Quote:
Desert_Fox - 7/30/2005 9:52 AM
Hey folks,
I just test-drove a 1997 S500 at the local stealers. Engine is smooth, either well maintained or re-furbed in some way because it is sooo quiet and sooo clean under the hood. Transmission shifts smoothly, no "boom" when shifting from drive to reverse. No shimmy at high speed, basically solid as a rock on the highway.
Here is the problem: many of the electrical system inside do not operate properly. Here is a list of issues I found.
(1) Panel cover in front of the interior rear-view mirror missing, with wires hanging down (perhaps a repair).
(2) Switch for front passenger window about to go (seems pushed in and window stutters when moving up and down.
(3) Rear passenger side window only goes down half way (perhaps regulator going bad?)
(4) Windshield wipers intermittant speed not working, defaults to regular speed setting on both position one and two (maybe jerry-rigged).
(5) When headlights activated fog lamps turn on also and can't be turned off (also seem to be jerry-rigged).
(6) One of the headlight wiper blades got stuck in the upright position when I tested them
(7) Glove box doesn't open at push of a button, have to pull on it.
(8) Antenna mast broken. Stuck in up position.
Suprisingly the close assist on the doors work as well as the central locking. A/C blows cold and seats heat up.
The stealer want's $20,000 US. HAHAHAHA.. I offered $14,000 just to see what they would say. My instints tell me to pass and look for another W140. Opinions?
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I have a 1997 S-500 that just turned 100k miles. Most of the items you have mentioned do not seem like a deal breaker to me- I do have some suggestions though.
As most of the items are interior electrical and seem to be stemming from neglect or an inattentive previous owner, I would try to locate said owner through DMV records and see what they have to say. Second, a through mechanical inspection is obviously in order from a trusted Mech. Things that I (me, not a mechanic) have done are: engine mounts, front shocks(super easy if you don't have ADS), rear accumulators, and oil pressure sender.
I also would have the body inspected by someone who can spot repair and re-painting. I discovered some work about a month after I had the car.
As for your specific items, I'll try to address some of them.
1. The missing cover. This seems like a poor design as mine was hanging by a thread. Epoxied it into place and hasn't given me a problem since. Just make sure your overhead lights, auto-dimming mirror and Homelink garage door opener all work. (Note- some 1997 cars do not have the Homelink system installed- it was added about one third through the '97 production run.)
2. These switches are problematic. Sounds like someone pushed REAL hard out of frustration trying to raise or lower the window. Switches can either be cleaned or replaced for for about $17.00 here http://autohausaz.com/catalog/lookup_parts.cfm?SubcategoryID=4624&VehicleID=1195 804&CFID=494229&CFToken=79844756 . You probably will have some sort of mounting bracket that needs to be epoxied back into place because of frustrated person's temper.
3. Could be a regulator or just needs to be lubed. Haven't done this one yet but again, check www.autohausaz.com for some of the best prices around.
4. Intermittent setting on the wipers is actually the rain sensing function. The infrared rain sensor is located....ah yes in the windshield glass directly in front of the rear-view mirror. Maybe someone was trying "fix" wiring to the rain sensor and thus your missing trim panel and rat's nest of wiring. Is your windshield original?? If not, it is all too common for an inexperienced windshield installer forget to connect the sensor or worse, as I've been told damage a bonding wire removing the old windshield.
5. Maybe a new headlight switch is in order here.
6. This too is an all too common problem. I can't recall if there is a fix short of replacing the motor. Maybe someone else can chime in on this one. Mine still work and they look cool no doubt, but when mine fail, I'm going to look into simply disconnecting them. I live in a temperate climate and can't justify the cost of replacing them.
7. Glove box latch mechanism probably just needs to be re-aligned with the latch in the door- try lubing the system with a low-residue (WD-40) spray.
8. http://autohausaz.com/catalog/lookup_parts.cfm?SubcategoryID=1332&VehicleID=1195 804&Qualifier=Chrome%20Mast%20for%20Power%20Antenn a;%20750mm%20Cord&CFID=494229&CFToken=79844756
Hope this info helps! I can't tell you how nice this car can be. Every time I get behind the wheel of this thing, it puts a smile on my face. One more word of advice- live in these forums- this one and mercedesshop.com in particular and learn all you can about these cars- knowledge is power!
Paul Hansen
PS- I paid $19.5k one year ago (car had 87k on the meter) and had none of the problems you mentioned. MB dealer did the PPI and came up with about $1600 worth of items that needed to be taken care of. Helped in the overall negotiation. Later, I replaced the before mentioned parts myself for about $450.00!
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