Used 1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Consumer Reviews
Used S-Class for sale
2...
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
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.
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.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Best car I've ever had.
Joe cash, 09/16/2008
1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S420 4dr Sedan
26 of 28 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!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2...