Mr_Integrity
Active Member
Hello all,
So I'm new here. I joined because I am looking to buy a 2003 - 2006 S350 or S500. I am looking at cars with between 50,000 - 90,000 miles. Most I've seen vary in price from £2500 - £5000 for well looked after vehicles with just two or three owners. I have seen cheaper ones starting at £1200, but these are higher mileage vehicles from 125 -220k, still seem to be looked after for the most part too, but I'm not interested in those. Also seen higher priced ones too, some as much as £12,500.
So I'd like some advise on some of the common problems that I should look for when viewing cars. I did have a look through the forums and do a search and couldn't see any specific posts or see any repeat problems, but there are a lot of threads, maybe I missed something obvious.
Just a few questions too!
1. Sat Nav - I'm looking at the ones with the rectangular screen as apposed to the earlier ones with the square screen;
Any particular issues with them?
When was the last update?
2. Heated seats - Do all the cars that have heated seats also have the cooling option too? Are they front and rear?
3. Steering wheel - Is that heated too? The wooden one an option and easy to install?
4. Heated front windscreen?
5. Engine - which is more reliable the 350 (3.7ltr I believe) or the 500 (5ltr)? I suppose they both have different common faults?
Are the prices about right? Is the 500 generally more expensive compared to 350 of the same year?
I think that's it for now, but I am rather tired so I may have more questions later.
Thanks in advance! Have a great Monday.
Edited: 14 June 2021 23:00 (BST)
Are the engines Belt driven or timing chain?
Regardless as to when it was last serviced it will have a full service done including all fluids and filters, anything else I should check or renew?
If halogen bulbs are fitted is it possible to do a HID conversion or LED bulbs? Are the light units suitable for HID conversion? (UK MOT laws)
Can the trip computer or message centre (whatever Mercedes call them) where the speedo is, be updated at all? (another seller says it's faulty and needs updating)
So I'm new here. I joined because I am looking to buy a 2003 - 2006 S350 or S500. I am looking at cars with between 50,000 - 90,000 miles. Most I've seen vary in price from £2500 - £5000 for well looked after vehicles with just two or three owners. I have seen cheaper ones starting at £1200, but these are higher mileage vehicles from 125 -220k, still seem to be looked after for the most part too, but I'm not interested in those. Also seen higher priced ones too, some as much as £12,500.
So I'd like some advise on some of the common problems that I should look for when viewing cars. I did have a look through the forums and do a search and couldn't see any specific posts or see any repeat problems, but there are a lot of threads, maybe I missed something obvious.
Just a few questions too!
1. Sat Nav - I'm looking at the ones with the rectangular screen as apposed to the earlier ones with the square screen;
Any particular issues with them?
When was the last update?
2. Heated seats - Do all the cars that have heated seats also have the cooling option too? Are they front and rear?
3. Steering wheel - Is that heated too? The wooden one an option and easy to install?
4. Heated front windscreen?
5. Engine - which is more reliable the 350 (3.7ltr I believe) or the 500 (5ltr)? I suppose they both have different common faults?
Are the prices about right? Is the 500 generally more expensive compared to 350 of the same year?
I think that's it for now, but I am rather tired so I may have more questions later.
Thanks in advance! Have a great Monday.
Edited: 14 June 2021 23:00 (BST)
Are the engines Belt driven or timing chain?
Regardless as to when it was last serviced it will have a full service done including all fluids and filters, anything else I should check or renew?
If halogen bulbs are fitted is it possible to do a HID conversion or LED bulbs? Are the light units suitable for HID conversion? (UK MOT laws)
Can the trip computer or message centre (whatever Mercedes call them) where the speedo is, be updated at all? (another seller says it's faulty and needs updating)