Hi -

I have done some googling and read some forum posts so I'm not starting from zero, but I realize that what I'm going to ask is stuff that has been written about. So I'll apologize for having been lazy in not reading every single writing on this topic. The truth is it is so far out of my Mercedes interest that it isn't something I want to know too much about. It's for a friend's car and I owe him a favor.

Friend has a 2001 S600. He says that his mechanic says he needs the left and right coil packs replaced. After doing some reading, here is what I think I have learned:

• V12 Mercedes engine is an engine that is expensive to own.
• Coil packs fail typically between 50,000 and 70,000 miles
• Early part number is replaced by a later part number (which I have) and is backwards compatible
• MSRP for one side is $1350 from Mercedes
• On-line the part can be found new from a MB dealer for $1033
• Buying a used one seems to be poorly reviewed by those posting

So there is where I am.

Q1: Is what I have above an accurate summary?
Q2: Is "good advice" to a) buy the new parts if you plan on keeping the car and b) buy used parts if you are going to sell the car
Q3: If I can salvage the parts from a pick-a-part (yes, I see V12 MB's at the junkyard occasionally) is there any way to test the part or notice something about it that would lead me to think it a good part or a bad part?

thanks
Scott