There was a thread a couple of months ago talking about luxury cars and I posted about my s-i-l's buying a every option 18K mile black on black S class.Beautiful car.
Well,while in for service he mentioned a slight buzzing noise.Dealer service called and said it was a headlight short.He received another call and it's worse.The console definitely and maybe the dash is being removed to find the short.It could take awhile.He does have a new ML loaner.The car has had a couple of other minor issues.One was occasional shaking on start up on cold days.
Coming out of two LS's without any problems,this is PITA and he's losing confidence in the car..
What is it with German cars and electronics?Too many electronic goodies?Like massaging seats,blow up bolsters on seats when turning etc.I think he's going to dump it.

That's unfortunate.

Is it under warranty? If so, let them fix it. If it's fixed permanently, let him enjoy the car. Who wouldn't want a fully loaded S-Class?

It's under warranty.
My s-i-l had a couple of other issues and I believe turned off by the car.Could be just for the moment,though.
His latest cars have been Lexus.A couple of LS's and my daughter has a LX 570.Never any problems.
Tough owning a car when you don't have confidence in it's reliability.I know,I owned a '09 335i and dumped it because of the fuel pump.
He has a 100 miles a day round trip commute to his office.I just emailed him and asked what he going to do.I know he was interested in the new gen '13 LS.

As long as the imperfections do not lead deadly/lethal consequences (i.e. fire, vehicle stalling in the middle of the road, airbags failing, critical components failing, etc.), then it's not so bad imho.....

Anyways, I hope his car gets fixed

I love his S Class.
He had a steering issue that popped up once where he felt the steering tighten up or something.I don't remember.Didn't happen again .Dealer couldn't find a problem.Could be related with the short.
I know him well.With his commute and the way he feels now,he won't keep the car.

Well, I don't want to pour any more salt on the wound here, but I'll never go back to Germans for sure.
I got better things to do with my time.

Like everyone says, you only lease German cars (if you're not willing to put up with the headache).

Thank goodness for warranty and dealer is taking care of him

He can't lease because of his commute.
Lease or not,it's still a pain to have to go to a dealer service often.
Third time in the last month for him.
Just talked to him and I was wrong.He said he'll probably keep the S class till the new generation LS arrives.
I still think he'll dump it.

I really do love the s-class always have. Our family used to be a Mercedes family until a bad experience with an ml320 (a lot of people say its not a real mercedes, at times i agree) and we've been with lexus ever since. We have been looking at 09-10 ml350's though. People we know with them like them and havent had any real issues. Hopefully your son in law gets this figured out

he probably thought (like some other ppl here :P), that reliability only matters after 3 years, by when he will sell the car... oops :-).

If his commute is 100 miles round trip I would get out of the S class.

The ride of the LS is pretty comparable to the S class (its just the S class has a lot more non-essential comforts), and the LS will still be reliable after those 100 miles commute.

That's what he says he going to do when the new LS is available.His plan was to keep this S Class till the new LS is out about 6+ months.
He never owned a S Class and felt like I do,that it's a much classier car that has great presence than that of the LS.So he found a low mile levery option '08 at a good price CPO from a Benz dealer in MA.
True on the more non-essential comforts than a LS.The seat massage is ok but I like that seat bolster puff up when he takes turns.
The LS has a smoother ride.The S Class feels a bit heavy with the steering and handling.Still a nice ride.The Harmon-Kardon sound system is nothing near that of a LS ML.
Though,the new S Class has a B&O option.

From personal and other people's experience, I'll never set foot in another German Engineered vehicle. They need to stick with the KISS concept (Keep It Simple Stupid).

so the car is nearly or more than 5 years old and only had 18k on it when he got it? i wonder why the previously owner had so few miles and why it was sold with so few?

if i bought a 4 year old car, don't care what brand, i'd expect some problems. but that's just me and that's why i don't buy used cars.

That's just what I told him but the Carfax showed dealer services but nothing electrical.Just regular maintenance.Nor was the car a lease that someone got out of for whatever reason.
The car was in service for 3 years when he bought it.A electrical short can happen anytime but I get your point.I only buy new too.

IMHO - the only way to own a MB, BMW, or Audi is to lease it new for 3 years and get rid of it. Long term upkeep and repairs are downright frightening.

Yeah maybe the Japanese luxury cars don't have as much "soul" when you drive them but at least when you roll down the window the wipers don't turn on.