S Class emissions and economy

[stumpy]

Does anyone with encyclopedic knowledge recall the differences in economy and emissions between an 03 model S500 and S320cdi? And is the cdi clobbered in the top VED and CC charge band?
TIA

 

[hawk20]

The S320cdi SWB is definitely in band F and so is not clobbered. It has a combined fuel economy figure of 35.1 mpg -quite amazing for a big heavy car that does 0-62 in 7.6 seconds (Autocar road test).

On mine I regularly got 35mpg plus on a run and about 26/29 pootling about on short runs.

I had optional MB wheels (bigger on rear) but was still band F.

FROM memory if you choose the LWB and the wrong wheels you can just go over into band G.

I think the S500 had a combined figure of around 20mpg.

 

[stumpy]

Thanks Hawk. The car I'm viewing is a lwb 500 with the big wheels. Oh well, looks like I'm paying for more bus lanes..............

 

[hawk20]

Found my bits of paper.
The S500 did 14.6 round town (ouch!)
28.5 extra urban and 21.1 combined.

The S320cdi did 25mpg round town; 47.9 extra urban and 35.8 mpg combined. Servicing cost are lower on the 320cdi as you might expect and I did 15,000 between services. £235 for the A service and £444 for the B service (less if you take your own oil). Quite magnificent car. Gone but never forgotten.

 

[hawk20]

Thanks Hawk. The car I'm viewing is a lwb 500 with the big wheels. Oh well, looks like I'm paying for more bus lanes..............

Any reason not to seek a 320cdi?

 

[stumpy]

Any reason not to seek a 320cdi?

I need to source a car pronto and am having trouble finding a cdi with the right spec. The car I'm seeing today has the rear seat entertainment pack, phones f & r, table, closers, TVs , wobbly seats etc etc ideal for my business. I'm hoping that the petrol car is a bit cheaper to buy in the first place so offsetting the economy penalty a bit. Those stats though are very impressive for the diesel. I remember seeing your car at Haynes and it was very smart.

 

[stumpy]

Well, I bought the 500 today. I know the diesel makes more sense but this car is loaded to the roof with stuff and I just love V8s. The car was indecently quick for what it is and I look forward to having it on the fleet.

 

[hawk20]

Well, I bought the 500 today. I know the diesel makes more sense but this car is loaded to the roof with stuff and I just love V8s. The car was indecently quick for what it is and I look forward to having it on the fleet.

Glad you found the right one. Some of the prices being asked are amazing value at the moment.

 

[stumpy]

My car would have been circa 85k new to its first company owner. I paid 19.5k with 37k miles on a 53 plate. Silver with black nappa and all the toys.

 

[hawk20]

If you need another here's a low mileage, one owner one, with an Mb dealer and 12 month warranty and Vat qualifying. Smart colour.
http://www.mercedes-benz.motortrak....3757608,13536923,13477983,13719955&vidindex=7

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Glad you found the right one. Some of the prices being asked are amazing value at the moment.

Agreed - there are some absolute bargains around - just need to be patient. My S320L has just cost me <£6K - and THAT is 60K, FMBSH and a Business Edition. - Jobs a gud'un

 

[Blobcat]

I found when looking for a S320CDI that it was almost impossible to find one with a decent spec. I think a lot of them are bought as exec taxis so come in basic spec. The petrol's however appear to be bought with little regard to cost and so have many more toys.

 

[stumpy]

I found when looking for a S320CDI that it was almost impossible to find one with a decent spec. I think a lot of them are bought as exec taxis so come in basic spec. The petrol's however appear to be bought with little regard to cost and so have many more toys.

I also found that there are few diesels with lots of buttons. Mr company car economy minded driver isn't going to whack a load of expensive extras on his car. The opposite is true as well however, there are some 600s with no extras at all. My bloke paid 600 quid for a wood and leather steering wheel! That was mainly why I went for the car I did. All the toys add to its appeal for my needs. There are a few nice diesels going for not much money but can be very leggy.

 

[hawk20]

I found when looking for a S320CDI that it was almost impossible to find one with a decent spec. I think a lot of them are bought as exec taxis so come in basic spec. The petrol's however appear to be bought with little regard to cost and so have many more toys.

The standard kit is very good and includes COMAND and leather.

But all I wanted in the way of extras was Parktronic, memory seats, 6cd changer, burr walnut trim and telephone pre wiring. At that time (early 2006) there w ere a few about with this spec but most had more. To get these things I had to choose one with heated seats and Bi-Xenon lights as well. Oh and, of course bigger wheels that just put the cost of tyres up.

Great car. Best car I have ever owned, or driven, by a country mile.

 

[tromppost]

Bus lanes

Thanks Hawk. The car I'm viewing is a lwb 500 with the big wheels. Oh well, looks like I'm paying for more bus lanes..............

If you are plated can you drive in bus lanes? also do you have to have your plate on display at the back of the car.

 

[stumpy]

If you are plated can you drive in bus lanes? also do you have to have your plate on display at the back of the car.

No, I have a sticker on the windscreen. 'Lesser' cars have to carry plates

 

[hawk20]

No, I have a sticker on the windscreen. 'Lesser' cars have to carry plates

Can you explain a bit more?

 

[stumpy]

In order to carry passengers you have to be licenced by your local borough. You need an Operators permit, drivers permit and finally the vehicle has to have a permit which is basically an extra MOT and conformity check. For luxury or executive cars a plate on the bumper is not required, so you have a sticker in the window with the licence details instead. All the above is renewed every year and costs a blinkin fortune.

 

[hawk20]

In order to carry passengers you have to be licenced by your local borough. You need an Operators permit, drivers permit and finally the vehicle has to have a permit which is basically an extra MOT and conformity check. For luxury or executive cars a plate on the bumper is not required, so you have a sticker in the window with the licence details instead. All the above is renewed every year and costs a blinkin fortune.

Thanks very much for that. Bit class conscious of Ken to treat Luxury and Executive cars better than others?

Presumably, it still costs less than the £25 per day Kengestion Charge?

 

[M6AJJ]

Kengestion Charge..............Like it!