Mike

MercManiac
Member

Registered: Nov 2001
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 95
Don't buy it. The A/C can't keep the car cool....a combination of too weak a compressor and improper UV sheilding of glass. Also, problems with steering control arms and software of command systems.

Look at Consumer Reports recent car issue......they DO NOT reccomend you buy the 2000 model S as a used car. They have it on their avoid list...that's a first for Merc!!! Also, surveys in Europe studying 2000 Merc's wound up giving Mercedes a quality rating last on the list of all makes sold in Europe....even behind GM Opel which has always been a joke to Europeans. Problems with the S 2000 and other models where what caused such problems in European surveys.

The S is a great car....I own a S600 2001.....lot's of problems with it and it's been in the shop for 47 days during 1.5 years of ownership. But, I love Merc's....so I'll put up with it's "bugginess".

Look for a used 2001.....steer way clear of the 2000!!!!!





Sean
Member

Registered: Mar 2002
Location:
Posts: 76
2000 S 500
I know that with any car's first year in production there will always be glitches that have to be worked out. We are truly the ginuea pigs for the car manufacturers...no matter how much testing they do, once its on the road owned by different owners, a true story of how the car performs surfaces; and usually it involves 1 or 2 major problems.

My advice: get the 2001 or newer.

Sean



Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

05-10-2002 05:29 AM



mbtech208
Moderator

Registered: Nov 2001
Location: The People's Republic of California, USA
Posts: 1009
Re: Buying a S500

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by nuttertmf
Hopefully I will be joining some of you soon in owning a S500. I am looking into a 2000 S500, but I am nervous about reliability. Are these cars pretty reliable, especially since 2000 is the first year out. Since I am looking at all kinds of sedans I found myself at a Lexus dealership looking at the new LS 430. The dealer told me that the perforated air-conditioned seats in the LS were better then the S classes. He said the S class has had a couple of seats catch on fire due to faulty mechanisms. Is there ANY truth in that statement? Anyway any info on reliability or what to look for when I am checking out an S class is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Buy the Lexus, you won't regret it. This is coming from a dealer technician that works on 2000 and newer S-classes every day.


__________________