Buying old S class 280
Discussion
Ran a 1998 S280 for about a year (40,000 miles) only sold it because I got bored (mid-life crisis bought a Porsche!). Check electrics, air con. Make sure its post 96 as the early ones had the eco-friendly wiring that self destructs. If you can afford the petrol there is no question it is one of the best cars ever made
Bebs. As Greg mentioned I ran a 96 S500L for a number of years. Details of running costs in my profile. Only problem with the car is that cars generally have got smaller, meaning that parking spaces around town have got too small. Have you considered an auto E39 540i for around town?
DAZ
>> Edited by dazren on Monday 6th March 10:21
DAZ
>> Edited by dazren on Monday 6th March 10:21
Dazren - just checked your profile for the S500 - thats fantastically good value you got there! Other than rear tyres you seem to have had an amazing car for not alot of upkeep. Really pleasantly surprised.
I am considering a 2000/2001 version - no doubt a little dearer to maintain judging from the perceptions here about decreasing build quality...
I am considering a 2000/2001 version - no doubt a little dearer to maintain judging from the perceptions here about decreasing build quality...
jamesk said:
Dazren - just checked your profile for the S500 - thats fantastically good value you got there! Other than rear tyres you seem to have had an amazing car for not alot of upkeep. Really pleasantly surprised.
I am considering a 2000/2001 version - no doubt a little dearer to maintain judging from the perceptions here about decreasing build quality...
Biggest cost by far was depreciation and whoever bought it got a great car.
The newer series has more elcetronic trickery to it which makes it more expensive to maintain. I know my fathers current 99 S500L, owned from new with 85k on the clock has had to spend significant money in the last 15k miles. Aside from regular servicing/tyres etc, he's spent £333 on a front suspension ball joint, £539 on a stub asle assembly, £230 on a new side mirror mechanism, £1,700 on a new "steering box", £611 on MAF problem and £136 on a new crankshaft pulley. Still drives like new though, even with 85k miles on it.
Also over the long run the hydraulic suspension can need costly repairs.
DAZ
>> Edited by dazren on Friday 17th March 11:25
The 24 valve 280 straight six (M104) is pretty strong, no problems there at all. If there is one it's either to do with the head gasket or oil leaks from the cam cover, I can't remember which. But it's not major.
Common problems for the body are the door closing pumps. I'm not sure if all models had them but, they suck the doors closed so you don't have to slam them. They fail very regularly and a new pump is very expensive. No big deal you would just have to slam the doors... but if they're working it might be a sign of a looked after car.
The other thing is the A/C evaporator. It's behind the dash and regularly fails (I'm not sure how). The labour to remove the dash and fix it is massive. So I guess check the A/C works.
These are the 2 main issues bandied around the Mercedes forums, and a large contributor to their reputation as being very expensive to run. But they are well made and apparently ride amazingly. Speaking of which, if the rear end is bumpy then I think that's the suspension spheres - another standard one to watch out for.
Russell
Common problems for the body are the door closing pumps. I'm not sure if all models had them but, they suck the doors closed so you don't have to slam them. They fail very regularly and a new pump is very expensive. No big deal you would just have to slam the doors... but if they're working it might be a sign of a looked after car.
The other thing is the A/C evaporator. It's behind the dash and regularly fails (I'm not sure how). The labour to remove the dash and fix it is massive. So I guess check the A/C works.
These are the 2 main issues bandied around the Mercedes forums, and a large contributor to their reputation as being very expensive to run. But they are well made and apparently ride amazingly. Speaking of which, if the rear end is bumpy then I think that's the suspension spheres - another standard one to watch out for.
Russell
A couple of years ago I ran a 1994 S500, bought it with 164k on the clock with good history for £3k and did about 12k in it then sold it for £3k a year later! Only issue I had was the original alarm system started playing up and immobilised the car a few times. Local Merc specialist wanted fortune to remove it, so for £250 I had a complete new one fitted. Other than that only normal maintenance items. Honestly it was a great vehicle, all original and looked and drived as good as new (looked awesome in Black!), no one could believe the mileage and the fact everything worked - and it had a lot of stuff for its age! So I'd recommend one, as long as you get a good cherished one then it'll last forever.
B, you can buy my one off me if you want??
What a lot of car for the money!!!
Church, funny you mention the alarm/immobiliser issue, I have problems with mine. It locks and unlocks but you have to keep pressing the key. Changed the batteries so it's not that. Also, when it locks the RED lights in the door and rear view mirror do not flash.
Anyone know a good Merc specialist to take it to in the East/North London area??
What a lot of car for the money!!!
Church, funny you mention the alarm/immobiliser issue, I have problems with mine. It locks and unlocks but you have to keep pressing the key. Changed the batteries so it's not that. Also, when it locks the RED lights in the door and rear view mirror do not flash.
Anyone know a good Merc specialist to take it to in the East/North London area??
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