Used 1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 1997 S-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the S-Class since its last redesign.
The German tank
THE VIKING, 05/01/2010
1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S500 4dr Sedan
36 of 36 people found this review helpful
The most overengineered MBZ ever built. Love the Black leather, don't get the beige or gray. Even has a parking assist in 1997 ! I love this car. Best driving car I have ever driven. Parts are very $$$ if you buy this used. You can get one for 7K, but make sure it has been taken care of. Mileage is meaningless on this car. Maintenance is most important, and a good mechanic. These cars can go to 1,000,000 miles actually. I think it's in the world record book. The car drives like a sports car. The car is very heavy, so get the S500, not the weaker S430 or S300, there too weak to pull this much weight. And get black interior.
1997 S500 - The Last Great Benz
Viking99, 04/26/2010
1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S500 4dr Sedan
30 of 30 people found this review helpful
I have owned a few MBZ in my life. I had admired the W140 chasis on the road for many years. The square bold looks, & rock-solid build looked indestructable. New price: $ 100,000 A few points: Steering Wheel: If you can get a wood steering wheel. Hard to find. Interior: Black is the only way to go. Grey / beige don't age as well. Engine: This is a super heavy car. Don't waste your time with a V6. It's like using a wheel barrel to pull the Queen mary. Stick with 97-99. This cars can be had for 7K-8k used, but buyer be aware. Most of the lower priced ones need work of easily 10K - 15K. Get one with service records & an anal owner, that had the work done for you. 10K-15K
1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class for sale near you
3 of 11 listings
- S500 SedanMSRP: $18,995590 mi away
- S320 SWB SedanMSRP: $14,900608 mi away
- S320 LWB SedanMSRP: $7,9951,169 mi away
See all 11 listings
battlecruiser
hovocop, 04/18/2011
1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S320 SWB 4dr Sedan
39 of 40 people found this review helpful
I purchased this car a month ago used with 162000 miles on it. The price was right, and I thought it to be a "disposable" car. NOT SO!!!! I have driven much newer mercedes, and this 14 yr old car has not lost a step in performance or comfort. Beware of a "weeping" oil drip of this car. I was stunned and horrified when I discovered it. A little research on the internet told me that the oil should not be at the "max" of the dipstick. it should be in the middle. The key comes down to maintainance records. If you had an anal previous owner, you are in luck. If you had an owner who saved his pennies to get it (and did not want to spend his pennies to maintain it) you will have a bad experience.
Amazing Benz!
John Henry AIA, 03/31/2006
1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S600 2dr Coupe
21 of 21 people found this review helpful
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.
Black Beauty
Josh, 10/09/2015
1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S500 4dr Sedan
29 of 30 people found this review helpful
So long as you use full synthetic every 5000 miles and premium fuel, the 1997 s500 will be a loyal trusty steed. I love the black on black color combo, 11 Bose speakers and HID headlamps. Also the auto sensing wipers are great. 1997+ have these features stock.. The car is a tank.
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Last of the good Benzes
Doug Hall, 03/12/2005
1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S320 SWB 4dr Sedan
16 of 16 people found this review helpful
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.
Special experience
carfemme, 08/02/2014
updated 08/04/2017
1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S600 4dr Sedan
15 of 15 people found this review helpful
I have owned this car for 11 years. Bought it used with 90K mileage - had been in love with the look of the vehicle since I first saw it at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1997. When I found a nice used one, I bought it. Needed some work to restore it and I did that. It is a very fun and comfortable car to drive. Costs more than the norm to repair it, but it is an experience you just cannot find in a normal car. I use it for highway driving and know that I will have the performance and safety that I need. This car is vastly undervalued in the marketplace. It would be very difficult to find a similar car with the same features and comfort. Hard to find a good used one (like mine) but if you do, it is well worth the investment ... provided you are committed to paying more than normal maintenance costs. It is an elegant looking vehicle that attracts attention and most people cannot possibly guess its age because the design is so timeless. Someday I will sell it, but it will be hard to part with. Only one drawback. It can be difficult to find a qualified mechanic to work on the car since it is not a "regular" Mercedes. It was the most expense car that Mercedes produced in 1997 and is, therefore, not commonly found. Very unusual.
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Best car I've ever had.
Joe cash, 09/16/2008
1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S420 4dr Sedan
27 of 29 people found this review helpful
I bought this car in Nov. 1996. After 80,000 miles I had to replace the transmission. That was the blast and only unreasonable repair I've made. I now have 200,750 miles on it. At 200,000. the evaporator in the A/C was leaking and had to be replaced. It was costly, $3400. but it is a great car and I paid the price. My family suggested`I buy a new car, but even an E class was going to cost me close to $60,000. and since I love this car it was`a no brainer. The trunk is large, and as they say, I could raise a family of five in the back seat. When I buy a new car it will probably be a diesel, not because of gas mileage, but because of less maintenance. I get 17.5 mpg city.
500 S coupe
chet snavely, 05/31/2007
1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S500 2dr Coupe
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
This is the most amazing car I have ever owned. I love the size of the interior and firm comfort of the seats. The acceleration and performance is excellent. It is even good in the snow. Mechanically it has been no problem whatsoever. Tire wear has even been minimal. I still have the car because I can not find another that tempts me more than what I have. I don't think Mercedes has been able to improve on this overall car. They've tried and failed in my opinion. This is a great one.
The very best Mercedes ever built
Philippe sommet, 03/28/2016
updated 10/03/2016
1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S500 2dr Coupe
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
This is a cruiser,not a sport car! It loves highways It is as comfortable as a RR It has the best acoustic and stereo ever developed in any car It is smooth and powerful,extremely silent. Very roomy The most impressive Mercedes I have ever owned,my daily driver. To keep this beauty on the road comes with a price,do not expect a lot of back up from Mercedes since most of the parts are no longer available. When available,a single inside door panel was fractured 6100$,and on and on... In my opinion,a good car for older enthusiastic Mercedes's lovers with low miles range,a pure pleasure built to last!
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