[timmy318]

Hello all! I hope I'm posting this in the right area (if not please advise)! I bought a Porsche 911 in '07 and now am looking for another car. I've been looking at the S600, CL600, and S65 AMG. I would love to buy one of the newer ones but can't justify spending that much on a car (okay, I can but the wife said no :crybaby2. Locally, there is a S600 and a CL600 for sale. Both have around 90K in miles. As I understand, the CL is pretty much like the coupe version of the S class. They're both fully decked out (keyless go, night view, massage seats, etc...). Every option except the "Designo Package" was taken. There is also a '08 S65 AMG not to far from me which I also really like (wasn't '08 where they really stepped it up?). All three are within my price range. But, how much is it to maintain these cars per year? My wife is the one who is supposed to be receiving the new car (a '14 E550 Cabriolet) but I found these and I like them. I need a bigger car anyways (I have a work truck but am looking for something more luxurious). Anyways, what are the good/bad/& ugly points to these cars? I don't plan on carrying more than two people a whole lot which is the only reason the CL600 is in the picture (I also heard they have a sportier feel which I kinda like). Okay, enough of my rambling. I plan on adding a kit that makes the car look newer (adding the headlights, mirror covers, DRL's, and a AMG body kit). I have a shop out back where I work on cars in my spare time (currently restoring a '69 Camaro) and can do most modifications there. Thanks in advance for the answers!!!

EDIT: Also, is there any type of remote start system for these cars? It gets cold here and this car wouldn't have a climate controlled garage to go to. All the space I have left is a carport, it'll be protect from all the elements except for the temperature.

 

[ImInPA]

Still letting your wife tell you what to drive?....Saw this exact post at MBWorld.org. If you can afford to go new, I certainly would. Especially with the AMG. If it has the Ceramic Brake rotors, they have been known to cause cardiac arrest when it comes time to replace them.

 

[KKDude]

I sold my 2010 S550 and bought a Tesla Model S. Best decision ever. Test drive a Tesla and see for yourself.

 

[cyberbiker]

Curious as to how much you sold yours for as I'm in the market for the exact car (same color and all) for my wife and trying to see what the fair market is at this time.

Also, considering the S400 Hybrid so any views from anyone on that model also appreciated.

 

[KKDude]

Sold it to CarMax (in SoCal) for $48k. Pearl White, Premium 2, 45k miles.

 

[2000 C280 Sport]

Drove one...

I sold my 2010 S550 and bought a Tesla Model S. Best decision ever. Test drive a Tesla and see for yourself.

I was impressed until I got inside. The outside has a really nice design. From there it was just blaa for me. The only thing I really enjoyed was the torque on tap all the time. Performance was good but then again its nothing a somewhat modern 600 Mercedes cannot do. The large tablet that is in control of almost everything really annoys me too. The gear selector was a carbon copy of Mercedes.

 

[2000 C280 Sport]

S350?

Curious as to how much you sold yours for as I'm in the market for the exact car (same color and all) for my wife and trying to see what the fair market is at this time.

Also, considering the S400 Hybrid so any views from anyone on that model also appreciated.

What about the S350 Bluetech 4Matic? A amazing car with AWD and amazing mpg. Power, fuel economy and quality build.

 

[cyberbiker]

What about the S350 Bluetech 4Matic? A amazing car with AWD and amazing mpg. Power, fuel economy and quality build.

That's a consideration though my wife is not warmed up to diesel yet.

 

[2000 C280 Sport]

That's a consideration though my wife is not warmed up to diesel yet.

Ahh yes. The significant others I am glad I do not listen to mine when it comes to buying a car. I would never have anything fun or anything I like. I had hell to pay last October when I picked up my 911

Take a drive! Have her drive it too! She will not even know it is a Diesel

 

[Josh]

Ahh yes. The significant others I am glad I do not listen to mine when it comes to buying a car. I would never have anything fun or anything I like. I had hell to pay last October when I picked up my 911

Take a drive! Have her drive it too! She will not even know it is a Diesel

Thankfully I'm still young and single!! I can do as I please :thumbsup:

However there is someone I have my eyes on who is slowly taking control :surrender:

But I've got a few more years before I decide to settle down!

 

[2000 C280 Sport]

Thankfully I'm still young and single!! I can do as I please :thumbsup:

However there is someone I have my eyes on who is slowly taking control :surrender:

But I've got a few more years before I decide to settle down!

Get out while you still can!

It can be a beautiful thing or a nightmare. As long as they do not take control of your fleet! :thumbsup: I have been with my other half for almost 9 months now. Who knows maybe I will Marry? She just rolls her eyes and shakes her head with anything car related. I love it! Did the W210 Build and she never said anything. She is great that way! I recently just did 2 IPads with WiFi access in the rear headrest of the W212. She loves it! Again just rolls her eyes. She is trained well

Before her I was with someone else when I picked up the 911 last October. Hell to pay and never herd the end of it. Made for a nice Halloween...

 

[cyberbiker]

Ahh yes. The significant others I am glad I do not listen to mine when it comes to buying a car. I would never have anything fun or anything I like. I had hell to pay last October when I picked up my 911

Take a drive! Have her drive it too! She will not even know it is a Diesel

Yeah, I got my SL550 a while back so now the wife wanting an S-Class. Will have her test drive the S350 to see how she likes it. Salesman suggested the same as well when we mentioned the S400 so we'll check out both when we go in.

 

[zambussi]

Seems everyone forgot the original question. Timmy, buy the 600 and chip it to get the power of the 65. The 65 has a very hard ride compared to the S600 or CL600.
They are expensive to maintain, but if you can afford a 600, you should be able to afford the repairs. I pay around $ 14,000 per year to maintain 2 x S600's.

 

[regnant]

Why are these V12 engines really so costly namely S65 W221 ? These are not reliable or just because you can afford V12 in this respect everything needs to double when it comes to maintain them ?
I am interested in two V12 cars and one S63 AMG .
One of the V12 S600 has only 60K kilometers , 2008 model year facelifted
Other V12 is S65 only 8000 kilometers ,designo model year 2009 ,price wise you can easily buy W222 S350 lol
Other car is S63 AMG with 125K kilometers on the clock
I think it's not a wise move to trade my trouble free W212 '12 for one of these because I would not like to open a can of warm
Sorry OP, hope you don't mind

 

[2000 C280 Sport]

The 600 Mercedes cars are going to be more expensive to upkeep due to 2 large factors. One is the ABC and the other is the V12. A engine that large has many moving parts and are very complex to work on. Mostly it is the labor cost. I have been very happy and lucky with my CL600 in the time I have had it. It is due for its first service soon but so far no issues. ABC system is very complex as is its large bi Turbo V12 and the control and wiring is so different then mostly anything out there. . Get a good pre purchase inspection and if a warranty is available buy one. I do not see a issue getting 200-300k out of these engines and transmission but however it is the electrical's that go with it that will need care.

 

[2000 C280 Sport]

Seems everyone forgot the original question. Timmy, buy the 600 and chip it to get the power of the 65. The 65 has a very hard ride compared to the S600 or CL600.
They are expensive to maintain, but if you can afford a 600, you should be able to afford the repairs. I pay around $ 14,000 per year to maintain 2 x S600's.

How many miles on your 600? Eventually mine will be at that point of around $5,000 per year upkeep. Hopefully not for a long time however.

 

[hapaschold]

That's a consideration though my wife is not warmed up to diesel yet.

2 nd that wife wont know it s a diesel ! !

the negative stigma of diesel is finally wearing off. the audi commercial having a young woman filling her audi up with diesel is a awesome idea.....

not many s350 leftovers around, least in my area.....and looks like no S class diesels till next year some time...guess they want to build out as many gassers as possible first.

 

[regnant]

The 600 Mercedes cars are going to be more expensive to upkeep due to 2 large factors. One is the ABC and the other is the V12. A engine that large has many moving parts and are very complex to work on. Mostly it is the labor cost. I have been very happy and lucky with my CL600 in the time I have had it. It is due for its first service soon but so far no issues. ABC system is very complex as is its large bi Turbo V12 and the control and wiring is so different then mostly anything out there. . Get a good pre purchase inspection and if a warranty is available buy one. I do not see a issue getting 200-300k out of these engines and transmission but however it is the electrical's that go with it that will need care.

Thanks for your informative reply :thumbsup: .Upkeep wise it sounds like buying a Rolex Submariner every year lol

 

[2000 C280 Sport]

Upkeep on a 600

Thanks for your informative reply :thumbsup: .Upkeep wise it sounds like buying a Rolex Submariner every year lol

Rolex? That will all depend
It will vary depending on if the previous owner up kept it correctly. If not you inherit all of their issues and lack of upkeep and that is how the bills pile up fast! To be honest to budget a couple grand per year for a 600 Mercedes is very good and not all that out of the ballpark. However, when someone says something along the lines of "I spend $10,000 a year on my 600" There is something the matter.