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For the last week, I’ve been evaluating the purchase of a 2008 S600 v12. The car has a 150k miles on it. Nothing alarming came from the pre-purchase inspection. It’s only had 1 previous owner but it will be my daily driver. I’d appreciate any thoughts on this purchase since its a private seller and I wouldn’t be able to find an extended warranty of any kind. Is there any way this does not become a mistake? Most of what I’ve read speaks poorly of the car. It’s rarity is intriguing but I have no experiences with MB but saw this as an entry point.
For the last week, I’ve been evaluating the purchase of a 2008 S600 v12. The car has a 150k miles on it. Nothing alarming came from the pre-purchase inspection. It’s only had 1 previous owner but it will be my daily driver. I’d appreciate any thoughts on this purchase since its a private seller and I wouldn’t be able to find an extended warranty of any kind. Is there any way this does not become a mistake? Most of what I’ve read speaks poorly of the car. It’s rarity is intriguing but I have no experiences with MB but saw this as an entry point.
i drove my 2007 s65 for 4 years and the only repairs were for cracked rims.
I dud do a fair amount of maintenance but the differene there is not huge. Th main costly items maintenence wise that are different form a reguler s were the 24 spark plugs and the amg brakes and you would not have to deal with amg brakes on an s600
it is a risk and like you said there is no warranty but they are great cars too, it is a lot more car than a lexus you will find for the same price.
The v12 is the only thing that makes it more expensive to keep going than any other high optioned s class. On the other hand the V12 transmission is more reliable and less costly to repair than the v8 models.
Here's the deal...if I were to buy this car, I would budget $5-10K worth of maintenance to get it to 200K miles. At which time it has scrap value, as no one will want to buy it.
Sure you might get $2-3K, but between us, it's $0.
Let's say you spend $20K for the car (too much IMO), then the additional $10K maintenance for a total of $30K to end of life.
$30k/50K miles = $0.60/mile.
Is this affordable for you? It's about what the IRS uses for operating costs.
In my experience, used MB cars usually cost 0.50-0.30 $/mile, for AMG to C class, but they are not a V12, and most important I DIY all my work for this operating cost.
If I did not DIY, I would not own this car...too expensive.
Tough call, only you can decide if it's a good call.
At which time it has scrap value, as no one will want to buy it.
Sure you might get $2-3K, but between us, it's $0.
I think salvage value for a running and driving S600 with no body damage would be more like $8k.
I say that because someone ran into me and totaled my 07 S65 in August. The insurance company valued it at $26k retail and I asked them about buying the car back from them with a salvage title. The salvage price was $13k (I didn't buy it).
An S65 is going to be worth more than an S600 and my car had 100k miles, not 200k so value there too. But it also was wrecked with no panels or other structural pieces behind the rear doors usable, two of the rims were cracked, the exhaust was broken and it had multiple airbag and sensor warnings on the dash. All that and it was still worth $13k!
Given that I would say a good condition 200k mile 08 S600 should fetch $8k in salvage.
As far as price for the car as is; normally I would agree $20k is too high for a 150k mile S600. I was very recently in the market and I would say $15k is about right for a sorted S600 with 150k miles. However the OP posted photos on another thread and based on those photos the interior is in excellent shape considering the miles and with that in consideration I think $20k is not out of line for the car (assuming clean carfax, no apparant mechanical problems, good test drive .......). The car is listed for $10k according to the OP, which is an absolute steal IMO (same caveats).
This is a unique car among non-mainstream cars, albeit not quite the S65, it has unique engine parts, exhaust parts, wheels, interior bits, etc. At 150k, I would not pay more than 7 or 8k for it and it would have to be in exceptional shape for that.
If you have a wad of cash and a good mechanic it will be fun!
If you are a competent (like more than fluids/filters) mechanic it will be fun!
Anything else, any time you might consider going the less expensive route on parts or service, and this car will eat you alive.
As an example, if your preference is to figure out how to save $10 on an oil change, this is likely not the car for you.
For the last week, I’ve been evaluating the purchase of a 2008 S600 v12. The car has a 150k miles on it. Nothing alarming came from the pre-purchase inspection. It’s only had 1 previous owner but it will be my daily driver. I’d appreciate any thoughts on this purchase since its a private seller and I wouldn’t be able to find an extended warranty of any kind. Is there any way this does not become a mistake? Most of what I’ve read speaks poorly of the car. It’s rarity is intriguing but I have no experiences with MB but saw this as an entry point.
Sure there is a way.
You REALLY WANT to drive a V12 luxury sedan, and are willing to go to great effort and expense to do so.
You are willing and able to buy some fairly advanced tools and do complex troubleshooting and repair on your own, including intensive diagnostics using a laptop and software... OR
You are comfortable with frequently spending large sums of money paying someone else to maintain and repair it for you... OR
You are OK with just putting up with the inevitable problems, warning lights, non-working stuff, etc. until you finally junk the vehicle.
Hey... you could get lucky and have a trouble-free DD for a few years. Or you could go through an ABS module, coil packs, a couple ABC struts, ABC pump, plugs, turbo, and so on. The fact that parts have been replaced doesn't mean they won't need to be replaced again, it just means someone replaced them.
It's not just a car, it's an adventure. In a good way when it's running well, and sometimes it can be the other kind that just builds character. I love mine. It's one expensive ***** to keep and drive, but the rewards? There's nothing like cruising down a two-lane highway at -- well, whatever speed you cold possibly want -- in quiet comfort while the seat gently massages your back. Or passing that semi in a matter of a few short seconds, at part throttle. But if you flinch at high repair bills or complex work... buy a Lexus.
This is a unique car among non-mainstream cars, albeit not quite the S65, it has unique engine parts, exhaust parts, wheels, interior bits, etc. At 150k, I would not pay more than 7 or 8k for it and it would have to be in exceptional shape for that.
I don't think you will be able to get into a driving S600 with a clean title for $7-8k.
There is a salvage auction on coport for 2007 S600 with 135k miles right now. The car is dented in both doors, the front bumper is crushed, it is a missing a wheel and the condition is listed as "non-driving". The current bid is $6500.
The unique parts not only drive up the price up the price of repairs, they also drive up the scrap value. A 150k mile complete engine will run $4-5k, a used amplifier is $1k, front and rear napa seats $1200 .... This makes the cars worth a lot to scrap yards.
The early S600 W221s are completely depreciated and when you get down to it if you get one of these for the right price you can't lose much money. If you get it for $12k or under it is essentially a throw away and that limits how much you can lose. For example, if the ABC completely tanks it would be like a $10k repair if you fix it. You don't have to fix it though. Sell it, kick it down the road, get most of your money back and buy another one. You are out like $3k or so and unless it happens in the first year, you are probably out less than if you bought a more "reliable" car at the same price point and ate the depreciation.
you might get 3k miles for free and enjoy it, but its more likely you'll breakdown on the way home and need a new AC condenser, a new engine and a new set of coil packs. All of which without fitting will come to twice what you paid for it
as the engine and box are more fragile than a box of chocolates in a heat wave and... having suffered the reliability of a very low mileage, "good as new", well looked after S class, I won't be owning another merc ever again
as the engine and box are more fragile than a box of chocolates in a heat wave and...
I have never seen anyone suggest the M275/278 engine is fragile. Earlier V12s yes, but not the W221 V12. In 5 years of driving them I have never had a single engine problem at all and the only engine problems I have seen mentioned on this board are coil packs and ignition transformers.
Copart is last place one should look at for a good deal.Its every dealers dumping ground and the public drives up the prices on the decent cars.
I picked up this gem a few weeks ago at IAA, clean title, 104k. I did have to replace crank sensor and starter. Other than that I offset cost of new rims tires be selling the old ones.
All in Im less than 9300$.Ive put almost 4k miles on it. So be patient and look around. There is a sweet 07 S65 on Manheim right now. Prob going to snag that one too amd pass this car on to my gf.
PS Helps to be a dealer and own a european repair shop to keep costs down.
I have never seen anyone suggest the M275/278 engine is fragile. Earlier V12s yes, but not the W221 V12. In 5 years of driving them I have never had a single engine problem at all and the only engine problems I have seen mentioned on this board are coil packs and ignition transformers.
2007 S600, 2007 Chrysler 300 SRT8, 2000 C5 Corvette, 2017 Mustang GT, 2023 300C, and a 2019 Lincoln
I think it is a bargain at $9300. Not surprised it needed a CPS. Enjoy it. I think these are some of the finest cars in the world when they are properly maintained.
I have an M275 and Wow, what an engine. So I needed a coilpack on one side, and 24 spark plugs. So I had to get some new coolant hoses. My M275 is in my SL600 with 88K miles and there's nothing in the world like it. It's like having a Boeing 747 engine under the hood only a few million dollars cheaper. If I come across another one at a great price, I'm taking it. I also have a W221 (S550) that I've owned a year now, and so I got it new spark plugs (all eight) just because the car has 135K miles and I didn't know what it had in there and how old they were. And I got new cam position sensors those only cost a hundred bucks. An oil change and all new filters. Both these cars, and my other Benzos as well, run like a dream, I love both these cars and if you gave me a Lexus for free, I'd sell it tomorrow. No matter how "nice" it was. I probably wouldn't even park it in my driveway; I'd park it on the street.
if you are a DIY guy get the car and buy a star to scan any light comes up and fix it..
I love my 07 s600 its like riding on cloud.
yes it requie more maintenance and you wont want the coil pack to go bad its not fun to get new one they are very expensive.
If your coilpack goes bad, get it rebuilt by Clark, cost about $750.
Replacing all the spark plugs around 50K miles can help the coilpacks last longer.
Worrying about coilpacks needing rebuild will never scare me away from an M275!! Most incredible engine ever!!!
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
