Maintenance Costs of S-Class

goderich

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I am considering getting a high mileage (100K) S-Class. I would be grateful for any information about likely maintenance costs please? For instance:
1. What are the costs of components like tyres and exhausts which have to be replaced?
2. What do likely spare parts, like alternators, cost?
3. What work had to be done by a main dealer because it is physically impossible for an independent garage. For instance, can the independents access the engine management system codes?
4. Anything else that is relevant.
Thanks,
Andrew
 

whitenemesis

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The maintainance costs will be commensurate with a car costing £100k new
 

Dosco

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Whitenemesis says it all really but when Alex G reads your post I am sure he will be able to give you some factual stuff based on his own experience although I don't think his has 100k on the clock.

In general it all depends on how it has been looked after during its 100k - and that sort of mileage is 'small beer' for a Merc. Usually it is the electronic stuff that gives the problems. As far as your comments about independent workshops - Indies - have no fear I think it is fair to say that they are VERY well aware and more than capable of maintaining such a motor to the very highest standards - indeed in a lot of cases far more competent than the dealer network and yes they all should have the latest in test equipment to 'read' the fault codes and diagnose faults.

Finally a warm welcome to the forum.:cool:

Roger
 

deejaybee

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It might be useful if you could indicate what model / age s-class you are considering. There will be differences between petrol and diesel and also 6/8/12 cylinder models.

Tyres costs will also vary by model / wheel size, but in general would be around £125 for good "budget" ones or around twice as much for top brands. Mercedes exhausts are very good and will last many years even if you are doing high mileage, although a car that only does short journeys could rust out from the inside.

As a rough guide on servicing costs it should be around £200-250 for a A-service and £350-400 for a B-service at a good Indie (plus the cost of any parts over and above normal fluids/filters).

Dave
 
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goderich

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I would be thinking of the 320 diesel. I appreciate it will cost tad more than a Mondeo, but I have spent a small fortune on repairs for a japanese car this year anyway. This included being quoted £1,000 for a throttle body. It was compounded by having to go to the main dealer as my ordinary garage could not access the EMS. I am thinking I may as well go the whole hog and get a decent car. I'd just like to know what horrors may be in store. By the way, when I say independent I am referring to a an ordinary garage, not a Mercedes specialist. Thanks for your help so far.
 

Dosco

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I would be thinking of the 320 diesel. I appreciate it will cost tad more than a Mondeo, but I have spent a small fortune on repairs for a japanese car this year anyway. This included being quoted £1,000 for a throttle body. It was compounded by having to go to the main dealer as my ordinary garage could not access the EMS. I am thinking I may as well go the whole hog and get a decent car. I'd just like to know what horrors may be in store. By the way, when I say independent I am referring to a an ordinary garage, not a Mercedes specialist. Thanks for your help so far.

The 320 is a good choice. Strongly suggest and independent Merc Specialist for the reasons I have posted. It is very unlikely that the standard independent will have invested in the diagnostic equipment required although they may be an excellent garage in their own right.
 

deejaybee

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Other members will no doubt be able to give you some details regarding owning / running an S320 Cdi, but on the subject of maintenance it may be a false economy to expect this to be undertaken by your local garage. A Mercedes specialist will have the experience and facilities to undertake this to a high standard and won't charge you anymore than your local garage who probably have no model specific knowlege at all?

If you post your location people will advise of known local merc specialists.

Dave
 

whitenemesis

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I would be thinking of the 320 diesel. I appreciate it will cost tad more than a Mondeo, but I have spent a small fortune on repairs for a japanese car this year anyway. This included being quoted £1,000 for a throttle body. It was compounded by having to go to the main dealer as my ordinary garage could not access the EMS. I am thinking I may as well go the whole hog and get a decent car. I'd just like to know what horrors may be in store. By the way, when I say independent I am referring to a an ordinary garage, not a Mercedes specialist. Thanks for your help so far.

IIRC a suspension leg can cost in excess of £1k and it's not unknown for them to fail on the S. Anything electronic will likely be expensive and there is an awfull lot of gizmos in the S.

That said the car may well go many 10k miles without any problem at all...
 
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Alex M Grieve

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I am considering getting a high mileage (100K) S-Class. I would be grateful for any information about likely maintenance costs please? For instance:
1. What are the costs of components like tyres and exhausts which have to be replaced?
2. What do likely spare parts, like alternators, cost?
3. What work had to be done by a main dealer because it is physically impossible for an independent garage. For instance, can the independents access the engine management system codes?
4. Anything else that is relevant.
Thanks,
Andrew

Hi Andrew.

I have a 320 CDI (04/54) which I bought 3 years ago with 20,000 miles and has now done a further 30,000 miles with me.

At 5 years of age and 50,000 it has had an A service and 2 B services, and a set of tyres at 40,000 (Conti, "like for like" to the OEM tyres, £500 for the set).

At the next service it will need new brake pads, but the discs are fine.

Otherwise, general care is all you need - and be sure to clear the drain holes from the rainwater drainage system as it can block with resultant overflow.

The 04 car has galvanized bodywork and nano paint, along with the wider screen satnav. Be sure to choose a car with xenon lights - otherwise the Halogens are not really man enough IMHO.

It has proved to be a reliable and comfortable car, and (other than the very cold weather) has averaged 40 mpg with a mixture of rural and motorway use.

I have not used a main dealer for this car and find that a reliable independent has all the knowledge and tools to look after it correctly, for sensible prices.

Good hunting.
 

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