2010 S550 Sitting for 8 years
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2021 Jeep Gladiator, 2018 Range Rover, 2008 C300, 2009 Prius
2010 S550 Sitting for 8 years
Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on what can/will be wrong with a 2010 Mercedes S550 that has been sitting untouched for 8 years. I have purchased several auction vehicles in the past, but I do not have experience with the W221. I currently own a 2004 CLK320 convertible that was an auction find. It's in great condition now, and I purchased it with no key and no known history. After a new battery, key, fuel tank drain, and virtually all fluids changed, it has been mechanically sound. It sat for over a year prior to my ownership. I realize that in this scenario, the 2010 S-class is a different ball game. I understand that project vehicles are not for everyone, so I am not looking for buy vs. run away fast- I am looking specifically for what items, perhaps unique to this year/model vehicle would likely need changing if it has been sitting for 8 years. It has 60k miles, originally titled in 2009, and has not moved since 2012. It was a state seizure and for whatever reason is just now ending up on the auction block. The keys have since been lost, and no real other info. Thus, the bidder can only inspect the exterior and cannot get inside, open hood, etc. I am simply curious on the extent of work to be done, not necessarily looking for this to be my project! Thanks in advance!
For reference, here is a link to the listing:
https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/al...ew?auc=2605215
For reference, here is a link to the listing:
https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/al...ew?auc=2605215
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Joined: Aug 2017
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From: Scottsdale AZ
2015 SL550 & 2012 S550 4matic
To answer your question on maintenance required to get this vehicle back on the road, it’s a crap shoot at best. Any sitting car for this period is likely to need new fuel system components, fuel pump, injectors, filters and new fuel. Batteries. Tires. Belts. Filters.Possibly airmatic shocks (this is a long time to hold pressure the car could be sitting. If the car has been sitting outside the interior is likely to be damaged from sun, humidity, dryness, etc. Interior parts number in the thousands, plastic, leather, electronic components galore. The Command system in these cars can fail. Lack of use and consistent battery voltage tend to be things MB cars don’t like and systems will throw up codes and parts will fail or worse have false positive failures. If you buy this project you will definitely need the MB STAR DAS XENTRY system to diagnose and repair. If you have not already, test drive some comparable w221 cars. This will give you a base for what could be this cars future state. Make sure you like it, it a different class of car. Oh, and bring your wallet for parts and service and insurance and license. All in these are world class luxury sedans engineered and built to drive at high speed with handling and luxury. You won’t be disappointed if you can sort this car. Of course it comes down to ROI risk and value of your time which is entirely your equation. Good luck and keep us posted.
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S500
seized and no keys = walk away
otherwise
which suspension system does it have?
std airmatic, I expect they are damaged as its sat on the floor impacting the airbags... may be intact at the minute but will fail sooner
optional ABC, they have a need for regular fluid changes and seals leak... but I don't know if that's a factor on one sitting still
AC won't have liked it, compressor seals will be gone and will have let all the gas out
the next bit is where was it stored
inside in the dry ? if so buy a battery and drive it I expect it'll work
in the rain with corrosive **** from factories / the sea don't bother
otherwise
which suspension system does it have?
std airmatic, I expect they are damaged as its sat on the floor impacting the airbags... may be intact at the minute but will fail sooner
optional ABC, they have a need for regular fluid changes and seals leak... but I don't know if that's a factor on one sitting still
AC won't have liked it, compressor seals will be gone and will have let all the gas out
the next bit is where was it stored
inside in the dry ? if so buy a battery and drive it I expect it'll work
in the rain with corrosive **** from factories / the sea don't bother
Last edited by BOTUS; Aug 16, 2020 at 04:31 AM.
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2021 Jeep Gladiator, 2018 Range Rover, 2008 C300, 2009 Prius
Thanks for the input. So far, I know the following:
- It has sat outside the entire time
- It is sitting virtually on the ground (air suspension), I assume it has sat at the lowered postion for most of that time (shows to have base airmatic)
-It shows to have an AMG Sport package (wheels, quick shift transmission) if that makes any difference..
- It did have a key and was running when parked but the state has since lost the key
- It has sat outside the entire time
- It is sitting virtually on the ground (air suspension), I assume it has sat at the lowered postion for most of that time (shows to have base airmatic)
-It shows to have an AMG Sport package (wheels, quick shift transmission) if that makes any difference..
- It did have a key and was running when parked but the state has since lost the key
Last edited by chefcorey1; Aug 16, 2020 at 11:16 AM.
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Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Snowville, ID
W212 E350; W166 GLC300; W164 ML550; W164 ML63; W221 S65; W220 S430; Escalade ESV
Depending on the final bid price. If it doesn't work, parting it out will make you some bucks if you have the time and the space.
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2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
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Exige S | V70R | CTS-V wagon | JKUR | 13 S65 (Mocha/Armagnac)
If the body is clean, that will probably recover the purchase price by itself. I have a hard time thinking the interior will be anything but cooked or molded after 8 years in the elements.
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Joined: Jun 2015
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From: South Padre Is, Texas
2007 S600, 911 & XJ8
Paid $350 for a key five years ago. Important to have two. If locked and you try to tow, it flops to the ground like a well trained dog. So, you're kind of stuck where you are, if you misplace or lose the key. Also, the dealers don't have replacements. It has to come down from the MB gods... You have prove ownership and, in my case at least, they wouldn't Fedex it to me! Had to go to the dealer, a 150 mile round-trip away. Just one of those things to consider about the MB. IIRC, it was featured in the remake of "Gone in 60 Seconds" as one of the hardest cars to steal...
Regards... Mark
Regards... Mark
Last edited by mcypert; Aug 16, 2020 at 11:56 PM.
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From: Omaha, NE
2007 S600
Well, on the bright side -- I'm sure by now that both the starting battery and the consumer battery are flat dead, so the tow-away alarm won't work.
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S 550
The bidding is already up to $4250. It has been sitting in the sun in TX. This very heavy car is sitting on the rims. The paint could probably be brought back to life but not important rubber components. I would say no. The price of a running 2010 s550 is relatively low and will have keys 
This one, sadly, would be a money pit. But do get yourself an s550 W221! Good luck!
This one, sadly, would be a money pit. But do get yourself an s550 W221! Good luck!
Super Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 671
Likes: 288
From: Omaha, NE
2007 S600
I guess it depends on whether you're looking for a car, or a hobby. You can buy this car and restore it to reliable running condition. If you do all the work yourself, you could save some money in exchange for spending a lot of time on it. Or you can buy a used S550 of similar age and mileage, already running and driving. If you're going to pay others to do the work, you may very well end up spending a lot more on this one than on one that has not been abused and neglected.
But hey, I've been wrong before. I didn't think the guy who bought a flood damaged car with a front SAM that had caught fire would have much success either. Maybe saving a couple grand will be worth the time and work for you. And maybe you get lucky, who knows?
- Four new tires
- Two new batteries
- All new fluids
- Engine oil
- Coolant flush
- Transmission flush
- Brake system flush
- Two new keys (that's a flatbed ride to a dealer and a few hundred bucks per key, I believe)
- Unknown number of suspension components
- A/C recharge, probably the compressor as well
- Drain fuel system
- Depending on what was in it when parked, possibly new injectors, fuel pump, and fuel filter you MIGHT get lucky here, but you won't know...
- If the car was seized, you can probably assume the previous owner didn't keep up on maintenance,
But hey, I've been wrong before. I didn't think the guy who bought a flood damaged car with a front SAM that had caught fire would have much success either. Maybe saving a couple grand will be worth the time and work for you. And maybe you get lucky, who knows?
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
The bidding is already up to $4250. It has been sitting in the sun in TX. This very heavy car is sitting on the rims. The paint could probably be brought back to life but not important rubber components. I would say no. The price of a running 2010 s550 is relatively low and will have keys This one, sadly, would be a money pit. But do get yourself an s550 W221! Good luck!
This one, sadly, would be a money pit. But do get yourself an s550 W221! Good luck!Final Price $12,088.00 Time Left Closed Auction Extended High Bidder Gph1967 # of Bids 110 First Offer $100.00 Auction Started Jul 24, 2020 6:00:01 AM MDT Auction Ended Sep 4, 2020 9:09:53 AM MDT
That's a tad below rough trade in, retail is about 20k. Not sure it was really a deal at that price.
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
It had some nice options on it. Vin was WDDNG7BB1AA310426 in case anyone comes here with it. Driver assistance package and night view assist.
