Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1999 - 2005) S500L 4d Auto (99) (2000/V) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Oh, easy. Stuff the environment I am a fat cat - and I can afford to run a big beast.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

See above. Except when they are in it, then it's fabulous

Would you buy this car again and why?

No, Mercedes clearly forgot to paint mine with more than emulsion. Then they wriggled out of their laughable 30 year warranty and left me (and thousands of others) with a car that makes Fiat look like a byword for rustproofing. My ancient lawnmower is less rusty.

What are you likely to buy next?

I have bought a Jaguar.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£8,000

When did you buy the car?

March 2007

Did you get a good deal and why?

Drove a hard bargain over my W140 trade in, but then he still had my car in stock 10 months later...

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I had an excellent previous model but wanted something more up to date, a car of the 21st century.

What was the dealer like?

Helpful, friendly & honest.

What's it like to drive?

Well, so comfortable quiet and smooth that no journey will tire you; and when you want to press on, insanely fast.

What's it like to park?

No problem with brilliant parking sensors

Have you had any problems with the car?

I thought that lots has broken and failed: air suspension, heater, front wheel bearings, various electrical items but when I look back at my logbooks for other big cars I have owned over the same mileage it's actually about par. Maybe it's just that it feels very unsubstantial for a Merc.

What's most practical about your car?

Extra legroom and electric rear seats, plus the ability to raise the ride height, amazingly useful when we go skiing.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

As always, Mercedes' unrivalled speedtronic system.