Solid construction. Outstanding performance for this size car. Roomy, comfortable. Super upscale appearance.

Somewhat more engine noise under acceleration than I expected.

I've had a driver's license for over 30 years--driven lots of cars. None come anywhere even close to the comfort of this car. I drove the family over 850 miles in 1 day with ease--in other cars you'd get more fatigued in 3 to 4 hours than this car on a 12 hour trip. That to me was the real test. There's no vibration, cruising at 80-85 is totally safe and effortless. This is maybe the best highway car on the road.

Around town the performance and features are not as noticeable but it's so flashy you get noticed. This car is not for the Casper Milquetoast--it's very conspicuous. Hotels and restaurants, if you valet park, they leave your car near the front door to dress up the place. Other drivers will often move out of your way because they know you are a-coming!

The steering is sensitive to road camber. Driving around town it will pull toward the right just a bit, if the road slopes to the right. It isn't a problem it's just a characteristic. It's very precise steering, not a trace of play.

No faults to speak of. One rear seat belt jammed the first week--the dealer replaced it. The Continental tires seem squirmy relative to the Michelins, although the former may be better in winter. I have really been pleased with the dealer service.

Lots and lots of gadgets, some are nice, a few are not totally necessary. You do need to read the owner's manual on this car. The navigation system is nice, not that hard to figure out (my teenage daughter figured out all the features in 10-15 minutes without using the manual). Recently the navigation seems to be a bit inaccurate (it thinks you are about 100 yards behind where you really are), I assume this can just be recalibrated by the dealer. Stereo is fine but the 6-CD changer is in the trunk. Voice activated phone works great and this is how all car phones will be one day.

I leased; this kind of car you probably should buy because it will last 10+ years and still be great. It ain't cheap but it's a fine fine car.

Similar Products Used:

BMW 5- series. BMWs are a lot less roomy. Higher performance but not as solid, may not last as long as M-B.

-Looks GREAT!
-Drives Great!
-Great luxury!
-Very Flashy!
-Everyone knows it is expensive!

Mercedes service is very dissapointing. My particular S500 came out the factory as a defective model, it had a bent frame that caused the car to drive funny and handle like some American car. Instead of replacing the $85K car I was forced to wait almost 2 months for another to my specs. And I was not compensated in any way. I am very dissapointed by Mercedes' customer service. I only went along with the 3rd rate service because I liked the car.

Paid 85k. Car is OK, I am anticipating the new BMW 7 series, I recommend you wait for that. But if you like to have the Mercedes it is nice, even though the interior quality is not 1st rate.
I bought the car because money is not an object for me, I consider it a toy that I am not too fond of anymore,but my whole ordeal with Mercedes N.America has soured me some against the whole company.

Similar Products Used:

BMW 750il
Jaguar XJR

Brilliant Car. The best executive car in the market. Beautiful looking..great handling and brilliant acceleration. This is a drivers dream.

Abselutely none!

Great car though it is expensive. But for what you get its great. I think you should defineetly go for this one in the luxury cars department.

Similar Products Used:

BMW 7 series is good but it can match up in the driving class the Mercedes S class is far better looking and has better features.

Huge Interior, Comfortable Seats, Rock Solid Feel

Cornering, Dealer Service

I loved the S500. Performace (especially cornering) wasn't as good as the 740 or the Q45, but it was not meant to be a sport car anyway. The terrible experience I had to put up with the local dealer made me decide to give up this car. Lexus had superior service & better reliability. Surprisingly, my local BMW dealer quite friendly (most aren't in my past experience).

Similar Products Used:

BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS400, Infinity Q45

looks, power, luxury, sound system, interior room, really nice car!

its been in the shop for a week now, right after it died in the middle of the street and we had to get it towed. overpriced car based only on aestetics and not on reliability. prior to the break down there were at least half a dozen occasions where we had to bring the car back to the dealership to be fixed.

~$90,000 preordered brand new from the factory with upgraded stereo, rims... the works! I would NEVER buy a mercedes AGAIN! I hope no one else buys it either for their own sake. Now that Mercedes has been merged with an american company, they are pumping out bad car after bad car.

Similar Products Used:

95 MB S500... got stolen before we could see how good it was, 98 MB ML320... also a piece of crap, 94 acura integra... absolutely wonderful with no problems at all, 86 honda accord... still running great with only one problem in its life time and that was when the battery died from us not using it for a year! honda and acura's blow away these overpriced MB's.

Solid construction
Fit and Finish
Amenities
Bargain

None

This car suits my needs, and then some. It has superb handling, and overall charm. This car is definatley the chick magnet I hoped it would be. I highly recommend it if you have the means. I did find one drawback in this car. It does not offer the Protection Package that is optional on the BMW 750iL. It would have been a nice edition to an otherwise great car. I paid 101,500 for this car including the options and shipping.

Similar Products Used:

BMW 750iL
Audi A8 L
Lexus LS400

Awesome interior, navigation system is cool, quite smooth ride, and great acceleration for a car this size.

Expensive, and I have to watch out when parking.

I got this car six months ago as a graduation present from my father. It is a nice solid car; however, I would have liked a more sporty looking vehicle like the BMW M5. Nevertheless, my father really cares about safety; and nothing is safer than Mercedes. He intends for me to use this car for another ten years; well, don't really mind it. Anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if this is the best car in the world right now. When gliding in the city, it is quite, smooth, and extremely comfortable. When on the high-way, this car can out-accelerate most other sedans in its class. However, I don't really get the back-in-seat sensation because the car is so well built and big; thus, even though the car zooms off at a great pace, it doesn't seem that fast. Stereo system is awesome; it looks great, awesome leather interior; and although this 2000 model looks smaller than its predecessor from the outside, the interior room is actually slightly bigger. Well, what else can I say ? This car has got everything.

Similar Products Used:

BMW750IL, Jaguar Vanden Plas, Audi S8

Reliability
Power
Style
Interior Space

I have driven this car over 100K miles with no problems. Air pump that controls the door closing devices was cracked and replaced at 100K but other than that just maintain it and drive. It still looks and drives like new.

Purchase price
Hard to keep front end aligned
Sometimes hard to park when others park too close to the line.

I paid $93500 in 1992. This is a lot but considering the life span of this car it will end up costing the sames as a Cadillac, per year. I would highly recommend the car. With 100K on it the paint is still flawless, the interior still looks new, and the car drives like new. The ergonomics compare with new cars. The car is extremely solid and, I'm guessing, would be very safe in an accident (which is primarily why I bought it). I also drove and 88 300TE which I just sold which was the same way. I could not justify driving anything else than a Mercedes automobile, even if all I could afford is a $3000 mid-80s E class. They are the best.

Similar Products Used:

Mercedes 300TE. S-Class is just as reliable with more seating room and power. These are expensive cars but definitely worth it.

The Sweet sounding engine. The Silky transmission, Look at this awesome quality look at the leather, the wood, the paint it's SWEET. The BOSE Beta II system is so refined, and it sounds Awesome, let me repeat AWESOME. This car is so solid when you shut the doors you hear solidity. The mirrors in the rear seats, those are cool. You have to have the massaging seats, it feels wonderful. The new shape is fresh and has a lasting impression.

There are no negatives of a luxury sedan.

Paid $90,000 for the S500. Without a doubt recommend this product. This car is refined in all of it sounds.

Similar Products Used:

I also own an SLK it just as reliable so far, with NO problems.

The car has a very strong engine. Smooth & quiet ride. Pure Luxury

New Electronic suspension system has failed, and is a little noisy when you are outside of the car. The navigational system is difficult to operate and is very limited outside of a major city.

The vehicle is an absolutely beautiful car. The navigational system has a lot of limitations, but it is a fun car to drive. You do not feel like you are driving a four door sedan. You feel as if you are driving a luxury sports car.

Similar Products Used:

MB E class