What problems should i look forward to on my early W220
 

Hey guys I have a 2000 S500 which we just recently acquired... what problems should i be looking forward too??? I am still in favor of our W140... the W220 seems too "Jap-Like" I am just wondering however what should i expect? I already had to take it in for a check engine light.. (bad mass airflow) that cost me a pretty penny.. dealer didnt accept any warrantee.. i was over 124miles.... well thats what i get for holding things off i guess.. next up.. brakes.. i hear the rear brake rotors warp easily.. they do squeek while i stop reversing... so i guess its the rotors.. my brake pads also require replacement thanks to the great little icon flashing on the dash.. what else can i expect??? the suspension seems uneven while parked over night.. airmatic problems??? I dont know guys.. I will happily admit that i switched over to Benz.. but the thing is.. i am starting to feel the same way i did with the old 7er... Help me out.. thanks again..

Well, just like you I have both the early 140 and the early 220.

If you own your early 140 from day 1, you should know they have a lot of problems. This is by all means, same for 220.

The list, here are some:

complete lost of cluster. It wasn't a blown bulb because I could get everything light up if I drive with the door open (the LCD showing warning in RED). I ended up replacing the entire cluster.

Airmatic problems. The pump will die (I heard its water leaking related) and cause you to replace the pump, and 4 suspension stut.

HID light failure. replacing the entire light.

Trans oil leak. (cheap repair)

good luck with your car... its a very fast car compared to 140 but way too technical making it prone to problems.

Hello:

My father's 2001 S430 has suffered the same problems this year.

1. Complete loss of the cluster. Replaced under warranty.

2. Airmatic problems. The system died yesterday, warranty expired last week. Our tech is going to check it today. We'll see what went wrong.

I Have replaced Several Leaking A/C Evaps....On The W220s

Yeap...Air pump died.

cdplayer
 

As a precaution, look carefully at the tops of boths front struts. Look for small cracks. This is one way the air escapes from the strut causing the pump to run and run and eventually burn out.

And with some early strut designs, lifting the wheel off the ground ( as to change a tire) will cause the upper strut seals to blowout. Again the pump will run to compensate the air loss. Too much to handle. :kid: