Just sold my 1989 420sel and now looking at the above models.I love the body style but don't know what model to chose.I am retired and will not be driving on the hwy.very much. I am able to do some repairs like i did on my 420sel.
I would like to know what year has the least amount of problems.I have been looking at models with around 70,000 miles.
Thanks

I much prefer 97-99 models with 5-speed AT over the earlier 4-speed AT with second gear start. Since you had a 420, is there any aversion to an S420? It has essentially the same engine as the S500 with less displacement.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

Go one even better, 97 - 99 S320. More or less same inline 6 drive line as 97 and older C , E , SL. so it is inexpensive to fix. As with the SL, somewhat overlooked as many think they "need" a V8.

A bit heavy for the motor but since you are round town, it won't be an issue. It makes nice sound when leaned on.

Is the body design the same on the 97 - 99 S320 as the s500?

Yes. The S320 comes in short (GA32) and long (GA33) wheelbase. The V8s and V12 only come in long wheelbase in the US. The S320 had the 722.5 5-speed through '96. IMO the 722.6 5-speed from '97 is much better.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

Thanks guys.I am looking for a good car with low milage.
BTW: Does the 6 cyl.
engine have a timing chain and guides?

Found this car at CarGurus 2006 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S 350
What do you guys think?
Loganville, GA
Price $9,995
Mileage 89,619

The M104 in the 99 and older S320 has timing chain and guides but they are not failure prone like the V8 cars.

The 2006 S350 you show is an entirely different car that I don't know much about.

The s320 is hard to find in my area. I will try to find out what the difference is between them.

You would need to look around for a while / travel for the right car. The car isn't a 99 Chevy Cavalier where millions were made. There isn't much of a market for these big old barges making them a good deal.

Are you able to do your own work and to what level? I can fix anything so I tend to buy broken sub 125K mile stuff for pennies on the dollar and do preemptive repairs beyond what a running car is " worth " then proceed to get another 125,000 miles out of them.

There are a bunch on Craigslist in varying condition. Try to stick with 97 to 99 as it has the better ( electronic shift ) transmission. Regardless of where you buy, always have a reliable shop look at the car first.


https://atlanta.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=Mercedes+S320


Here are a few more.
Is in the "for sale by owner" section owner but I bet it is a dealer based on the pic. $ 2,490
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/d/1999-mercedes-benz-s320/6265124245.html

Says needs injector, probably one of the 3 ignition coils / wires / boots have failed as this is common on this engine. $ 1,995 ( too much given it needs work. )
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/d/mercedes-benz-1997-s320/6232651721.html

Says need transmission. There is a conductor plate that fails causing the trans to default to 2 nd gear. $ 525 , this could be a deal even it it needs a transmission. The salvage yard search site Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market used ones sub $ 800. https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/d/1997-mercedes-s320/6255528229.html

I don't know much about the W220 S350 but I think 2006 is in the range of having balance shaft i$$ue$.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

Are you able to do your own work and to what level? If it is a mechanical Problem the answer is yes[Only with the help of this forum] I have a budget of around 6,000.00.BTW: 6 cyl inline vs V6. When was the V6 introduced?

Just read this:Mercedes seemingly abandoned straight-sixes in 1998 when it launched the first V6 in its history. Can i assume that the 1999 s320 does not have a 6cyl. engine.

The 98 - 9 S320 still had the inline 6.

The V6 found in 98 + C , E , ML class is "same" as similar era V8 engines. I'm not sure when production of this engine stopped.

It comes down to taking a risk on an older car that has bottomed out in depreciation for little $ vs more $ something newer still on the way down. With the older car, you might end up having have more in it than it is "worth" ( on the open market. ) but that doesn't mean that it is a bad car.

An open market / retail buyer wants a car that runs and drives so they are mostly willing to pay for such. The market for DIY ( especially for a car that is perceived to be expensive / complicated ) it pretty slim and they expect good deals.

Have a look at this thread. Such a difficult time to part/sell used cars.

They just dropped the price of this car by 1,000.00Found this car at CarGurus 2006 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S 350
What do you guys think?
Loganville, GA
Price $9,995
Mileage 89,619

It is a V6.Is the V6 better then the straight 6.
Which engine has the most problems.And which is easier to work on?