s-class owners...

[louisjames]

hi, i poss want to chop in my e, for a face lift s, in approx 10 months time, is this a good idea in your opinions? and any idea of good and bads over a e-class would be apreciated. like reliability, residuals economy etc, and what would the best one to get be? a v6 or v8 or so on.

i just love the look of them!!

any comments apreciated. thanks

 

[LNM]

I had a go in a P reg 500CL (or is it CL500...? I can never remember.. 5 litre V8 S class coupe whatever) a few years ago.

Improbably fast for its bulk, silent and oddly enough a little understated.

Gave me a concrete feeling of having ab-so-lute-ley nothing to prove.

Like the 300CE, THE perfect tool for boy racer baiting !!

 

[guydewdney]

post 96 s classes are ok - pre are bad for wiring harnesses falling apart.

apalling mpg.

eat tyres fro breakfast.

hold value well (CLs particuarly)

reliable.

air con can give up = ££££££££££££££££££££££££££££ (full dash strip = 3 days labour.. )

rear windows on 4 doors give up from lack of use (cable snaps, PITA to fix)

hth

 

[louisjames]

post 96, is that the triangular back lights model and all in one headlights? the s class im sure, (for uk viewers same as andy hunters r.i.p. from deadenders!) thats the shape i want. is that the better one? and what is the best pick of engine, ie, not underpowered but also not single figure economy!?

thanks again...

 

[Gary Joseph]

I would not even contemplate purchasing an S Class that wasn't powered by a V8 or V12. Fuel comsumption is very much a low priority compared to performance.

regards
Gary

2000 S430
1996 S500
2004 BMW 325CI

 

[jberks]

The current Sclasses I looked at all seem to suffer badly from stone chips. I'd check bonnet, windscreen and the roof for damage and patching up. The 320CDI is the best compromise of performance and economy, though with less refinement and a bit pricey to buy. V8s glorious but thirsty.

 

[louisjames]

ok, thanks for advice. i think it must be their aero dynamic characture to make them suffer stone chips? as the e class suffers with this to.

i always assumed that was just down to speeds and motorway miles. maybe?

 

[jberks]

I guess it is the aerodynamics. I looked at an S that was 18 months younger than my E and was horrified at the state of it. Bubbling on the roof, badly touched up holes on the bonnet etc. Funnily enough, my E doesn't seem to suffer and I rarely have to get the touch up out, even though it does 500+ motorway miles a week. I've seen a couple of S's like this so I assume its the airflow rather than a couple of careless owners. Could be wrong though. Just worth checking as they look great from a distance.

 

[Gary Joseph]

Must admit that I have found that the W220 S is more prone to windscreen and bonnet chips than the W140 S.

Maybe a consideration if driving on country roads.

 

[LNM]

erm.... search forum for "e class rust".....

Dissapointing paint issues seem to cover all classes.