Advice Needed for S-Class

[bhav]

Hi People,

I am looking to buy a S320L CDI, what should I look out for I have seen many about in the Auto Trader going cheap from around from 18k upwards. Also what were the main differences from 51 plate to 53 plate.... i have noticed that the rear lights have changed.....

Are there any common faults I should check for?

Bhav

 

[Tan]

The face lifted cars have the widescreen navigation and the sat nav where fitted is DVD based rather than CD.

Avoid cars without extras like sat nav and parking sensors.

 

[SilverSaloon]

i wanted exactly the same car as u about 6 months ago and ended up with the BMW 7 series.... but:

diff between 2001 and 2003: in 2003 the facelift models came with slightly different grille, bumpers etc. newer style switchgear inside, different rear lights, white indicator lenses in the mirrors instead of blackeend out ones. 320 CDI engine is also updated and is slightly more powerful. also widescreen dvd comand as already mentioned.

make sure you get Comand as it was an option on earlier models and wasnt standard until 2001.

spec i would go for minimum would be:

comand
tv
phone (prep)
rear tv if its the LWB version u are getting.


hope this helps and good luck.

 

[Brett]

Wow, are you ready for this? I bought a S320L CDI back in February this year and it was a disaster. If you can be bothered to trawl through all this, these were the problems I had with mine before I got a full refund and it was sent off for auction. If you're offered a 2002 loaded Green-Black model, have a very careful look to make sure it isn't this one.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=14949

 

[SilverSaloon]

Wow, are you ready for this? I bought a S320L CDI back in February this year and it was a disaster. If you can be bothered to trawl through all this, these were the problems I had with mine before I got a full refund and it was sent off for auction. If you're offered a 2002 loaded Green-Black model, have a very careful look to make sure it isn't this one.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=14949

i remember your problems Brett.... another reason to get the 7 series

Saying that i have had recurring problems with SRS faults recently on it but dealer has replaced a sensor and hopefully it is now fixed properly..... i'm pleased its under warranty lol

There are plenty of good cars out there, but unfortunalty plenty of bad ones

 

[gary350]

I friend of mine had 3 engines in a BMW 735 in 2 years plus other problems, once the engine blew up leaving the dealer (200yards) after a new engine fit, lot of oil on the road.

gary

 

[SilverSaloon]

I friend of mine had 3 engines in a BMW 735 in 2 years plus other problems, once the engine blew up leaving the dealer (200yards) after a new engine fit, lot of oil on the road.

gary

There are plenty of good cars out there, but unfortunalty plenty of bad ones

 

[jasohal]

HI,

Again, SRS sensors as mentioned previously.

Also, front suspension items, lower arms / bushes, anti rollbar bushes, ball joints a common problem after 45K.

Had various items from the above changed on both the S and the CL.

expensive !!!!!!!!

 

[bhav]

Got One!!

Picked up A S320 CDI on a W Plate..... 105k on the clock full service history, car is mint but no sat nav or parking sensors..... £13500... what you guys think? good? or bad?

 

[Brett]

My first one didn't have COMAND or Parktronic - I coped perfectly well without both. Paid less to buy it, got less for it when I traded it in. Great car as long as it has been looked after. Enjoy it, it made me feel a million dollars driving it, but I'm kinda sad like that.

 

[Flash]

Picked up A S320 CDI on a W Plate..... 105k on the clock full service history, car is mint but no sat nav or parking sensors..... £13500... what you guys think? good? or bad?

U can easily get PTS (OEM MB) and SAT NAV retro fitted for a good price (less than factory spec) from Steve (Netherlands...) who does the proper install. Sounds like a lovely car u have... - sounds like a good buy - did u haggle much? What colour did u get ?

 

[bhav]

Guys thought it was too good to be true,

Have just got in this morning only to find that the car will not rev over 3000, nor does kick dwn work, it changes gear as normal.... even if i drive it steptronic will not rev over 3000, tried everything... disconnected battery.... and meesed with the cruise control limmiter and it revved propperly... then in a few seconds it was back to 3000....

whats going on.... obvoisly a serious fault but can anyone shed any light.. the seller says there is nothing wrong with it.....

Please someone help....

U can easily get PTS (OEM MB) and SAT NAV retro fitted for a good price (less than factory spec) from Steve (Netherlands...) who does the proper install. Sounds like a lovely car u have... - sounds like a good buy - did u haggle much? What colour did u get ?

 

[SilverSaloon]

whats going on.... obvoisly a serious fault but can anyone shed any light.. the seller says there is nothing wrong with it.....

Please someone help....

hmmm, sounds like it is in "drive home mode". which means there is an engine fault and it stops u thrashing it and u should go to a dealer.

i'd steer clear if seller is saying that it is ok as it obviously isnt. it could be a minor thing. If you want to risk it u could take it/arrange for it to be taken to a merc dealer and get them to check it out on StarDiag system. if they come back with a £100 fault, or just a reset then u have only lost a few hundred on whatever the dealer charges to check it over.

if the seller is genuine then he shouldnt have any problems with u doing this (at your own expense), although if he has other interested buyers who are not going to do this, and just risk it themselves, then obviously he isnt going to rush to sell to u.

basically, get it to a dealer if u think its worth the price + dealer check price.

 

[bhav]

hmmm, sounds like it is in "drive home mode". which means there is an engine fault and it stops u thrashing it and u should go to a dealer.

i'd steer clear if seller is saying that it is ok as it obviously isnt. it could be a minor thing. If you want to risk it u could take it/arrange for it to be taken to a merc dealer and get them to check it out on StarDiag system. if they come back with a £100 fault, or just a reset then u have only lost a few hundred on whatever the dealer charges to check it over.

if the seller is genuine then he shouldnt have any problems with u doing this (at your own expense), although if he has other interested buyers who are not going to do this, and just risk it themselves, then obviously he isnt going to rush to sell to u.

basically, get it to a dealer if u think its worth the price + dealer check price.

Sorted!!!!

It was the intercooler pipe that had become loose..... car now has all its horses once again

thanx guys.....

cost me £30 to put right

 

[pammy]

Good result - well done! Enjoy your new motor

 

[Brett]

Glad to hear it - was worried that you'd bought a nightmare! Enjoy the motor!

 

[SilverSaloon]

didnt notice you had already bought it... hence my "confusing" post above

glad u got it sorted cheaply and easily. Enjoy the car. The S class is a superb motor vehicle.