Phaeton

[Gridlock]

S8 every time - much as I love the Phaeton.

Such a huge chunk of engineering, love it.

 

[James Rothwell]

I was offered a facelift 2001 S8 40v in a good colour with the usual S8 spec for reasonable money, a friend of mine took it in px against a newer RS6 Avant. Had an A8 4.2 before though, I kind of fancy something a little different.

Although I suspect I won't be out of a Mercedes for long. For some reason they really seem to suit my style of driving and the feeling of solidity I like.

EDIT- Actually I think I have found something that
a) I actually would like
b) Is not something I've had before
c) Most importantly, is a Mercedes!

Now just need to out my S600!

 

[bpsorrel]

EDIT- Actually I think I have found something that
a) I actually would like
b) Is not something I've had before
c) Most importantly, is a Mercedes!

Now just need to out my S600!

What is it James???

By the way, I had a 730d for a few months and loved it. When I bought my S211 I was worried that I'd miss the big car "waftability" of the 7, but actually it's pretty close and has the added bonus of the luggage space!

But, I'm beginning to pine after something BIG again....

 

[James Rothwell]

I do like large cars, just like you say the waftability of them to cover lots of miles.
I've found a facelift CLK430 that I like, the older model think it's W208 shape.

Never had a convertible before but have driven a CLK230K Convertible a few times and liked it apart from it felt a bit sluggish.
Although I kind of like the idea of a fully loaded W220 though!

I'm going to put my S600 on eBay on Sunday after I get a chance to wash it properly has it's got lots of horrible salty water on it at the moment. Hope it goes to a lovely home and not someone who doesn't appreciate what it is.

 

[Gridlock]

I find what makes me smile about the 202 isn't the size per se (although you'd never get me in a hunchback or A-class) but the solidity and the urge of the engine. My Golf is my driving hero but the Merc is such a brute, I love it.

Having sat in an S600 at MercWorld I did like the size, but in the real world car park dings and parallel parking? Hrm...

 

[st4]

I haven't bought anything yet. I'm totally insure of what to do to be honest.

I've found this W12 Volkswagen : VW PHAETON 6.0 W12
But am not liking the stories about the cost of maintaining the W12.

!

That was the car I saw, nearly called the fella. Still kind of want to buy it but know its running costs will be hideous.

If however I got a bonus.....

 

[vibesg]

James
I see you are still looking though I note a possible change of environment(where are you off to?) and running costs make you unsure. When I'm thinking of buying a car and I've done all my research I get about 2 examples (from main dealers of course) and have a good drive. If I'm still unsure I go back for another drive and test all that is testable. I usually end up with a very good feel and satisfaction that I'm choosing the right one..else I seek another option.

 

[vibesg]

The pictures of the S600 look super with very good options. I like the heated electric rear seats. There's something I'm uncertain of though..... Have another look at your advert.
There's a smiling lady lying underneath the car offering bargain getaways in January and promising..."Feel more good stuff click here". Do you know her and will she come on a test drive with me? Am I really allowed to click wherever. Is the feel good factor legal? All innocent questions I know, but.....!

 

[stumpy1]

You don't need to me a millionaire to buy these cars but it helps if you are when it comes to running them.

 

[Seamster15]

EDIT- Actually I think I have found something that
a) I actually would like
b) Is not something I've had before
c) Most importantly, is a Mercedes!

Now just need to out my S600!

James,

I thought that the S600 was a keeper?

 

[LTD]

That was the car I saw, nearly called the fella. Still kind of want to buy it but know its running costs will be hideous.

If however I got a bonus.....

Then a W220 S500 should also be considered.

 

[st4]

Then a W220 S500 should also be considered.

A LWB it would be....

 

[James Rothwell]

James,

I thought that the S600 was a keeper?

I'd love it to be but it's costing me between £500 and £1000 in fuel alone each month because of the excessive mileage I do. It costs even more if I go over to Germany.

I think I need to face facts and being a 22 year old selling cars for a living I can't really afford to run a 6.0 V12 luxury car. In some respects I'm tempted to keep it and buy something like a diesel Skoda or Passat to run to work and back in etc but I haven't exactly got the cleanest license in the world and insurance is a problem for me, and having 2 policies is an expense I could do without. I used to have 2 policies when I had my W140 S500 and I had a Ford Capri but since then my insurance has gone up.

The best all round car I've ever had I think was the W210 E320 Avantgarde (facelift) I really liked that car, it was relatively fast and pretty good on fuel on my runs to Germany and back it would do 32mpg, work and back would get 28mpg and a steady motorway run in the UK would yield 36mpg. I think I should get one of those for a bit until my mileage comes down or I become richer!

Sorry to ramble on like this, it helps me to decide what to do if I write it all down!

 

[del320]

I'd love it to be but it's costing me between £500 and £1000 in fuel alone each month because of the excessive mileage I do. It costs even more if I go over to Germany.

I think I need to face facts and being a 22 year old selling cars for a living I can't really afford to run a 6.0 V12 luxury car.

Clearly, a profitable occupation!

 

[James Rothwell]

Clearly, a profitable occupation!

Not always, I have been very lucky with my work. I do work a lot though, I'm always at the garage. I haven't had a day off since Tuesday last week and I'm not off again now until Monday. I basically live here!!

 

[Setanta]

I was offered a facelift 2001 S8 40v in a good colour with the usual S8 spec for reasonable money, a friend of mine took it in px against a newer RS6 Avant. Had an A8 4.2 before though, I kind of fancy something a little different.

QUOTE]

Would you mind if I asked what the price of the S8 was? In the adverts, they seem to be all over the place and I am somewhat fascinated with a car, say a 'Mercedes Phaeton S8 750il' that is offered for sale privately. Some sellers will look at you like you have stolen their pet dog if you offer anything less than asking while others, for the same car, will take an extremely low trade in offer.

I ask since I once went to look at a car and the chap told me what he had been offered as a trade in and if it did not sell at his asking price privately by the end of the week, he would accept the trade in. From memory, he was asking about £2000 more than the trade in price. Not having much money at the time, I offered halfway between the price - if he was going to trade it in anyways, he may as well get £1000 more (no one had been to see the car - very honest bloke!). Nope. Would not budge.

Off I go and that weekend, I get an SMS telling me he had traded in the car for the trade in value and that it was my huge loss (no, I actually fell into a far better car as it happened) but I was stunned. He had lost £1000. How did I lose?

Very very odd and still cannot figure that one out.

 

[James Rothwell]

He asked £3,600 for it from me, although I suspect he paid nearer £3k and was trying to earn a few hundred out of me. Needless to say I dithered and now it's sold anyway.

 

[Setanta]

Not a bad price, even with his £600 mark up. The prices of S8's are all over the place but it is the horror stories of chocolate gearboxes on the A8/S8 that turned me off them.

 

[James Rothwell]

Not a bad price, even with his £600 mark up. The prices of S8's are all over the place but it is the horror stories of chocolate gearboxes on the A8/S8 that turned me off them.

The gearboxes aren't usually bad on Audis but the late 90s 5 speed gearbox for the powerful engines are not great, they need the oil replacing every 60k or so and they will last fine. If you get one done 120k that has never had the oil replaced chances are it won't see 130k!

I like the idea of an S8, but the ride is harsh and I just prefer Mercedes for some reason.

 

[Setanta]

The best way to decribe the sludge that comes out of the 'sealed for life' A8/S8 gearboxes is like looking into a McDonalds chocolate thickshake.

I will try and dig up a photo.

There is also some seal that goes on them (been a while since I had looked into buying one) but was not cheap or easy to do.