Convince me either not to, or to buy a 5th gen S600.
For around $25,000 one can be bought in good shape, then you keep around $15k in the bank for repairs and maintenance and you've got one hell of a car for $40k. Seems like the ultimate cruiser to me. Has all the features that you'd expect in a modern car and then some, plus 500hp and 600ft lb of torque.
Or spend a little more for a car from a dealer and get an extended warranty for even more security.
Besides the high cost for general maintenance items like brakes, air suspension, tires, etc, are there any huge reasons I shouldn't do it? Do the engines have a tendency to just crap out like the W211 3.5L engine?
they don't suffer from the balance shaft issue of the v8. go for it. come back and blog about the problems you have.
Levi Bailey
Yeah, I'm strongly considering getting one from a dealer with an extended warranty, that being said
I think 5k a year for 3 years is reasonable for doing my own work. Maybe a bit more the first year.
Hudson Collins
Much better then the W220 that came before it but not a great car to own. Most warranty companies and plans will not cover consumable/wear and tear items. This includes the two $1,300 coil packs that fail frequently and the very problematic self-leveling suspension system that can cost 3 to 5 thousand dollars to overhaul. These cars tend to fall apart even past the 40 thousand mile mark. I was a service advisor for a BMW/Benz specialty shop and customers got very tired of showing up every couple months on a flat bed even when warranty work covered everything that broke.
Jonathan Nelson
Note from above. The V12 Benz cars do not have air-matic suspension like the other S class variants, they use a high pressure hydraulic system that is driven by a special power steering pump.
Carter Cooper
Coil packs and air suspension are the two big things i've read about. Let's say that both of them were bad the moment i bought the car.
Even after having put another 6 or 7k into it to replace those parts, I'd have the peace of mind knowing that they were fixed, and it should be good for a few years.
I just can't think of any other cars that come close to this even if you take into consideration the potential up front cost of repair.
I should also mention, I have a garage to work in as well as 2 other vehicles for when this one is being worked on.
Wyatt Nelson
Good to know, I did not know that, thought it had the same air suspension setup.
Josiah Wood
You would think there would be some comfort in replacing all 4 struts and a pump. Mbz knows this, so they put shitty rubber hydraulic lines that will rupture and cause you to waste the whole system all over again. The even shittier part is how some of the rubber lines are tied into other parts and not available separately so you either go full-boat or cross your fingers.
Colton Roberts
That sounds reasonable but be advised: -you WILL need a star diagnosis system and preferrably a working version of Vediamo/DTS monaco -this will eat loads of time Especially the second factor is not to be underestimated. The chinks are making good clones of the SDS, although mine (laptop included for $635 shipped) is not playing ball with Vediamo and DTS monaco. I'm trying to get some chink support to help me fix it.
I also read that you can do a coil / strut conversion, which may be something i'd look into.
I had a W211, and while it wasn't an e55 I still got a feel for that type of car. I'm looking for something a bit larger, i know the W211's aren't exactly small, but it wasn't large either.
And while it was comfortable, it was nowhere near to the comfort of the S class, unless the seats are miles better in the AMG.
Don't get me wrong though, I have considered them, and still am.
Easton Sullivan
This may be your answer. Shame it was only made for such a short time.
Carson Bailey
I've thought about it, might be a good compromise.
Interior is quite a bit more dated though compared to a fifth gen S class. Can't say I've ever sat in one though.
Kayden Morgan
I wouldn't remove the ABC honestly. These cars were made for it and it's not such a complicated system, you just have to read up a bit on how it works then you'll be able to fix most problems. Valve blocks can be rebuilt, struts are available as reman units in good quality (Arnott) and as long as you keep the oil fresh the components should last for a long time.
Kayden Torres
Conversions are not really an option with ABC cars. The system works as a variable sway bar of sorts and works to limit body roll, so this means the whole power steering system and angle sensors, yaw sensors, anti lock brake control, wheel speed control, skid control, and all sorts of other things are made to work with ABC controls and input. Not to mention the fact that you usually have to swap subframes to get sway bars or coil springs to work.
Nicholas Ortiz
>module goes out >$3k >can't use ones from scrap cars, has to be factory new part >seat stops working >$7500 >window regulator fails >$700
You don't see 8 year old S classes for $8500 because they are a hidden gem that nobody knows about. They are extremely expensive to fix (in parts, not labor, doing it yourself will not make it cheap all of a sudden) and the cars age horribly.
Jordan Perry
why? noone, literally noone is in the market of buying old premium LARGE ENGINED cars, unless its ancient and has collectors value. W221 will probably never end up collectors item. Just buy 3.5 tdi and enjoy normal mpg. S class is not for hooning
Ryan Nguyen
Nowhere did i post that i wanted to hoon, have a collectors car or get good MPG.
I want it because i like it.
Ayden Bailey
S class is not about whats underneath the bonnet, if you don't like diesel vibrations can just get smaller petrol engine. Basically save yourself some money and buy one with simple and easy to maintain engine. Literally V6 has half the maintenance.
James Morgan
You sound European.
Given the choice between more headache and 500hp, or less headache and 250, i'll take the headache.
I have lots of nice straight roads that i can open the V12 up and be happy. I was not once happy with the power in my 3.5L E-Class, and i sure wouldn't be with the same power in a bigger vehicle.
Tyler Gutierrez
you just said you don't want to hoon. want to hoon buy s63. What speeds would you like to hit then? I doubt you will be hitting 300 like on german autobahns on your open roads.
Cooper Barnes
Going fast in a straight line and having passing power is not hooning.
Joseph Reed
Just get an LS460
Dominic Hall
Lewd
Jonathan Jackson
my e39 520 has passing power, speeding way over speed limit actually is hooning
Brandon Torres
That V12 is ancient and consumes just ridiculous amounts of fuel. Mercedes V8 is a better engine. Just wait OP until your air suspension gives out unexpectedly after your measly 15k maintenance budget has already been spent and then costs you another 20k to get roadworthy again, pretty stupid idea desu that's why nobody does it
Ethan Lopez
this
Austin Ross
t. Australian
Kevin Williams
Cls amg is literally the only merc I would ever buy
