Mercedes S Class 2013 S350 Help and Advicde
Discussion
Mercs have very prescriptive servicing requirements including periodic transmission fluid changes. If the FSH is all main dealer it should be bang on but if it’s had back street garage servicing there a greater risk that it isn’t really FSH.
Main thing is that he will need to budget for annual maintenance and repair costs in the thousands as opposed to hundreds given the age, mileage, complexity and part costs. I used to have a C class of the same vintage and keeping it tip top wasn’t cheap.
Main thing is that he will need to budget for annual maintenance and repair costs in the thousands as opposed to hundreds given the age, mileage, complexity and part costs. I used to have a C class of the same vintage and keeping it tip top wasn’t cheap.
ZX10R NIN said:
Make sure everything works, check & double check the suspension, budget for a gearbox & diff oil change & you should be good to go.
Sounds good. What costs would you be looking at for the gearbox and diff oil change? I take it to fix the suspension it’s about the price of the car?2013 is the changeover year.
Are you looking at the older W221 or a W222?
I have done 40,000moles in the former and replaced both pairs of front lower arms for around £6-700 fitted about 20,000 miles ago.
The air suspension is decent overall and quiet in summer but I’m wondering if I will hear more noises in the colder months, as in previous years…
Throwing new struts at it would be an expensive solution so I will live with it.
There’s a small plastic position sensor on the rear axle that can (did!) fail sending the rear down to the bump stops. Looks dramatic/expensive, but a relatively cheap fix.
It has also recently cost me two front ABS sensors (but an easy DIY and total cost £50). The last one went when I was up in Scotland recently so had to do the 600mile return journey without ABS, adaptive cruise, and/or blind spot warnings.
48mpg on a longer runs is quite doable.
I have also had one turbo pipe replaced (<£200 fitted) when it started pumping out black soot…
Are you looking at the older W221 or a W222?
I have done 40,000moles in the former and replaced both pairs of front lower arms for around £6-700 fitted about 20,000 miles ago.
The air suspension is decent overall and quiet in summer but I’m wondering if I will hear more noises in the colder months, as in previous years…
Throwing new struts at it would be an expensive solution so I will live with it.
There’s a small plastic position sensor on the rear axle that can (did!) fail sending the rear down to the bump stops. Looks dramatic/expensive, but a relatively cheap fix.
It has also recently cost me two front ABS sensors (but an easy DIY and total cost £50). The last one went when I was up in Scotland recently so had to do the 600mile return journey without ABS, adaptive cruise, and/or blind spot warnings.
48mpg on a longer runs is quite doable.
I have also had one turbo pipe replaced (<£200 fitted) when it started pumping out black soot…
Mr.Nobody said:
ZX10R NIN said:
Make sure everything works, check & double check the suspension, budget for a gearbox & diff oil change & you should be good to go.
Sounds good. What costs would you be looking at for the gearbox and diff oil change? I take it to fix the suspension it’s about the price of the car?Jag_NE said:
Mercs have very prescriptive servicing requirements including periodic transmission fluid changes. If the FSH is all main dealer it should be bang on but if it’s had back street garage servicing there a greater risk that it isn’t really FSH.
Main thing is that he will need to budget for annual maintenance and repair costs in the thousands as opposed to hundreds given the age, mileage, complexity and part costs. I used to have a C class of the same vintage and keeping it tip top wasn’t cheap.
Don’t under estimate this. I had a 2011 model for 3 years and I loved it but maintenance was expensive to keep the car tight. I literally did spend thousands a years and it wasn’t for “repairs” it was for maintenance. Main thing is that he will need to budget for annual maintenance and repair costs in the thousands as opposed to hundreds given the age, mileage, complexity and part costs. I used to have a C class of the same vintage and keeping it tip top wasn’t cheap.
The S Class I was looking at has limited Service History.
I’ve found this one:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309061...
I’ve found this one:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309061...
It does get hard when you are chasing a particular spec!
I really wanted Distronic Plus (Adaptive cruise which works down to 0mph) and found out that it was surprisingly rare.
I ended up finding a silver one which happened to be the Euro 6 BlueTec LWB with pano roof, all black interior, and keyless go. 400 miles away but I bought a one-way train ticket and took the risk (private sale).
No regrets but the AMG spec. does look better and real leather would be much nicer that the default Stuttgart taxi-spec. vegan / Artico “leather”…
I have enjoyed the comedy value of the LWB and used it for prom duties and as a mobile study/office at times, but with three kids, the jump seat isn’t as good as I had hoped and we take the Touran when all five of us are going anywhere.
I really wanted Distronic Plus (Adaptive cruise which works down to 0mph) and found out that it was surprisingly rare.
I ended up finding a silver one which happened to be the Euro 6 BlueTec LWB with pano roof, all black interior, and keyless go. 400 miles away but I bought a one-way train ticket and took the risk (private sale).
No regrets but the AMG spec. does look better and real leather would be much nicer that the default Stuttgart taxi-spec. vegan / Artico “leather”…
I have enjoyed the comedy value of the LWB and used it for prom duties and as a mobile study/office at times, but with three kids, the jump seat isn’t as good as I had hoped and we take the Touran when all five of us are going anywhere.
Edited by Mogul on Wednesday 13th September 20:32
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