S Class - Dad Tank II

[Geekman]

Both sides will often sit exactly the same even if there’s only a leak on one side as the system levels the car to compensate. I would definitely get it checked as a leak in an airbag / valve block will overwork the compressor, causing premature failure. Sometimes leaks can be in an air line / valve block which aren’t expensive to fix

[TR4man]

Would there not be some form of warning light on the dash if the ABC is faulty?

[Paul S4]

Very nice car, amazing condition for the age and mileage.

As has been said, for those who don't know the chronology of Mercs...remove the plate and it looks like a new car !

Quite envious, that interior is something special, especially the clock, which is a bit art deco in design.

Good photographs too.

[Sparkzz]

I still really miss my w221.
Was bloody Borktastic though, I don't miss its issues or the bills.

Enjoy, they're a fantastic way to cover miles. Nobody ever let me out of a junction though!

[Geekman]

TR4man said:

Would there not be some form of warning light on the dash if the ABC is faulty?

Not if there’s a slow leak. The light only tends to illuminate if there’s a fairly major failure.

[Hairymonster]

g3org3y said:

Looks lovely, congrats. Does not look like a 7.5k car.

What's the bork potential on these? I'd have thought the diesel V6 is quite robust (and not especially exotic as shared through the range). Any of that active suspension malarkey?

Not speaking from experience, but from seeing reports on these over the years, I would guess air suspension components, electrical 'challenges' and the usual turbo diesel stuff like diesel particulate filters, dual mass flywheel (does this have one?).

I love these things though!

[Equus]

Sparkzz said:

I still really miss my w221.

Was bloody Borktastic though, I don't miss its issues or the bills.

I've had two of these - a diesel and an S500.

Lovely way to cover long distances, but chances are that you'll be needing deep pockets and a good local specialist, OP.

[Alex_225]

Thanks guys, I certainly didn't go into buying with the expectations of it being hugely cheap to run but fingers crossed it's not stupidly expensive.

The idea of the car is that it's purely for my trips up and down from Surrey to Bristol and back, not exactly strenuous but you never can tell. My E320 was excellent for this but always felt it could be that little more comfortable, which this S certainly seems to be.

[GH421]

Very nice car. I bought the same W221 S320L CDI AMG for £13.5k. it had 74k when I bought it and took it to 133k before I part ex it for whatever I could get my hands on 3 years later...my favourite car ever and I truly loved her but she broke my heart multiple times.....

Here is a list of what went wrong:

- Timing Chain Tensioner
- Offside Front Suspension (Damper sensor)
- ABS Sensor
- Alternator
- Oil Cooler leak
- Turbo Pressure Sensor
- Massaging seats complete overhaul with new airbags and modules
- Aircon Compressor
- Air Con Condenser
- Drivers door electric seat module
- DPF Pressure sensor
- Rear suspension level sensor
- Airmatic pump
- Turbo orange seal
- Glow Plug Relay
- Steering wheel button to control menus (new button cost £100)
- Electric mirrors failed to close (never got this fixed)
- Rear seats stopped moving (never got this fixed)

All in all the repairs cost more than the car. Lovely car however

Edited by GH421 on Monday 3rd February 09:52

[Alex_225]

Scary list of stuff, I'm hoping this one doesn't cost me £13k to fix but I'm looking at warranty options once I'm past the 3 month point with the garage.

[Fat Wolfie]

That is a properly lovely car, even better at the price.

I was lucky enough to buy a new one in late 2007 (was over £55k, not a humblebrag but just to show how far values have fallen) one of the few cars I regretted after I sold it (needed estate car for dogs - should have bought a shed for this and kept the S class..)

Do have to admit that it is only the second car to leave me stranded, a suspension fault at 6 months old. Despite this extremely fond memories of a great car.

I’m now off to the classifieds to consider the viability of following in the OP footsteps!

[Hammerhead]

Great looking machine! Hope it treats you well

[Alex_225]

Thanks guys. It really is a lovely car and a stupid amount of car for that price. I know they're not cheap to run but hopefully this one isn't a tt to me haha

Thing is the early W211 E Class was meant to be unreliable and problematic with the electrics. 42,000 mostly trouble free miles in that. Luck of the draw maybe.

I'm still considering warranties for it though.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

man issues turbo actuator, oil cooler in the v and the valve plate in the gearbox all very very common last.2 arnt cheap

[Alex_225]

Good to know. To be honest my other half has a CLS350 CDI which is technically the same engine and it's been excellent and bought at a similar mileage.

Will have to wait and see though.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

I do wonder if they sorted any of the issues on the 350's

I like the fact the warning lights dont come on when it goes into limp to try and hide the fact its happening as it was so common

[Alex_225]

Trustmeimadoctor said:

I do wonder if they sorted any of the issues on the 350's

I like the fact the warning lights dont come on when it goes into limp to try and hide the fact its happening as it was so common

I'll just keep the iCarsoft code reader in the boot then! haha

[Alex_225]

Couple of little things with the S today.The weather believe it or not was clear until about midday so got to clean the car.

Numberplate recess cleaned, polished, sealed before fitting the new plate holder and plate.





Annoyingly neither the OEM mats of these ones have a heel plate cover so I ordered this off eBay. Same as I fitted in my E Class. Nicely made for under £10!





Despite the cloudy weather it stayed clear so I got to wash the car and apply a layer of this stuff. It's Meguiars Hybrid Wax which you spray on a rinsed by wet car. On first application you just dry as normal then apply wet and rinse on subsequent coats.



There's still a few cosmetic things I'd like to get done but for now I'm pleased with how the car comes up.











I have a list in mind I'd like to get done to the car in the coming months, next up will be a full service. It was serviced about 6-7 months ago but I want it done so I know it's 100% and I'll ensure it's using Mercedes oil.

Oh and I'll de-badge the bootlid at some point when I have more time to polish it up and re-seal.

[AndrewCrown]

Alex...

Congratulations on your new purchase...
If you dig around on my CL thread I recorded a few years of owning this exact model in terms of expenditure..(21st October 2018)
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Hope you don’t mind an honest opinion...but that rear plate spoils it a little...tbh I quite like the raised lettering...very popular in Hong Kong...and there a lot of S’s there and it looks good..I’d lose the surround and reduce the size of the plate.. I’ll try and dig out a photo for you on that look.

Agree the pre face lift rear lights are better...

These are amazing cars and without question I would have another.....

Sorry Alex...just realised you had commented on that thread

Edited by AndrewCrown on Sunday 16th February 02:05

[AlonzoHarris]

Lovely car op. I think Mercedes really named the styling on their entire ranges of cars in this area. The C, E, S and M Classes from this generation all look better than their replacements to me.