1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Consumer Reviews

Amazing Benz!

Written by: John Henry AIA on 03/30/2006

Vehicle

1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2 Dr S600 Coupe

Review

A great car for a big person. Seating is the best in its class. Performance is there when you want it. Whisper quiet, soaks the road up. Best on the highway but slow cruises catch attention. Can be a bit wallowy but shock adjustment allows tighter handling. A very heavy car, so not typically thrown around corners, but can be. Large trunk, thirsty engine, but supremely satisfying. Very rare to see on the road. 'Slab' look does not feel outdated, especially in the coupe. Reliability is very good, but parts are pricey when required. Midrange acceleration is amazing. This is not a dragster. Great looks, super feel, quiet and extremely comfortable mean a 9.5 out of 10 for me.

Favorite Features

Radar type warning when getting close to objects is nice. Steering and braking very good. Quiet inside and so comfortable for 6 footers. Leather stitched dash is nice. All controls great. Adjustable front and rear suspension height for larger rims/tires.

Suggested Improvements

Yes, the cloth under dash could be more elegant. A bit bulky, but that is the nature of this chiseled out of rock luxury automobile. Newer models seem less solid and overstyled. This is the last of the best big Benz's.

21 out 21 people found this review helpful

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Last of the good Benzes

Written by: Doug Hall on 03/11/2005

Vehicle

1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4 Dr S320 SWB Sedan

Review

I have owned about 10 mercedes, this 1992-1999 S Class is among the last of the truly good ones. Bought my 1997 used in 2000, pure joy. Love driving it, 23 mpg in mixed driving, gets lots of compliments at 8 years and 105000 miles. Strangers ask if I want to sell it. Black/black leather, Looks positively new, very reliable overall. These are very complex cars, buy one from a dealer with all records and the "Starmark" extended warranty, buy extra coverage to 36 months/100000 total miles. 1997-1999 are the best years, 5 speed auto, updated wheels/climate control/stereo, 1992- 1996 wiring harness and head gasket problems corrected.

Favorite Features

Ride, styling, safety features, large trunk, people are very impressed by it even though you could buy it now for about what an Accord costs

Suggested Improvements

14 out 14 people found this review helpful

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420S Mercedes/not driven much

Written by: Dee Stavola on 07/03/2004

Vehicle

1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4 Dr S420 Sedan

Review

Garage kept.Black on black. Two other cars not driven.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

2 out 15 people found this review helpful

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THE BEST CAR EVER!!!!! MERCEDES FOR SURE

Written by: karpathos77 on 03/12/2004

Vehicle

1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4 Dr S320 LWB Sedan

Review

I bought it with 110000 miles. I still have not done anything to the car but change the oil every 5000 miles and change the spark plugs. It is smooth over bumps. This car gets great gas milage. On a full tank with normal driving you can get anywhere from 450- 540miles on a full tank. The interior looks like brand new. Like the car has never been sat in. Lots of leg room. Engine always runs smooth with no wineee noise. it can go 155 miles an hour no problem. The car is the most stable car in the world. It should have been a race car. If you are in to looks and big wheels this is your car.

Favorite Features

My favorite feature is the black leather.

Suggested Improvements

No improvments

10 out 11 people found this review helpful

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Style and Class-The S class

Written by: betty from Florida on 03/06/2004

Vehicle

1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4 Dr S320 SWB Sedan

Review

Finest S class I have owned, and it's been a great car, EXCEPT for the transmission problem. Had it rebuilt once, and acting up again, so now I'll trade it in. Too bad, otherwise I'd be driving it another 5 years. Had my other s class Mercedes 10 years for one and 11 years for another. Great car otherwise.

Favorite Features

SEATS - no other car ever had such great seats, especially if you get the luxury sheepskins from Mercedes.

Suggested Improvements

Air conditioning a little weak for Florida, and they still need to solve the transmission problems. Without any problems, the transmission is like silk.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Great Wheels

Written by: MRDC on 02/14/2004

Vehicle

1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4 Dr S320 SWB Sedan

Review

Putting the costs aside, this vehicle has been an excellent ride. The solid feel on the road with its good performance is everything one should expect from a car of this reputation. The simplicity and understated elegancy makes this a real winner. All problems were handled under the warranty and the extended warranty (a definite buy given the costs of repairs).

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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My Last Mercedes

Written by: VWRattletrap on 10/10/2003

Vehicle

1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4 Dr S420 Sedan

Review

This was the car that turned a certified car nut like myself into someone who just wants cheap transportation. I bought this car new and in the first year had over $10K of warranty work . . . I finally sold it after 12 months and bought a Volkswagen! A partial list: engine torn down to replace timing chains due to constant whine, transmission slip shifting, rattles, radio not connected at the factory, temperature sensor intermittent, damaged paint, and finally, the total arrogance of the factory zone reps!

Favorite Features

The solid nature of the car. Feeling of heft and security

Suggested Improvements

Benz has continued downhill with the build quality of the ML, C Class, and others. Can't think of anything that would bring me back to Mercedes. C/D put it quite aptly: "Anyone with wiggle room on their MasterCard can afford to get into the Benz."

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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The Black beauty

Written by: JRW on 05/09/2003

Vehicle

1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4 Dr S420 Sedan

Review

The S 420 is an excellent example of German made excellence in motorvehicles. The comfort level is impecable and is one of the smoothest rides i have ever ridden in. The car is perfection at its best.

Favorite Features

Some of my favorite features are the smoothness of the ride, the luxery inside and the exterior styling is tops.

Suggested Improvements

A lower price to start with the original "New" out of the package price was around 90 thousand dollars and today the value has dropped to a baffling 25 thousand dollars in 6 years, I think the price should be lower to start with due to the tremendous deppreciation.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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hot

Written by: dannydyno on 07/27/2002

Vehicle

1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4 Dr S500 Sedan

Review

the mercedes s 500 is the best car in the world

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

7 out 8 people found this review helpful

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