2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S 500

2003 Mercedes Benz S500 Sedan You can just drive the S500 and not feel as if you're missing some part of the show. The car is the show, from its huge trunk and huge backseat to its amazingly comfortable front seats and perfectly balanced chassis. It is no wonder Mercedes is outselling its competition in this category, for the carmaker not only has all the brand recognition it could want, but backs that up with the most confident, comfortable touring car in the business. Forbes Magazine, October 2003 For consignment, a 2003 Mercedes-Benz S500 sedan with a title verified 134,034 actual miles. This is a flagship Mercedes model that had a base price of around $85,000 in 2003. Exterior This streamlined highway cruiser starts with projector beam headlights behind a flush cover and panel gaps that are tight with near seamless transitions, well executed on the window frames of the doors which encapsulate the interior and shed wind with ease. The chrome trimmed side molding adds dimension to the Brilliant Silver Metallic slap sides and the tail lights perched on the rear corners are perfectly flush to the body. Even the side mirrors are shaped to lessen drag and the embedded turn signals, while common today, were a premium luxury item 22 years ago. The 17-inch wheels match the silver paint closely and are in nice shape. Imperfections include scuffs on the bumper covers, some bubbling at a wheel opening and body edge, crackling, chipping paint and stress cracks on a bumper, curb rash and delamination on a wheel. Interior Mercedes quality holds up both in design and appointments and that is immediately evident on the door panels where a pleated gray leather insert accompanies burlwood trim, black switchgear, and two tone gray textured plastic. There's a touch of patina on the driver's door but all others are fresh. Gray leather bucket seats are luxurious with a touch of sport and side support over a large base with storage and electric controls and while the driver's side shows some typical patina, the others, including the three in back, are in very nice condition. Our steering wheel could use some detailing but the leather is intact and fronts an instrument panel with soft white illuminated gauges and odometer while an LCD screen in the center stack surrounded by function buttons on all sides and has AM/FM/CD with navigation and satellite radio capability. Burlwood covers the center stack where our shifter resides. The thick gray carpet could also use a detail but the headliner around the sunroof and overhead console is nice and includes vanity mirrors for rear seat passengers. Gray carpet and cloth panels finish the sizable trunk which presents cleanly. Drivetrain Under a robust shroud is the 5.0 liter SOHC V8 rated at 302 horsepower and mated to a 5 speed automatic transmission that routes power to the rear axle with 3.07 gears. Undercarriage Clean and dry underneath with typical patina and surface rust as you would expect given the mileage, but no invasive rust nor errant fluids to be found. It features an airmatic air suspension system so air struts are utilized front and rear, as are power disc brakes. The dual exhaust flows through original equipment and exits discreetly through two, downturned tips behind the bumper. Heat shields and splash guards are plentiful underneath and all are intact. Drive-Ability Quality breeds predictability and this car delivers a smooth drive with power on hand, nice handling, and a comfortable cabin. We run the gauntlet of switches and features and find everything to be in good working order and return to the mall with no rattles or odd noises coming along for the ride. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase. Here's a car that probably invoiced close to $100,000 in 2003 and you get to enjoy it for a fraction of original cost w