Thinking of S350 petrol 120K+ miles

[dkatwa]

Hi all
I am looking for some advice please, regarding the above and have never owned a Merc before so don't really know what to expect. It will be around 2004/2005. I would have thought a petrol Merc (especially S class) would be reliable for a daily drive of 100 miles and, considering cars on the continent have 500k+ Km on them, should I be worried about buying one here with 120k+ miles?

Also, is there a website wherein I can input the VIN to get a full build spec? BMW has one though I can't remember that site at the moment

Thanks

[J4CKO]

Here is a vin decoder

http://www.vindecoderz.com/EN/Mercedes-Benz

Should be reliable, watch out ofr the timing chain issue on the M272 (V6) and M273 (V8) engines, otherwise they seem pretty strong and dependable units, my CLS has an M273 in it that has done 113,000 and uses no oil and is dead quiet, see no reason why it couldnt do several times that, they are pretty unstressed and have an auto box which makes it more difficult to abuse them, plus you dont need to use the power all the time as you end up going too fast.

[Happy Jim]

I've got a 2004 S350L, lovely thing, very serene and wafty!

So far the only bits that have needed attention are:
Crank angle sensor (hot starting issue) - DIY £90
Heating mixer valve (drivers side hot, remainder cold) - DIY £170
Rocker cover oil weap - DIY £5

Nice place to be (daily commute is 35 miles each way)

Jim

[dkatwa]

Thanks for the replies...the ones I was looking at recently have now gone (under £4k) so maybe people have realised what a good bargain they are!

Happy Jim - did any faults appear on a scanner? I have just ordered an OBD2 reader and hope to use that to check out potential faults before buying

cheers

[Happy Jim]

Crazy cheap things, I paid £4100 a year ago.

I haven't got a scanner although I am idly thinking about getting a cheap copy of STAR to run diagnostics.

Essentially they are an understressed V6 petrol with an end of line 5 speed auto where all the bugs have been ironed out.....perfect!

[Monkeylegend]

If it has air suspension watch out for the cost of replacement struts, and the rear diffs can be a bit fragile.

Make sure everything works electrically that needs to be working.

[dkatwa]

Thanks happyjim...monkeylegend...do you mean the ABC suspension?
I heard horror stories about it - do after- market warranties cover it?

[Monkeylegend]

dkatwa said:

Thanks happyjim...monkeylegend...do you mean the ABC suspension?
I heard horror stories about it - do after- market warranties cover it?

Not sure it is the same. ABC is a hydraulic system, and I thought the S class had air suspension, but I could be wrong.

If it has ABC similar issues will arise, ie leaking struts and pump, all of which cost big money.

Not sure about warranties, you would need to check depending on which it is, although most will probably have a claim limit.

[dkatwa]

Thanks MonkeyLegend..that's my weekend sorted out...reading about suspensions/ problems with the S class
Might even go and test drive one if they have any cheap ones locally

[Monkeylegend]

Good luck with the search

[dkatwa]

Ended up with a CL500 in the end..2002 model

Took it to work and back yesterday for the first time....about 100 miles return journey, of which 80 miles was at 60mph on the motorway...it returned 20mpg both ways...I was hoping to get maybe 25mpg...

[Monkeylegend]

Nice cars, will hold value better than an S350,and you have the benefit of that V8

Any pics?

[dkatwa]

Here are a few....I actually think the same is amazing...especially the side view....a classic I would say

There is some rush on the right hand door and just above the windscreen, but I am not worried about that.

Edited by dkatwa on Wednesday 6th April 14:21

[Monkeylegend]

That's a lovely looking car, much better than the cars they are producing today.

[dkatwa]

You are right Monkeylegend...when I see the side profile, it resembles something that belongs in a Bond film...sleek lines, cool looking, understated...not sure when the shape changed to the more angular ones, but it might be worth buying the last of the ones before the change, as an investment....

[Monkeylegend]

The rear window/boot looks very SL'ish of that era, which is no bad thing.

I don't think these older shape Mercs will drop too much more in value, and the days of the multi cylinder n/a engine are numbered with current legislation, so worth hanging onto. Just hope petrol prices don't shoot up again too quickly

Out of interest can you insure that under a modern classic policy. I managed to get my SL insured on one with my no claims mirrored, so pretty cheap to insure.

[dkatwa]

Monkeylegend - well, I have a fleet policy for my cars and it cost £180 to add this car to it...full year premium would be around £200 but that is a guess....

I think you are right in terms of value....they should hold their current value and, being a V8 petrol, it's now or never to own one...

I have noticed petrol prices have started to rise again - now about £1.05 compared to 99p a couple of weeks ago...I guess the days of cheap prices is over

I have ordered some Redex petrol treatment in case that makes a difference to the mpg......

[Monkeylegend]

dkatwa said:

I have ordered some Redex petrol treatment in case that makes a difference to the mpg......

Biggest difference will be your right foot

[dkatwa]

Monkeylegend said:

Biggest difference will be your right foot

Well, on my trip to/ from work yesterday, it was on cruise at 60mph on the A1(M)...I tried to use cruise as much as possible in the local town driving too, which was essentially flowing traffic...still, I only got 20mpg.....

My right foot took a well- earned rest, after months of driving up and down in a VW Polo (averaged 50 to 55mpg)

[ZX10R NIN]

Try the Redex if not go for a Terraclean also change the plugs & gearbox fluid if it hasn't been done for a while as all make a difference to the MPG. Nice car