[Nessundorma]

I am in the market to purchase a 2007 or later s600.

I am curious, having owned 4 Benzes previous which all gave good service with a minimum of trouble, if these cars have major problems that run through the line.

The one that I hear about most often is the oil cooler leak on the V12 which requires that the entire upper half of the engine be disassembled to replace a couple of $50 gaskets. Labor quotes for this procedure seem to run between 50-60 hours. So this isn't minor and letting it go is not an option since it dumps oil all over the exhaust system and catalytic converters.

The one I saw being redone on You tube was an earlier car, perhaps a 1999 so maybe there has been a permanent factory fix. I am currently driving a 73 300SEL 4.5 with 285,000 miles on it and other than routine stuff, brakes, plugs, front suspension pieces and a bladder or two it has been a real trouper. Original non smoking engine and original tranny.

Info on anything to be on the lookout for on 2007 or later S600s would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Jim

 

[s5benzo]

Jim , any car with a v12 is a completely different animal maintenance wise. The oil cooler issues were on the non turbo 2001-2002 5.8 v12 Mercedes . That engine was pretty solid , just oil cooler problems really killed it . 2003 and up 600's have 5.5 twin turbo v12. So no issues with the oil cooler , on this engine its externally mounted. Common issues are ignition coil packs which are about $1,200 per bank ( per side). Abc suspension has problems like the pump , could run a few thousand with labor to change. Abc hoses, flushes , maintainenance etc.. because of very limited room in engine bay , motor has to be removed to change turbos , motor mounts and so on . The v12tt is a very solid motor , just have to keep up on maintenance , fluids , and have some set aside for repairs because they are costly . Other members can chime in and add ... I'm sure I forget lot of small issues ,goodluck

 

[Nessundorma]

S600 COMMON PROBLEMS

Thanks for the update. I have to admit that the air suspension on the MB 73 300 SEL 4.5 required a bag or two and some adjustment from time to time. As for V12s I owned a 73 Jaguar XJ12 which was great fun but could be a pain in the ....uh....well a pain. Had four Stromberg Carbs that had to be synched or it wouldn't run right. Also had a problem with the valve guide inserts. If you overheated the engine even once they would loosen and eventually you would drop a valve. I guess the difference in both cars was the technology was Jurrasic in nature and I was young enough to work on them and there was plenty of room and almost nothing in the way of electronics. Fast forward 40 years and about all we can do these days is replace the air filter and on some cars probably not even that.

I think there is a lot of value in a 7 year old S600 and if you are into appearances, only a true afficianado will be able to tell it is that old. And since you are saving $100,000 on the new price if you can find one maintained by the book, original owner, garage kept you are probably looking at a winner. There is a lot of value and performance in an automobile like that

That said the old adage still applies to something in this category. If you have to ask what it costs to run, you can't afford it. My personal gauge for used cars is to budget 30% of the purchase price for repairs in the first 24 months. It almost always comes in close to that.

And thanks for the info on the oil cooler. I discovered after I posted that the car in question was a 2001.

Thanks Again,

Jim

 

[ImInPA]

Jim, Look at it this way. Everything is expensive on these cars. Period. From $1200 shocks to transmission parts that cost as much as some used cars. Now, take all of that and add in the additional expense of anything V12 and you have a pretty good idea. But, what a vehicle to drive!!! If ever there was a car that lived up to the 0ld adage, "in for a penny, in for a pound" the S class Mercedes is it.