Video test drive review: 1995 Mercedes Benz S500.

[96Fleetwood]

Originally Posted by Playdrv4me

In Cadillac's defense, any newer Mercedes feels like a tin can when you close it. The post 2000 cars are such a nightmare, even though they are drop dead gorgeous vehicles.

Although my Dad's SL55 AMG is a badass machine, it has been in the shop for 3 electrical problems that they just can't seem to track down. I guess that is why he got a 760Li instead of a S600 for Mom.

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

Originally Posted by 96Fleetwood

There is quite a bit of aftermarket for these cars, just check out that S32 link I gave you earlier in this thread.

Like "go fast" mods or "autox" mods? I'd like to get it to go a bit quicker..

Originally Posted by Destroyer

Thats what I've been saying, on the highway the car is NOT slow. Nail it at 60 or 70 and it will push you into your seat. I'm not calling it fast but I am saying it aint bad.

From a 60-70 mph roll, is it comparable at all to your Mark VIII's or your wife's old '97 deVille?

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by Playdrv4me

In Cadillac's defense, any newer Mercedes feels like a tin can when you close it. The post 2000 cars are such a nightmare, even though they are drop dead gorgeous vehicles.

So I've heard. I never cared for the '00-up S Class. Save for the AMG cars and the SL models, theres not a whole lot of newer Mercedes that I like. I think most of the new BMW's are ugly as hell too. At the last new car show I sat in all the new models and was dissapointed. They looked fancier but felt cheaper. The CLS was especially dissapointing cause I really like the exterior styling but sitting in it wasn't all that great.

[96Fleetwood]

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


Check out the mods that guy did. go fast, show, and handling. He has since sold that car, but he put everything he "planned" on that car. I think he has a M3 now.

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by I~LUV~Caddys8792

From a 60-70 mph roll, is it comparable at all to your Mark VIII's or your wife's old '97 deVille?

Unfortunately I'd have to say it wasn't as fast as either the Mark or the '98 Deville but it was comparable in the sense that it felt quick and revved high. Like the N* or the Intech its a DOHC w/4 valves per cylinder The last time I floored the Deville was on the highway, speed shot up to over 100 and the temperature shot up to 261 degrees (had to pull over for 1/2 hour to let it cool down), blew the headgaskets. I DONT miss that POS. If I were you I'd get a '94-'96 Fleetwood. Not as refined of a machine but a hell of a lot cheaper to fix and such great aftermarket support. The S320 does have issues from what I have read. Head gasket being one of them but its not an expensive repair like it is on a N*. Window regulators are another frequent repair. Also there is a T-connector on the rear of the motor on the drivers side that should be replaced. Coolant flows through it and with age they break. Once they break its only a matter of minutes till you overheat and need a motor but its a cheap repair. Like I said, I never had any probs with the Benz.

[Playdrv4me]

Yup the germans seem to suffer from weak coolant connections throughout. its merely something to keep on top of during your maintenance inspections. I really think the 320 is a great car... and better still if you happen upon one with the rare xenon light option.

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

Every sort of car has got issues, you just have to find what you like and deal with it, provided the issues aren't anything too serious or expensive.

Now when I go drive the S320s tomorrow, what coolant connections should I pay espeically close attention to? Is there something that always goes, causing trouble?

[Playdrv4me]

In the BMW's its the heater hose connections at the radiator that tend to become brittle and fail. From what destroyer said, the weakpoint on the Merc seems to be a T Fitting at the rear of the engine, I dont know how easy this would be to inspect.

[96Fleetwood]

Look for the faint smell of coolant with or without leaking.. just like you would with the Northstar.

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

Ironic...I blew the T-fitting on my deVille a few months back. I didn't overheat the motor, but it got hot, hot enough to trigger the "engine hot, turn off soon" light. Not an expensive part by any means.

[Playdrv4me]

I remember that! You had to get a special one from the dealer or something because the Autozone one didnt have something on it or something like that.

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

Yeah, somethin' wierd like that.

I'll be puttin an add up for my car in the classifieds section either tonight or tomorrow.

[96Fleetwood]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/50292...em190139898620


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/97-SC...em150150490344

[Jonas McFeely]

Originally Posted by I~LUV~Caddys8792

Yeah, somethin' wierd like that.

I'll be puttin an add up for my car in the classifieds section either tonight or tomorrow.

[Playdrv4me]

Chad, if you happen to spot one in the Tampa area let me know and I'll go look at it for you. My standards are *very* high (just ask Jesda, he has to hear me bitch all the time).