1989 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 560SEC review from Australia and New Zealand
"Shaking all over"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Ran over a wombat. Broke RHS steering arm and dislodged brake caliper. Interesting drive home.
Crushed the catalyst converter when I drove over some rough roads. Was going to cost thousands to repair. I cut it off before the cat con and replaced the rest of the exhaust system with 1-1/4 pipe. Producing quite an unholy note.
Most things that have gone wrong on this car are from me running over animals.
Beginning to develop a rattle, due to the environment it works in. I live an hour out of Wanaaring in outback NSW.
Horn broke when I hit this huge roo. Managed to salvage the radiator. Got a new grille from Sydney. Replace the horn with the airhorn of a Fiat Tipper.
The sun has cruelly damaged the leather and the paint.
General comments?
I'm not sure there is another car on this world that allows me to drive at a quarter of the speed of sound when I got into town. That I can afford anyway.
Incredible value.
Chews the petrol. It's OK if your kind to it and drive it like Ms. Daisy.
Very comfortable, had many micro-sleeps whilst lounging in the skin of many German cows.
The pillar-less cabin allows panoramic views of all the colours you see on a typical outback sunset.
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model Year | 1990 |
| First year of ownership | 2004 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2008 |
| Engine and transmission | 5.6L V8 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 9/10 |
| Reliability marks | 9/10 |
| Comfort marks | 10/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 144000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 184000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Land Rover Discovery |
| Date of Entry | 31st August, 2008 |