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Used 1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Consumer Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
15 reviews

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Pros
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    4.75 out of 5 stars

    S Class Quality

    98 S420 and S500, 03/28/2010
    1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S500 4dr Sedan
    23 of 23 people found this review helpful

    The 98 and 99 S420 and S500 in my opinion where the best years for the S Class. The new shape in 2000 is very nice but not the same presidence of luxury. Every vehicle has issues no matter what, however this one gave me a few since 2002 I paid exactly $6500 to do repairs. Other than that these are and where the best on Gas, Performance, Style, Luxury, Strength, and just about everything else. This is a driver not a day to day traffic car for bumper grid lock so don't use it for that, get the C Class or a Honda. You need to drive this 70% of the time on the Freeway or Hwy and you can appreciate the S Class for what it is. Mercedes Benz S Class 420 and 500 are the best hands down all the way...

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    4.5 out of 5 stars

    a trusted friend

    peter, 11/12/2009
    1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S320 LWB 4dr Sedan
    11 of 11 people found this review helpful

    I bought this car new in 1997 and had a few repairs over the years including transmission and a few other costly repairs took out insurance a few years ago and helped w repair costs. In short Mercedes can make a more durable car but w all that this I hesitate to trade in the car. It is so reliable and comfortable and fast. I have brought up 4 kids in the car and it still looks like a new car when waxed. It also is an innately beautiful car in terms of styling. Rec form me get one and hold on you will work out repairs and then it will be cost efficient for the years held. There is no other 6 cyl with 14 mpg that gets this performance going to an 8 is something I would never do

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    4.63 out of 5 stars

    1998 S320 LWB (6) Year Owner

    Mark S, 10/10/2009
    1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S320 LWB 4dr Sedan
    15 of 16 people found this review helpful

    The LWB S320 is my second Mercedes (replacing a 300E) and I hate to even consider trading it off. It is smooth, quiet although not a rocket off the line, it will hit highway speeds of 125 plus without issue. I hit and totaled a U-Haul truck that ran a red light several years ago and the Mercedes kept me safe and sound. The car was repaired and continues to be a great daily driver. I highly recommend buying and keeping a well maintained Big Body Benz. My wife enjoys driving the S320 as much as her Lexus especially on longer trips. I'm nearly 6'6" and I can tell you this is a great choice for a tall person wanting something besides an SUV or truck.

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    5 out of 5 stars

    Best car in the world.

    Igor Titar, 08/29/2002
    1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S500 4dr Sedan
    15 of 16 people found this review helpful

    The S-Class is the most beautiful car I've seen & drove. It feels like your driving a ship because its so smooth on the road, it is the creamiest & most comfortable ride & when you need to get somewhere quick it feels like driving a private jet. When I turn on the music it feels like Im at a consert. & when the ESP(traction control) system is on, it is almost impossible to lose control of the car, even if you try (I've tried, I took it out on the snow & tried all kinds of maneuvers to see if it looses traction) it almost feel like a train in its tracks.

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    4.75 out of 5 stars

    1998 S420

    Wes Benton, 07/28/2009
    1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S420 4dr Sedan
    9 of 9 people found this review helpful

    Great vehicle all around some small minor issues however in long drives superb!! great take off, great traction, sounf system is real cool, and speed 138mhp through Mojave Desert, CA. Stop on a dime!!! This is a First Class Car especially when its detailed Black and Black everyone looks at like a with a stare of (Who is in there?) great feeling. Must keep up service not that expensive about $800-$900 per year on the low end. Solid ride very safe.

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    4.88 out of 5 stars

    Saved my Life

    Saved my life, 03/24/2010
    1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S420 4dr Sedan
    3 of 3 people found this review helpful

    Absolutely loved this car from day 1. Rear-ended in January,2010 by a speeding vehicle. 87 yr old mom and I should have been totaled. I drove my car to the side of the road. I am looking for a replacement and want exactly the same car. I drive my Mercedes for 20 years and want another 10 in this model. If I could I would buy every single one on the road and drive a different color every day. This was Mercedes BEST...to date.

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    5 out of 5 stars

    Perfection!

    S-Klasser, 10/08/2023
    updated 10/11/2024
    1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S420 4dr Sedan
    3 of 3 people found this review helpful

    I have a s420 1998 and I need to share. I've had it since October 2020 and bought it with 297,000 km on it. I figured maintenance was more important than mileage. The car had been used to chauffeur people and I figured the commercial use meant maintenance. I got it for $15k AUD (about $10k USD) and it is a blue/green with light blue leather. It is absolutely the greatest car I have ever owned. I wanted a car with safety but not too many beeps. The brakes are amazing. It is the easiest car to drive ever. I have done many 12 hour drives in it which wouldn't happen in other cars. It is so sleek and powerful. Once it is warm it just glides along. I drove Gold Coast - Sydney in one tank. It loves the highway. Just east miles. The stereo is an 11 channel affair (11 different channels for 11 different speakers). It is mind blowing. Repairs are expensive. But what you get is great reliability, comfort, safety and a certain X factor. Pressing the accelerator fast when you are cruising along with give you a burst of acceleration better than most things on the road. I had a Golf R and it takes longer to gather up its skirt and get going. The Merc always ready. Similarly with getting out into traffic. Golf R would choke on its lunch before getting going and it was a heart attack maker. Merc "shoots" off the line. I look forward to driving it. I go outside just to look at it. I wash it lovingly. I love its character, I love its manner. Whether I am outside or inside it, it brings me joy. 3 years on and all up maintenance has been around 7k including Michelin (don't put anything but Michelin on and have them filled with nitrogen. it is like driving on liquid silk). I have only put like 15k on it in the three years but then we did have a global pandemic. Excessive petrol consumption does concern me but on the other hand if I drive this for the rest and don't buy something new (and also continue doing around 5,000 km per year) I feel like I'm somewhere neutral (I've installed solar and that also helps me feel like it is OK). I will drive this 7 hours one way for work rather than fly. I enjoy it that much. UPDATE OCTOBER 11th 2024 Got serviced. Even better now! I desperately want to buy another car but can't find one that competes with what I have.

    Safety
    5 out of 5 stars
    Technology
    5 out of 5 stars
    Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
    Interior
    5 out of 5 stars
    Comfort
    5 out of 5 stars
    Reliability
    5 out of 5 stars
    Value
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4.63 out of 5 stars

    S320 Mercedes

    MARK OUTTEN, 11/23/2005
    1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S320 SWB 4dr Sedan
    2 of 2 people found this review helpful

    I am coming out of a 2002 E320. There is a remarkable difference in the two. The S drives smooth. Dollar for dollar good gas mileage for a big heavy sedan. This car corners very well, stops very. I do see the on board computer technology different in 2002 vs. 1999. Better still undecideded

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    5 out of 5 stars

    Best Mercedes I have owned

    Vince S, 03/20/2003
    1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S320 SWB 4dr Sedan
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful

    This is my fifth, and best Mercedes, over the past 20 years. Purchased used with 30,000 miles on it. The quiet, smooth ride is great, and the power of the 320 engine is remarkable. Fuel economy is excellent, hitting 25 MPG on trips, and 21 MPG in town. Features are outstanding, especially the bose sound system. Nothing has gone wrong with the car in the 36,000 miles I have driven it. A truly fine automobile.

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    5 out of 5 stars

    Black Opal Beauty

    William G., 11/19/2022
    1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S420 4dr Sedan
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful

    1998 S 420: 306,000 miles to date ( November 2022 ) on the odometer. A joy to drive. Comfortable, spacious, responsive, agile and solid. Distinctive styling. Many have said to me that they wish they did not part with theirs.

    Technology
    4 out of 5 stars
    Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
    Interior
    5 out of 5 stars
    Comfort
    5 out of 5 stars
    Reliability
    5 out of 5 stars
    Value
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4.75 out of 5 stars

    STATELY BENZ

    PWa2902216, 02/03/2004
    1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S420 4dr Sedan
    1 of 2 people found this review helpful

    I bought this car thinking this is a keeper, that has remained to be seen. I would only recommend buying this car used and with a really good extended waranty-with the technology option.

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    4.88 out of 5 stars

    finest car made

    bluegreg, 06/02/2003
    1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S600 4dr Sedan
    1 of 2 people found this review helpful

    This is luxury. I have driven many cars and this is the finest car I have ever driven. only 750 sold in the US between 1995-1999. so if you get one it is one of an elite group.

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    4.88 out of 5 stars

    Solid automobile.

    joel1030, 03/17/2004
    1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S320 LWB 4dr Sedan
    1 of 3 people found this review helpful

    I leased this vehicle with low mileage from my business partner who had it for 4 years. It has been reliable with few problems. (However, the problems are expensive to get fixed once they occur.) I would highly recommend this car if you want top quality and willing to pay for the maintainance. Will be getting my business partners 2002 Lexus LS 430 nest year and will miss Mercedes materials.

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    2.25 out of 5 stars

    Must be Crazy

    Nancy02, 03/05/2003
    1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S420 4dr Sedan
    2 of 9 people found this review helpful

    My husband bought this car on a crazy impulse, He was so proud and happy about driving a benz around. He got a great deal and it only had 30k on it, but it has been nothing but trouble since he bought it. We have spend over $6000 on fixing this car since he bought it. It has been in the shop longer that it has been out of it. I know the person before me said that the vehicle is great, but I think he or she must me a benz dealer because everyone I talked to told me that they have had problems with their S420 as well. This was a mistake that we will never do again.

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    5 out of 5 stars

    When MB S420 was still a distinctive Car

    Robert S., 02/19/2007
    1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S420 4dr Sedan
    0 of 0 people found this review helpful

    Nothing but praise! Had a '95 S420 with problems.Give it a second chance, I am so glad I did. Black on black = prestige and class!I Enjoy every trip (San Fran to L.A) Satisfaction? Don't skimp with the services, it pays in the long run! Comfort and style = 1998 S420 MB!

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