Still in the process of getting the full picture on this car. Is a little more complex than anticipated.
Airmatic can be walked around, replacing the compressor relay each year - and use the dishwash water checking for leaks before you buy the car.
Electronic system problems is more difficult. Before I would even consider to buy a W220, I would perform a scan for trouble codes with a OBD2 scanner, the scanner cost 50$ at Ebay.
Sitting in Barcelona and searching for a second hand in Germany has turned out to be quite a tuff project. I bought my 190E 2.6 in Germany 11 years ago - piece of cake. But the W220 is really hard - when I tell the dealers I plan to drive the car 2.000 km to Barcelona the car is suddenly sold ( but still for sale on mobile.de ). When I begin to ask specific airmatic or electrical questions, the car is also sold. So this could indicate something [;)]
I think Frank, chucky300 and others have the right conclusion, its wise to go for the revised 2003 model where most problems has been ironed out. Improved airmatic and coated PCB boards.
In general I think owners of a W220/221 should always have a 50$ OBD2 scanner in the trunck. When some lamp comes on, or you have a problem, make a scan of trouble codes, and show the code list to the repair shop. By doing that you know what was wrong with the car before it was turned in for repair - or you know that actualy nothing is wrong, just some computer flicker. Trouble codes gets erased after 30-40 cycles without the problem, but the "check engine" / MIL lamp stays on ! ( well so the experts say ). The OBD2 scanner can also reset the lamps !
That was status for now - hope other W220 fans can use my thaughts.
Very interesting, I was planning on getting an early model W220 since they are much cheaper, but maybe the extra money is worth getting the revised 2003 model. Can you buy the OBD2 scanner at the dealership?
__________________
If you're in control, you're just not driving fast enough.
Very interesting, I was planning on getting an early model W220 since they are much cheaper, but maybe the extra money is worth getting the revised 2003 model. Can you buy the OBD2 scanner at the dealership?
I wasn't considering a new MB until mine got hit by a toyota about a month ago. I don't feel good driving in a car that has a long dent on the right side. Good thing is that I'm now 2200 bucks richer because of it. Gonna use it towards the W220. My dad is a salesman so he should have no problem selling the W126. He Shouldn't have any problems selling it since it runs like it has 50 k miles on it. (when it's really got 184 k)
Hopefully going to get a W220 in a few months after I get back from Air Force BMT and tech school. And I can't wait to see the look on my friends faces when they see it.
BTW a pic of my car after I buffed all the toyota paint off. If it was a W220 I think this type of thing would have cost 3 times more...
Okay it doesn't want to let me upload a pic now, I'll do it later then.
I am new in this forum and, unfortunately, perhaps I am too late.
I have just purchased a possibly "expensive" 2001 W220 S500 in a Mercedes dealer in Barcelona (Cars Barcelona) and I am beginnig to think that perhaps I should have waited for some months and get a 2003 model.
In whatever case, I have no experience in W220 models since I have been driving (till last week) my beloved CL500 W140 (1994), a car dramatically different to my current S500.
I was so familiar with the tips and tricks of the old car... and now I must learn the ones of my current S500.
By the way, "UN SALUDO AL AMIGO DE BARCELONA". I like to know that not only american, british o german people can join this forums.
Well, the fact is that my new car has only 22.000 km. so only has passed one official inspection at the mercedes dealer where the car had been iniatially sold (when new).
This is the reason to have paid a relatively high price for it (the car was really like new) and the other is... that I was able to sell my CL500 at a very high price because the buyer felt in love with the car and I was not interested in selling it.
Any of you have own a previous W140 car??
How does it compare with the w220??
Your comments will be appreciated.
I have some fears. The build quality seems less consistent than in the w140 serie but perhaps it is only a false perception.
And the reliability?
It's obvious that more "cost considerations" have been taken into account when the W220 was designed but also more rationality.
The w140 was certainly an "overkill" in many areas.
The w220 seems to be a much more practical and fun to drive car but with less boot capacity...
I must say it also lacks the "presence" of my previous CL500 w140 but possibly it is due to the extras of car (my current S500 W220 includes the standard 16" wheels and my old CL500 W140 had 18" AMG Monoblock wheels, custom polished).
Well, my post is possibly to long but would like to finish it asking help to select the right wheels for a W220 s500.
18" or 19"??
Airmatic is going to keep the comfort of my car if I am going to substitute my current 16" with new 19"??
I must confess I like a good compromise betwen comfort and performance. This is one of the reasons (not the price) to reject the purchase of a S55 AMG (2001) which was also available but that I didn't like (very nice car bur significantly "noisier and harder" than the S500, which seemed to me much more refined and equilibrated than the AMG)
I suppose that my dream car could be a S600 or even a S600K but not the AMG models.
I am new in this forum and, unfortunately, perhaps I am too late.
I have just purchased a possibly "expensive" 2001 W220 S500 in a Mercedes dealer in Barcelona (Cars Barcelona) and I am beginnig to think that perhaps I should have waited for some months and get a 2003 model.
In whatever case, I have no experience in W220 models since I have been driving (till last week) my beloved CL500 W140 (1994), a car dramatically different to my current S500.
I was so familiar with the tips and tricks of the old car... and now I must learn the ones of my current S500.
By the way, "UN SALUDO AL AMIGO DE BARCELONA". I like to know that not only american, british o german people can join this forums.
Well, the fact is that my new car has only 22.000 km. so only has passed one official inspection at the mercedes dealer where the car had been iniatially sold (when new).
This is the reason to have paid a relatively high price for it (the car was really like new) and the other is... that I was able to sell my CL500 at a very high price because the buyer felt in love with the car and I was not interested in selling it.
Any of you have own a previous W140 car??
How does it compare with the w220??
Your comments will be appreciated.
I have some fears. The build quality seems less consistent than in the w140 serie but perhaps it is only a false perception.
And the reliability?
It's obvious that more "cost considerations" have been taken into account when the W220 was designed but also more rationality.
The w140 was certainly an "overkill" in many areas.
The w220 seems to be a much more practical and fun to drive car but with less boot capacity...
I must say it also lacks the "presence" of my previous CL500 w140 but possibly it is due to the extras of car (my current S500 W220 includes the standard 16" wheels and my old CL500 W140 had 18" AMG Monoblock wheels, custom polished).
Well, my post is possibly to long but would like to finish it asking help to select the right wheels for a W220 s500.
18" or 19"??
Airmatic is going to keep the comfort of my car if I am going to substitute my current 16" with new 19"??
I must confess I like a good compromise betwen comfort and performance. This is one of the reasons (not the price) to reject the purchase of a S55 AMG (2001) which was also available but that I didn't like (very nice car bur significantly "noisier and harder" than the S500, which seemed to me much more refined and equilibrated than the AMG)
I suppose that my dream car could be a S600 or even a S600K but not the AMG models.
Regards.
Jordi V.
Hello Jordi,
A hello from Sitges,
Congratiolations with your new car !
You can call me at 676 325 321 if you pass through. Remember next weekend its the classic car race Barcelona-Sitges.
Planning for a W220 S500 ´03-model, was in Villa. Franca yesterday, but the have no second hand S500´s
Saludos
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Original MB´s turn heads - pumped MB´s shakes heads
Thanks for the answer.
I've been very busy these days so was unable to answer before.
Unfortunately I missed the rallye of Sitges...
I live in Barcelona city.
My mobile number is 686982094.
Regards.
Jordi
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