Mercedes S280

Advantages: Fully loaded luxury motor leaving passengers and drivers wanting for nothing.
Disadvantages: Can be expensive if it goes wrong if you can't find the best repairshop. Initial outlay cost.

...Most readers will probably look at this review and overlook it; the common misconception is that the flagship Mercedes-Benz S Class is a luxury that many cannot afford. WRONG – You can pick them up for as little as £5000, considering they retail for over £60k at new, this is fantastic. But why should you choose the S over any other car? It is a Mercedes and the best of the lot!!! The S class has been around for many years and is currently on the W221 range, which came out in 2006. The review I will be writing is about the W220, in my eyes the nicer of the two. What you will come to appreciate is that the S class is the benchmark of the motoring world. What comes as standard on the S class today will be standard on a Mondeo in ten years time. The S280 cost £52,000 when new, my model with the extras it has came in at over £65,000. Today... Read review

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Advantages: None
Disadvantages: Timing Chain Slips at arounf 70,000 miles

...This car has a major problem with its timing chain. It can slip and cause immense engine damage (Piston cracks, Valves Bent, etc). It is very costly to fix. I would recommend anyone who has one to get the chain replaced at 50,000 miles. It happened my 2003 one at 65,000 miles. I was in touch wih Mercedes and they acknowledged it was a problem. Unfortunately it was out of warrenty. You get no warning despite a diagnostic computer system installed in the car. I would definitely not recommend this car. I have also been told by people in the car industry that it has happened to thousands of these models. Mercedes are not helpful and will fight you all the way to the court steps, which is very costly, before admiting liability.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Very high build quality, silent running, prestige, badge, lush, solid, fast, sumptuous.
Disadvantages: Difficult to park, dealer will empty your bank balence, large car - small....... !

...Mercedes 300SEL , S320 Limo 1993. How I acquired the vehicle… In my course of work (Mobile vehicle mechanic) I meet a lot of people in the trade. Because of this, I get the nod when any quality vehicles turn up in the scrapper (for what ever reason they were scrapped).... many times this is down to un-economic repair costs. Which are for this beast, astronomical? ...well if you are prey to main dealer prices and practices, cars like this will never be owned by the 'less well offs' and I include myself in that statement. It's better to be lucky than rich sometimes. For me, it's a case of; sod the usual car buying outlets and get your self down the scrapper. Lucky for me then! On first inspection of this car in the breakers yard, I was shocked by its size; it was huge, damaged, covered in dust + thick mud caked the wheel... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful