Exclusive Owners Community
Looking into buying a 2000-02 s500/s430 sedan, need help
Is this car really that bad, because me and my father are really looking into it, I would appreciate any help at all, Im soooo glad I found this website before I actually started shopping for it. Please respond anyone.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Wim van Acker on -
You may want to look at the April 2007 Consumer Reports Assessment of used vehicles. On pages 81 and 82 it lists the S class V8 from 2001 through 2004 in the categories "Vehicles to avoid" and "Consumer Reports Bad Bets". So: I suggest you don't take the risk to buy a car like that. Most probably, only your dealer will love it ($$$). In case you want to read the full assessment and can't get it, just let me know your e mail address and I will forward you a scanned copy.
I own a current generation S Class, 2007 S550 4MATIC. I have suffered from huge technical problems, poor dealer service and total indifference by Mercedes-Benz USA. Problems included: defective brake system, failed engine mounts, failed transmission mount, failed compressor for air suspension, defective driver's seat, defective passenger seat, defective Night Vision, defective Electronic Stability Program, etc., etc. This car has been a nightmare. A friend of mine owns a S600 of teh same generation as you were looking at, which is an even worse story. The dealer has charged MB USA up to now $ 80,000 for the work on trying to solve the technical problems with that "top of the line" vehicle.
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Permalink Reply by Samuel Girgiss on
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Yea IM just going to stay away from this car, I dont get how a 100k car can be so poorly made and a 20k Toyota or Honda never has problems, it's just so stupid, what are you doing about your s550?
Wim van Acker said:You may want to look at the April 2007 Consumer Reports Assessment of used vehicles. On pages 81 and 82 it lists the S class V8 from 2001 through 2004 in the categories "Vehicles to avoid" and "Consumer Reports Bad Bets". So: I suggest you don't take the risk to buy a car like that. Most probably, only your dealer will love it ($$$). In case you want to read the full assessment and can't get it, just let me know your e mail address and I will forward you a scanned copy.
I own a current generation S Class, 2007 S550 4MATIC. I have suffered from huge technical problems, poor dealer service and total indifference by Mercedes-Benz USA. Problems included: defective brake system, failed engine mounts, failed transmission mount, failed compressor for air suspension, defective driver's seat, defective passenger seat, defective Night Vision, defective Electronic Stability Program, etc., etc. This car has been a nightmare. A friend of mine owns a S600 of teh same generation as you were looking at, which is an even worse story. The dealer has charged MB USA up to now $ 80,000 for the work on trying to solve the technical problems with that "top of the line" vehicle.
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Permalink Reply by Samuel Girgiss on
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Thanks for the response, I know this is a benz website but would u recomend the 5 series BMW 2000-03?
Wim van Acker said:You may want to look at the April 2007 Consumer Reports Assessment of used vehicles. On pages 81 and 82 it lists the S class V8 from 2001 through 2004 in the categories "Vehicles to avoid" and "Consumer Reports Bad Bets". So: I suggest you don't take the risk to buy a car like that. Most probably, only your dealer will love it ($$$). In case you want to read the full assessment and can't get it, just let me know your e mail address and I will forward you a scanned copy.
I own a current generation S Class, 2007 S550 4MATIC. I have suffered from huge technical problems, poor dealer service and total indifference by Mercedes-Benz USA. Problems included: defective brake system, failed engine mounts, failed transmission mount, failed compressor for air suspension, defective driver's seat, defective passenger seat, defective Night Vision, defective Electronic Stability Program, etc., etc. This car has been a nightmare. A friend of mine owns a S600 of teh same generation as you were looking at, which is an even worse story. The dealer has charged MB USA up to now $ 80,000 for the work on trying to solve the technical problems with that "top of the line" vehicle.
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Permalink Reply by Wim van Acker on
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My plan is the following: due to the poor product quality and the deteriorated image of Mercedes-Benz, the resale value of a Mercedes S550 4MATIC like I have is very low. Mercedes-Benz USA offered me last year $ 40,000 for the car, which I had bought for $ 115,000 2.5 years before (if I would buy the same vehicle now, it would cost $ 130,000). A write off of $ 75,000 or $ 90,000 in 2.5 years, however you look at it, is crazy in my opinion. I bought the vehicle based on "Engineered like no other car" and had expected it to keep its value much better. That is, how the customers end up paying the bill for the bad products and service of a failing automaker.
I have bought the extended warranty package and have 35,000 mile warranty coverage left. I will try to use most of that and then try to sell it appr. 10,000 miles before warranty expiry, to offer the next owner some coverage.
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Permalink Reply by Samuel Girgiss on
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Yea man That is stupid, your gonna give them the car, lose 90k and then have to buy another, its just stupid, I dont know what to tell you, no wonder I see these cars for sale all over the place for 40-50k, THEY ARE LEMONS!!!! and NO ONE wants them any more.
Wim van Acker said:My plan is the following: due to the poor product quality and the deteriorated image of Mercedes-Benz, the resale value of a Mercedes S550 4MATIC like I have is very low. Mercedes-Benz USA offered me last year $ 40,000 for the car, which I had bought for $ 115,000 2.5 years before (if I would buy the same vehicle now, it would cost $ 130,000). A write off of $ 75,000 or $ 90,000 in 2.5 years, however you look at it, is crazy in my opinion. I bought the vehicle based on "Engineered like no other car" and had expected it to keep its value much better. That is, how the customers end up paying the bill for the bad products and service of a failing automaker.
I have bought the extended warranty package and have 35,000 mile warranty coverage left. I will try to use most of that and then try to sell it appr. 10,000 miles before warranty expiry, to offer the next owner some coverage.
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Permalink Reply by Wim van Acker on
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I would recommend a BMW 5 to you, any generation. Great cars to drive, excellent quality. I have only one BMW and it has been going strong since 1991. Know many BMW owners and they all love their cars. My parents gave my sister a BMW 2002 when she got her driver's license in 1974. She still owns it and drives it in summer. It has never needed a paint job! Isn't that cool?
Samuel Girgiss said:Thanks for the response, I know this is a benz website but would u recomend the 5 series BMW 2000-03?
Wim van Acker said:You may want to look at the April 2007 Consumer Reports Assessment of used vehicles. On pages 81 and 82 it lists the S class V8 from 2001 through 2004 in the categories "Vehicles to avoid" and "Consumer Reports Bad Bets". So: I suggest you don't take the risk to buy a car like that. Most probably, only your dealer will love it ($$$). In case you want to read the full assessment and can't get it, just let me know your e mail address and I will forward you a scanned copy.
I own a current generation S Class, 2007 S550 4MATIC. I have suffered from huge technical problems, poor dealer service and total indifference by Mercedes-Benz USA. Problems included: defective brake system, failed engine mounts, failed transmission mount, failed compressor for air suspension, defective driver's seat, defective passenger seat, defective Night Vision, defective Electronic Stability Program, etc., etc. This car has been a nightmare. A friend of mine owns a S600 of teh same generation as you were looking at, which is an even worse story. The dealer has charged MB USA up to now $ 80,000 for the work on trying to solve the technical problems with that "top of the line" vehicle.
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Permalink Reply by Andrey Abutin on
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Stay away from it, if you know what's good for you. Just about any Mercedes of that vintage is problematic from day one, and you'd have to be insane to buy one that's out of warranty.
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Permalink Reply by braz block on
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hello
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Permalink Reply by braz block on
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hello
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Permalink Reply by Samuel Girgiss on
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Yea that is amazing, I cant believe that a 35 yr old car doesnt need a new paint job, yea IM really lookin into the 5 series, after I Get rid of my 03 impala Im goin for a performance sedan, was goin for an s-class but not anymore, Thanks for the input, btw do u have a benz?
Wim van Acker said:I would recommend a BMW 5 to you, any generation. Great cars to drive, excellent quality. I have only one BMW and it has been going strong since 1991. Know many BMW owners and they all love their cars. My parents gave my sister a BMW 2002 when she got her driver's license in 1974. She still owns it and drives it in summer. It has never needed a paint job! Isn't that cool?
Samuel Girgiss said:Thanks for the response, I know this is a benz website but would u recomend the 5 series BMW 2000-03?
Wim van Acker said:You may want to look at the April 2007 Consumer Reports Assessment of used vehicles. On pages 81 and 82 it lists the S class V8 from 2001 through 2004 in the categories "Vehicles to avoid" and "Consumer Reports Bad Bets". So: I suggest you don't take the risk to buy a car like that. Most probably, only your dealer will love it ($$$). In case you want to read the full assessment and can't get it, just let me know your e mail address and I will forward you a scanned copy.
I own a current generation S Class, 2007 S550 4MATIC. I have suffered from huge technical problems, poor dealer service and total indifference by Mercedes-Benz USA. Problems included: defective brake system, failed engine mounts, failed transmission mount, failed compressor for air suspension, defective driver's seat, defective passenger seat, defective Night Vision, defective Electronic Stability Program, etc., etc. This car has been a nightmare. A friend of mine owns a S600 of teh same generation as you were looking at, which is an even worse story. The dealer has charged MB USA up to now $ 80,000 for the work on trying to solve the technical problems with that "top of the line" vehicle.
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Permalink Reply by Samuel Girgiss on
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Yea Im def stayin away from any mercedes, I could get one for around 8-9k at an auction but its gonna cost double that to fix it if anything hapens Im guessing.
Andrey Abutin said:Stay away from it, if you know what's good for you. Just about any Mercedes of that vintage is problematic from day one, and you'd have to be insane to buy one that's out of warranty.
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Permalink Reply by Wim van Acker on
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Yes, I do I own a current generation S Class, 2007 S550 4MATIC. (I wrote you about that in my previous reply to you, see below).
Samuel Girgiss said:Yea that is amazing, I cant believe that a 35 yr old car doesnt need a new paint job, yea IM really lookin into the 5 series, after I Get rid of my 03 impala Im goin for a performance sedan, was goin for an s-class but not anymore, Thanks for the input, btw do u have a benz?
Wim van Acker said:I would recommend a BMW 5 to you, any generation. Great cars to drive, excellent quality. I have only one BMW and it has been going strong since 1991. Know many BMW owners and they all love their cars. My parents gave my sister a BMW 2002 when she got her driver's license in 1974. She still owns it and drives it in summer. It has never needed a paint job! Isn't that cool?
Samuel Girgiss said:Thanks for the response, I know this is a benz website but would u recomend the 5 series BMW 2000-03?
Wim van Acker said:You may want to look at the April 2007 Consumer Reports Assessment of used vehicles. On pages 81 and 82 it lists the S class V8 from 2001 through 2004 in the categories "Vehicles to avoid" and "Consumer Reports Bad Bets". So: I suggest you don't take the risk to buy a car like that. Most probably, only your dealer will love it ($$$). In case you want to read the full assessment and can't get it, just let me know your e mail address and I will forward you a scanned copy.
I own a current generation S Class, 2007 S550 4MATIC. I have suffered from huge technical problems, poor dealer service and total indifference by Mercedes-Benz USA. Problems included: defective brake system, failed engine mounts, failed transmission mount, failed compressor for air suspension, defective driver's seat, defective passenger seat, defective Night Vision, defective Electronic Stability Program, etc., etc. This car has been a nightmare. A friend of mine owns a S600 of teh same generation as you were looking at, which is an even worse story. The dealer has charged MB USA up to now $ 80,000 for the work on trying to solve the technical problems with that "top of the line" vehicle.
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