Another suspension-related system to be aware of is called Active Body Control (ABC), a mess of hydraulics designed to eliminate much of the car’s body movements in cornerning, braking and acceleration. This thread, pulled from the W220 Encyclopedia linked to above, details ABC, its operation and potential problems.

The electronics – power equipment and audio systems being the worst offenders, with climate control figuring in as well – in early versions of this S-Class were troublesome, but word among those who know these cars is that many of these issues were worked out in later model years.

2004 Mercedes-Benz S430
2004 Mercedes-Benz S430. Click image to enlarge

Instrument clusters are a common failure point. The reason is for one of three different faults that affect cars built at different times during the model’s production. Mercedes-Benz Canada will consider replacing faulty instrument clusters in Canadian W220s on a case-by-case basis, an offer that is transferable to subsequent owners.

Consumer Reports’ information suggests that the folks in the forums have a good idea of what they’re talking about. CR gives the W220 S-Class an average or slightly below average used vehicle rating for all model years between 2000 and 2006.

Consumer Reports’ information suggests that the folks in the forums have a good idea of what they’re talking about. CR gives the W220 S-Class an average or slightly below average used vehicle rating for all model years between 2000 and 2006.

Click here and here for a couple of very good “What to look out for in a used S-Class” type threads at BenzWorld.org.

In 2000, Natural Resources Canada’s fuel consumption ratings for the S-Class were 13.7/8.9 L/100 km (all figures city/highway) in the S430 and 14.4/9.6 in the S500. The 2001 S600 was rated 15.2/9.3.

Ratings for the S55 AMG will be something like 16.6/10.3 (these numbers being for a 2004 model), while the 2004 S600 was rated at 18.9/11.6. Ratings for the 2006 S600 and S65 models were in the same ballpark. Note that all-wheel drive versions will use as much as ten per cent more fuel in the city, while the penalty on highway driving is less severe.

Neither the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tested the W220; not even EuroNCAP has crash safety data on the car.

2004 Mercedes-Benz S500
2004 Mercedes-Benz S500. Click image to enlarge

According to Canadian Black Book (CBB), used S-Class pricing ranges from $10,825 for a 2000 S 430 short-wheelbase model to a high of $62,125 for a 2006 S600; CBB doesn’t list a value for the S65. The 2006 S600’s value of $62,125 is a good indicator of how quickly cars in this price range depreciate: its MSRP when new was $190,500. A 2004 S500 is worth about $18,750 and a 2006 S500 carries a value of $22,575, both of which are far cries from the cars’ $120,000-plus MSRPs.

Paying less than $25,000 for a car packed with this much luxury and prestige sounds like a bargain, and for the driving experience alone, it is. What aspiring car shoppers need to remember, though, is that the cost of maintaining a car like this can take all the enjoyment out of the ownership experience if you’re not prepared for the expense.

If you want prestige and reliability, avoid the German uber-sedans and choose a Lexus LS 430. A 2006 model is worth $28,425, according to CBB, and Consumer Reports gives it the publication’s “good bet” used vehicle recommendation.

There’s something to be said for the S-Class’ heritage, though, so if that’s a must-have for you, then the only advice I have is to know what you’re getting into before you buy. Doing so won’t ensure you get a flawlessly reliable car, but it will prepare you for the high cost of keeping the car on the road.

Pricing

Black Book Pricing (avg. retail) June 2009:

Year
Model
Price today
Price new
2006
S500
$22,575
$124,600
2005
S500
$19,800
$122,900
2004
S500
$18,750
$121,200
2003
S500
$17,450
$118,450
2002
S500
$15,100
$116,950
2001
S500
$13,250
$114,650
2000
S500
$12,300
$112,850

Online resources
  • The forums at BenzWorld.org are very informative, and I would recommend starting your search for S-Class information there. Other good sites are MBWorld.org and MBWorld.org.

    Recalls
  • Transport Canada Recall Number: 2001064; Units affected: 136 (includes affected CL-Class models)
    2001:     Certain vehicles are equipped with a heated windshield washer bottle which may be defective. The sheathing material on the electrical connection of the hose may overheat and cause surrounding plastic and insulation to melt. This could eventually result in a an engine compartment fire. Correction: Heated windshield washer bottle hose will be replaced.

    Transport Canada Recall Number: 2003029; Units affected: 2,884
    2000-2001:     On certain vehicles, there is a potential for excessive static build-up in the trunk floor mats of the subject vehicles. The static build-up can cause a static discharge when individuals move or remove items from the trunk compartment, which can damage the electrical system components located in the trunk including the vehicle’s battery. Correction: Dealer will install a static insulation material between the carpet and the battery.

    Transport Canada Recall Number: 2004153; Units affected: 277 (includes affected CL-Class models)
    2001-2004:     On certain vehicles equipped with a 12-cylinder engine, corrosion may occur in the inner steel portions of the Active Body Control’s high pressure distribution hose due to extensive exposure to humidity. This may result in ABC hydraulic fluid leakage near the catalytic converter which could cause a fire. Correction: Dealers will install a corrosion resistant ABC high-pressure distribution hose.

    Transport Canada Recall Number: 2004154; Units affected: 2,246 (includes affected CL-Class models)
    2000-2001:     On certain vehicles, the size of the electric conductor on the blower motor fuse holder may be below appropriate tolerances. Consequently, the electric conductor of the blower motor fuse holder may dissipate more heat than the plastic fuse holder was designed to withstand, which would result in partial melting of the blower motor fuse holder and disabling of the blower motor. Correction: Dealers will replace the blower motor fuse holder.

    Transport Canada Recall Number: 2004184; Units affected: 859 (includes affected CL-Class models)
    2003-2004:     On certain vehicles, the trunk lid springs could fail in the closed trunk lid position due to extensive exposure to very high temperatures. This failure only occurs in the closed position and causes the trunk lid to fail to spring open upon being unlocked, thereby providing warning to the owner of the broken spring condition. Correction: Dealers will replace the trunk lid springs.

    Transport Canada Recall Number: 2006031; Units affected: 1,313 (includes affected CL-Class models)
    2000-2005:     Certain vehicles may experience instrument cluster backlighting malfunction. There are three distinct failure modes. (1) Vehicles built between 06/2000 and 11/2000 may contain a defective transformer that could cause an electrical short. (2) Vehicles built from 01/2002 to 04/2002 could have incorrect dielectric layers inside a capacitor that could lead to fluctuating current levels. (3) Vehicles built between 05/2004 and 09/2004 may have incorrect light emitting diodes (LEDs). Correction: Dealers will replace the instrument cluster module.

    Transport Canada Recall Number: 2007195; Units affected: 884 (includes affected CL-Class models)
    2000-2004:     On certain vehicles equipped with an eight-cylinder engine, corrosion may occur in the inner steel portions of the Active Body Control’s high pressure distribution hose due to extensive exposure to humidity. This may result in ABC hydraulic fluid leakage near the catalytic converter which could cause a fire. Correction: Dealers will install a corrosion resistant ABC high-pressure distribution hose.

    Transport Canada Recall Number: 2008290; Units affected: 279 (includes affected CL- and SL-Class models)
    2002-2006:     Certain vehicles equipped with Active Body Control (ABC) the sensors on the front struts may not operate within tolerances. As such, the sensor signal may not be accurately transmitted to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). A variation in the transmitted values can result in one front strut adjusting to a value while the other does not adjust and presenting the driver with an uneven front suspension. This situation could have an effect on the vehicle’s directional stability, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash with injuries or death. Correction: Dealers will inspect and replace affected AZ-sensors.

    Crash test results
  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
  • Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

    Used vehicle prices vary depending on factors such as general condition, odometer reading, usage history and options fitted. Always have a used vehicle checked by an experienced auto technician before you buy.

    For information on recalls, see Transport Canada’s web-site, www.tc.gc.ca, or the U.S. National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA)web-site, www.nhtsa.dot.gov.

    For information on vehicle service bulletins issued by the manufacturer, visit www.nhtsa.dot.gov.

    For information on consumer complaints about specific models, see www.lemonaidcars.com.

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