s class advice

[tode]

A8 Funny you should say that, Extractor: I had a test drive of the A8, and found that it handled very nicely (can I say better than the S class on this forum ?).
But the interior wasn't up to the mercedes.

But it is tempting . . .

 

[stumpy]

In my experience all modern Merc diesels are noisier, rougher and offer worse mpg than the engines they replace. And the new gearboxes are just shockingly bad. Not good enough in 30k of E Class but distinctly unfunny on an 80k S. If the BE gearbox is on the 500 then I'd avoid that too.

The fact is that when it comes to drivetrains BMW are cleaner, faster and quieter.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

A8 Funny you should say that, Extractor: I had a test drive of the A8, and found that it handled very nicely (can I say better than the S class on this forum ?).
But the interior wasn't up to the Mercedes.

But it is tempting . . .

A8 is a nice car, but internal noise levels are higher than both the E and the S Class MBs, as evidenced if you try to hold a conversation between front and rear seat occupants at cruising speed.

Now, they don't tell you that in the advertising literature!

 

[tode]

Well now, I didn't know that Mercedes were such lousy cars

Maybe a Peugeot, then. Or a Fiat

Or is it just that Mercedes send all the cars made on a Friday afternoon to UK ?

Let's just hope I get a Tuesday morning job.

 

[stumpy]

Well now, I didn't know that Mercedes were such lousy cars

Maybe a Peugeot, then. Or a Fiat

Or is it just that Mercedes send all the cars made on a Friday afternoon to UK ?

Let's just hope I get a Tuesday morning job.

Be interested to hear how it goes.

 

[tode]

Will do

Thanks to everyone for opinions. To sum up, the S class is not the dream machine, but it's still quite a nice car

 

[newman2000000]

Mercedes S class Cl 320 430 500 600 W220 and W125 Models
£85 United Kingdom,

It should fit on any mercedes CL500,CL600,CL55 W215 and S320, S430,S500,S55,S600 w220 from 1999-2003 .It may fit on the later models as well but please check before you buy. ( No AIRBAG included )

The part No: A 220 460 0403 8J09
Colour: Leder /Stone

I bought it for my car but i sold it before i received the steering wheel by post.

Did anyone order a steering wheel?

 

[stumpy]

Will do

Thanks to everyone for opinions. To sum up, the S class is not the dream machine, but it's still quite a nice car

Yes, very good in some areas. Just doesn't live up to expectation as a whole.

 

[gilbert121262]

Best car I have have in 31 years of motoring, end of story!!!!

 

[gilbert121262]

What did you buy in the end, best car in the world or 2nd best!!!

 

[tode]

Have just sent back the (signed) order for the S350. The nice young lady at Mercedes talked me into it

Now just have to wait 3 months . . . 90 days . . . 2160 hours . . . .

 

[GordonR]

Hi, I have just picked up an absolute mint, fully loaded early W221 (sub 18K Miles) S350 at £23K (New £79K) - Absolutely love it. After always buying new have decided this route to soften such big depreciation a no brainer to keep this say 3 years and lose a relatively small amount whilst enjoying absolute luxury. Add on a private plate and it could pass as a 2009!

Good luck

 

[BIGCJL]

Hi, I have just picked up an absolute mint, fully loaded early W221 (sub 18K Miles) S350 at £23K (New £79K) - Absolutely love it. After always buying new have decided this route to soften such big depreciation a no brainer to keep this say 3 years and lose a relatively small amount whilst enjoying absolute luxury. Add on a private plate and it could pass as a 2009!

Good luck

Thats the way to go. I would never buy new, just on principal. Lets assume (in your case) the original owner traded, and got say £22K for it (if the dealer sold it for £23K you can guarantee he paid less), that means the original owner lost £57K............

Fair enough, money is all relative, £57K to you and me might be a lot, whereas if the previous owner was called Sir Paul McCartney, perhaps he has a bit more "expendable" cash, but never the less, losing close on £60K is just massive. That's why I'd never buy new.

Of course, unless 6 little No's come up on Sat night..........................

 

[tode]

6-year bump !

Just coming up to the car's sixth birthday, so - a little update.

Everything went off fine (the ferry didn't sink) and we managed to get back home (in France) with no problems.

Went to see the tax-man and paid the VAT (which seemed to surprise him) and the registration was simple.

The car: lovely !

Harman Kardon - great.

Problems since new:
Engine light at 2 years old, three days before end of guarantee (car bought in UK, but if it's specced for France then you get a French guarantee - 2 years). Turned out to be the NOx sensor, which MB changed.
At 5 years old Distronic packs up. Turns out to be a front speed sensor. MB changed both FOC.

Opinion: a very nice car and a great place to be, whether you're cruising through the night or stuck in a traffic jam, it's very pleasant place to be in .
Down-side: it's a lot of car to wash ! And, being black, it's got to be washed quite often . . .

Did I do the right thing ? . . . YES ! but I sometimes wonder if I shouldn't have gone for a petrol with a little more oomph. But then I probably wouldn't have a licence now

 

[the director]

So, about time to consider a used W222 then!!!!

 

[tode]

Am just waiting for the pound to drop a bit more . . .