Used W215 - Is it really such a bad idea?

[Harkonnen]

I was shopping around for a W220 S430/500 MY2000-2001 but struggled to find anything exciting under the 10K mark. However, seeing how the price of the W215 of the same age has plummeted (I really, *really* like the looks of these! - like everyone else) I starting toying with the idea of buying one... well, until I read all the flames, rants, and negative opinions from disgruntled owners. Here, as well as BenzWorld, CarSurvey, etc. - nobody says anything positive about these, especially the '00 crop. Expensive to maintain they are, no question about it, but do they really break so often?

Geez, are they *REALLY* that bad? To the point they are much worse than the W220 as a used buy?

 

[amwebby]

I've got a 2000 W215. I've had to get the body perforation sorted, they go at the door bottoms, wheel arches, C pillar and sun roof. Thankfully this was all done under MobilioLife.

Running costs are fine. With 25 mpg and the only service it has had to have (in three years of ownership) coming in at £500, I'm chuffed. Compared to my prevous car, an Aston Martin, that's really cheap luxury motoring.

My only remaining gripe is the separation of the double glazing, which sadly is not covered under warranty. My advice there is look for St Gobain glass, all the problems in this are I've seen or heard about come with the Pilkington units.

Make sure it has FMBSH so you can get the body perforation dealt with, find a fully loaded example with St Gobain double glazing and you will love it.

 

[television]

Useful advice from Amwebby, and something new to me as I follow these cars for I would have one if the SL ever had to go. They are full of electronic boxes, and the more you have, the more that can go wrong, but these cars are not bad on this front and do not give that much bother.

Get a copy of the current mercedes enthusiast mag, there is a small article on them along with the S and topE's

 

[amwebby]

The only electronic box I've had go was the drivers seat controller that we found was causing a quarter amp drain on the battery. £25 plus fitting. Other than that, no electrical problems.

Oh, the body is aluminium,so body rot has to be dealt with by a bodyshop who will deal with this metal. I had to go through a bit of phoning around before I found a Mercedes bodyshop that could.

 

[Flash]

Great car but when things go wrong (especially on early models) they cost ££££s but if you can find a good example then would be well worth it.Rust is a big issue on these cars as well as the W220.

If your one of those people that constantly complain about petrol prices then the W215 will not be the car for you...

 

[Harkonnen]

Thanks, that's some useful info! Regarding the glass, how can I distinguish between the two (St Gobain or Pilkington) - is it written somewhere on the windows?

 

[amwebby]

You'll find the maker's name etched on the corner of each piece of glass. I've noticed that newer MBs seem to use St Gobain exclusively for double glazing units now.

 

[cl 600]

I have an 02 cl 600 (non Turbo) for the last 3 years and over 40k miles.
No real trouble and 23mpg. However as you say it has depreciated horribly but I really enjoy it. I have a very well speced 07 S class but I still prefer driving the CL.

 

[Bunchy100]

I was recently in your shoes and decided to take the jump. I am now the very proud owner of a CL600 non turbo. I am gettting over 24 mpg and still drive with a big grin on my face!

I looked at a number of 500 and 600's some good some bad. All I would say is don't let your heart rule your head as it is easy to do with this cars. Buy a better example with less toys, than a bad example with all the toys - do you really need a fridge in the back seat !?!

There are a few little niggles with my car, which I will get sorted out with time, (hopefully with the help of the guys on the forum) but am generally very pleased. With a V12, I thought I might be a little mad, but it is completly the opposite - I actually drive slower!

Great car, just buy a good example.

 

[jaymanek]

We have discussed this before as you say.

The 600's can be expensive as not many people want to touch them when it comes to anything more than servicing.
They do suffer with rust and various electrical issues... One CL600 that i sold ended up costing me dearly as various issues kept cropping up.

500's are fine but you still have to do your homework. Remember there is nothing more expensive than a cheap mercedes and this is definately true of W215...

 

[television]

We have discussed this before as you say.

The 600's can be expensive as not many people want to touch them when it comes to anything more than servicing.
They do suffer with rust and various electrical issues... One CL600 that i sold ended up costing me dearly as various issues kept cropping up.

500's are fine but you still have to do your homework. Remember there is nothing more expensive than a cheap mercedes and this is definately true of W215...

Welcome back and I hope things went well

Was that the car with the conductor plate that went down

 

[jaymanek]

Thanks Malcolm, nice to be back on here... i did consider logging on but i know I woud then have spent hours on the computer..

Anyway.. yes it was.. it then had issues with wiring harness, oil leaks, blocked breathers (requiring engine & box removal), three O2 sensors and a lot of stuff i cant remember and want to put behind me, it was not a nice time that!
Basically i spent thousands (5K+ IIRC) on the car to keep the customer happy, I wouldnt stock one again.. not a 600 anyway...