A few Merc newbie questions regarding 2002 S-Class - Benzworld.org

Paul S320CDi · 07-08-2008, 11:55 AM

Hi just a few questions about my new (to me) UK Spec S320 L CDi. It's registered in May 2002

1) It's got the square COMAND system. How is this referred to. I have seen many things mentioning the new "widescreen" COMAND but what is the old one called. Is there a version number for it that may help me when I need to search for info about it?

2) I have read references to AUDIO 30 APS and AUDIO 50 APS. Do these just refer to the type of audio system fitted? Are any of these numbers relevant to my car? If not what audio system is likely to be fitted, or how can I find out what type is fitted and what difference does it make?

3) I skipped through the hundreds of pages of the owners manual a day or two ago and noticed it seemed to be saying that the auto box on this car had two reverse gears. Is this true or have I just misread the book?

4) Compared to the latest TomTom Go, is the satnav on this car useless? Is it worth getting the latest map CD just for emergencies when I forgot the TomTom?

5) I don't have the car until Thursday so I cannot check this myself, but are the brake lights LED or not. I read somewhere that they were but was this an option or was it just for later models?

6) I've seen references to the burr walnut on this car. It looks like plastic to me. Is it plastic and they just mean a burr walnut effect?

I think that's enough questions for now.

Thanks

Paul

asianml · 07-08-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul S320CDi

Hi just a few questions about my new (to me) UK Spec S320 L CDi. It's registered in May 2002

1) It's got the square COMAND system. How is this referred to. I have seen many things mentioning the new "widescreen" COMAND but what is the old one called. Is there a version number for it that may help me when I need to search for info about it?

2) I have read references to AUDIO 30 APS and AUDIO 50 APS. Do these just refer to the type of audio system fitted? Are any of these numbers relevant to my car? If not what audio system is likely to be fitted, or how can I find out what type is fitted and what difference does it make?

3) I skipped through the hundreds of pages of the owners manual a day or two ago and noticed it seemed to be saying that the auto box on this car had two reverse gears. Is this true or have I just misread the book?

It's true. Did you get to the part in the manual about the W/S transmission modes? If you select W, it will start in 2nd gear and lower the shift points. In S it will start in 1st and have higher shift points.

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4) Compared to the latest TomTom Go, is the satnav on this car useless? Is it worth getting the latest map CD just for emergencies when I forgot the TomTom?

I haven't used a TomTom Go, but considering the nav in the car is six years old, the TomTom might be better. That's assuming the nav hasn't been updated over the years, but in the U.S. at least, MB navs have been not as good...

Quote:

5) I don't have the car until Thursday so I cannot check this myself, but are the brake lights LED or not. I read somewhere that they were but was this an option or was it just for later models?

The center mounted brake light is LED, but I'm not sure about the ones in the tail lights.

Quote:

6) I've seen references to the burr walnut on this car. It looks like plastic to me. Is it plastic and they just mean a burr walnut effect?

I think that's enough questions for now.

Thanks

Paul

It might look fake because of the high gloss and thick coating of whatever it is on it (polyurethane???), but I believe it is all real on the S-Class.

Paul S320CDi · 07-08-2008, 01:04 PM

Thanks both.

Is the 99-02 model really THAT bad? Everything worked fine when I tried it. Ok a few plastic bits needed looking at on the interior but mechanically and electrically it seemed fine.

I'm not going to do high miles in it and I don't expect perfection. I come from a 1998 Range Rover so I am used to bits dropping off.

lkchris · 07-08-2008, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul S320CDi

Thanks both.

Is the 99-02 model really THAT bad?

No, that poster has no credibility. Later is better always, of course.

The "square" Command is probably called Command 2.0 and is CD-driven vs. the dvd-driven nature of the current models. Installation of nav CD precludes playing music CDs from the dash slot if it's same as my W210. It's pretty obsolete by today's standards.

**MB-SV** · 07-08-2008, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lkchris

No, that poster has no credibility. Later is better always, of course.

And he drives a boring Toyota appliance rebadged as a Lexus.

He always has the same standard reply regarding Benz products.

Redundant, if not amusing.

asianml · 07-08-2008, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.xpowerseller

Well, coming from a 98 Danger Rover you might see a little improvement. You have made it one notch up on the 'top 10 most unreliable' cars list. That is a plus.

I see the Chrysler fan boys are starting to come out as always! Their comments never surprise me. Its the same over and over.

And your comments aren't the same over and over? That's pretty much all you do instead of answering the questions that they originally asked for.

Jayhawk · 07-08-2008, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul S320CDi

Thanks both.

Is the 99-02 model really THAT bad? Everything worked fine when I tried it. Ok a few plastic bits needed looking at on the interior but mechanically and electrically it seemed fine.

I'm not going to do high miles in it and I don't expect perfection. I come from a 1998 Range Rover so I am used to bits dropping off.

Pay no attention to mr.x... He just can't afford an S-class himself and wants to make all owners feel bad. His credibility on all things Mercedes is zilch--or less! You have a great car! Enjoy it. I see asianml has given you some answers. Let us know if you have more questions or when you get your "new" car.

Diesel Benz · 07-08-2008, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul S320CDi

1) It's got the square COMAND system. How is this referred to. I have seen many things mentioning the new "widescreen" COMAND but what is the old one called. Is there a version number for it that may help me when I need to search for info about it?

You can find a lot of COMAND info here:
Mercedes Electronics upgrades, installation and retrofits

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul S320CDi

2) I have read references to AUDIO 30 APS and AUDIO 50 APS. Do these just refer to the type of audio system fitted? Are any of these numbers relevant to my car? If not what audio system is likely to be fitted, or how can I find out what type is fitted and what difference does it make?

I'm not sure if these have been available for the W220 but Audio30 APS is usually more like a normal single DIN sized radio with arrow display Navigation capabilities (the cluster and voice guidance may make it still quite usable). Audio 50 APS is typically a dual DIN sized unit with a map display but smaller than that of COMAND.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul S320CDi

4) Compared to the latest TomTom Go, is the satnav on this car useless? Is it worth getting the latest map CD just for emergencies when I forgot the TomTom?

If you did not have navigation in the car, it might not be worth while retrofitting it but once you have an integrated system, I would certainly take care of updating the maps to the latest ones. You can find a good source for map discs from the link I posted above.

Paul S320CDi · 07-09-2008, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.xpowerseller

He hasn't taken delivery of the vehicle yet and it might not be too late for him to opt out of deal. He clearly did no research before buying this vehicle.

That is true. Sadly I did not research. I'd heard about how reliable Mercedes were and how good the 320CDi engine is. I never thought there would be a black sheep in the family.

I appreciate your warning. It's put doubt in my mind which is a good thing. It's made me research more and from what I have found out in the last 24 hours it can be a bit of a lottery.

I was looking at one 12 months newer. It's the same price, but it's done 247,000 miles. It's the facelifted type. Had a couple more toys. Keyless Go and the contour seats. It looses the seat heaters though and it's not a LWB (probably a good thing)

You're right in that I can still change my mind. I've signed nothing yet and at worse I've lost a small deposit.

If I go for the newer more reliable version that's done this sort of miles am I letting myself in for even more expense? Will it be due for a major MAJOR service very soon.

The 2002 model might have some electrical niggles which I can put up with to some extent. It's only done 70,000 and with the miles I'll put on it it's never going to get to anywhere near 247,000.

I'm not afraid of getting my hands dirty and minor electrical problems wouldn't be beyond me. I know though that the S Class is very complicated and many electrical problems are beyond anyone but MB service engineers.

I'm going to have another look at it tomorrow. I will take it out for another longer test and I will check everything on it. I've had the user manual out of it since Sunday so I feel I understand the controls enough now to actually test things better.

If everything is working as it should or the dealer agrees to fix anything that's not perfect then I think I will take it. I can't really base my decision on things that might or might not happen. I know people who have driven these with never a problem. I may regret this, but who's to say a 2004 model is going to be perfect.

If there is anything that worries me then I WILL walk away.

At my budget I know I am at the lower end of the S-Class. I can't afford to pay any more. If I do then I couldn't afford to run it. At least at this price I can look after it.

Maybe people in the know will see me driving an 02 model and think how brave I am

What is life without a few risks. Many people bet on the horses and loose. What is the difference?

mr.xpowerseller · 07-09-2008, 04:06 PM

The 247k mile 03 is nearing the end of its life. The engine will keep going but the rest of the car is going to fall apart. It's also worth peanuts. You have gone from some value in the 02, to just about none in the super ultra high mileage 03. That kind of mileage is off-the-wall insane on a car that has lived in Europe all its life. Most European nations average well below 7500 miles per year.

Keep looking! Don't settle on an 02 just because it happens to be the only one for sale within 10 miles of your house. Look for a low mileage 04. It is a much better car, but still not perfect. If you can hardly afford to purchase an 02, then this car is NOT for you. The repair bills will be frequent and expensive. One AirMatic failure could easily cost over £2000.

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Maybe people in the know will see me driving an 02 model and think how brave I am What is life without a few risks.

When I see someone in an 02, I think 'what a poor guy.....he doesn't know any better'. You are betting against the house big time. I don't want to take risks on my everyday driver. That is just crazy.