Looking to buy a S350 or S500

[Blobcat]

Ony Airmatic or ABC. Stick to the Airmatic. If the Suspension is flat when you go see a car, run away. A good Airmatic drops about 2-4mm/24hours on average and is normal. Also the Air Pump should only run for a few seconds after start-up, if it runs for extended periods or is really noisy could indicate a leak or a worn Pump.
I had a 2001 S500 and the pump gave way because the Air Feed Pipe between the Filter and Pump had split letting in unfiltered Air damaging the Pump. I replaced the Piston Ring and Cylinder along with a new Filter and fixed it myself at a total cost of about 80 quid.

Another weak point is the PSE Pump for the Central Locking and Soft Close etc. Mine stopped working because the Passages in the Valve assembly got blocked from the Carbon Vanes inside the Pump so it kept on blowing the Fuse to save the Pump from damage.
Again I cleaned it all out and reset the Vane clearances and it was sorted at no cost other than my time.

A lot of things can be rectified on the older w220 relatively cheap or DIY.

I think mine had most of the Extras:

200A LEATHER
205 OWNERS MANUAL AND SERVICE RECORD - ENGLISH
231 GARAGE DOOR OPENER
249 INSIDE AND OUTSIDE MIRROR AUTOMATIC DIMMING
264A LEATHER SAFFRON
275 MEMORY PACKAGE (DRIVER SEAT, STRG. COL., MIRROR)
278 TELEPHONE PRE-INSTALLATION COMPL. D-NET
284 SELECTOR LEVER, WOOD
289 WOOD/LEATHER STEERING-WHEEL
352 COMAND
366U AZURITE BLUE - METALLIC
401 DELUXE FRONT SEATS WITH VENTILATION AND HEATING CO
414 ELECTRIC TILT/SLIDE SUNROOF IN GLASS VERSION
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
540 ROLLER BLIND, ELECTRIC, FOR REAR WINDOW
551 ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM
596 HEAT INSULATING+IR REFLECTG.SAFETY GLASS ALL-ROUND
600 HEADLAMPS - CLEANING EQUIPMENT
617 XENON HEADLAMPS, LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC
673 HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY
731 WOOD TRIM BURRED WALNUT ROOT
774 SHELL MODIFICATION FOR AMG-WHEELS
792 AMG-WHEELS 8X18 SQUEEZE-IN DEPTH 31 235/40 (S210)
800 N/A 813 LINGUATRONIC-GERMAN (VOICE OPERATION)
816 REMOTE CONTROL FOR RADIO /COMMAND (OMS) REAR PASS
819 CD CHANGER
872 REAR SEAT BENCH HEATING LEFT UND RIGHT
882 INTERIOR SAFEGUARD
883 POWER CLOSING SYSTEM

And sorry but I love showing off one car I should have kept - but tht what happens when someone offers you twice as much as what you paid for it! STUPID!!!

Good luck with your search.......

You should have kept that one…

 

[mioba]

This will be a very useful bookmark for you.

W220 S-Class Encyclopedia

w220.ee

 

[Mr_Integrity]

The wooden steering wheel and wooden gshift was an optional extra, as was the normal heated steering wheel. but the higer up the range you go (say s500) then more things become standard.

gbox service is sump off, replace filter, meticulously clean sump and replace gasket and refill. also replace gasket for electrical connector down there. There is a high and low mark depnding on temp and you need a workshop tool as you like diy. plenty on youtube 722.6 gearbox service.

I have the sales booklet too from
when i got mine.

I'd like to find one with at least the climate seats in the front and rear. Not seen so many 500's for sale with the mileage I'm looking for.
As much as I'd do the routine maintenance, things like the gearbox service I'd take in to have done, getting to long in the tooth to be underneath a vehicle on the ground

 

[Mr_Integrity]

Its airmatic struts. If they fail its either the entire strut. But some later models had the bags which can be reaplaced seperately

Later models - Would they happen to be the 2004 - 2006 models by any chance?

 

[Mr_Integrity]

My s600 has heated wooden steering wheel, although it the only the leather part that heats up, The list of extras available is endless. I purchased mine from a customer only because it’s the only car I’ve seen with every option ticked, you name it, it’s got it.
ps I might have an S500 lwb 2011 for sale in a few months after I’ve replaced the chains and actuators.

The 600 does indeed look nice, if I saw one with the low mileage I'm after I might be tempted, but I've only seen one which was an AMG beast and as lovely as it was it was more than I'm looking to spend on a vehicle.

Thanks for the offer but 2011 is not within my budget to purchase.

 

[Mr_Integrity]

I say the OP is after a W220 (03-06)

A v12 s600 is that star. Very nice!

Indeed! you are correct.

 

[Mr_Integrity]

Ony Airmatic or ABC. Stick to the Airmatic. If the Suspension is flat when you go see a car, run away. A good Airmatic drops about 2-4mm/24hours on average and is normal. Also the Air Pump should only run for a few seconds after start-up, if it runs for extended periods or is really noisy could indicate a leak or a worn Pump.
I had a 2001 S500 and the pump gave way because the Air Feed Pipe between the Filter and Pump had split letting in unfiltered Air damaging the Pump. I replaced the Piston Ring and Cylinder along with a new Filter and fixed it myself at a total cost of about 80 quid.

Another weak point is the PSE Pump for the Central Locking and Soft Close etc. Mine stopped working because the Passages in the Valve assembly got blocked from the Carbon Vanes inside the Pump so it kept on blowing the Fuse to save the Pump from damage.
Again I cleaned it all out and reset the Vane clearances and it was sorted at no cost other than my time.

A lot of things can be rectified on the older w220 relatively cheap or DIY.

I think mine had most of the Extras:

200A LEATHER
205 OWNERS MANUAL AND SERVICE RECORD - ENGLISH
231 GARAGE DOOR OPENER
249 INSIDE AND OUTSIDE MIRROR AUTOMATIC DIMMING
264A LEATHER SAFFRON
275 MEMORY PACKAGE (DRIVER SEAT, STRG. COL., MIRROR)
278 TELEPHONE PRE-INSTALLATION COMPL. D-NET
284 SELECTOR LEVER, WOOD
289 WOOD/LEATHER STEERING-WHEEL
352 COMAND
366U AZURITE BLUE - METALLIC
401 DELUXE FRONT SEATS WITH VENTILATION AND HEATING CO
414 ELECTRIC TILT/SLIDE SUNROOF IN GLASS VERSION
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
540 ROLLER BLIND, ELECTRIC, FOR REAR WINDOW
551 ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM
596 HEAT INSULATING+IR REFLECTG.SAFETY GLASS ALL-ROUND
600 HEADLAMPS - CLEANING EQUIPMENT
617 XENON HEADLAMPS, LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC
673 HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY
731 WOOD TRIM BURRED WALNUT ROOT
774 SHELL MODIFICATION FOR AMG-WHEELS
792 AMG-WHEELS 8X18 SQUEEZE-IN DEPTH 31 235/40 (S210)
800 N/A 813 LINGUATRONIC-GERMAN (VOICE OPERATION)
816 REMOTE CONTROL FOR RADIO /COMMAND (OMS) REAR PASS
819 CD CHANGER
872 REAR SEAT BENCH HEATING LEFT UND RIGHT
882 INTERIOR SAFEGUARD
883 POWER CLOSING SYSTEM

And sorry but I love showing off one car I should have kept - but tht what happens when someone offers you twice as much as what you paid for it! STUPID!!!

Good luck with your search.......

Thanks! Some great advice! That will be useful for sure when looking at a car.

And yes that does look a very nice car indeed! The only thing I don't like is the sat nav. Love the head rests in these years.

 

[RhodieBill]

You should have kept that one…

Don't worry, I tell myself that every day!!! Stupid beyond belief.......................

 

[RhodieBill]

Thanks! Some great advice! That will be useful for sure when looking at a car.

And yes that does look a very nice car indeed! The only thing I don't like is the sat nav. Love the head rests in these years.

Thanks....
There are things that I prefer on the "Facelift" version, like the bigger screen, ect. But the Satnav did at least work as did the hand-held Remote Control for the Rear Passengers.

 

[Mr_Integrity]

Thanks....
There are things that I prefer on the "Facelift" version, like the bigger screen, ect. But the Satnav did at last work as did the hand-held Remote Control for the Rear Passengers.

There are some very well kept examples about!
They also don't look dated compared with other cars (including Merc's) of the era.

 

[Mr_Integrity]

This will be a very useful bookmark for you.

W220 S-Class Encyclopedia

w220.ee

Thank you!

 

[Steve Paul Thompson]

Ony Airmatic or ABC. Stick to the Airmatic. If the Suspension is flat when you go see a car, run away. A good Airmatic drops about 2-4mm/24hours on average and is normal. Also the Air Pump should only run for a few seconds after start-up, if it runs for extended periods or is really noisy could indicate a leak or a worn Pump.
I had a 2001 S500 and the pump gave way because the Air Feed Pipe between the Filter and Pump had split letting in unfiltered Air damaging the Pump. I replaced the Piston Ring and Cylinder along with a new Filter and fixed it myself at a total cost of about 80 quid.

Another weak point is the PSE Pump for the Central Locking and Soft Close etc. Mine stopped working because the Passages in the Valve assembly got blocked from the Carbon Vanes inside the Pump so it kept on blowing the Fuse to save the Pump from damage.
Again I cleaned it all out and reset the Vane clearances and it was sorted at no cost other than my time.

A lot of things can be rectified on the older w220 relatively cheap or DIY.

I think mine had most of the Extras:

200A LEATHER
205 OWNERS MANUAL AND SERVICE RECORD - ENGLISH
231 GARAGE DOOR OPENER
249 INSIDE AND OUTSIDE MIRROR AUTOMATIC DIMMING
264A LEATHER SAFFRON
275 MEMORY PACKAGE (DRIVER SEAT, STRG. COL., MIRROR)
278 TELEPHONE PRE-INSTALLATION COMPL. D-NET
284 SELECTOR LEVER, WOOD
289 WOOD/LEATHER STEERING-WHEEL
352 COMAND
366U AZURITE BLUE - METALLIC
401 DELUXE FRONT SEATS WITH VENTILATION AND HEATING CO
414 ELECTRIC TILT/SLIDE SUNROOF IN GLASS VERSION
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
540 ROLLER BLIND, ELECTRIC, FOR REAR WINDOW
551 ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM
596 HEAT INSULATING+IR REFLECTG.SAFETY GLASS ALL-ROUND
600 HEADLAMPS - CLEANING EQUIPMENT
617 XENON HEADLAMPS, LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC
673 HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY
731 WOOD TRIM BURRED WALNUT ROOT
774 SHELL MODIFICATION FOR AMG-WHEELS
792 AMG-WHEELS 8X18 SQUEEZE-IN DEPTH 31 235/40 (S210)
800 N/A 813 LINGUATRONIC-GERMAN (VOICE OPERATION)
816 REMOTE CONTROL FOR RADIO /COMMAND (OMS) REAR PASS
819 CD CHANGER
872 REAR SEAT BENCH HEATING LEFT UND RIGHT
882 INTERIOR SAFEGUARD
883 POWER CLOSING SYSTEM

And sorry but I love showing off one car I should have kept - but tht what happens when someone offers you twice as much as what you paid for it! STUPID!!!

Good luck with your search.......

Lovely car Bill. Steve.

 

[Mr_Integrity]

Thank you all for the responses!
This is a very helpful forum and quick with the info too!

The only thing I would consider changing is the front grille, I prefer this one I saw on a 2004 model, so I'd look into finding one and replacing it.

 

[RhodieBill]

Thank you all for the responses!
This is a very helpful forum and quick with the info too!

The only thing I would consider changing is the front grille, I prefer this one I saw on a 2004 model, so I'd look into finding one and replacing it.


View attachment 68923

Hi.

Although you are most probably aware, but the Facelift Grill is different to the Pre-Facelift, so is the Bonnet.

 

[RhodieBill]

While I'm here I thought you might find this Link helpful.....

W220 S-Class Encyclopedia

w220.ee

 

[Mr_Integrity]

Hi.

Although you are most probably aware, but the Facelift Grill is different to the Pre-Facelift, so is the Bonnet.

I knew a few differences on the facelift one, but I wasn't aware of the grille and bonnet until I looked at the encyclopaedia yesterday. (Another member posted the same link as you the night before)

 

[Mr_Integrity]

I've just been offered a CLS 350 for 4k (57 plate with 80k).
I know it's not what I'm looking for, but sometimes a gem turns up when you're not looking for it. I know nothing about that particular model, didn't even know what it looked like until I saw a pic (then I was oh one of those). They any good? It would still be a stop gap as I am rather fixed on getting a S class.

 

[Paul Garrett]

Ony Airmatic or ABC. Stick to the Airmatic. If the Suspension is flat when you go see a car, run away. A good Airmatic drops about 2-4mm/24hours on average and is normal. Also the Air Pump should only run for a few seconds after start-up, if it runs for extended periods or is really noisy could indicate a leak or a worn Pump.
I had a 2001 S500 and the pump gave way because the Air Feed Pipe between the Filter and Pump had split letting in unfiltered Air damaging the Pump. I replaced the Piston Ring and Cylinder along with a new Filter and fixed it myself at a total cost of about 80 quid.

Another weak point is the PSE Pump for the Central Locking and Soft Close etc. Mine stopped working because the Passages in the Valve assembly got blocked from the Carbon Vanes inside the Pump so it kept on blowing the Fuse to save the Pump from damage.
Again I cleaned it all out and reset the Vane clearances and it was sorted at no cost other than my time.

A lot of things can be rectified on the older w220 relatively cheap or DIY.

I think mine had most of the Extras:

200A LEATHER
205 OWNERS MANUAL AND SERVICE RECORD - ENGLISH
231 GARAGE DOOR OPENER
249 INSIDE AND OUTSIDE MIRROR AUTOMATIC DIMMING
264A LEATHER SAFFRON
275 MEMORY PACKAGE (DRIVER SEAT, STRG. COL., MIRROR)
278 TELEPHONE PRE-INSTALLATION COMPL. D-NET
284 SELECTOR LEVER, WOOD
289 WOOD/LEATHER STEERING-WHEEL
352 COMAND
366U AZURITE BLUE - METALLIC
401 DELUXE FRONT SEATS WITH VENTILATION AND HEATING CO
414 ELECTRIC TILT/SLIDE SUNROOF IN GLASS VERSION
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
540 ROLLER BLIND, ELECTRIC, FOR REAR WINDOW
551 ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM
596 HEAT INSULATING+IR REFLECTG.SAFETY GLASS ALL-ROUND
600 HEADLAMPS - CLEANING EQUIPMENT
617 XENON HEADLAMPS, LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC
673 HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY
731 WOOD TRIM BURRED WALNUT ROOT
774 SHELL MODIFICATION FOR AMG-WHEELS
792 AMG-WHEELS 8X18 SQUEEZE-IN DEPTH 31 235/40 (S210)
800 N/A 813 LINGUATRONIC-GERMAN (VOICE OPERATION)
816 REMOTE CONTROL FOR RADIO /COMMAND (OMS) REAR PASS
819 CD CHANGER
872 REAR SEAT BENCH HEATING LEFT UND RIGHT
882 INTERIOR SAFEGUARD
883 POWER CLOSING SYSTEM

And sorry but I love showing off one car I should have kept - but tht what happens when someone offers you twice as much as what you paid for it! STUPID!!!

Good luck with your search.......

Im sure you are kicking yourself now! Looks amazing esp the colour/ interior combo and the way the whole car looked ....id be gutted if i sold my S500 as well

 

[RhodieBill]

The only thing I would be wary of is the 350 engine, they can be troublesome with regards the Balance Shaft Sprockets on the M272 Engines. And I believe the 2007 was fitted with the M272 / DE35

 

[Blobcat]

The only thing I would be wary of is the 350 engine, they can be troublesome with regards the Balance Shaft Sprockets on the M272 Engines. And I believe the 2007 was fitted with the M272 / DE35

You can check the balance shaft issues with the VIN pretty easily before purchase