As a newbie to the forum, I've started out with a loaded question. I've had several different MBs, including a 1993 V-12 sedan that I really liked. I currently have a 2000 S500 and am thinking about moving up to a newer vehicle. The S55s and the S600s have really taken a hit in the market and can be bought for about 60k. I know that my 1993 600 had some oddball service issues and it was tough to find decent and capable service people. As such, when I sold it, I decided to buy something more mainstream and bought the S500. But, the S500 has left me frustrated with things like the dash dying, windows working when they want and a shudder in the trans when you put it in gear. I honestly feel the early V-12 was more reliable. So, here's my question: I put about 8,000 miles a year on the car. Do I buy one of the hi-po cars or am I jumping out of the frying pan into the fire by doing so? The S55 and S600 have similar hosepower, with the 600 offering more torque. Is there a compelling reason to buy the 600 rather than the 55 or vice versa? Or should I be content with a newer S500?

 

You had the V12 i would go with it again but the 55 will handle a bit better other than that its up to u but the 55 maybe worth more years from now but since u no longer have ur 93 i dont expect ull keep it that long.

 

These will continue to dive in the marketplace, $60K today $30K in a few years. Having owned several of these, you know the issues and expense. Seems that the V12 is the way to go, resale howerer will drop more since so many are scared th own the V12 with it's service issues.

 

I agree. I do find it sad that such a well respected name as Mercedes has fallen so far in the marketplace. I know that the cars have gotten much more complicated and owners were expecting rolling miracles which did not break. At the price, I think rolling miracles was a realistic expectation, but I think this is just one more exampe of a company that is too slow to change its ways before it does unending damage to its market. During the past 10 years or so, while Benz quality has fallen, BMW has soldiered on, with its only major miss-step being I-drive.
The price premium of the 600, which was always seemed to be about $35,000 over a 500, has no real justification for what you actually get. But, like buying a 5 carat diamond instead of a 4, if you want it and can afford it, you buy it. To my perception, the S55 seems to be presented more as a driver's car with more suspension tricks. The 600 is presented as a car to be driven in, but has more torque. Since the 600 has softer suspension, it has a heavier feel, but the two are almost identical in the 0-60 times.
Looking at used pricing, the 600 drops below the S55 almost instantly, in spite of an initial cost difference of $15k or so. After 2 years, the S55 is solidly ahead of the 600 in price. Are the service issues between them truly that different?

 

I find it sad as well, I have owned 8 MB products including a '70 300SEL 6.3 which I wish I had never sold. My 87 300E was the zenith of MB quality and reliability. One can't blame Chrysler, MB quality and resale were falling well before the merger. You are right, BMW seems to be pressing on though their resale on the higher end models is poor too. In fact most high end Euro cars suffer this fate, have you priced an few years old A8 or Range Rover recently? The simply ugly 7 series drops big time as well. Makes me want to go out and get an '06 Deville in two years for cheap, they at least have good reliability.

 

Resale, maintainance, transmission, and rims are probably the highest perks for the S55. Go for it

 

I know what ur talking about when it comes to the A8 a few year old one costs the same almost as the A4. Same with all look at the 7-series vs the 3-series.

 

I am new to the group and just purch an '03 S600 sport for 39k. I expect maint issues. I found an exclusionary, or bumper to bumper, warranty of 5 yr 60k miles for about $3400. I would like to get the factory serv manual for this car so I can at least do some of the maint and find the mileage intervals for such. The car is incredible, but I suspect this big toy will have some high costs to own.

 

So, I went out and drove a couple of each. For those who have not experienced the cars, they are amazing. I've been driving an S500 and I had an early (1993) 600SEL, neither of which were slow. Both the S55 and the S600 are rated about the same in hp and torque. The S600 is twin turbo charged, and the S55 is supercharged and intercooled. I suspect the 600 is also intercooled, since I did see what appeared to be an intercooler radiator on the car, but there's so much stuff there that it is hard to see how it is plumbed. The S600 has a ride characteristic that makes it feel slightly heavier than the 500 and is noticably quieter inside. The bottom end acceleration is decent, but once the turbos spool up, it surges ahead very impressively. The factory quotes about 4.6 seconds for 0-60 which is prety good for the amount of weight. It is an ideal long distance highway cruiser since the suspension is very smooth and sedate. The car can be hustled, but it is the one you want to drive from Los Angeles to New York and back. And then there is the S55. I got in one and drove it a few miles to warm it up. I then climbed in the throttle when the light changed and could not kill the grin! The boost comes on right now and the launch makes you want to look around and see if it really has four doors. The new S65 is suppossed to be faster, but I don't know how it could be. Switch off the traction control and you're ready for the burnout contest. The suspension is noticably firmer than the 600 and the 500. The exhaust rumble cannot be missed and the car feels almost agile, which is a good trick for the amount of mass involved. So then came decision time. The good and practical side of me said "Hey, most of your Benz driving is freeway cruising. Get the 600 because it is smooth, strong, quiet, has a killer stereo and comforts you don't get at home." The irresponsible side of me said "Whaddaya nuts? You gotta be kidding! That s55 was FUN!" And I replied: But the 600 gets better gas mileage and the wife will like it better and it will be quieter so we can converse easier and it is easier to insure and is less gaudy with no front spoiler and is more comfortable and:


I'm now driving an S55............................................... ....Yeeeeeehhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!