Thinking of buying a Benz

yatin

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Hello to the forum community

I will confess to being a lurker on this site for a year or two and have enjoyed the banter and appreciated the knowledge shared on the forum.

I've been through several cars from various marques, new cars and old and always been left disappointed for one reason or another. I've always had a liking for the old school SEC and often thought about getting a CL, but with a young family that wouldn't be practical. However I have talked myself round to considering the S Class (w221) as a good all round car for social use and something to keep for a while. Would be looking at a used example ideally below £20k mark

I did have a few questions that I would appreciate opinions on

1. Buying from dealer - Mercedes or other, or private? (My thoughts are buy from Mercedes, see how the first year goes and then use independent)

2. Warranty - would Mercedes approved be beneficial here, is the Mercedes warranty any better than other warranties? or would you go with no warranty?

3. Servicing - age old question - main dealer or independent? I guess it boils down to knowing a good independent - does anyone know a good indy in or around Sheffield?

4. S500 or S320/350cdi, I've not been convinced with diesel refinement, including that on e350, A5 3.0tdi or BMWs 35d, and then theres the power difference, I'm not sure that below 300bhp / lbft is enough for the S, and also worried about turbos etc, so thinking NA V8 might be less complicated?

Any advice / thoughts appreciated. Thanks in advance

Yatin
 
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yatin

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ps. do you think its worth waiting for the w222 to come out later this year in regards to prices?
 

b1g1an

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I've been in an S320 of the sort of age you're looking at, the refinement is in another league to the other cars you mentioned, which is sort of the point of the S-class is it not, and there is plenty of go for the motorway muncher it was designed to be.
 
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Blobcat

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Hi and welcome,

Mercedes warranty is very good and cover everything (in my experience)

S500's are usually loaded with toys (compared to the diesels)

The S320CDI was a good car, used as high end taxis so can have very high mileage
 

st4

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I pilot occassionally an S350cdi, refinement is excellent and its very quiet, but at low speeds when cold a 500 would be more hushed and calm.The W221 is a fairly reliable car, but if anything goes wrong, it won't be cheap. S320cdi cars could suffer normal V6CDi and 7g box issues
 
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yatin

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Thanks for the replies guys.

Blobcat, my thoughts were the same about the s500 having more extras as standard - including those little touches like the soft close doors and double glazing etc but are they actually future problems? From what I gather the 5.5 v8 is a great engine and I've found it almost silent at tickover but when you use the loud pedal it gives a tuneful note and plenty of power.

However B1g1an and st4 have got me thinking about trying to arrange a bit of an extended drive in one of the diesels. I think for a little bit more than original budget a facelift s350 is a possibility, which looks a little bit sharper than the earlier models and the media interface etc seems a bit more uptodate.

One thing I've enjoyed in petrol cars is the rev range on those occasions when you want to hit 6-7000rpm, however always left feeling short changed by the diesels. But I guess the S is a more relaxed car, and keeping my licence is a priority!

st4 I had thought about the 7g issue, but I think the v12s had the 5 speed, not sure about venturing into that territory. Do you think the 350s are an improvement on the 320s in terms of reliability?

Thanks again, Yatin
 
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st4

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350 has a DPF but is a second generation of V6CDI engine, we don't here of any posts of the 350 giving trouble and its been out a while now. 320 turbo seals leak (easily fixed and prevenatively maintained), engine bearings in a few cases have gone and turbo actuators can go. not heard of anything let go on a 350cdi

7g has the valve body issue. If you can afford the V12, you must do it, but they have two of everything and like a coil pack now and then, but the box is reliable the car uber fast and quiet.

But the 350cdi is ample and more powerful than the 320cdi with the bugs I believe ironed out from the 1st generation of v6 diesel
 
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Developer

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st4 I had thought about the 7g issue,

Don't worry about the 7g - MB have made 18 million of them according to a recent review I saw.

They are still making them too, and are applied to a wide range of vehicles.

Mine has been faultless.
 

Albee

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Having been a BMW owner for many years! approx x7 different variants!
I have taken the plunge and bought a 350 E class coupe! now really beginning to enjoy the car! Although slower than my old 335, it is a much refined drive! I am happy with the purchase and the service from MB retail was second to none!

If you decide, I doubt you'll be disappointed!! Good luck!!!
 


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