S500 Parts Person?

[Mr_Integrity]

Morning (Well it was when I wrote this)

Is there a member that's a go to guy (or girl) for parts?

I'm a member of a Jaguar forum and there is a dedicated member for second hand parts for certain models, another member does reconditioned parts and powder coating, so I was wondering if there is also one here.

I'm (still) looking at buying a S350 or S500, going to view 500 later in the week, and I would look at upgrading the brakes, possibly to those fitted to an AMG - no I won't be getting matching wheels and rebadging it - it's purely for quicker stopping ability.
Also can non cooled seats be simply swapped for cooled ones? or is there more to it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Benz17]

Also can non cooled seats be simply swapped for cooled ones? or is there more to it?

There will definitely be more to it. Try to find one with this option.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Depends on the platform you choose. I have an S500 W221 and can confirm that it absolutely doesn’t need better brakes. They’re perfectly balanced to the weight of the car.

Have you factored in the £1k/ car in AMG disc costs?

 

[Mr_Integrity]

Also can non cooled seats be simply swapped for cooled ones? or is there more to it?

There will definitely be more to it. Try to find one with this option.

Yes I am looking for one with them fitted, but just in case I don't find one I'd like to keep my options open.

 

[Mr_Integrity]

Depends on the platform you choose. I have an S500 W221 and can confirm that it absolutely doesn’t need better brakes. They’re perfectly balanced to the weight of the car.

Have you factored in the £1k/ car in AMG disc costs?

Should have said sorry, looking for a W220.

I'd look for an alternative drilled and groove disc at that price, thanks!

 

[Craiglxviii]

Yes I am looking for one with them fitted, but just in case I don't find one I'd like to keep my options open.

The OEM cooled seats on the 220 are a bit naff really. Not worth bothering with.

 

[mioba]

Make sure you use genuine brakes.
Who knows whats on thier now. If cheap this can hinder stopping ability.
Fronts atleast are vented.

AMG brakes are not cheap. Get an AMG!

 

[Craiglxviii]

Should have said sorry, looking for a W220.

I'd look for an alternative drilled and groove disc at that price, thanks!

Drilled discs will run a risk of cracking whereas solid ones will not. Just keep your eyes open for the V8 spec brakes, iirc they’re slightly bigger than those fitted to the V6 cars. I also run a 215 (220 coupe) and OEM brakes work just fine.

 

[Mr_Integrity]

Thanks for the advice!

I'd only buy well known branded brakes, I usually use Brembo pads.
I have drilled and grooved on my Jag, never had them crack in 10 years. Could be different story on a Merc though, hence why I'm seeking advice.

As for the cooled seats thought there were two kinds, vented and cooled, cooled were the ones I was told are better.

 

[bembo449]

I don't think you have to worry about stopping power with MB brakes , like craig ive had a number of big engines mercs ( still have a 215 ) stopping is not an issue so id worry less about that and more about finding a good S class

 

[Mr_Integrity]

I don't think you have to worry about stopping power with MB brakes , like craig ive had a number of big engines mercs ( still have a 215 ) stopping is not an issue so id worry less about that and more about finding a good S class

First priority is finding a great one
I had a 190E 2.8 in the late 90's, which is the biggest engined Merc I've had to date and it's been 15 years since I last owned one, so I thought it's best to ask some current owners, advice much appreciated!

 

[Craiglxviii]

What’s your budget? A 221 beats a 220 in every conceivable metric.

 

[Mr_Integrity]

What’s your budget? A 221 beats a 220 in every conceivable metric.

I know this isn't answering your question directly, but..

I was looking at cars with between 50,000 - 70,000 miles, possibly up to about 80k, depending on condition and spec. Full service history, or as close to as possible, pre 2012, but post 2000, Heated Leather seats (ideally with black interior) and Petrol.
Car tax also played a roll as some models jumped from 340 to 585 (or more) for the same engine car but on a reg 6 months newer.

So far I have looked at a 2003 - 2006 S350 or S500, as these have come up most.
Most I've seen vary in price from £2200 - £5000 for well looked after vehicles with just two or three owners, which is key for me, fewer owners generally indicates well looked after vehicles. I have seen cheaper ones starting at £1000, but these are higher mileage vehicles anywhere 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 £10,000, which I think is dream land territory, especially when I'd get a valuation done. I obviously don't expect to find a car priced at what the valuation says it's worth (though it would be nice to).

When I first started to look, about a month ago, I didn't have a fixed budget in mind, just the search criteria. - I didn't even have a fixed model in mind, I just looked at Merc's, BMW's, AUDI's and Jags, I quickly ruled out BMW's as the interior's in them are awful, as is some in the C and E classes, (Sorry to those owners, but it's just my opinion). I don't think I could get an AUDI, not sure why but I can't quite take to them like a Merc. (And I've owned all the other makes before).
I originally only wanted a manual too, which also severely limited my options, but for the S class I'm making it the only exception.

But it all depends on year, spec, mileage and owners. I'm not going to pay 5k for 2003 entry level spec car with 85k on the clock, but a 2006 with 50k, full service history with most full spec and a two owner vehicle I would consider it.

I live in London, so some of the cars I've seen for sale have been beyond viewing distance, 200+ miles away, which isn't realistic for me to get to.

I haven't come across any 2007+ vehicles with my original search criteria, that haven't been priced anywhere near that, usually £8k+ and higher mileage, I didn't like the price jump between the 5k for a 2006 and 8k for a year later.

I have checked out all the obvious common national selling sites for cars, but I haven't looked at speciality ones to date.

So I know I didn't directly answer your question, but I hope you see where I started from and how I come to look at the ones I am.

(The bold is only to highlight my minimum search criteria.) My initial search was to see what's available at what price as my son will be using my Jag.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Right. I strongly suggest you look at a “total cost” model. It isn’t just road tax that costs, but maintenance and repair too. And for an S class particularly with 20yo electrics, you can easily budget £1.5-2k/yr in trips to the Indy.

Also, don’t be put off by higher mileage particularly if they’re motorway miles. The cars are designed and built to handle them. 75-100k from2004-5 onwards will still be fine.

Very strongly suggest you steer away from the W220 towards the 221; they’re better cars in every single way and can be had for almost the same money nowadays. Plus they’re ULEZ compliant in the S500 guise.

 

[Mr_Integrity]

Right. I strongly suggest you look at a “total cost” model. It isn’t just road tax that costs, but maintenance and repair too. And for an S class particularly with 20yo electrics, you can easily budget £1.5-2k/yr in trips to the Indy.

Also, don’t be put off by higher mileage particularly if they’re motorway miles. The cars are designed and built to handle them. 75-100k from2004-5 onwards will still be fine.

Very strongly suggest you steer away from the W220 towards the 221; they’re better cars in every single way and can be had for almost the same money nowadays. Plus they’re ULEZ compliant in the S500 guise.

Most maintenance will be done by myself. My current car has an oil and filter change every 6k miles or once a year, all fluids and filters changed every two years and I use genuine parts. I maintain my cars regardless to cost. I just had an engine rebuild done on my jag. Last year I put new calipers (genuine) on it all round too. So I get where you're coming from on the costs.
Electrics a big concern on them then?
If I see a 221 I'd get it, not ruling one out.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Most maintenance will be done by myself. My current car has an oil and filter change every 6k miles or once a year, all fluids and filters changed every two years and I use genuine parts. I maintain my cars regardless to cost. I just had an engine rebuild done on my jag. Last year I put new calipers (genuine) on it all round too. So I get where you're coming from on the costs.
Electrics a big concern on them then?
If I see a 221 I'd get it, not ruling one out.

Electrics are a big concern on any old car. The 220 in particular came in with late 90s electronics & wiring design, dependent on the model year you could have some awkward issues. Broken wiring harnesses aren’t unknown, tin whiskers on some of the components. But as well as all of that, and IMO more important is that of all the S Class models the 220 is significantly less desirable than its SL & CL stablemates, the 230 & 215. So for that I would suggest a 221 over a 220.

They’re no more difficult to work on; they’re a far nicer place to be (I have both a 221 and 215 in the same black leather & walnut burr interior trim, and I know which I prefer!) and the ride & handling is far superior in the 221 to the 220.

In addition, the 221s available still have useful (time) life left to them while the 220s are rapidly approaching end of (time) life.

 

[Mr_Integrity]

Electrics are a big concern on any old car. The 220 in particular came in with late 90s electronics & wiring design, dependent on the model year you could have some awkward issues. Broken wiring harnesses aren’t unknown, tin whiskers on some of the components. But as well as all of that, and IMO more important is that of all the S Class models the 220 is significantly less desirable than its SL & CL stablemates, the 230 & 215. So for that I would suggest a 221 over a 220.

They’re no more difficult to work on; they’re a far nicer place to be (I have both a 221 and 215 in the same black leather & walnut burr interior trim, and I know which I prefer!) and the ride & handling is far superior in the 221 to the 220.

In addition, the 221s available still have useful (time) life left to them while the 220s are rapidly approaching end of (time) life.

Thanks! Very useful info.

What's the 215?

I am a fan of walnut and definitely prefer black interior.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Thanks! Very useful info.

What's the 215?

I am a fan of walnut and definitely prefer black interior.

This is a C215 CL500, S Class derived coupe 2+2. 2000 model year.

 

[mioba]

Everything as noted by Craiglxviii given your situation, I have a w220 and the only reason I have it still is because I have owned from new (68k miles now and been pampered), get a newer model.

Only one point dont discount lighter trim beyond black, black just makes cabins look soooo small.

S classes look divine with mahogony trim and light leather and seem so much spacious.

S classes do not come in manual, you will never find one.

 

[Mr_Integrity]

Everything as noted by Craiglxviii given your situation, I have a w220 and the only reason I have it still is because I have owned from new (68k miles now and been pampered), get a newer model.

Only one point dont discount lighter trim beyond black, black just makes cabins look soooo small.

S classes look divine with mahogony trim and light leather and seem so much spacious.

S classes do not come in manual, you will never find one.

With children light interiors are hard to maintain, especially the carpets.
I am aware they don't come in manuals, that's why it's the only exception.