Replaced a/c pump as a/c would not work occasionally. Now it is perfect.
Great car to have. very comfortable and reliable.
Air seat; sunroof; auto rear sunblind & rear side curtain are useful options for asia or any hot areas. Other recommened options: keyless go; zenon lights; TV front & rear.
Must get the long version, which makes a big difference (although less than 6 inches) in feel and comfort even for kids & family.
Handling is below BMW (similiar model (7series) of same year), but much much better than any lexus made the same year.
3.2L is very economical for highway use. Even more efficient than japanese 3.0L engines, but uses twice the fuel in city driving.
As I know the most expensive possible and common repairs are 1) electronic suspension 2) air cond 3) steering.
Interior plastic used and assembly are below quality than previous mercedes, but still very good. The lastest S class is much improved, but cost more!
This is a great car to buy used, but do stay away from 99 & 00, the first years models, which have so many electrical problems!
You can buy used & use it for 2 years, and can still sell at 70 to 80% of year buying price!
Make sure you get one with low mileage, and many parts do wear out after 100,000 km, and could be costly to replace.
As for the repairs & maintenance, it could cost 1/2to 2/3 less using a local garages, and Mercedes dealers can be very expensive, and not too professional (they just replace all possible problems parts without making any repairs!)
If do mostly highway driving, do get the V8 or V12, but if do mostly city driving and mix, the S320L is the best choice. The bigger engines could use 40 to 100% more gas in city driving, and only 10 to 25% more for highways than the V6s. This is the way the car is designed!
The short version should not be sold, and the long version is a must option!
Good luck for finding your next S class!
The W220 is one of the lesser quality Mercedes built, but still is far better than other luxury sedans during that period!
W140 and other previous S class are for people over 50 years old, but the W220 (1998 to 2006) can be good for younger drivers (even early thirties) and petite ladies! The way it looks and the way it rides are really making big steps for MB!
The face lifted models (2003 to 2006) have much better built interior and pre-safe features, but cost so much more! For the money 2001 & 2002 V6 are the best overall winners!
They do not last as long as the old S class (meaning only 15 to 20 years!!!), but will easily out last the life time of the 7 series BMW!
The latest S class is far improved, but overpriced! Buy a used W220 (2001 or after), and you will feel like a smart shopper! The BMW 7 Series fans will dump their 7 bought brand new before you trade in your used W220!
My advice is to have this car checked every 6 months. Even a little inexpensive replacement part can affect the ride & the performance. Do get a good garage that can give you personal attention to look after yr S. Some minor parts are so inexpensive to replace (such as A/C sensors under US$ 20/pc) and make a big difference in performance. Do not get ripped off. As for the same problem, the garage can easily charge you 10 times more to fix (by asking you to replace 5 more items), simply because it is an S class!
Get a newer model (at least 2001) if you have enough budget, as the air conditioning & air suspension (the most troublesome parts) are upgraded. Pay a little more, and it could be cheaper to own this car (if you plan to keep it for a few years).
This is a car that will not have much wear out after 3 years, meaning after 3 years of ownership (w/ all minor replacement), it will remain the same condition for another 10 to 12 years easily.
The built quality is below average compare with other S Classes. This is true for any MB made during the same period.
This can be a smart looking car for younger owners.
Unlike the previous S Class, the W220 might only last for 15 years or 250,000 KM without any major repairs. Still it can easily outlast the BMW 7 or Audi A8 by 50%!
Just bought a 2008 S500L, and it is much nicer & much more expensive, but I plan to keep my 2001 S320L as my second car for another 10 years!
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