Thinking of buying an S class

[Andimids]

Thinking of buying an older S class to replace my poor old E280 which has gearbox failure.
Any issues with S classes that need to be looked out for -
Having a look on Autotrader I Have come across this one - any thoughts on value - condition.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201311240116632/sort/default/usedcars/postcode/cv91fd/make/mercedes-benz/quicksearch/true/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/radius/50/page/1/model/s_class/price-to/2500?logcode=p

 

[Chalpkin]

Thinking of buying an older S class to replace my poor old E280 which has gearbox failure.
Any issues with S classes that need to be looked out for -
Having a look on Autotrader I Have come across this one - any thoughts on value - condition.
Mercedes-Benz S Class S280 4dr Auto 2.8

Hi,
From the pictures it doesn't look too bad but according to the description it hasn't been serviced for three years! So it could be a money pit!
I would suggest a thorough inspection and roadtest.
Regards,
Chalpkin.

 

[E55BOF]

You will probably get plenty of advice that an old S-class is likely to be a money pit; LOTS of sophisticated stuff to go (very expensively) wrong, and repair costs could easily exceed the value of the car. On the other hand, that's a helluva lot of car for banger money.

If it came to it, could you afford to write off the cost and sell it for breaking if you were unlucky? If so, if all the toys worked and it drove OK, I'd take a chance and go for it, except I need an estate for my dogs (yes, I know they never made an S-class estate; I wish they had)... but I've never had much sense, I can do my own repairs, and I have a fondness for cars (and bikes) that others wouldn't touch with a bargepole.

 

[C43AMG]

Depending on your annual mileage I would go for a 500. the 280 and the 320 petrol and diesel are far too underpowered.

 

[whitenemesis]

Looks like a nasty bit of rust on the off-side rear door, leading edge/bottom corner

 

[Andimids]

yes did notice the rust - think I might be able to get a better price cos of that - if you look closely at the boot - there seems a couple of bubbles there as well
Could get those done quite easily

 

[John]

As said, if all the gadgets work and it runs fine, it's got to be worth a punt.

That's the only model I would consider at that age.

Your absolute maximum loss is £2000 should the worst happen but as said you could sell it off broken like yours.

On the other hand, you could get a few years out of it and it will be excellent bangernomics.