German Car Forum

Hi Guys,

Anyone has a catalog (in DOC or PDF) for the pre-facelift or the facelift variant of W220?

Basically, I'm looking for the list of standard and optional equipment for a June-2000 model W220 S500 (standard length). I've been offered to buy one, but I'm not sure if its car stereo supports MP3, how many speakers does it have, does it have xenon, etc.


Thanks,
Fiery

I have a couple of German-spec brochures of the pre-facelift W220 S-Class. They are at a different location which I will only be able to reach on February 28. So I can then see if they have the information you are looking for.

Thanks in advance

Since you seem to be into Mercedes technical matters, do you know which engine is the best pick for a W220, if the car has a high mileage? The car I've been offered has 168K kms on the odo, but I'm pretty sure they (or the previous owner) rolled it back, so potentially it has 200K kms or maybe even more. However, the price is only a fraction (15-20%) of a new W221 S500, so maybe by adding a potential service bill of EUR5000-7000 right after purchase (e.g. air suspension repair, gearbox renewal, small electronic glitches), I'm still better off with this car than a brand new W221 S500.

I'm just wondering if my hypothesis of S500 is the best choice with high mileage stands. Maybe S320CDI also has a rugged engine, so a non-turbo V8 petrol is nothing better than that?

I've also heard "horror stories" about dying (5GTronic) gearboxes of W220 pre-facelift versions. Is it a known issue that infects all pre-facelift models? If so, has it been fixed at the facelift? Maybe I should forget about this car and go for a facelifted one with 7GTronic? Of course I would love the facelift Comand system, it looks a lot more modern, but the price difference between a '00 and a '03/'04 W220 is a bit steep

Not sure, probably not
a lot
no

I have seen W220 with over 250,000 miles on them.
The transmission is probably the best auto ever built reliabilty wise. If it has had services done on it, it should be fine. If I were you I would stay away from 2000-2002 models and fine a facelife model. Electrical problems are much much fewer, plus all around quality is better.
500 engine is fine, not sure about the diesels I didn't deal with them here in the US, but they I would think would be fine also.

I would think you would be much happier with a 2003/04 with fewer miles, even if it runs a lot more right of the bat.

I've driven the S320 and S320 CDI W220 S-Classes and they both struck me as great cars to own, probably the most decent choices in the range.

The S320 is a 224-hp V6 and contrary to what most people will tell you it was pretty quick and fluid in terms of performance. Fuel economy is decent. The same engine is in our 2002 Mercedes E320 and we've had no problems with it. It recently cracked 100,000 km and has been problem-free.

The S320 CDI is however the better of the two. It's just as fast (even a bit quicker) and economical at the same time. Engine is quite refined too, though a bit loud when cold and in neutral. The engine is a known design, quite reliable and tough. She's capable of ranking up high mileage.

You might also want to check out the 2002 S350 models. The S350 is an enlarged version of the 3.2 V6 S320 (engine has been bored out to 3.7 liters, horsepower is up to 245-hp). It's a little quicker than the S320 and the extra torque means fuel consumption is slightly better.

The S430, S500 and the rest are going to be really fast, but the running costs are high. They need gas - lots of it.




The best W220s are the post-2002 models. MB fixed them up and they should enjoy better quality. Try to find a post-2002 car.

Hey, just in case these help for the moment.

High quality W220 S-Class Brochure Scans.

http://www.fedrelandsvennen.no/amcar...4/03s/03s.html

^i miss my old car

Thanks a lot Wow, this car has sooooo much more class than an A8 or a 7er I recently went to an Audi dealership, and sat into what I believed the facelifted A6. It was comfortable, fine and everything, but nothing special. When I got out of the car, I realized it was an A8 They really ought to add more luxury-feel to their next generation flagship car

I would just like to offer the option of the S400(later, 420)CDI as being in my opinion, the best possible choice for an S class. The 8 cylinder CDI models are extremely powerful, yet more efficient than the smallest gasoline engine, and have the durability of a heavy duty engine.

Sadly the old W220 400 CDI engine (with 250 hp) had many problems and most of the owners strongly advise against buying this diesel - for diesels the S 320 CDI (although it has "less" horsepower) is the right choice...

If you intend to keep the car, buy a petrol engine. Diesels are, with common-rail, a real pain reliabilitywise. Turbos and injectors are often dying between 100.000 and 160.000kms, especially if you fill it with not-so-good oil...

I drove a W220 S320. Was not slow, but not as refined as it should've been in the S-Class. You feel the motor is not at ease.

I then drove an S500. 160.000kms on the clock, and the car was like new. it was an early, 2000 model. The finish was still impeccable (what surprised me). The motor is just right, super-refined and smooth, perfect with the 5 box. Only the COMAND was dead (common problem with the first gen of COMAND).

I'd say, take a nice 500. You won't regreat it.

But make sure you have no Airmatic problem, 'cause that's expensive to fix. Not common, but when it catches you... The box is reliable, motors too. Only the 400cdi has a bad reputation (turbos and gearbox fragile).

I stand corrected about the 400, I only assumed that since the 420 my family overseas drives has been flawless, the earlier model would have been also.

I can say that the S420CDI (W/V221) is the best possible choice. The 7g transmission is very good at extracting the most power and keeping the most refined driving situation.

Not real crazy about some of the expensive repairs we are seeing on the Common Rail engines.

High pressure fuel pumps leaking.

I would change the oil every 5k miles without fail in a diesel. MB is insane to have owners going over 10k between services.

If anyone wants any 220 USA brochures, or owners manuals let me know. We can work out something plus shipping.