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2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Body style(s): 4-door sedan
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MSRP: |
S430
S500
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$69,700
$77,850
dest. charge: $645
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Notes
Long considered one of the standard-bearers of the luxury car segment,
the Mercedes S-Class was redesigned in 2000 for only the third time since
its debut in 1973 (not counting the previous W111/W108 models, which were
not officially called the S-Class). Bucking the most common automotive trend
of upsizing cars with every redesign, Mercedes shortened and lightened the
W220 S-Class, shaving two inches and more than five hundred pounds. This,
coupled with sleeker, sportier styling, was a response to the complaints
directed at the previous S-Class, which became symbolic of all that was
excessive and politically incorrect in the Nineties. To avoid losing
buyers who adored the bank-vault looks and construction of the out-going
S-Class, Mercedes was already developing the new Maybach brand, which
would eclipse the S-Class as Daimler's most exclusive sedan upon its
release in 2004. Only the long-wheelbase sedan was available in America;
the shorter standard model did not appear in the States until the
tail end of W220 production. Technology was increasingly prevalent in the new
S-Class: Stability control and side & curtain airbags were standard;
the cars also met low-emissions vehicle standards in the US. Even the suspension was
clever: pressurized air bellows replaced conventional springs/shocks, automatically
leveling the car's ride, and allowing it to be raised by an inch for rough roads,
and lowered one-half inch at high speeds for stability.
The COMAND system also appeared
as an attempt to integrate dashboard functions into a smaller interface;
its reception among buyers was decidedly mixed. Options
included a rear roller blind, rear dual-zone climate control, and
an AMG Sport pack that included body skirting, a lip spoiler, and
18" wheels. For a more executive feel, the sedans could specified with
4-passenger seating, which replaced the rear bench with individual bucket
seats, divided by a center ledge, and equipped with a wood console connected
to the front console atop the drive tunnel. Additionally, Designo Espresso/Silver editions allowed the buyer
a more distinct vehicle, with special leather tones, different woods for the
console, and matched metallic paint.
Of course, unique trim and paint could also be specified by the buyer, for a
special order charge of $1000. A V-12 engine would return
for 2001, along with the AMG-tuned S55. Although it packed even more
feature content than its predecessor, the new S-Class was notably
cheaper, even with a $1000 Gas-Guzzler tax on the S500.
However, quality problems were becoming evident in the
wake of the DB-Chrysler merger, and even the S-Class was not immune
to a decline in overall reliability.
Series: 2000-2006
design
Drivetrain:
Construction:
Seats:
Engine(s):
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longitudinal front-engine, rear-wheel drive
steel unibody
5, opt. 4
4.3L multiport-injected V-8 [S430]
Valvetrain: single-overhead-cam, 3 valves/cylinder
Bore x stroke: 89.9x84.0mm
Compression ratio: 10.0 to 1 (91-octane unleaded)
Horsepower (SAE net): 275 bhp@5750rpm
Torque (SAE net): 295 lb-ft@3000-4400rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manumatic (final drive ratio 2.82:1)
EPA fuel economy (city/hwy, 1985 test): 17/24mpg
5.0L multiport-injected V-8 [S500]
Valvetrain: single-overhead-cam, 3 valves/cylinder
Bore x stroke: 97.0x84.0mm
Compression ratio: 10.0 to 1 (91-octane unleaded)
Horsepower (SAE net): 302 bhp@5600rpm
Torque (SAE net): 339 lb-ft@2700rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manumatic (final drive ratio 2.82:1)
EPA fuel economy (city/hwy, 1985 test): 16/23mpg
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DIMENSIONS
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EPA Class:
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LARGE CAR
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Wheelbase:
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121.5"
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Length:
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203.1"
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Width:
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73.1"
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Height:
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56.9"
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Track, F:
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62.0"
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Track, R:
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62.0"
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Clearance:
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6.8" (std.)
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Curb weight:
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4150 lbs.
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Interior vol.:
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53/52 cu ft. (f/r)
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Cargo vol.:
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15.4 cu ft.
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Fuel tank:
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23.2 gal.
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Technical
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Tires:
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225/60R16;
245/45R18 f, 275/40R18 r (opt.: S5 Pkg.)
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Suspension:
(f/r)
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indep.: 4-link, elect. adj. pneumatic struts, self-leveling air springs, anti-roll bar
indep.: 5-link, elect. adj. pneumatic struts, self-leveling air springs, anti-roll bar
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Brakes:
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disc/disc, power-assisted (13.0" vented/11.8" vented)
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Steering:
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rack-and-pinion, variable power-assisted (ratio 17.8:1, 2.8 turns-to-lock)
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Active sys.:
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antilock brakes,
elect. brake distribution,
emrg. brake assist,
traction control,
stability control
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Airbags:
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dual front, dual f/r side, dual f/r curtain
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Standard Equipment
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S430
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Seating:
leather upholstery,
front bucket seats,
14-way power heated driver's seat,
14-way power heated front passenger's seat,
rear 3-place bench seat.
Equipment:
power windows,
power door locks,
heated power mirrors (electrochromatic driver, reversing tilt-down passenger),
power tilt/telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel w/ cabin controls,
memory system,
cruise control,
voice recognition,
navigation system,
LCD information display,
retained accessory power,
remote keyless entry,
power sunroof,
universal garage opener,
rear window grid antenna,
trip computer,
tachometer,
exterior temperature gauge,
power door assist,
power trunk assist.
Climate control:
air conditioning,
dual-zone automatic climate control,
underseat ventilation,
interior air filter,
rear defogger.
Entertainment:
AM/FM/weatherband radio,
cassette deck,
CD player,
10 speakers.
Cabin features:
center console w/ storage,
leather-wrapped floor shifter,
eucalyptus wood trim,
4 cupholders (2 in f console, 2 in rear center armrest),
3 ashtrays (1 in-dash, 2 in rear door compartments),
3 lighters (1 in-dash, 2 in rear door compartments),
integrated COMAND controller,
digital clock,
remote fuel-filler & trunk releases,
locking glove box,
f/r door bins,
front seatback map pockets,
f passenger footwell parcel net,
f underseat storage bins,
folding r center armrest w/ storage,
f/r dual map lights,
electrochromatic rearview mirror,
f/r dual illuminated visor mirrors,
carpeting,
floor mats.
Exterior:
7-spoke alloy wheels,
dual exhaust,
stand-up hood ornament.
Technical:
anti-scrape nose/tail suspension lift,
adaptive-damping ride-control suspension.
Lights:
daytime-running lights,
dual f/single r fog lights,
auto-on/off quad-lamp halogen headlights,
mirror-mounted turn signals,
LED brake lights,
LED CHMSL.
Safety:
theft-deterrent system,
telematics system,
full-size spare tire,
variable-intermittent rain-sensing wipers w/ heated washers,
emrg. trunk release.
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S500
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Equipped as per S430. Additionally:
Seating:
upgraded leather upholstery.
Cabin features:
walnut wood interior trim.
Lights:
auto-on/off quad-lamp xenon headlights,
headlight washers.
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Notable Options
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Major Packages:
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Designo Espresso Edition:
Seating:
special light brown seat leather.
Cabin features:
elm wood interior trim,
two-tone leather trim on door panels,
unique floor mats.
Exterior:
special Designo Espresso paint.
(S430 = $9300, S500 = $8500. REQUIRES HEATED OR CLIMATE COMFORT REAR SEATS.)
Designo Silver Edition:
Seating:
special shell-colored leather.
Cabin features:
maple wood interior trim,
shell-colored leather trim,
unique floor mats.
Exterior:
special Designo Silver paint.
(S430 = $10250, S500 = $9550. REQUIRES HEATED OR CLIMATE COMFORT REAR SEATS, SUNSHADE, & POWER REAR SEATBACKS.)
S1 Audio Pkg.:
Entertainment:
6-disc trunk-mounted CD changer,
voice-activated integrated cellular telephone. (all = $1620)
S2 Lighting Pkg.:
Lights:
auto-on/off quad-lamp xenon headlights,
headlight washers. (S430 = $1105)
S3 Comfort Pkg.:
Seating:
14-way power heated/cooled/massaging multi-contour driver's seat,
14-way power heated/cooled/massaging multi-contour front passenger's seat. (all = $1940)
S4 Convenience Pkg.:
Equipment:
radar-guided cruise control,
rear power sunshade.
Safety:
rear obstacle-detection system. (all = $3775)
S5 AMG Sport Pkg.:
Exterior:
lower bodyside moldings (side skirts),
18-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels,
front lip spoiler. (all = $4800)
Four Place Seating Pkg.:
Seating:
rear 4-way power bucket seats w/ 2-way lumbar, seat divider.
Cabin features:
wood rear console. (all = $5540)
Rear Climate Comfort Seats Pkg.:
Seating:
rear heated/cooled/massaging seats. (all = $1500. REQUIRES 2-WAY POWER SEATBACKS OR FOUR PLACE SEATING PKG.)
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Seating:
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Nappa leather (S430 = $800)
heated rear bench [or bucket] seat (all = $595)
power 2-way rear seatbacks (all = $1750)
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Equipment:
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power rear sunshade (all = $495)
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Climate control:
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4-zone automatic climate control (all = $1800)
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Safety:
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front/rear obstacle-detection system (all = $975)
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Performance
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Acceleration (0-60 mph):
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7.6 sec. (S430, C/D: 11/99),
6.1 sec. (S500, R/T: 05/99)
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Maximum speed:
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130 mph (governed)
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Braking (60-0 mph):
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138 ft.
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Roadholding (skidpad):
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0.76 g
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Slalom (100' spaced):
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58.1 mph
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Turning circle:
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38.4 ft.
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Other vehicles
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SHARED CHASSIS:
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Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
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COMPETITORS:
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Audi A8,
BMW 7-Series,
Cadillac DeVille,
Infiniti Q45,
Jaguar XJ,
Lexus LS 400
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Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan.
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