S class?....should i?

[Upatdawn]

Ive got a car which is great for taxi work but....

Diesel
Front wheel drive
Manual

So (for a personal toy) Ive seen a 2000 model S Class Merc 280 auto, and im in love all over again....

But should i?

127,000 miles with FSH to 84,000, all the toys and leather and AEZ chrome wheels, cars in silver..


I can get away with buying it if i tell the wife i can do wedding hire...


apart from rust and leaks whats to watch out for?

cheers

[V12 AMG]

I would really avoid a pre 2003 car if budget can allow so. Apart from not suffering any rust issues, they are a lot more reliable in quite a few areas.

Rust and air suspension are the 2 big issues to consider on a pre facelift car.

They are worth every penny.

[Upatdawn]

I was surprised to read they have air suspension, i know they are a big exec car (replaced by the E class?) just hope the air is better than some systems

[V12 AMG]

What do you mean replaced by the E class? The E has been (for more than 20 years) and still is to this day, the exec car in the Mercedes line up.

The S class has always been the top of the range luxury car going back many, many decades.

The air suspension can be costly. But it's not as fragile as some people make out.

[Upatdawn]

V12 AMG said:

What do you mean replaced by the E class? The E has been (for more than 20 years) and still is to this day, the exec car in the Mercedes line up.

The S class has always been the top of the range luxury car going back many, many decades.

The air suspension can be costly. But it's not as fragile as some people make out.

The Merc range (by size) escapes me, I was doing OK thinking the C class was smaller than the E class, then i saw the S class, is that not bigger or the same size as an E class?...

comfused..........

[W8aMinute]

A-Class < B-Class < C-Class < E-Class < S-Class

[flowman]

The s class is the bigger car, more of a limo than the e class (which is also available as an estate car).
The S is superb value second hand if tou can find a good one. Better to get 2003 or later with the wide screen command system. Check inside the rear wheel arches for rust. Check the service history and make sure the car you buy has been looked after. If anything breaks it will be expensive.
Air suspension pumps can go around 80,000 miles and will cost a couple of thousand to replace at MB. Check for warning indicators on the instrument display when the ignition is switched on. The front ball joints and boots might need to be replaced around 70,000 miles at several hundred pounds per side (check the MOT for advisories). Check all electrical functions work. Make sure it has been serviced at the correct intervals by MB or a specialist.
If properly maintained you will have a superbly safe and confortable long distance cruiser for peanuts. At motorway speed 50 mpg is attainable in the diesel version so not particularly expensive to run either.

[Upatdawn]

Cheers all, still looking/lusting

anything for a break from an oil burner

[V12 AMG]

New air suspension pumps can be bought for under £300 now (by avoiding the main dealers) and it is a reasonable DIY job to replace or at the most an hour or 2 with an indi.

[neil_bmw]

Upatdawn said:

The Merc range (by size) escapes me, I was doing OK thinking the C class was smaller than the E class, then i saw the S class, is that not bigger or the same size as an E class?...

comfused..........

C class / 3 series / A4
E class / 5 series / A6
S class / 7 series / A8

[TheAllSeeingPie]

I had a 2002 LWB S320 CDI and it was a lovely thing. If you can get one with the radar cruise control even better. The advice on post 2003 is sound, mine got a bit scabby so sold it off to a dealer and got about 90% of what I paid for it a year before. The petrols are much nicer at idle, but the diesels are silent once you're moving so don't worry about the engine too much. They are proper wafters but can also sit at a fast cruise and be very comfy.

[V12 AMG]

neil_bmw said:

Upatdawn said:

The Merc range (by size) escapes me, I was doing OK thinking the C class was smaller than the E class, then i saw the S class, is that not bigger or the same size as an E class?...

comfused..........

C class > 3 series > A4
E class > 5 series > A6
S class > 7 series > A8

Fixed that for you