s class merc 221

[Rustrust]

i am interesting in buying an s320cdi mercedes long wheel base car. i will use the car for communting and taking my family on days out (my sons are over 6ft tall so room at the back is nice). a budget really no more than £15k. are these reliable cars or will it give me a lot of trouble. i have heard bad things about mercedes rusting, do these rust. my sons have outgrown the accord we run, it is a miserable boring car but reliable.

 

[MB8701]

as with all used cars I always find there is also a lot of scaremongering in buying a used car.

We get told of all the problems that can happen and they will happen all at once.

For example on the S320 engine for under 15k you will be looking at pre facelift of course - around 06/07 plate.

The turbo can be an issue as the seals leak and this goes onto the motor shut off motors, air suspension can be an issue, there is a top mechanical part of the gear box that can fail on the 7G that is around 1k to replace.

In saying all that - these things can happen - it does not mean they will. I have seen these cars go for 215k miles without a decent service. Its almost pot luck.

Overall they are reliable cars but do need to be looked after.

One thing I will say - make sure you check it over - I have heard very little regarding rust on the W221.

If you are unsure of anything then get an inspection done for 150-200 pounds.

I have a SWB model but I did test drive a LWB model - MASSES of room in the back - its crazy roomy

 

[Rustrust]

sorry for the late reply i thought around 06 maybe an 08 pate if funds allow. tell me about the airsuspension, that sounds a potential troublesome thing. i will look out for one and get an inspectioin