https://centralmich.craigslist.org/cto/d/mount-pleasant-2004-mercedes-s600-v12/7160544844.html
I know this would not be a good idea, but on the scale of bad ideas that I normally run in, would this be monumentally horrific or has the potential to cart my Midwestern bulk around in absolute comfort?
Check replacement parts cost for common items... which for an S-class includes radiators, catalysts, and suspension components.
I have a feeling the first time you get a P0420 code you'll go down a very dark rabbit hole. You'll either try the $500/ea aftermarket cats and the code won't go away (and you can't return them) AND it will add a P0300 and a P0171 and P0172, or you'll just suck it up and pay $1300/ea for new Benz cats... which will make the code go away for another 30k. Then your radiator will spring a leak and you'll sell the car for $2000 because you'll be better off cutting your losses than paying for a new radiator.
I looked at the same basic thing. I was eyeballing an S63 AMG with 100k. It was a $190k car new, and it was on Ebay for $14k buy-it-now. Then I checked parts prices.
Most expensive maintenance item are the coil packs. Buy a bootlegs MB SDS to diagnose the issues.
Offer 2500. If you get burnt on it then you'd easily make a profit selling it or parting it.
I used to think mercedes had a special group to review every design and tell engineering how to make it more difficult to repair. Now I think they have this department and another one to make the difficult stuff more difficult. Wiring is a classic example, I have seen harnesses change wire colors at connectors, and wires seem to run the whole length of the car when they could just go 3 feet.
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