2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Review
2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Review
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Mercedes-Benz S-Class model years
Mercedes-Benz S-Class types
- Sedan
- S55 AMG
See Edmunds pricing data
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Elegantly appointed and spacious cabin, feels nimble for its size, state-of-the-art safety features, strong resale value.
Cons
- Complicated COMAND system, not as athletic as some of its competitors, a few low-grade interior materials.
What’s new
An industry-first seven-speed automatic transmission is now standard. The navigation system is now DVD-based, and the Keyless Go system is now built into the SmartKey. Newly styled 18-inch wheels are optional.
Edmunds says
After a minor refresh last year, the S-Class is once again a top choice when it comes to a no-compromise luxury sedan.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S430 Rwd 4dr Sedan (4.3L 8cyl 7A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.32 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$276/mo for S-Class S430
S-Class S430
vs
$224/mo
Avg. Large Car
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
5 star(67%)
4 star(24%)
3 star(5%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(1%)
72 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.63 out of 5 stars
Rolled The Dice - Bought High Mileage
john77084, 08/17/2012
2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S430 Rwd 4dr Sedan (4.3L 8cyl 7A)
After turning 40 recently, I decided to properly kick-off my mid-life crisis.
I was going to go with either a boat or a car.
A 2004 S430 won.
I found one with 114,000 miles on it on Autotrader.
I suppose I got the "base" model 430, but it is absolutely remarkable.
The suspension, coupled with the car's sheer size, makes for an airplane like ride (sport settings are also present).
I've … taken it on 2 long road trips and been in very good spirits after arriving.
Tips for Buying Used:
*Comparison shop!
These cars depreciate wildly.
I paid too much.
Find the KBB price and stick with it.
*Have a genuine STAR diagnostics ran.
*Beware the "stuck in park" potential
4.75 out of 5 stars
Everyone should own one
Lionel, 11/10/2010
2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S430 Rwd 4dr Sedan (4.3L 8cyl 7A)
Purchased this car used with 55kms, it is now 7 years old and has 130kms. It continues to drive as well as it did 3 years ago and have not had any issues with it. Besides being smooth, comfortable, solid, reliable, powerful and surprisingly economical; it is has a sense of dependability and agelessness about it. It is a serious vehicle, you know, not a gimmicky in your face car,
5 out of 5 stars
Appreciating Depreciation
Gary Brown, 04/08/2016
2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S500 Rwd 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 7A)
When I purchased this Southern California car it was a one owner eleven year old $95K S Class MB with 63K miles. I paid 13% of the original price. As far as I'm concerned it is just broken in good. The price that I paid (lol) wasn't much more than the tax paid on the original purchase so I am appreciating depreciation.
Sometimes its good to be second. This is a great automobile, solid, … quiet, powerful, looks great and has a long life ahead of it. When you buy a used car of this caliber you are getting a first class top tier motor car for less money than the cheapest new base vehicle that will be rattling in a year. You give up the latest in technology but who needs it; yesterdays technology, for the difference in money, is pretty good.
3 out of 5 stars
Fantastic car ruined...
kldcoombs, 07/14/2015
2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S600 Rwd 4dr Sedan (5.5L 12cyl Turbo 5A)
... by inexcusable disregard for quality and repair design. In short, if repair costs scare you AVOID the S600, if you don't care about repair costs I highly recommend it! If you fall in between, read on . . .
This review is specifically for the S600, most of the problems are specific to - or worsened by the V12; unfortunate because this car is an absolute pleasure and blast to drive. … NOTE: See update at bottom after I owned this care for nearly 5 years.
I have owned and loved 3 Mercedes prior to this one. 1996 (R129) SL500, 2005 SLK55 AMG, 2003 ML500. The nearly 20 year old SL500 is probably the best car I have ever owned (and my wife frequently reminds me have owned more than 60). The ML500 is my wife's, 160K miles and it still basically drives like new with less than $2K of repairs (not including maintenance) over it's entire life. SLK55 was brilliant for the entire time I owned it.
I purchased the S600 used with 73K miles on it. Out of the 60 cars mentioned above, I have only purchased 2 new. When I purchase a used car I know it is used and plan on spending $2K or 20% of purchase price (whichever is greater) to repair things that have been ignored by the previous owner. I am saying this to provide context and to explain that I don't buy a used car and expect it to be like new. The S600, within 3 months, cost 50% of purchase price in repairs including:
1- Environmental control sensor (common problem on this version of S series) $400
2- Front ABC Struts, $2,400
3- Driver side Ignition Coil Pack $1,800
4- Plugs (recommended every 30K miles) $280 (NOTE: Labor for plugs was applied to coil pack above, otherwise plugs are $900 themselves for parts and labor)
5- Right and Left control arms due to broken bushings $800
Total = >$5,500
NOTE: Although the Struts are a semi-common problem on this version of the S Class, the problem is significantly compounded by the weight of the V12. Ignition coil pack is specific to the V12, on the V8 each coil can be purchased separately, in the 12 6 coils are grouped in a 'pack' meaning if ONE COIL goes bad you REPLACE SIX! Control arm bushings is an issue that is much more common in the V12 due to weight change and no change in design.
NOTE: I had a good mechanic go through this car prior to purchase, other than the struts, which I could argue he should have caught, the other problems did not present until I had driven the car for 1000 miles or more. The problems also didn't occur all at once, I fixed one, then another occurred.
That is the bad, on the other side of the coin, I am hugely impressed with the driving characteristics of the car. It is a nose heavy pig of a car that weighs well over 2 tons but acceleration is fantastic; I have a 2011 Corvette Grand Sport which will kill the S600 0 to 60 - but 30 to 80 the S600 is nearly even. The S600 takes aggressive corners (corners marked as 35 MPH taken at 60 MPH) and remains almost perfectly flat and entirely composed. With the ABC settings and ride height adjustments this car can go from feeling almost like a really good GT car, to a very comfy drive around (on really bumpy roads). All 4 seats recline, massage, heat and cool (although 'cool' is really ventilate and doesn't work very well). Finally, this is all delivered while getting about 25 MPG on the freeway (drops to about 12 around town).
I had planned on purchasing an SL65 or SL600 next spring (SL600 would replace SL500 - SL 65 would replace Grand Sport), at this point I do not intend to ever purchase a 12 cylinder Mercedes again. If I move forward with the Mercedes I will either go with the SL55 AMG or, more likely, the SL 550. That said, the incredibly crazy frequency of issues on the S600, and me having to avoid the top-end Mercedes models (the 63 AMG is still too new for my budget), opens the door to a Jaguar XKR, which which is something that was an almost non-option prior to my experience with the S600. Mercedes had a customer for life, that they have turned to an opportunistic shopper.
UPDATE: I just traded this car in for a 2008 GL550. Over the ~5 years and 64,000 miles I had this car it was amazing, and honestly I would still have it except (and I am not joking) I was using it as a tow vehicle for my 4 sear rzr and my wife didn't like the way it looked doing it. It had more power and more torque that the 550, and on the freeway handled towing with ease, although finding someone to put a hitch on it was a challenge.
In addition to the work outlined above, I had to change the other coil pack, and replace some vacuum actuators (probably didn't HAVE to do that because the faults were really annoyances, like the soft-close trunk having to be closed like a normal trunk, and the back headrests not falling. because I decided that the car had probably been neglected in terms of repairs, I have increased reliability to 2 from 1.
This is probably the most comfortable car I have ever owned for road trips. Darn, this is all the space tha
2004 S-Class Highlights
Sedan
S430
| Base MSRP | $74,250 |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Gas |
| Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
| Cost to Drive | $276/month |
| Seating | 5 seats |
| Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 15.4 cu.ft. |
| Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
| Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
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