Going S-Class Hunting

[SarahAnn200]

Great news. Will be nice to see more pics when you get it

 

[Alex225]

Owning an Sclass is always a bit special, well done and enjoy it.

The biggest difference you will notice is the sheer quietness compared to the already quiet 211.

Thanks mate. Yes I definitely noticed how refined it felt and will be ideal on the long drives I do. I will admit it didn't feel as quick as my E Class but the S is a big car and with the re-map the E should be making another 10bhp but not as much torque. I can tell once I'm happy with the S and confident it's mechanically sound, I'll be re-mapping that too haha.

Great news. Will be nice to see more pics when you get it

I certainly will. Fingers crossed I may be able to pick it up Saturday so have a plan to clean it up. Will also be ordering some bits for it and transferring my private plate off the E too.

 

[SmartAmg]

Excellent, Alex, enjoy your new motor.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Remember it's a learning gearbox, so if use those hidden paddles and "drive it a bit sharp," it will "gather up its skirts" quite quickly.

Have fun with it, and report back further down the line.

They're insane value, aren't they?

 

[Alex225]

Thanks for all the helpful comments and kind words, a thread indicative of the good nature of the forum!

Remember it's a learning gearbox, so if use those hidden paddles and "drive it a bit sharp," it will "gather up its skirts" quite quickly.

Have fun with it, and report back further down the line.

They're insane value, aren't they?

That makes sense. So if I have a little play with the paddles it'll liven it up potentially. To be honest you barely notice the gear changes anyway, not sure if it's because it's smoother or just quieter as my CLS has the same gearbox as does my other half's CLS but you can feel those changes.

It is ridiculous really how much car it is. I was showing a couple of people at work and they were genuinely shocked at the price of the car for what it is. It looks far more expensive than what is the cost of a new Dacia!!

Already got a list of things to do with it and some new mats are on order. They're nothing fancy but just protective mats I've found are good for daily use. Need to find a boot liner too but eBay may be my port of call for that.

 

[Teego]

I avoid supermarket car parks entirely really, my other half finds her CLS a bit of a squeeze in most car parks and my E isn't far off the size. Car parks are generally crap for fitting larger cars in. Despite most families seemingly driving large SUVs.

Only shopping type place I'd consider in my car or an S would be maybe Bluewater where I know the spaces are actually pretty reasonable.

In any car park I go to the farthest corner to park alone. It's not the size of the bays, it's the other drivers. However, this doesn't always work; too often I return to the car to find it sandwiched between a Hyundai Effluent and Vauxhall Zafira sporting scrapes and 52 or 03 plates. And places much closer to the shop. WHY?

 

[Deleted member 149005]

If i may be so bold.....sticker price or a bit off?

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

In any car park I go to the farthest corner to park alone. It's not the size of the bays, it's the other drivers. However, this doesn't always work; too often I return to the car to find it sandwiched between a Hyundai Effluent and Vauxhall Zafira sporting scrapes and 52 or 03 plates. And places much closer to the shop. WHY?

It's one of life's universal mysteries. I especially notice this when I visit some obscure park, or airport car park. I always park well away from the others - as much to make sure I wake myself up and do my minimum 10,000 steps a day. And people just love parking next to you. Even though I'm surrounded by empty spaces. What is that all about ?

 

[Alex225]

In any car park I go to the farthest corner to park alone. It's not the size of the bays, it's the other drivers. However, this doesn't always work; too often I return to the car to find it sandwiched between a Hyundai Effluent and Vauxhall Zafira sporting scrapes and 52 or 03 plates. And places much closer to the shop. WHY?

So true! With all the best planning in the world when it comes to parking some div will park right next to you! I still recall a girlfriend of mine working for the MOD, left her car in a car park whilst it was SORN. The entire car park was empty, she came back to find one car next to her and it had opened it's door onto her car!

If i may be so bold.....sticker price or a bit off?

No I didn't really go down the haggling route which seems a bit daft thinking about it. I felt the car was well priced really and the condition stood for itself. I think I'd have haggled if there was no plan to remove the two parking dings but he willingly said he'd sort when I pointed them out so the car will be pretty much mint when I pick up and a years MOT.

 

[John]

The only real wear is the shiny kick plates which I know scratch stupidly easily

I've yet to see one which isn't scratched and I've seen a few in the past.

I took the car for a drive, it was quiet, comfortable, pulled well, changed gear fine (paddles tested) and had no dodgy noises. I sat in the car for a while going through all the options, adjusting settings, checking seats etc. Everything worked fine, no errors or issues. The exterior is really good, despite being a big car there were no scuffs, couple of stone chips on the front but otherwise tidy. The only thing I picked up on were two small dings in the passenger door and we've agreed their paintless dent removal man will get rid of these before I pick up (along with a fresh MOT).

I know you're not meant to buy the first car you see but this has everything I wanted, few nice extras, right colour, right interior and the upgraded wheels.

So yes, as soon as the car is ready I'll be an S Class owner. I already have plans for it, interior clean, engine bay clean, tyre well clean up as the spare has been used in it's time and then outside. Few little marks to polish out nothing a good detail won't have right!

I don't see why not buying the first car you see. I did with my 55. Sounds like more an OCD thing not to if the first one you see is in great condition.

S Classes are the dog's danglies... if you enjoyed the refinement of an E320, the S is in a different league.

 

[Alex225]

I've yet to see one which isn't scratched and I've seen a few in the past.



I don't see why not buying the first car you see. I did with my 55. Sounds like more an OCD thing not to if the first one you see is in great condition.

S Classes are the dog's danglies... if you enjoyed the refinement of an E320, the S is in a different league.

Yeah the other half's SL had the same one and it was exactly the same. I suspect they're horrendously pricey and all the used ones will look the same haha

Yeah I've always heard it said to not buy the first one you see, yet my E320 was such a good car when I got it that I bought that on the spot.

 

[ChrisCLS55]

I’ve lusted after an S class for a while now and love the W140 in saloon and coupe version. I’m seriously thinking of replacing my 14 plate W212 E63 with a W222 S63. Prices seem to be very good for straight relatively low mileage 14/15/16 plate versions right now.

Ideally I’d love a W140 S600 coupe fully loaded as my classic/retro drive (currently that such car is a 1993 BMW 520i) but the S63 is an itch I’ve thought long and hard about scratching for a while and it’s itching me a lot lately ha ha.

The newer 4 Matic E63 doesn’t seem to do it for me in the way my current W212 E63 does, although I’m looking at them too. The newer C63 doesn’t either, full stop, in any format. I could even entertain an S63 coupe or a 500 for now, but the S63 saloon fully loaded is for me the ultimate in MB/AMG combined. If it had 4 Matic I think it could be the ultimate in any class in terms of luxury, performance, all weather etc. driving.

Regardless, the S class line is simply a great choice of car whether it’s a classic one or a V12 S65 even. What machines. The car posted in detail in this thread looks a great car and good luck with it if the OP buys it. So much car for your money with these and you don’t hear/read/come across many horror stories.

The owner of the business below us has a 2001 S class 500 (arguably the best looking S class for me, a timeless design in the way the original CLS is to that particular car) and it’s mint. He’s had it from new and said he wouldn’t sell it ever and he’s owned pretty much every luxury/top marque there is. Mind he’s a Mercedes man and so is his wife and seemingly his daughters.

 

[Alex225]

Regardless, the S class line is simply a great choice of car whether it’s a classic one or a V12 S65 even. What machines. The car posted in detail in this thread looks a great car and good luck with it if the OP buys it. So much car for your money with these and you don’t hear/read/come across many horror stories.

Yeah the AMG S Class models are really something and as a used purchase are a very compelling buy. Even W221 S63s come in around the £20-25k mark.

I did leave a deposit on the car in this thread which I hope to pick up this weekend. This is a second (technically fourth) so I needed the sensible Diesel engine but S500s of this era are similar prices. I suppose they are quite niche due to their size and how most people buy SUVs when they have a family.

 

[ChrisCLS55]

Good luck with it, I’m sure you’re getting a great car.

 

[zipdip]

Well pleased you bought that car I said in a earlier post it looked a good car,by not haggling you got the dents done and you have the warranty I have no idea what tyres are on your car,but on my W221 S320 I had P zeros they were worn out very quickly,I bought Nexen suv4 and they just hardly wear at all,and the cost was not too hard on the pocket,did the car have the puck in the centre arm rest ? nothing like answering phone calls by touching the button on the steering wheel.

 

[Alex225]

Well pleased you bought that car I said in a earlier post it looked a good car,by not haggling you got the dents done and you have the warranty I have no idea what tyres are on your car,but on my W221 S320 I had P zeros they were worn out very quickly,I bought Nexen suv4 and they just hardly wear at all,and the cost was not too hard on the pocket,did the car have the puck in the centre arm rest ? nothing like answering phone calls by touching the button on the steering wheel.

Yeah it seems like a pretty honest kind of car and looked after. You can usually tell when a car has been used but looked after compared to something used and a bit neglected. This has wear and tear and I think the salesman appreciated that I understood it was 12 years old. That doesn't mean I can't give it a day or my time and get it looking almost like new much how I did with my E!

It does have the little puck in the middle for the Command unit. I only had a bit of a play with it to test it out but is a cool little device, very tactile. Also I like the little keypad until the palm rest. Not sure I'll ever use it but it's just cool.

Tyres wise, it did have branded tyres on there but can't recall which they were now.

 

[zipdip]

Well the weird thing about the little keypad is that they open the wrong way for right hand drive cars,and you are right it is useless,you have the puck so you will be able to pair your phone and see who is calling you and answer hands free,I am sure you will enjoy your S they are a great car to drive,I think the W221 looks great it stands out in the car park.

 

[Alex225]

Well the weird thing about the little keypad is that they open the wrong way for right hand drive cars,and you are right it is useless,you have the puck so you will be able to pair your phone and see who is calling you and answer hands free,I am sure you will enjoy your S they are a great car to drive,I think the W221 looks great it stands out in the car park.

Haha yeah I noticed that. Same as the cup holder in my W211. Pops out and folds towards the drivers lap. Yeah thanks for that Mercedes haha.

Car was MOT’d today and passed no problem. Paintless dent man is sorting the two parking dings tomorrow. Pick up the car Saturday.

 

[John]

your car has the comfort setting where the the steering wheel moves up and the drivers seat back when you want to exit the car if it has been chosen in the computer can drag a failing battery down very easily

I've since disabled this setting after reading your post and even though I have a new main battery and 1 year old aux battery, it's made a big difference as to when the ECO light hits green.

It's almost never in the colder months but it's coming on a lot more since.

I had no idea such a seemingly small movement from the steering wheel and seat could have such an impact on the charge levels!

 

[Alex225]

That's a good tip. It's something I always had switched on in my E Class but I suspsect it's quite a hefty motor in the steering column. I tested the feature out yesterday when viewing the car, I believe the seat moves back as well so I'll turn that off.