Would a pre-facelift W220 S500 be financial suicide
Discussion
I am seriously looking at buying a W220 as a second car and an early 2002 S500 has come up for sale. Low mileage for its age in silver the light interior which is what I am after. I have found a nice looking example. My plan is to have it checked out by a independent specialist but is this cars reputation of being unreliable well founded or is it just a case of making sure the actual car is in good condition?
I will obviously look for signs of rust, make sure all electrical gadgets are working, listen out for any knocks from suspension but if the car seems to be OK would it be a calculated risk or is it best to avoid it altogether?
I'm actually just after a barge that I can relax in, so if others suggest an alternative Benz, feel free to suggest. As long as its a saloon with an auto box, a light interior and quiet inside I don't mind what it is.
Have already posted in the infamous barge thread but thought a post in the Benz specific page would result in more experienced replies.
Thanks in advance.
I will obviously look for signs of rust, make sure all electrical gadgets are working, listen out for any knocks from suspension but if the car seems to be OK would it be a calculated risk or is it best to avoid it altogether?
I'm actually just after a barge that I can relax in, so if others suggest an alternative Benz, feel free to suggest. As long as its a saloon with an auto box, a light interior and quiet inside I don't mind what it is.
Have already posted in the infamous barge thread but thought a post in the Benz specific page would result in more experienced replies.
Thanks in advance.
I bought a 2002 S500L in October with 100k on the clock. So far everything works and nothing has gone wrong at all.
Rust is getting bigger on the rear arches, round the sunroof and the bottoms of the doors but I plan on getting that sorted.
It averages 23mpg, does 30 on the motorway even at 85.
Make sure its a good one and you should be ok. If it does go wrong, fixes are well documented on the net. Engine and box are bombproof.
Enjoy it.
Rust is getting bigger on the rear arches, round the sunroof and the bottoms of the doors but I plan on getting that sorted.
It averages 23mpg, does 30 on the motorway even at 85.
Make sure its a good one and you should be ok. If it does go wrong, fixes are well documented on the net. Engine and box are bombproof.
Enjoy it.
The 211 E500's are also pretty wafty and a good one will have near-S Class spec.
The ride is good on Airmatic - but not as pillowy as the S which, on the right wheels, is amazing.
I guess the more obvious alternative to an S would be a Lexus LX somethingorother. Some people swear by them although I have no experience of them myself.
The ride is good on Airmatic - but not as pillowy as the S which, on the right wheels, is amazing.
I guess the more obvious alternative to an S would be a Lexus LX somethingorother. Some people swear by them although I have no experience of them myself.
Ref the Airmatic.
I swapped out the airmatic on my 03 E500 and used an Arnott coil spring and damper conversion. Yes I've lost the lovely airmatic features but the ride is very compliant and I'm longer paranoid about expense and hassle of leaky air bags etc.
The M113 V8 does suffer silly little oil leaks from the cam covers but other than that is supposedly pretty bullet proof. I'm certainly happy with the power and economy of mine.
I swapped out the airmatic on my 03 E500 and used an Arnott coil spring and damper conversion. Yes I've lost the lovely airmatic features but the ride is very compliant and I'm longer paranoid about expense and hassle of leaky air bags etc.
The M113 V8 does suffer silly little oil leaks from the cam covers but other than that is supposedly pretty bullet proof. I'm certainly happy with the power and economy of mine.
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