Video test drive review: 1995 Mercedes Benz S500. - Page 5

**Playdrv4me** · #61 (**permalink**) 08-13-07, 06:22 PM

I'd say go with either the 320 or the 500 anyway, I dont think theres sufficient difference between the 320 and the 420 to justify the cost and added complexity of the V8.

**I~LUV~Caddys8792** · #62 (**permalink**) 08-13-07, 06:39 PM

Yeah, there isn't much of a difference at all. I was looking at my 99 S Class brochure this morning, and I think there was one thing that the 420 had standard that the 320 didn't and it wasn't anything major.

Now you and Elias told me to stay away from the S500 (and the 600 too) because of the problems with the air ride suspension... Is it a very problematic setup? Is it a four wheel setup like in a Mark VIII or Continental, or just a two wheel setup like in a Town Car? Is it just "load leveling" like on a Town Car, or do the settings change depending on vehicle speed, the level of steering input, acceleration and braking?

MN-STS-LOVER · #63 (**permalink**) 08-13-07, 06:49 PM

I'd say just stick with the N* if you can get a warranty! an hour ago I was behind a new 535i beemer...he saw the STS in his mirror and just expected a race! Gotta love the respect the props that the imports now give to the Caddy's!

96Fleetwood · #64 (**permalink**) 08-13-07, 08:00 PM

It only has it in the rear and I believe it is hydraulic.

Some of the later model S500 sedans could be ordered with the Adaptive Damping System which was on all four corners.

Go drive a S320, I haven't personally but I bet you will be impressed.

Check this out:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/548002

**I~LUV~Caddys8792** · #65 (**permalink**) 08-13-07, 08:10 PM

Ahhhh yes, the ADS is to M-B as Magnaride is to Cadillac.

Hydraulic suspension?! Ya gotta be kidding me! That sounds like a recipe for disaster.

96Fleetwood · #66 (**permalink**) 08-13-07, 08:17 PM

This one looks pretty clean.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/S320-...em110158569580

**I~LUV~Caddys8792** · #67 (**permalink**) 08-13-07, 09:22 PM

Daaaamn that's nice...want one soooo bad! I called over to the local M-B dealer's service department and asked about the auto leveling suspension....it is hydraulic....$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. No thanks.

**I~LUV~Caddys8792** · #68 (**permalink**) 08-14-07, 12:47 PM

And the cool thing is, if I decide to move in a new car pretty quick here, I've got a potential buyer for my '92, and he's a member here!

96Fleetwood · #69 (**permalink**) 08-14-07, 01:03 PM

Here are the latest Manheim sales for 1999 S320s:

08/03/07 LAUD/MIA Lease $9,700 90,404 AvgT AN 6GA Yes
07/25/07ATLANTA Regular $9,900 96,519 Avg BLACK 6GA Yes
07/24/07 ARENA Regular $12,000 64,839 Above TAN 6GA Yes
7/20/07 MANHEIM Regular $10,000 122,953 Avg BLACK 6GA Yes 07/19/07 ATLANTA Regular $8,500 196,508 Below BLACK 6GA No 07/18/07 MINNEAP Regular $10,300 72,753 Avg GRAY 6GA Yes

What else can you buy with all that luxury for under $12K!!

Or...My Dad will sell you his '96 Roadmaster Limited with 85K miles, factory tow package with 3.42 gears, factory cd player, heated seats... all for $4900

**I~LUV~Caddys8792** · #70 (**permalink**) 08-14-07, 01:39 PM

I'm pretty much sold on the S320. The only negative of that car in my book is the mediocre acceleration, atleast in comparison to a V8 S Class, A8, 740i or a Northstar Cadillac, and the fact it's rated 15/22 for something that's only got a 3.2L I-6.

**Playdrv4me** · #71 (**permalink**) 08-14-07, 03:01 PM

I guarantee youll see around 18 or 19 in the city, and 20 with my LS doesnt choke me at all.

Jonas McFeely · #72 (**permalink**) 08-14-07, 11:40 PM

Traitor.

77CDV · #73 (**permalink**) 08-14-07, 11:41 PM

15/26 from a 6? I'm deeply unimpressed.

**I~LUV~Caddys8792** · #74 (**permalink**) 08-15-07, 12:31 AM

In all reality, the ETC is probably the one I'll be getting. There are two black ones in my area. One is an '01, triple black, 75k miles, $13,000. The other one is a 2000, has a beige leather interior, the chrome wheels and with 51k on it, they want I believe $12,995.

Aside from that, there are two S320s in my area. One is triple beige, the other is triple black. What's more badass than a triple black Benz S Class? And after that, there's one A8 that I wanna look at...I think it's silver, with like 82k on it and they want $13,000. I think that's an '01.

I gotta call my insurance agent and get quotes on those and the 7 series. I've got a feeling that the Caddy and Audi will be cheapest, then the Benz then the BMW. After I get those quotes, I gotta call around and see what the costs for maintenance items are (brakes, belts, etc etc) to compare.

I'm gonna get up early tomorrow morning and go drive down and look at that 2000 ETC. The dealer is like 8 miles from my place and I should have enough time to go look at that before I gotta be at work at 10:30.

Destroyer · #75 (**permalink**) 08-15-07, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I~LUV~Caddys8792

In all reality, the ETC is probably the one I'll be getting. There are two black ones in my area. One is an '01, triple black, 75k miles, $13,000. The other one is a 2000, has a beige leather interior, the chrome wheels and with 51k on it, they want I believe $12,995.

Aside from that, there are two S320s in my area. One is triple beige, the other is triple black. What's more badass than a triple black Benz S Class? And after that, there's one A8 that I wanna look at...I think it's silver, with like 82k on it and they want $13,000. I think that's an '01.

I gotta call my insurance agent and get quotes on those and the 7 series. I've got a feeling that the Caddy and Audi will be cheapest, then the Benz then the BMW. After I get those quotes, I gotta call around and see what the costs for maintenance items are (brakes, belts, etc etc) to compare.

I'm gonna get up early tomorrow morning and go drive down and look at that 2000 ETC. The dealer is like 8 miles from my place and I should have enough time to go look at that before I gotta be at work at 10:30.

My '97 S320 cost me slightly less to insure than my '91 Fleetwood. Dont ask me why!.