**2002 S320 CDI - Common Faults to Look out For**

[kpslick]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post, so apologies if it's in the wrong section.

I am looking at a 2002 S320 CDI, actually, I'm looking at a few of them.

I realise that every individual car is different, and they will all have their own little problems here and there.

However, I was wondering if anyone can let me know of some of the common things to look out for when purchasing this model at this age.

The ones I'm looking at have between 120,000 miles and 150,000 miles.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

 

[Silver_Star]

Very nice cars.

That said, look over it with a fine tooth comb for rust. Paying particular attention round all wheel arch's and door bottoms. Keep you eyes peeled for any signs it has had a quick blow over to cover it up for sale.

Other thing is to check for electrical problems, make sure everything works. Also check for damp in the passenger foot well and blocked drains on the scuttle panel. The blocked drains cause water to come into the car, cause damp in the passenger footwell and play havoc with the electrics.

Also make sure the suspension pump works as it should.

 

[Frontstep]

Welcome,
Rust and electrics, essentially everything needs trying and a comprehensive history is good, there are a few owners who will detail their observations as the day goes on.

 

[Silver_Star]

Also make sure gear changes are smooth and kickdown and tiptronic mode works.

May be worth removing the plastic engine covers and looking for any signs of injector blow by (you will see a build up of black crud).

 

[RobWheatley]

Welcome.
Black smoke (can be easy to cure) going into limp mode on full throttle and SRS light staying on if there is no passenger.
Rob

 

[sabine]

Check the following,

Air-conditioning blows really cold and really hot

Gearbox smooth

Suspension raises and lowers correctly

All light bulbs work

All seat heating works

Sat nav works

Tracks straight and true

Wheel wobble and 65

Wheel wobble under light baking

Rust-everywhere even around sunroof

Damp in boot by cd changer

Damp under carpets in front

Black smoke under hard acceleration

Take a long, long test drive. *Drive slowly and really fast on full throttle openings.

Take off plastic engine cover and inspect for injector seals leaking

Check oil level and condition

Check coolant level

Look at tyre wear

Put it in park when warmed up nicely and hold it on the rev limiter for 10 secs to check for black smoke

Is glove box loose

Do wing mirrors to in and out

Does cruise work

Read service history and see what has been replaced.

You will always have something wrong with a car like this and it will need a garage at least once a month.

They are too heavy for town and chew fuel on short runs.

But they are a total complete and *utter joy on the motorway at 2am at 85 on cruise and lower the blood pressure better than an hour of yoga.

Very nimble on fast A roads and have tremendous fade free *brakes.

Stonking passing power and a surprisingly high top speed.

 

[RobWheatley]

Check the following,

Air-conditioning blows really cold and really hot

Gearbox smooth

Suspension raises and lowers correctly

All light bulbs work

All seat heating works

Sat nav works

Tracks straight and true

Wheel wobble and 65

Wheel wobble under light baking

Rust-everywhere even around sunroof

Damp in boot by cd changer

Damp under carpets in front

Black smoke under hard acceleration

Take a long, long test drive. *Drive slowly and really fast on full throttle openings.

Take off plastic engine cover and inspect for injector seals leaking

Check oil level and condition

Check coolant level

Look at tyre wear

Put it in park when warmed up nicely and hold it on the rev limiter for 10 secs to check for black smoke

Is glove box loose

Do wing mirrors to in and out

Does cruise work

Read service history and see what has been replaced.

You will always have something wrong with a car like this and it will need a garage at least once a month.
They are too heavy for town and chew fuel on short runs.

But they are a total complete and *utter joy on the motorway at 2am at 85 on cruise and lower the blood pressure better than an hour of yoga.

Very nimble on fast A roads and have tremendous fade free *brakes.

Stonking passing power and a surprisingly high top speed.

Im sure the owner will just LOVE you doing that

 

[Xtractorfan]

It is also worth checking if the speedo head has been replaced under warranty recall, the replacement head unit will have a 2 yr warranty.. also front lower and upper ball joints are prone to wear, and rattle over certain surfaces..

 

[kpslick]

Thanks for all your input

Hi guys,

Just want to thank everyone for all their help.

VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!

 

[ALFIEBEARD]

QUOTE......Put it in park when warmed up nicely and hold it on the rev limiter for 10 secs to check for black smoke.

And see how far the conrods fly.............


Alfie

 

[jberks]

I have a rule that when I buy a used car it comes with a new MOT.
For the fee, you get a detailed inspection, a fail if there's something up and a list of advisories if not. Plus you have a years MOT.
Did this on the Ka. 'Any faults?' ,'No sir the cars just been through a thorough inspection and service Sir and has 7 months MOT remaining', 'Ok - I like to start with 12 months MOT and line it up to expire with the road tax so put it through a new MOT, and I'll pay the fee', 'Err ok' (what else could he say!).
It failed on a tyre and a suspension arm - which he had to pay for.

 

[sabine]

Ahem! I did say when it's nice and warm.

 

[shahid11]

im also in the same postion to be buying a s class can anybody tell me is the s320 cdi quick of the line, overtaking wise i used to have a 2001 bmw 525i m sport auto very quick of the line for a 2.5. im looking to buy 2002 uptill the 2003/2004 facelift model may consider remapping it if needed thanks shah