S Class general advice please

[softtop]

Hello

Looking at a 500 S Class for about 15K on a 2002 plate. Any obvious things to look out for? Never been in a Merc before.

[MHT223]

If you can get a 2003 facelift (there are a couple of late 2002 facelifts too on a 52 plate), the build quality improved, updated sat nav and dash, crystal lights, just a better car really. The easiest way to tell a facelift model is the sat nav screen, its like a widescreen tv rather than the square shape of the ealier one.

If the car is under 6 years old and 120,000 miles you can take out a servie contract with Mercedes called 'Service Plus' which means the car is fully covered by MB UK warranty and includes all the servicing costs except brake pads and tyres. I pay £105pcm for my car on 20k pa. It seems excessive but I like knowing what my costs are going to be and tha I don't have to worry about anything that breaks. If the COMAnd packs up thats £2k there and then.

For residual values the S320 CDI diesel is the best choice, but the big engines do offer huge value for money.

Mark

Edited by MHT223 on Monday 8th October 20:06

[MHT223]

Found this facelift one on AutoTrader, bit over the £15k though

2002 52 S500L £17.5K

[MHT223]

This one is worth busting the budget for! A Facelifted S600 Bi-Turbo, 500bhp 4.6 to 60. And a massive spec, even got the air conditioned seats

2002 52 S600 Bi-Turbo

[softtop]

Thanks for the advice mARK, what do you think of this one?


http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.js...

[MHT223]

I'd say look for something like this for similar money. This one has 90k, so ideally it'd be less, but this one is the facelift model with a fantastic spec; garage door opener, rear MB TV, air con seats and keyless go

2002 52 S500

Have a look at a facelift and a pre-facelift, the difference might not bother you. Personally I had to get facelift, for resale if nothing else. The COMAND in the pre facelift just seems so old, in essence its a computer dating back 8 years!! (it came out in '99). I think the one for £17.5k seems like good value comparatively

[NST]

MHT223 said:

This one is worth busting the budget for! A Facelifted S600 Bi-Turbo, 500bhp 4.6 to 60. And a massive spec, even got the air conditioned seats

2002 52 S600 Bi-Turbo

that is awesome!! that can't be cheap to service or run?! can you still get service plus on a car of that age and mileage?

[NST]

d'oh just read the second post.. 6 years or under for service plus!