new buyer

You can check what expert technicians say about the S420 on RepairPal at http://repairpal.com/mercedes-benz-s420-1997. Mercedes last for a long time, if well-cared for. Maintenance and repair are expensive--it is a Mercedes!--and one of the biggest problems to watch out for are oil leaks.

I have owned a 1997 s420 since new. It has 155,000 miles on it. It has been the best car I have ever owned. I put a renntech air cleaner on it and heavy duty sway bar. It gets 25 mpg on highway It handles like a sports sedan w/o rough ride. Dunlop winter sport tires ARE RECCOMMED for year round use. They work well in snow, are as quiet as most all weather tire, and they substantially improve handling. They only last for 28k -30 k miles but are well worth it for the improvement in handling. This car must me maintained. The oil must be changed. Find a mechanic who works on these cars and buy parts needed from salvage/aftermarket dealer. I hit a deer and smashed the drivers front head light assembly. MB wanted about $1500.00 for the assembly. Got it from salvage yard for $175.00. Stay away from dealers unless money doesn't mean anything to you. Great Car