I'm contemplating buying a 2001 S430. I checked Consumer Reports and they have very good things to say about it, EXCEPT that it has poor reliability. When I dove down into the details, apparently the problem area is the "electrical" systems.

Can anyone who has a 2001 S430 provide input (both pro and con) as to the reliability of the electrical systems? If problems, what specifically are the problems? Thanks very much for the help!!!!

Ken

 

hey i have a 2000 s500 and i havent had any electrical problems except for little things like, the window switches, sometimes the one touch will mess up and the window will go up and back down, the same with the sunroof switch it only does it when you do the one touch, also the steering wheel ajust you have to press it a few times for it to go down, other than that i have had no electrical problems with my car or any of the ones i know, but those problems i said are notoriuos in most mercedes models, so i love my car and ive had other mercedes models, some newer and they did the same thing, so i hope this helps, i would buy one of these cars any time of the week.

 

Hi Ken,

Go for it! The 2001 S-Class is the one model with the fewest complaints. I have about 60,000 on mine, with no problems whatsoever! Mileage is 19-20 in town, 22 with around town freeways combined with in town, and 33+ on long trips with cruise on. This is one fantastic car.

Do your own oil changes every 5,000 miles max, not 10,000 as MB suggests. Always use Mobile 1 0-40 wt. Use the MB filter, or Mann.

You'll love it! Have fun! You only live one time! It's only money!

 

Word on the street is that they fixed most electrical glitches during the 2000 model and before the 2001 model came out.