2004 S320, 103000 miles

[DB137]

Hi guys
I'm very new to this and to the Merc. At present my wife and I drive a Hyundi I30. It's too small and generally uncomfortable and a rough ride as you get older. I am seriously thinking of purchasing an 2004 S320 Auto CDI with 103000 miles mainly for the comfort factor. We do about 10000 miles a year mainly urban but with some long distance of around 3-4 hours and would keep the S320 until it costs too much to maintain. We will obey the service requirement plus a once a year once over with a Merc approved mechanic.
What I'm after is mpg ... they say 26.7 urban 44.1 extra urban; what are the normal things that go wrong; is it worth taking a 3 warranty; will an RAC pre purchase check pick up any potential/present defects or are they a waste of time ..... and anything else you can suggest to a newster to the game and one who is not dumb but getting a bit long in the tooth.

 

[guydewdney]

check the exact build date - I forget when but in 04 they started galvanising the bodies.

personally, I think the rac things are a waste of time, take it to an indy and get a star machine plugged in and a full system diagnostic / check

I am too thinking of an 04 s320cdi....

 

[DB137]

Thanks for that info but the problem is it was first registered on 1 March 2004 and when it was built would be anyones guess. Do you know how to check the build date?

 

[DB137]

Would you consider a 2005 with 156000 or is that stretching it s bit. I've seen one advertised.

 

[DB137]

Guydewdney your join date looks like you know what you are talking about. Could you tell me what the W221, W220 etc means. I'm new to Mercs so haven't the slightest idea.
Also when I read through the threads it makes me wonder if I should be going the route of the S320 as it seems to have so many problems and is so complicated especially with the Air suspension. Are they really that bad or am I reading to much into the threads. Are they reliable generally? I'm reasonably clue up mechanically when I've got the 'book' but I'm worried about my wife.

 

[jotter22]

Why an S any 4 seat Mercedes will feel like a RR compared to your I30.

Tony.

 

[Troon]

Could you tell me what the W221, W220 etc means. I'm new to Mercs so haven't the slightest idea.

See this page.

Personally, I'd go for a post-facelift (June 2006 onwards: louvres in the top section of the headlights) W211 E-Class: the older S-Class is more of a financial liability.

 

[peter49]

Why an S any 4 seat Mercedes will feel like a RR compared to your I30.

Tony.

I agree with this. The S class is a big car, certainly compared to your Hyundai. Parking can be difficult. For only two people, a C class, in Elegance rather than Sport guise, would fit the criteria stated in the OP. MPG should be around 45m/g on average.

 

[guydewdney]

high mileage is often a good thing - an 05 with 156k isnt bad, its probably been a motorway mile muncher or a chauffeur vehicle. neither are a bad thing - unless its not those things in which case its a wreck, but thats pretty obvious from steering wheel / seat bolster / gear knob / brake pedal wear.

data card (which is in the owners pack thingy - or should be) should have build date I think