2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Review
2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Review





+92
Used S-Class for sale
Get More For Your Trade-In
2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class appraisal values can range from $1,025 - $2,622.
Find out what your car is really worth in minutes.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Stylish exterior design, spacious interior, nimble demeanor, powerful engine offerings, high-tech features.
Cons
- Complicated COMAND system, some cheap-feeling interior bits, BMW 7 Series is more fun to drive.
What’s new
One new model debuts this year with the S600. The S600 gets a powerful 12-cylinder engine along with standard Active Body Control and Internet access to keep up with life in the techno-savvy 21st century.
Edmunds says
Fast, luxurious and technically advanced, the S-Class should continue to be a favorite of movers and shakers.
Vehicle overview
Large Mercedes sedans have always been sought-after by the elite. They scream success, are engineered to be driven hard and make a powerful statement about the owner's financial security. The current S-Class projects confidence, prestige and good taste. For 2001, Mercedes bumps performance and amenities in the 12-cylinder-equipped S600 and offers the sporty S55.
Sporting a coupe-like profile and a traditional oval-headlight face, the 2001 S-Class looks lean and sleek while weighing nearly 500 pounds less than the previous-generation model. Careful attention to interior packaging gives the current version a roomy cabin and a large 15.4 cubic foot trunk.
Four models are available: the 275-horspower S430, which comes with a 4.3-liter V8 engine, the 302-horsepower S500, which boasts a 5.0-liter V8 under the hood, the new-for-2001 S55 with a 5.5-liter V8 and 354 horsepower, and the newly introduced S600, sporting a 362-horsepower V12.
All models are suited up with a fully independent four-link front and five-link rear suspension, ABS and brake assist (which reduces braking distance in panic stops), Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and BabySmart child-seat protection. Eight airbags are standard, including two head-protection curtain airbags and a passenger airbag that deploys with partial or full force, depending on the car's speed at impact. Active Body Control (ABC), which debuted on the 2000 CL500, is standard on the 2001 S600 and S55 (S430 and S500 buyers can get it as an option).
Also standard on the S-Class is the controversial COMAND (Cockpit Management And Data) system, which can be directed by voice commands, steering-wheel controls or buttons near the display screen. The system controls the navigation program, hands-free cellular phone and stereo/CD controls. Another advanced feature is Mercedes' TeleAid function, which puts a driver in touch with a Protection One representative for help in emergencies, roadside assistance or general information. A smart cruise control system, called Distronic, utilizes radar sensors to keep the car at a specified distance from the car in front of it. When the car you are following slows down, the S-Class automatically cuts power and can even apply up to 20 percent maximum braking to maintain the specific distances you have set. Distronic is standard on the S600 and is optional on V8 models.
Serious performance buffs will want to check out the S55 from Mercedes-Benz tuner AMG. Non-S55 buyers can still add some sport to their S-Class by ordering the S-Class Sport package, which includes an aggressive body kit with an AMG-designed front spoiler, sculpted rocker panels and a new rear apron. AMG Monoblock 18-inch alloy wheels are also part of the package.
Other S-Class features include a Bose Beta sound system, five-speed automatic transmission, optional ventilated seats that circulate air through the cushion, and, new this year, Internet access for e-mail junkies on the go.
Feature- and luxury-laden, the S-Class makes for an attractive executive conveyance.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
No other car compares....
adrockj,08/08/2011
S500 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
i purchased my 2001 s500 with 86K miles on it for $12K. i now have 188K miles and it still drives like new. i am still amazed that people still bring their cars to the dealership for repairs??!! ANY vw mechanic can work on your benz. it is not rocket science. i needed to have my water pump replaced and it cost me $500.00 out the door including parts and labor. other than that, i just … bring it to jiffy lube for the fluids and oil changes. this car has cost less in repairs than any other car i have owned and gets about 20 mpg.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Super automobile
billyq,09/07/2012
S500 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
I have owned my car since 2003, it currently has 212,000 mile runs as new, everything works. Maintenance is a must- after warranty never never take to a MB dealer - find an independant shop that work on MB's. The car drives better than the new S550, just missing the technology of the newer car, but rides and handles much better. take care of the car and it will take care of you in … comfort.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Beware of Dealers
jgbecker,02/09/2011
S500 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
I bought my 2001 S500 with 8,000 miles back in 2004, and it presently has 110,000 miles on it. I have been generally happy with the vehicle. My worst experience in owning this vehicle is having to deal with Mercedes Benz Dealers/Dealerships/Service Departments. Once your Mercedes warranty runs out, the
service departments at Mercedes dealers are forever trying to recommend unnecessary … repairs to the vehicle. The dealers are constantly looking to fabricate repairs to bill to the extended warranty company. Most, if not all of these repairs are unnecessary. The Mercedes dealers make the ownership experience miserable. Stay away from them and you'll do fine.
4.63 out of 5 stars
2001 S500
SWilliams,02/09/2009
S500 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
I purchased this vehicle used in October of 08. So far, it has been expensive to maintain but it has been well worth it. This is truly an outstanding car. I've owned Porsche, Lexus, Audi, Infiniti and this is by far the best. The ride quality is superb and it doesn't compromise handling. The car is eerily quiet even at 90+ mph. The navigation system works well, but it only has major … roads mapped in smaller towns or suburbs. I also really wish the CD player was in the dash. This car's size and countless safety features make you feel very secure. The command system takes some getting used to but isn't overly complicated. The interior is huge and very comfortable.
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Side Impact TestNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
- IIHS Small Overlap Front TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front TestNot Tested
People who viewed this also viewed
Starting at $54,950 |
See Inventory |
5 average Rating out of 3 reviews. |
Starting at $86,800 |
See Inventory |
Starting at $184,900 |
See Inventory |
More about the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
More About This Model
Please answer the following questions:
- Are you important?
- Do people wearing ski masks have a propensity to discharge firearms in your general direction?
- Do you make a lot of money?
- Do people want to get your money?
- Do you collect your paycheck from a government agency that officially doesn't exist?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you might need a more secure form of personal transportation than can otherwise be provided by your average rusted-out '73 Ford Pinto with broken door locks. You need something big and preferably Teutonic. This should be a vehicle that you could trust to protect yourself and your family (or other blue-suited government types with sunglasses permanently attached to their heads). You need a vehicle that can stop attacks ranging from sledgehammer blows to .44 Magnum rounds. You need, in fact, a Mercedes-Benz S500 Guard.
The S500 Guard is Mercedes' first official factory-offered armored car to be available to the U.S. public. It is not, however, the company's first armored-car product. Mercedes has a long history of offering factory-built protection vehicles to the rest of the world. The very first Mercedes automobile with special protection was the W 08/460 Nürburg, built in 1928. A variety of armored cars became available starting in the mid '60s (think the Cold War had anything to do with this?), including the Mercedes-Benz 600, the 280 SE 3.5, the 350 and 450 DE/SEL, and the 380 and 560 SE/SEL.
The main advantage of the S500 Guard over other modified armored cars is that the S500 Guard is purpose-built from the factory. Mercedes starts the armoring process when the car is still a freshly minted body shell. This allows Mercedes to more fully integrate the armored components into the car. Specialized technicians are responsible for installing all of the upgraded and armored components. As such, Mercedes says the effectively hand-built S500 Guard takes five times longer to build than a regular S500. Aftermarket security companies often have to start with a regular production car, meaning they have to disassemble the vehicle completely, install the armored components and then put the car back together.
Mercedes is quick to point out that the S500 Guard is not supposed to be a street-legal version of the M1 Abrams tank. Armor adds weight, and one of Mercedes' goals for the car is to maintain a high level of handling, acceleration, braking and stability. The purpose of the armoring is to survive an initial attack, thereby allowing the car to expedite its occupants safely from a hazardous situation. These hazardous situations might include carjackings, kidnapping attempts and other types of street-level violence.
To match up against these potential threats, the S500 Guard's armor meets the international ballistic protection standard of B4. The B4 rating certifies that the occupants are safe from all acts of mechanical violence (such as hammer or baseball-bat blows) and handgun rounds up to .44 Magnum in caliber. Mercedes does offer the S500 Guard with higher levels of protection, but only in other markets. Buyers in Russia, for instance, can get an S500 Guard that offers B7 protection, a level that is certified to stop all types of military automatic rifles and most hand grenade and bomb attacks.
Mercedes outfits the S500 Guard with a variety of components to make sure it meets B4 certification. Extensive steel armor plating is used for the entire occupant shell, including the doors, the A-, B- and C-pillars, the roof, the firewall and the rear bulkhead. Armoring prevents bullets from passing through door locks and the gaps where the doors are shut. On the doors where metal adjoins window glass, a meticulously tested labyrinth system prevents bullets from entering the cabin.
The windows themselves are composed of thick multi-layer polycarbonate security glass that does not splinter when hit or shot at. The glass is amazingly distortion free, and looks completely like normal glass until you power down the front windows and see that they are about 1 inch thick. Additional security upgrades include run-flat tires with a tire pressure warning system and an optional self-sealing fuel tank that resists fuel leaks when punctured by small-arms fire. To compensate for the additional weight that the armoring adds, the S500 Guard has reinforced suspension components and upgraded brakes.
Because of the aforementioned purpose of being an escape vehicle and not a tank, Mercedes does not provide armor protection for the engine or the trunk. The S500 Guard weighs 802 pounds more than a regular S500, a weight equal to carrying four or five adult occupants. Mercedes says more weight would degrade handling and acceleration too much. Additionally, it is highly unlikely a bullet fired into the engine compartment would disable the engine immediately.
The rest of the S500 Guard is surprisingly stock. In fact, from the outside, it is exceptionally hard to tell the difference between a regular S500 and the Guard edition. External dimensions and body panel styling between the two are nearly identical. About the only cues are the Guard's special wheels for the run-flat tires and its lack of a sunroof. No sunroof is offered on the Guard because it is considered too much of a security risk. Tele Aid, Mercedes' emergency calling system, is standard equipment.
To see if all of these additions changed the S500's character, we were given a chance to briefly compare an S500 to an S500 Guard. If you open the doors, the additional heft of the steel armor is quickly apparent. But once safe and snug inside the cabin, the Guard seems exactly the same as any other S-Class. All of the trim and controls are the same. In terms of handling, the Guard simply feels stiffer and heavier. It does not roll excessively, and ride quality is still quite acceptable. Mercedes says that the S500 Guard's additional weight adds about one second to its zero-to-60 mph acceleration time and about 5 feet to its 60-to-zero mph braking time. The car's top speed is still 130 mph.
In terms of a factory-built armored car that is covered by the factory warranty, the S500 Guard's only competition is the BMW 740iL or 750iL Protection. Both the Mercedes and the BMW offer similar levels of ballistic protection and feature content. The S500 Guard is more expensive, however, with an MSRP of $153,950 at the time of this writing. But as the saying goes, if you have to ask, you can't afford it. This is a real armored car for a world with real threats.
Used 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Overview
The Used 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is offered in the following submodels: S-Class S55 AMG, S-Class Sedan. Available styles include S55 AMG 4dr Sedan (5.4L 8cyl 5A), S430 4dr Sedan (4.3L 8cyl 5A), S500 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 5A), and S600 4dr Sedan (5.8L 12cyl 5A). Pre-owned Mercedes-Benz S-Class models are available with a 5.4 L-liter gas engine or a 4.3 L-liter gas engine or a 5.0 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 354 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class comes with rear wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 5-speed shiftable automatic. The Used 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class comes with a 4 yr./ 50000 mi. basic warranty, a unlimited yr./ unlimited mi. roadside warranty, and a 4 yr./ 50000 mi. powertrain warranty.
What's a good price on a Used 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
Which used 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Classes are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Can't find a used 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Classs you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a used Mercedes-Benz S-Class for sale.
Find a used Mercedes-Benz for sale.
Find a used certified pre-owned Mercedes-Benz S-Class for sale.
Find a used certified pre-owned Mercedes-Benz for sale.
Should I lease or buy a 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Mercedes-Benz lease specials
Check out Mercedes-Benz S-Class lease specials
Consider these recommendations
Related Used 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class info
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Hyundai Veloster 2003
- Used Chevrolet Astro 1990
- Used Rolls-Royce Wraith 2014
- Used Toyota Yaris 2013
- Used Ford Escort 2000
- Used Kia Sorento 2003
- Used Jeep Patriot 2013
- Used Cadillac DTS 1991
- Used Volvo XC60 2010
- Used Audi S4 2006 For Sale
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2021 GLA-Class
- 2021 Ram 1500 Classic
- 2023 INFINITI QX80 News
- 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
- 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
- 2021 Jaguar F-PACE
- Ram 2500 2021
- 2021 BMW X6 M
- 2023 Nissan Armada News
- 2021 BMW X1
Research similar vehicles
- 2022 Lexus ES 300h
- 2021 Elantra
- 2021 Chevrolet Malibu
- Nissan Altima 2021
- 2021 WRX
- 2022 BMW ALPINA B7
- Cadillac CT5 2021
- 2022 Volvo S60
- 2022 Challenger
- Acura TLX 2021
Recommended
- BMW I3 2018 Review
- INFINITI Q50 2012 Features Specs
- Used Oldsmobile Ninety Eight Redding Ca
- Used Nissan Rogue Foley Al
- Used Subaru Impreza Chippewa Falls Wi
Other models
- New Infiniti QX60 for Sale in Newburyport, MA
- New Audi Q8 for Sale in Bristol, VA
- New Cadillac CT4 for Sale in Sherwood, AR
- New Mercedes-Benz Metris for Sale in Morristown, NJ
- New Toyota 4Runner for Sale in Lake Mary, FL
- New BMW X3-M for Sale in Apopka, FL
- New Lexus Ux-250H for Sale in Beverly, MA
- New Chevrolet Bolt-Ev for Sale in San Carlos, CA
- New Lexus NX-300 for Sale in Thornton, CO
- New Mercedes-Benz Sprinter for Sale in Boerne, TX
- New Audi E-Tron-Gt for Sale in Azusa, CA
- New Audi Q7 for Sale in Asheboro, NC
- New Toyota Avalon-Hybrid for Sale in Stuart, FL
- New Porsche Macan for Sale in Lebanon, OH
- New Nissan Maxima for Sale in Tucson, AZ
- New Ford Shelby-Gt500 for Sale in Hackensack, NJ
- New BMW X2 for Sale in Glendora, CA
- New Porsche Macan for Sale in Owatonna, MN
- New Ford Transit-Connect-Cargo-Van for Sale in Cortland, NY
- New Kia Rio for Sale in Stow, OH
- New Chevrolet Tahoe for Sale in Rexburg, ID
- Used Mercedes-Benz Gle-Class-Coupe in Kirkland, WA
- New Jeep Renegade for Sale in Auburndale, FL
- New Nissan Leaf for Sale in Menomonee Falls, WI
- New Mitsubishi Eclipse-Cross for Sale in Griffin, GA
- New Nissan Versa for Sale in Hayden, ID
- New Toyota Corolla for Sale in Hermitage, PA
- New BMW 8-Series-Gran-Coupe for Sale in Shelton, CT
- New Chevrolet Silverado-3500Hd for Sale in Garden City, KS
- New Hyundai Santa-Fe-Hybrid for Sale in Lenoir, NC