1991 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 560 SEL from North America - Comments

The dealer sold us the car with a broken sunroof motor, and the parts plus labor ended up costing $600 so it is still broken.

I have to get it taken in every few months to tighten the belts and flush the power steering fluid, and that always costs well over $1,000.

At 83k miles the air conditioning compressor broke, and in Florida's brutal heat this is not acceptable. However the German car expert wants $2k to get it fixed and I highly doubt it should cost that much.

I went over a bump a little too fast and the radiator blew. It cost us another $1,000.

This car is very classy and is very advanced for its time - with standard ABS, SRS and hydro pneumatic level control. This car would survive any kind of collision and wouldn't have a scratch.

It's a true German tank. It's very solid and has an extremely powerful engine - love those 8 cylinders.

The powerful engine gives me an awful 10 MPG, costing me about $70-$90/week on gas alone.

However repairs have been extremely costly and the car obviously was not taken care of by the previous owner, it's a shame.

The interior is comfortable and the front and back seats are heated, and the back seat can recline. My friends always complain that it's too bouncy though.

This car is not for short people - the hood is gigantic. I have to sit on a pillow to be able to see the road (and I'm 5'2). It's very hard to steer (it takes a lot of arm power), and it's extremely difficult to park.

It costs you over $1000 to get the belts tightened and the power steering fluid flushed? That makes no sense. First of all, these things should not cost anywhere near that much.

Second, I don't know why you find this necessary but it should not be needed that often. Something else is wrong if that's the case (though I can't imagine what that might be since it does not make any sense).

You seem to be getting ripped off.

An S class Benz that is hard to steer? Now, I've heard everything. There is one particular virtue of driving a Mercedes Benz that is appreciated by many and that is the fact they are so easy to manoeuvre considering there size and heft. If the 5' 2" reviewer is unable to see unless sitting on a pillow and has difficulty managing MB steering, perhaps the problem with this car is the nut behind the wheel.)

You are getting ripped off from your mechanic. This isn't the car for you. My father had a 560 and I have a 91 420 and they ride like a dream; stiff and sturdy. Never breaks down.

New radiator cost me $350. You have to know where to go not to get ripped off.

I agree you went to a bad mechanic. Maybe shop around?

Maybe the steering power assist is weak or broken.

If non Mercedes coolant is used in the car, it causes leakage/breaking problems. The radiator has plastic parts that can be adversely affected by non Mercedes coolant.

The steering is, or should be very firm at low speeds and loosens up at speeds above 40 mph, but is very taut. Is the car simply too big for you?

You are being taken by the shop or mechanic you went to:

For example; NO Mercedes exhaust system needs total replacement: A Mercedes exhaust is broken into replaceable segments, most of which cost about $100 per segment, here in Seattle.

Belt adjustment is or should be a yearly maintenance item; and the same is true with the power steering fluid flush.

Your mechanic is certainly taking unfair advantage.

Question: are you female?

Some mechanics LOVE to see a woman, they think they can be easily convinced to get unecessary work done - my wife had the same problem.

If you're only getting 10MPG then you need a tuneup/adjustment:

I got 16 city to 25 Hwy with my 88 560 SEL and I'm currently getting 15 city to 22 Hwy with my 91 560 SEC. (Of course I have my foot in it a fair amount of the time).

You need to find a decent, honest mechanic (hard to find), but they're out there and they are usually NOT dealerships.