be that expensive.

MB S550 Lover

Thanks! Will keep everyone posted, whatever my final decision is.... to help others in similar dilemna....now or later!

Polar Bear

Make sure you get a replacement that came from another S350 as the tachometer scale will be different as well as redline indicator. I would also contact your local MB dealer and see if they are willing to code a used cluster to a car. It may be against their SOP to do so and refuse the job as it not the official MBUSA method of remediation that issue.

MBCO

Do you have a Code reader you can use while seeing the car? This Command fault may have created a code, from which you could isolate the issue. Could be something as simple as a fuse or poor ground somewhere. If you have access to a DAS system (Chinese Clone type) you could thoroughly Diagnose the Command and discover other possible issues. If the Command is an easy fix (fuse,etc.) you could buy the car "as-is." Perhaps the Nissan dealer will sell you a Warranty or you could buy one from a Credit Union. FWIW I bought in last 90 days a 2012 S550-4matic Deisgno, loaded, 100k miles for less than $21K. Full service records dealer maintained 1 owner, clean carfax. There are plenty of W221s out there if this one does not work out.

Polar Bear

I think he was referring to the cluster.

MB S550 Lover

That would have been a great way to identify at a min. to see what error codes are stored in the system. Thanks!

MB S550 Lover

I went to the dealership y'day (Friday) morning. Orginally had asked them until Sat. morning to help me make a decision. But, without the knowledge of the supervisor that I was dealing with, their GM (who was aware that I was interested in the car) had aleady dispatched the car for auction. So, now I am trying to get in touch with a auto broker who has a licence for the auction.

Thanks everyone for the responses, greatly appreciate that!
Will keep you posted one way or the other, if I got the car etc, or if I did not!

Have a great wknd. everyone!

MB S550 Lover

A quick question, but the blackout in the cluster (the comman module part, NOT the speedometer/odometer side) should have thrown up some error codes also, correct?

MB S550 Lover

Yes, I do see many good S550s on the market, my attraction (obsession!) to the S350 (which I was not even aware existed in the 2012 model) are due to:
a) My liking for the body size, shape & luxury features of the S550 (all of which is available in S350)
b) The enormous fuel consumption advantage of S350 Blutech over S550 (no doubt, I will use the car minimally - about 7K Miles per yr., both Citry & Hwy; reason I have a beautiful 2007 Acura TSX stick shift that I love and use regularly).
c) And, the reasonable power (I don't need a beast) 250 HP, and 455 Lb-ft torque (compared to 516 lb-ft for S550) which should ensure nearly as good a pick-up as the S550, right?

Am I missing anything? is my choice correct?
This is an area I really am looking for some answers/advice/guidance from dear fellow readers. THANKS IN ADVANCE ALL!

MBCO

Comments:
a. Same car throughout the line, only difference is engines Diesel and V8, V12 available.
c. Once you have the power you will wonder what you did without it. Have you driven gas models? Do you need 4-matic? Sometimes a diesel can be harder to sell if you want to down the road. Many buyers think they are noisy and dirty. Not true I know but American perception (not Euro)
b. Here's the math on Fuel cost differential, assume 20 MPG on S5504M (mine) and 40 MPG on S350 and Premium and Diesel prices in my community: $175 difference favored to S350:

Miles MPG Gals Price Annual Fuel cost
S550-4M 7000 20 350 $ 2.96 $ 352.96
S350 7000 40 175 $ 2.68 $ 177.68
Difference $ 175.28
This does not include the cost of the cost of the "Ad-blue" liquid, $35 for 10 Liters for the S350.

From the outside, it seems like you are chasing this car. Be careful not to fall in love, particularly with one that has expensive faults in its "as-is" no warranty situation.

MB S550 Lover

Thanks for the exclnt, sensible points! Honestly, it is true I have fallen in love with this car! I know I can can find many similar S550s. Will do some rationale thinking......from now on! THANKS AGAIN!

artim808

How did you calculated annual fuel cost?
350gals x $2.96 = $1036
175gal x $2.68 = $469
Difference $567

MBCO

artim808, YOU ARE CORRECT SIR!, my mistake in XL (helps if you multiply the gallons times the Cost, not add the two, duh). Here is the corrected table:
Miles MPG Gals Price Annual Fuel cost
S550-4M 7000 20 350 $ 2.96 $ 1,036.00
S350 7000 40 175 $ 2.68 $ 469.00
Difference $ 567.00

MB S550 Lover

Thanks everyone for your valuable insight. I have decided to forget that S350; just too much of a hassle w/o knowing what is wrong. My strong gut feeling is that it is a minor issue with the Command Module. But w/o an opportunity to get the car checked out inside-out I thought it may not be a great idea to buy it. The auction house will not provide a lot of time to do that kind of detailed check that can only be done at a Service Center. Have a great week!

MBCO

I think you made the right call. There are some real nice W221s out there right now. As the saying goes, "Plenty of Fish in the Sea"

MB S550 Lover

Is there any possible reason why there are so many W221s for sale right now? I too see plenty of them.

MBCO

These cars turn over after: First Owner returns on lease termination 36-48 months usually. If these qualify they go to CPO status with MB warranty. Some owners buy-out the lease (or just buy the car originally), these are the "1-owner" cars to look for. Owners 2, 3, and beyond trade for any number of reasons, including high repair bills. These cars are the backbone of the limo industry, many cars sold into this segment (ones to avoid IMHO). The following data from http://carsalesbase.com/ shows the production numbers. These are not rare cars. You can see the blips in 1st year models (and tale-off of year-prior to new models)

Mercedes-Benz
S-Class
2018 14.373
2017 14.757
2016 14.967
2015 16.583
2014 17.638
2013 8.736
2012 7.299
2011 9.619
2010 10.505
2009 12.086
2008 16.589
2007 21.223
2006 24.858
2005 12.609
2004 13.795
2003 18.469
2002 21.331
2001 30.609
2000 31.395
1999 33.667
1998 10.960
1997 13.825

MB S550 Lover

Thanks for the insight...very useful info! Take care.