2006 S Class Reliability
Discussion
Hi Everyone,
After an awful experience with an Audi A8 I'm thinking of buying a 2006 S320 CDI with 90k on the clock. It's in very good condition with full history and only 2 owners.
I will be putting 20k annually on the clock and wondering what these are like for reliability and any huge servicing items? My plan is to find a good independent in Manchester rather than main dealer servicing.
Any advice appreciated.
Mike
After an awful experience with an Audi A8 I'm thinking of buying a 2006 S320 CDI with 90k on the clock. It's in very good condition with full history and only 2 owners.
I will be putting 20k annually on the clock and wondering what these are like for reliability and any huge servicing items? My plan is to find a good independent in Manchester rather than main dealer servicing.
Any advice appreciated.
Mike
I have a 2007 S320 which I have had for 13 months now. A few cars before that I had an audi A8 2007 model.
I think you MAY be expecting too much if you think these sorts of cars can be run with low maintenance costs. The Audi A8 is generally very very liable but a couple of key things can throw huge bills such as the faulty injectors and power steering pump whick is a 3k engine out and back in job.
The S320 Is not much different. On the whole it is a reliable car but again can easily throw up a big bill which can make your eyes water. They have issues with turbo seals leaking which leak onto the port shut off motor (think thats what its called) which in turn causes them to become faulty. Another very common issue I had was the DPF sensor getting clogged and needing a clean - 250 quid fix including parts. Gearboxes depending on how early they are can also be an issue which can throw up a 1-1.5k bill.
I recently had a major service completed and all sorts of suspension parts needed to be replaced, including rear brake discs/pads, a faulty ECU came to a tidy bill of 2.2k.
I know thats high but in saying that I generally like to keep mines very very tidy.
The trouble is there are some right dogs out there and it is best to get it checked over.
Another issue similar to the A8 is the air suspension which I am sure you know can be 700-1k a corner.
When you are looking at this sort of age and espeically at your millage these things are bound to happen.
They are not cheap to run. Someone else might come along and say they have not spent a penny on their car in 18 months but I feel thats the exception and also very much comes down to how maticulous the owner wants to be.
This is why we end up with dogs on the used market. People run then for 2-3 years doing basic servicing and say they didn't spend an extra penny on it and then when the time comes at the end of two years to start maintaing the car they trade it in/sell it fast. To a suspecting buyer this gives the impression wow must be a rock sold motor if its needed nothing; it will continue to do so.
Also comes down to peoples nature; some people are very much, I hear a small squeek coming from somewhere, its ok turn the radio volume up. I would need to strip down the car to find the squeek. Everyone is different.
I think you MAY be expecting too much if you think these sorts of cars can be run with low maintenance costs. The Audi A8 is generally very very liable but a couple of key things can throw huge bills such as the faulty injectors and power steering pump whick is a 3k engine out and back in job.
The S320 Is not much different. On the whole it is a reliable car but again can easily throw up a big bill which can make your eyes water. They have issues with turbo seals leaking which leak onto the port shut off motor (think thats what its called) which in turn causes them to become faulty. Another very common issue I had was the DPF sensor getting clogged and needing a clean - 250 quid fix including parts. Gearboxes depending on how early they are can also be an issue which can throw up a 1-1.5k bill.
I recently had a major service completed and all sorts of suspension parts needed to be replaced, including rear brake discs/pads, a faulty ECU came to a tidy bill of 2.2k.
I know thats high but in saying that I generally like to keep mines very very tidy.
The trouble is there are some right dogs out there and it is best to get it checked over.
Another issue similar to the A8 is the air suspension which I am sure you know can be 700-1k a corner.
When you are looking at this sort of age and espeically at your millage these things are bound to happen.
They are not cheap to run. Someone else might come along and say they have not spent a penny on their car in 18 months but I feel thats the exception and also very much comes down to how maticulous the owner wants to be.
This is why we end up with dogs on the used market. People run then for 2-3 years doing basic servicing and say they didn't spend an extra penny on it and then when the time comes at the end of two years to start maintaing the car they trade it in/sell it fast. To a suspecting buyer this gives the impression wow must be a rock sold motor if its needed nothing; it will continue to do so.
Also comes down to peoples nature; some people are very much, I hear a small squeek coming from somewhere, its ok turn the radio volume up. I would need to strip down the car to find the squeek. Everyone is different.
I have a s320cdi which now has 180k. The car is serviced every 10k by a local independent specialist and apart from a few arms due to wear and tear it has been great. Just had to change the door control unit and climate control unit. But you can get parts from the internet at a fraction of the new price. I would say mine costs no more than 500-700 a year to service and maintain. For me these maintained well are great every day cars
thepanays said:
Not had a 320 but bought my 2006 W221 S500 new in 2006. So far only cost has been servicing and consumables. Quite boring really.
I have been tempted to change to an S500, how did you find the power? They suggest it has 388 BHP and 0-60 in 5.4 approx. Does it feel fast?
The figures you quote are correct. It has all the power that a sane person would want in a large luxury saloon. If you do decide to buy one you will not be disappointed. Fuel consumption averages around 25 mpg. However , on a gentle cruise on motorways 75/80mph you will get over 30. I can honestly say that this is the best all round car I have owned, it is much better that a Bentley
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