[demonicdonkey]

I was looking at some 98's and 99's and was wondering if there is a big difference between the S500 and the S600? I know there is a power difference but is there really anything else? I like the W220's but it seems the the 00's and 01's have got some bug problems so I started looking at the W140's.

 

[NZ Benz]

Well it's a V12 rather than a V8 but I'm pretty sure you knew that. The real difference is that the interior in teh S600 is different from all the other W140's except some of the speced up S500's from Europe or Canada. It's got two tone leather and it's all stiched with the leather dash and suede headliner. Generally speaking on US market cars they have alot more options however that's not always the case for euro specs.

 

[SimonClaringbold]

I think we also determined that the S500 is about 1-2 MPG better economy than the S600.

 

[miroxz]

S500 is the way to go especially if you get 97 & up. 600's have waaay to many probs and not that much of a difference power wise. people that have 600's do so because they can vs. knowing when to stop on the i-dont-need-this-option list

 

[Musikmann]

From what I've read on here, the 12 cylinder engines, regardless of the year, are very expensive to maintain. I'd love to have one, but I can't do any work on my own cars.

Also, the 600s are a bad idea to buy new because they depreciate in value fast.

 

[Musikmann]

I was looking at some 98's and 99's and was wondering if there is a big difference between the S500 and the S600? I know there is a power difference but is there really anything else? I like the W220's but it seems the the 00's and 01's have got some bug problems so I started looking at the W140's.

I think the point to underline here is that you are comparing the last of a model run with the first of the next. If it were me, I'd rather have a late-model W140 than an early-model W220. Also, this "rule" applies to almost any car you care to name, not just Mercedes.

 

[NZ Benz]

S500 is the way to go especially if you get 97 & up. 600's have waaay to many probs and not that much of a difference power wise. people that have 600's do so because they can vs. knowing when to stop on the i-dont-need-this-option list

See this comment always comes up and by and large it's not true, the ONLY costs that a 600 has over the 500 is the man hours that it takes to work around that massive V12, but even then the 500 does not have that much room in the engine bay either. 1996 and upwards all wiring loom and ETA issues were fixed so a 600 thats 96 and up or has had those items replaced should be the same to maintain as the 500.

 

[Benzkid27]

Your cost for tune-up and oil changes will be more due to more plugs and quarts of oil...both are great cars

 

[S320_on_18s]

the 600's have all those nifty little interior features...well some have more than others...im pretty sure reclining rear seats were standard on all 600s, then there are the sued headliner and leather stitched dash like someone said, sometimes you'll find one with a rear sunshade, possibly some on the rear side windows too...two tone leather like someone said....the v12, obviously...the v12 badge on the C pillar...that's all i can really think of off the top of my head.

 

[miroxz]

im just saying that the S500 hits the sweet spot for 98% of the people out there. the other 2% should seek financial advice

 

[NZ Benz]

the 600's have all those nifty little interior features...well some have more than others...im pretty sure reclining rear seats were standard on all 600s, then there are the sued headliner and leather stitched dash like someone said, sometimes you'll find one with a rear sunshade, possibly some on the rear side windows too...two tone leather like someone said....the v12, obviously...the v12 badge on the C pillar...that's all i can really think of off the top of my head.

Yup I'm enjoying those reclining rear seats....hehe. Oh and my rear sun shade and my rear climate control.....God I love euro spec cars...

 

[NZ Benz]

im just saying that the S500 hits the sweet spot for 98% of the people out there. the other 2% should seek financial advice

Yup ok so the 600 does take more oil, more plugs, and has I think two MAF's but particulary if you get the later ones you don't even have to worry about caps and rotors. The only thing that would worry me would be the engine mounts oh and the cops....

 

[Benzkid27]

Some 500's have the rear reclining seats(mine has it) I was looking at buying a v12 but was told to stay away from them unless I have a warranty and dont live in a HOT Climated area..so I opted out of the 600 and went with 500....and its pleanty fast when I need it to be.

 

[dantefr]

Its a tough call. I will tell you this.... don't drive an S600 unless you plan on buying one! I have 2 S500s and a friend has 2 S600s (95 and 96) and they are AWESOME! If I had to go back, I would have waited and bought a 95 or newer S600 over my first 93 500SEL.

 

[ghost]

Just buy a clean w140.

I owned a 97 s500 and currently own a 97 s600.


My s500 had the rear reclining heated seats among some other extra options. I really never used it. The rear shade, never used that either. I got it tinted.

As i said in my opening statement and have said this many times, alot of people with s600 really never have any problems with their v12, neither have I. Most of the problems are problems common on other w140 i.e window regulator, suspension etc... Of course, their might be additional labor charge, incase the mechanic wants to go around the v12 motor to reach an item.

I do like the look of the s600, in terms of the two tone leather (mine is black/gray), the wood steering wheel, and of course the V12 on the sides just for bragging rights . I never push mine much, but i like how the v12 throws you back in your seat, if you step on it.

So, if had a choice between a really clean s500 and a clean s600. I will take the s500. Or you can combine both and get a grand edition s500, basically an s600 with a v8.

 

[S500L]

I just typed this reply on another forum, but here it goes again:

The S 600 is more powerful than the 500, yes, BUT the engine is substantially heavier, giving the 600 a considerable more heavy nose feel and not even an impressive difference between 0-60 times.

The best car magazines (like Car -England- and Auto Motor und Sport -Germany-) always commented on what a waste of money the S 600 was compared to the 500. ONLY on extremely high speed driving situations (above 100 m.p.h.) the 600 would really out perform the 500, everywhere else the 500 will be right up to 600. This comments are related when the models were new. Now that used costs are almost even between an S 600 and an S 500, an S 600 doesn't sounds too over the top, as long as you want to put up with the extra expense to keep it in great shape.

The S 600 is expensive to maintain (mainly because the engine is too large for the engine bay: making access to ANY component a headache and this raises labor costs substantially and also because there is almost two of everything -injection systems, et.al-).

The S 600 is a great car as a top of the line symbol and as an over the top toy for arab kings, Hong Kong millionares and U.S. rap singers. The S 500 is, in my humble opinion, what really a great and reliable Mercedes-Benz top-of-the-line car should be.

 

[Brett San Diego]

The S 600 is a great car as a top of the line symbol and as an over the top toy for arab kings, Hong Kong millionares and U.S. rap singers.

lol. I decided to give up my life as a rap singer. The Hong Kong millionaire gig was tempting, but I now live the more humble life as an arab king. It's really not that bad.

Brett

 

[ghost]

I am missing one part of the "Arab Kings".... ..... the "kings" part. The other part I already got.

 

[SimonClaringbold]

The original cost of the S600 is quite a bit more than the S500, but on the second hand market I found the price of similar aged examples to be roughly the same (within 5%). The S600's do depreciate more, but that's the attraction of buying them second hand! I figured the original purchaser of the S600 I ended up buying paid $3 a kilometer in depreciation - yes I got it with a little over 100,000 k's on the odo and $300,000 cheaper than new!
When would I otherwise be able to buy a AUD$300,000+ vehicle? When I'm re-incarnated as a Arab King, rap star, or HK millionare? No, when it's 9 years old, 2nd hand, and probably travelled only 25% of its usable reliable capability.

I didn't actually set out to buy a 600. I listed all clean low milage W140 500's (about 3) and 600's (2) for sale. The first pick 500 was sold before I got there. I saw a rough 600 - UK import, but the 2nd 600 was in such good condition that I was hooked.
To date no regrets

P.S. doing some DIY greatly reduces the maintanence cost - as does having a good MB indie mechanic and parts supplier.

 

[jcmbz]

I live in Hong Kong. My 97 S600 does not give me any big troubles for my 2 years ownership. I am glad that I trade my 97 S500 to this car. It is the FLAGSHIP.
What i did for the car for the past 2 years:

1) Oil changed and AT oil changed (and other liquid that need to be replaced regularly) regularly, it takes 11 quart of engine oil which cost me about USD70 (5W50 Full Syn), Filter cost USD8 and Labor is US12

2) Spark plugs x12

3) Brake Pump, which is about USD700 plus labour

and that's about it.

Here is hong kong is very hot and humid during summer and the temp can raise up to 98 degree..... keep in mind that we do have tons of traffic jam here and the average travelling speed is about 15-20miles/hr, and touchwood my car still survive!

However, i think you do need some luck to get a good S600, coz i saw some troublsome S600 here in Hong Kong!
GOOD LUCK!