My 2006 benz has 228,000+ miles on it. I just had the blower replaced and when I picked up the car. The SRS warning was on. I took it back because it seemed to coincidental that they just worked on it and this happened. They removed the dash for the blower and SRS problem, they said, was the front passenger seat. They didn’t know what was causing the problem and after a week or so the problem seemed to correct itself and the warning no longer comes up.
I love my car, it drives like a charm. But, my question is: should I be thinking about trading this in or does anyone think I should keep it for another 50,000 miles. I have replaced the water pump a few years back. The tire pressure indicators are not working, but everything else seems ok. It costs a lot to do service on this car.
I am not sure what I should do at this point. My husband and I are retired and on a fixed income now, so I do have concerns about future problems.
This aging luxury car has several expensive features, which are probably ready to fail at any second
Such as the airmatic compressor, if it’s not been replaced already. Or the air struts, if they’ve not been replaced/upgraded yet. By upgrade, I mean the repair kit for the front, which helps prevent them from dropping
As far as service goes, I hope you’re not still taking it to the dealer. I euro specialist shop could handle most/all of the car’s maintenance needs
If you’re still on the original transmission, its best days are likely in the past
Bottom line . . . with 228K, many vehicles will be expensive to keep going. Many components are nearing the end of their life expectancy
It might be a good time to start looking for another car. It is always easier to seller trade a car without issues.
You actually have an S550 or an E350. There was no S350 in the US. Or you might live somewhere else. An S550 would start around $100,000, and that is probably too much for a fixed income. A new E350 might be too much, starting around $50,000, as well. The new C300 sedan is about $40,000 to start, and it is more like what you are used to, just a little smaller. The automotive press thinks that the E350 and C300 are best in class if you want a luxury car and are not interested in sport handling. The highly competitive GS350 from Lexus is close to the E350. Only the infotainment system holds it back. If you wait for the 2016 model year, the infotainment system will be easier to use. The Lexus will be less expensive to maintain than the Benz, too. If handling is important, the Cadillac CTS.is considered the best available.
There WAS an S350 in the US . . . for just the 2006 model year
It was a short wheelbase 220 chassis, with the 112 V6 engine, instead of the 113 V8 engine. What’s more, I believe the “350” badge was deceptive, because I seem to remember it had around 3.7 liters displacement
In other words, this car is a one year wonder
Pretty nice car, actually, but not common. There’s one that is always at my local supermarket. I suspect it belongs to one of the employees or managers
If you love the car and have the budget, than by all means keep it.
Normally I’d be concerned about an SRS light, but since it went out by itself it may have been as simple as the passenger seat having been unplugged and removed to access the blower motor and the engine started to test the blower without the seat being plugged in, and the SRS computer may have had to be recycled a specific number of times for it to clear. Note that I’m guessing here, but if the cause were still there, my feeling is that the light would still be illuminated. I’ve changed a few blowers over the years, and if I had to do so in my current state of disability and girth, I’d have to remove the seat first.