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      10-05-2016, 06:46 AM   #1
YouAreMyWorld
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Looking to buy 2008 W221 S550 with 188,628 Miles - But There's A Catch!

Any Mercedes owners among us?

Hello everyone, as the title suggests, a dealership that I've been loyal to for the past number of years currently has an 08' S550 for sale--the only thing is obviously the rather high mileage. As a BMW guy, I'm no stranger to German Automobiles or their possible expenses.

With that said however, my knowledge on Mercedes in general is rudimentary compared to my knowledge on BMW's. With BMW's, we're used to the engine(s) itself being relatively bulletproof while the surrounding components tend to be less than stellar. Thus I'm doing my due diligence and learning as much as I can about the M273 engine; so here's where things get a little interesting.

The car will obviously get a PPI and I'm able to request most things to be changed at the dealerships' expense, here's my list so far:

Water-pump
Starter
Front Left & Right Strut
Coil-packs & Plugs

So that's the catch! What else can I add to the list of preventative maintenance to ensure this vehicle will last for at least the next 5 years/100,000 miles relatively trouble free?

Information about the S550:
New Transmission

Carfax: https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistor...NG71X78A221516

VIN: WDDNG71X78A221516

Only two previous owners

In closing, what issues may be specific to this model/year that I should ensure are looked into? What else should I asked to be changed along with the aforementioned? Would YOU buy this vehicle if everything explained here would also apply to you? How confident are you in the M273 engine?

Asking price: $14,000

Thank you guys for your time!
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      10-05-2016, 06:55 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by YouAreMyWorld View Post
...

So that's the catch! What else can I add to the list of preventative maintenance to ensure this vehicle will last for at least the next 5 years/100,000 miles relatively trouble free?

...

Look around on YT. Here is a great MB channel... (although I think the W221 is too new for him to tinker with). Maybe try contacting him.

Mercedessource
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7K...xoDnqsiuwTn5og



With most MB products.... their air suspension or rear air suspension tend to go on them with miles. Most of the time the rear end sits way UP and is rock hard.

W221 problems...
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...+w221+problems

Good Luck,
Dackel
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      10-05-2016, 07:14 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by YouAreMyWorld View Post
Would YOU buy this vehicle if everything explained here would also apply to you? How confident are you in the M273 engine?

Asking price: $14,000

Thank you guys for your time!
The only way I would buy this car is if it was a second car. Even then I would never buy it. It doesn't fulfill too many boxes of interest.

I would never want it to be my sole means of transportation.

188k miles on an S-Class? I wouldn't want to buy a Honda with that many miles.

What makes you want this specific car? The price for $14k? The luxury? The looks?

Seems like there are better options out there.
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      10-05-2016, 07:16 PM   #4
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Do not spend 14k on a car with 190k miles.
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      10-05-2016, 07:37 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PoorLurker View Post
The only way I would buy this car is if it was a second car. Even then I would never buy it. It doesn't fulfill too many boxes of interest.

I would never want it to be my sole means of transportation.

188k miles on an S-Class? I wouldn't want to buy a Honda with that many miles.

What makes you want this specific car? The price for $14k? The luxury? The looks?

Seems like there are better options out there.
Primarily for the highlighted text. It would be a secondary vehicle. As for the price itself, I'm definitely going to negotiate on that depending upon what all I can get replaced at the dealers' expense.

I've owned several high mileage vehicles before, with none being too much of a money pit. Were they S-Class level? No, but they were also Mercedes and BMW's (older models).

From what I've learned about German cars, the engines itself tend to be extremely reliable--it's the surrounding parts that add extreme complexity to a proposition such as this.

Considering the vehicle in question has a new transmission, with the possibility of adding newer parts, I'm interested to see why other people would be "scared" of a decision like this.
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      10-05-2016, 07:39 PM   #6
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Would rather have a CL around the same era. A bit more expensive, but you can find one with less miles and personally they look better to me.

Problem with some of these cars is that they start to look quite dated. Looks like something someone like me would drive with a 20% auto loan to try and floss.
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      10-06-2016, 11:27 AM   #7
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Does this car have the auto sensing air shocks?

I had a GL450 and it was known issue and VERY expensive. Was not an issue for me since we don't keep German cars without warranty. however, buddy said it was well over $10K to fix suspension.
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      10-06-2016, 12:57 PM   #8
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I never knew S class help up their value this good. I guess they plummet in value to $30k then hold up it from there on like a thin and long noodle.
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      10-07-2016, 01:49 PM   #9
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You'd be buying an S-Class with some of the most miles for sale on cars.com right now. Why would you do that? It's an eight/nine year old car that's been showing its age for years now. Why do you need a secondary vehicle? Put that $14K into the bank.
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      10-07-2016, 02:16 PM   #10
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VIN: WDDNG71X78A221516
Year/Make/Model: 2008 Mercedes S550
Body Style: Sedan
Engine Type: 5.5L V8
Manufactured In: Germany
Search Results: 23 records of Total Loss Accidents, Major vehicle repair, neglect, abuse, Monster Attacks, and Inattentive Parenting found in our database

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* The last reported odometer reading was 188,628

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3 yr. 9 mo.
Owned in the following states/provinces California/New York/Wisconsin/Alabama/Puerto Rico/Illinois
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Last reported odometer reading 188,628


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      10-07-2016, 02:45 PM   #11
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http://thegarage.jalopnik.com/for-th...enz-1787538986

It's almost as if this was written for you
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      10-07-2016, 03:10 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by other_evolved View Post
http://thegarage.jalopnik.com/for-th...enz-1787538986

It's almost as if this was written for you
OP, have the dealership change this for preventative maintenance purposes
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Also our E90 330 and 325 will soon have some sort of boost. So there is actually more of a chance to get more hp out of a 330 then a 335 in my opinion
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      10-07-2016, 03:15 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by other_evolved View Post
http://thegarage.jalopnik.com/for-th...enz-1787538986

It's almost as if this was written for you
damnit, you beat me to the punch
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      10-07-2016, 03:39 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by other_evolved View Post
http://thegarage.jalopnik.com/for-th...enz-1787538986

It's almost as if this was written for you
Well, he did say
Quote:
The only practical solution? Buy a 2008 S550. Mercedes fixed their mistake with stronger balance shaft teeth, settled a class action lawsuit regarding the matter, and moved on to make other mistakes, like the CLA-Class.
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      10-08-2016, 07:37 PM   #15
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Meh.. How many more miles do you think it will last before something significant might break down? Engine, tranny?
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      10-08-2016, 10:15 PM   #16
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For Mercedes, anything can happen.
Since the car is very heavy and need a nice ride, they use soft brushing.
Brushing go very quickly, such as upper and lower control arm, bar link.
Broken Suspension string.
Oil consumption, new battery, light wire contact which easily corrosion.
New cat....
New HAVC...
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