Opinions on a Cat S W221 S63L

[JayBirdEvans]

Hi all,

I'm looking at leaving my current '11 W221 350D due to it being just a little long in the tooth (140k+) and wanting something with a little more..... V8

I almost bought a FFRR L405 TDV8 and backed out at the last minute as felt it wasn't right (£29k)
Since I have looked at a few local C7 RS6 and F10 M5 which feel like likely contenders (anywhere between £20k - 35k)

But I have to say that none of these cars have left me feeling like they can hold a candle to the W221 experience, even taking into account its older and more miles than any of them.

There's a CAT S W221 S63L local to me and I'm feeling extremely intrigued by it, I'm just kinda after any opinion good or bad on buying such a car (£15k), reason being I dont know if this is going to be one of those cars I just need to get out of my system. I totally get that a W221 can be expensive, I've fixed the oil cooler and 2 inlet manifolds on mine last year (2k+) so I'm not adverse to big bills, but that's not to say that I welcome them.

I'd be happy to hear stuff on experiences of people moving from W221 to above cars or stuff like how much of a nightmare a CAT S car was to being a PITA getting rid of it etc

ta

J

 

[daveenty]

You obviously know your motors and I would agree that the 221 is a superb car.

I've previously owned a L322 Autobiography and a D3 S8 Audi, both of which had the comfort and ride qualities of an S Class though they're not quite up there, at least in my opinion. I've no experience of BMW but have a mate who swears by them.

I think that the only opinion I could venture is that, particularly with it being CAT S registered, you get documented evidence that the repairs have been carried out to a satisfactory standard and that it's not just been thrown back together.

I totally get that a W221 can be expensive, I've fixed the oil cooler and 2 inlet manifolds on mine last year (2k+) so I'm not adverse to big bills, but that's not to say that I welcome them.

Bear in mind that these figures will escalate considerably with an AMG model, potentially doubling...

 

[JayBirdEvans]

Appreciated Dave the car in question is on A/T and I'm pretty sure the damage pictures were previously listed (from memory it was hit just in front of the rear wheel arch, didn't look horrific). I would obviously take the extra steps of getting a full paid for check and test driving the hell out of it before even considering parting with cash

 

[ALFAitalia]

I'd want to see good pics of the damage.....the S in Cat S stands for structural....than could mean anything from a dented sill or inner wing (easily fixed)...to a front suspension turret knocked out of line so far that the car will never steer straight again....etc...not so good. Depending how old the car was at the time of the damage it would have had a significant value....meaning a high value repair was needed...or it would not have been written off in the first place.
Insurance can be an issue with write offs...or though not so much these days it seems....and of course you will get a lower payout if its stolen or written off....again! And finally, of course, it needs to be a LOT less money than the same car with a clean record. Personally, when Im looking at cars on AT I set the filter to not show Cat S cars....but I'm sure people will be along to say that they bought one and never had an issue.....so you pays ya money etc.


EDIT....sorry for repetition.....beaten by a faster typist!!

 

[JayBirdEvans]

Totally agree bud, I wouldn't usually entertain them myself, but my current position of wanting a change, but not knowing what I want, has me looking at them out of nothing other than "it's the closest S63L to me by a country mile"

RE the insurance, my current one wont quote but I did a money supermarket and found various at circa £500, I even phoned one up (Admiral) to check they knew it was a Cat S and they said yeah