Advice, please, re buying S-class, 2010 or so or newer

[Roy Gardiner]

There are so many models and options, so much technology, that I am stuck for choice.

- Budget to a max of maybe 35k
- Objectives are smoothness and quietness rather than outright performance
- No diesels
- Petrol consumption not really an issue, my annual mileage is not high.
- I am influenced by technology - is magic body control (for just one example) worth insisting upon? Recommendations on desirable tech features welcomed!

I find it difficult to work out which model's got what, and there are as well so many options. I'm not sure retailers always list them correctly. Is there any way to find a definitive feature list for a car, from its reg no for instance? Or some other database with feature vs. year introduced? Or summat?

Any and all help appreciated.

 

[LostKiwi]

Download MB Vin Decoder for your phone and when looking at a vehicle use the decoder to verify the spec.
Magic ride is amazing technology with the ability to look ahead and set the suspension so it smooths the ride.
Engine wise the 500 is probably the one to go for.

 

[sonic]

I have a E350CDI if I was to change it I would go for a S class fantastic cars, £35K is going to get you a very nice one, with the 500 engine as LK suggests. Take your time there are plenty out there, I am sure you will find what you want.

 

[John Laidlaw]

As above really- one thing to be careful of is ( and common to many), sky rocket miles disguised. Not that high miles will worry these cars just you don’t want to pay over the odds....
As a potential example
https://www.motors.co.uk/car-56591621/?i=1&m=spw
This looks excellent at first glance and may be genuine enough, but look at the tyres! Who would stick a ditchfinder on a car like that? 9k miles, really?
500 or even 600 would be a nice aim ...
Good luck, you’ll get a cracker with that budget...

 

[Mark A]

Which one is the ditch finder the Bridgestone, Hankook or Yokohama??

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Download MB Vin Decoder for your phone

Aha, that's what I was after, thank you. I wonder how likely it is I'll get the VIN from a retailer before I go to see the car I'll have to try that.

I've googled getting the VIN from the reg no and got several hints, none of which work any more. Is there a way to do it, please? I'm guessing not due to GDPR.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Looking at the assortment of tyres my guess is it’s been in an accident - buyer beware

 

[John Laidlaw]

Which one is the ditch finder the Bridgestone, Hankook or Yokohama??

The Advan sub Yokohama brand I’m told is less than useful... also the mixture - who changes tyre brands across the car in 9k? Very dodgy imo

 

[Mark A]

The mix is indeed odd, at least 1 axle where it is mixed.

was just curious which one in particular you were referring to.

 

[Blobcat]

The Advan sub Yokohama brand I’m told is less than useful... also the mixture - who changes tyre brands across the car in 9k? Very dodgy imo

If it’s spent it time in the smoke with potholes and traffic calming it could easily have had a few damaged and flat tyres.
Should have decent tyres in though...
Tyre condition and make is one of my assessments of the previous owners maintenance (or lack of).
When I sold my VW Caravelle it had 5 almost new Michelin’s on with the correct load rating. There’s not many 10 year old vehicles still on premium rubber.

 

[sonic]

The Advan sub Yokohama brand I’m told is less than useful... also the mixture - who changes tyre brands across the car in 9k? Very dodgy imo

Wouldn't be hard to wear out a rear pair in 9K with that sort of power. But yes I would have expected a decent pair to replace them.

 

[A.J.]

I would walk away from an 'S' class with budget tyres, tells you a lot about the way it has been maintained in the past

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

There are plenty out there just remember MB franchises have the best examples everything else needs extra vigilance I’d certainly want all the history of that car and to know why it hasn’t been fitted with premium tyres all round - my motto is that if things don’t seem right walk. I remember looking for a Mk6 Fiesta for a family member and viewing a similar low mileage car with an interesting mix of front end tyres which on further investigation it was apparent the front end had seen bodywork repair just sat waiting for some unsuspecting soul to buy, I won’t be visiting that dealer again

 

[JBell]

Engine wise the 500 is probably the one to go for.

Meh

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201910123248097?postcode=tq12lr&price-to=35000&make=MERCEDES-BENZ&sort=price-desc&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&radius=1500&fuel-type=Petrol&model=S CLASS&advertising-location=at_cars&page=2

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...l=S CLASS&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1

 

[Wighty]

What about a 2013/14 CL500 , unless of course you need the other 2 doors ?

 

[JBell]

What about a 2013/14 CL500 , unless of course you need the other 2 doors ?

Get a 63 for that and change

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...&model=CL&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202003258738620?postcode=tq12lr&price-to=35000&make=MERCEDES-BENZ&sort=price-desc&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&aggregatedTrim=CL63&radius=1500&model=CL&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1

 

[Wighty]

Get a 63 for that and change

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202003198591099?postcode=tq12lr&price-to=35000&make=MERCEDES-BENZ&sort=price-desc&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&aggregatedTrim=CL63&radius=1500&model=CL&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202003258738620?postcode=tq12lr&price-to=35000&make=MERCEDES-BENZ&sort=price-desc&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&aggregatedTrim=CL63&radius=1500&model=CL&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1

Mines the money saving family friendly choice

 

[JBell]

Mines the money saving family friendly choice

If you are going to do it, do it properly

 

[John Laidlaw]

or this and even more change?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...l=S CLASS&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1

 

[Blobcat]

or this and even more change?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202001075876583?postcode=ch626et&aggregatedTrim=S65&make=MERCEDES-BENZ&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&sort=relevance&radius=1500&model=S CLASS&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1

Noice