2002 Mercedes S430 Review - Troublesome Comfort

[@earthfeeler]

Love your take on the W220. Here's to hoping that we can put another 170k on it!

[@frfr3936]

just broke 180k on my 2003 s430

[@ubiased23]

If you are a mechanic, then you should buy the 2002 Mercedes S430/S500. When everything is working well in this car, it is an amazing and comfortable car.

[@ericgiddio1259]

Awesome review. I've owned an '01 S430 since 2017 here in Australia and have to say that it's the best car I've ever owned. Mine has only done around 50k miles so yet to encounter issues with the air suspension. Being one of the best attributes of the car though, I'll be doing everything necessary to keep that cushy S Class ride!

[@PrinceSmithActor]

I do think the air suspension rides much better. The only difference I can tell in my converted suspension is you can feel bumps more. That’s it. But if the road is good, it fllloooaattsss!!!

[@mattzurpa7505]

I've had the same year/model/color of this Mercedes a little over a year and had to spend around $1800 on replacing two of the air suspensions(rear), level sensor relay, air compressor, level vacuum pump and did not last for long!! I finally had all 4 side air shocks converted to coil springs ($1200, aftermarket)last week and so far the car is running smooth and holding up pretty good. I should of done this at first and saved me bunch of money, time and headaches. Nice video, thanks.

[@tulsaoklahoma8528]

I'm about purchase one so u should do the same thing

[@PrinceSmithActor]

It’s crazy Mercedes designed the air pump/air system to run and work soooo much while the car is off. The system worked entirely too much. I converted mine and I love it now. I do think the air suspension rides better. Anyone who never drove with air suspension, wouldn’t be able to tell a difference without air suspension honestly

[@Spartansrule118]

@@PrinceSmithActor how different is the air suspension vs coils? do you still have it?

[@isaacdacostaa]

About to go buy my first car, a 2006 civic sedan! Great vid as always

[@winstongreen5784]

I like this video because I own a 2001 S430 with 110,000 miles. I have heard others bash this car but not this video. I love my car because of its looks and its ride. Fortunately, I have not experienced the major issues pointed out. .

[@NattyGainz]

I love the old technology of these cars. This was a great review

[@pinchofgold5]

Dealers In the middle east countries used to sell it in S500 and S350 (V8, V6) as Europe spec .. honestly it was a bulletproof, despite of course the earlier 1999 n 2000 models…

[@KenBober]

Zach you need to review a benz 190. Very iconic car.

[@bwofficial1776]

He did about a month ago. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHTQnnuXr8hgnJI

[@nostickpeople]

The base air suspension is great! The airmatic sux. My 2002 has only cost me 2k in the last 8 yrs! And that includes new tires frt brakes rotors oil changes and a compressor at 650 bucks! I'm at 110k miles at 22yrs old! I LOVE THIS CAR

[@matsujarvinen]

Airmatic is not problematic,nor is it unreliable if.People shouldn´t buy and install chinese parts on this car.The airbags are expensive if you buy proper ones,but you can have the valveblock with 300dollars,and it will most likely last 10-20 years.I´ve had W220 for five years,and nothing´s ever broken,including Airmatic.

[@omostim2385]

I learned the hard way😅. Bought a Chinese strut right after getting my w220 and it rode hard asf. Now I’m riding on all arnotts with a new valve block and it rides like a dream.

[@HolyFlowpodcast]

any tips on owning a s430?

[@safeera8711]

⁠​⁠@@HolyFlowpodcastonly buy oem or oem+ (reputable company) parts. and especially don’t cheap out on smaller parts it’ll come back to haunt you later on

[@twongreen9968]

I have a 2006 e350 low miles was thinking bout getting a s model are these 430 basically tha same as a s500 looking at a couple​@@safeera8711

[@Based-o8f]

Love your informing videos stay positive and keep the same energy!

[@12masterr]

When I read troublesome, I laugh, I dont have one now but use to have a 02 s500, less problematic vehicle I had, and tje suspension is super easy to fix, cheap too!

[@MM-pv8zp]

the worn steering wheel buttons are 10 bucks on ebay. all you do is put a vinyl sticker over the old ones and it looks excellent

[@JasonFlorida]

Great tip, thank you!

[@86TDC]

My Audi allroad had air suspension. Yeah they all fail at different times. But when one goes, the others give up until it's fixed. Anyway it's on coils now

[@SonnyVisual]

Japanese cars had all of that and more in the early 2000s. Even in the late 90s. back up cameras and all. just not in North America

[@RhinoXpress]

i know people who just convert their benz of this era to a traditional coil suspension setup, for the simple fact that the air suspension fails alot on these cars.

[@matsujarvinen]

Once the Airmatic components are replaced with quality parts,it will last another 20 years.These are old cars now.Airmatic does not "fail a lot"if it´s fixed properly.

[@omostim2385]

I bought an 03 s430 a few years ago in San Antonio. It seemed to be sitting a little low but it was cheap so I took it. On the drive home to Houston I discovered lots of air escaping on rebound going over humps. Replaced that strut with an arnott unit then lost a rear strut about a year later, replaced that then the passenger side front went. One more to go😅. I wouldn’t go the coil route since the ride on airmatic is smooth and the system is pretty simple and straightforward. If it was an ABC system I would’ve yanked it.

[@vornamenachname5589]

These people schould buy an e-class

[@psyco142]

Is there a way to not use the air suspension? And if there is would it prevent any air suspension issues?

[@Spheredalai]

heyhey that miles, 170724, that's my 20th birthday

[@michellejohnson144]

I just bought one!!

[@Thegreatsolomon]

How is it???

[@PrinceSmithActor]

Very accurate! I own a 2002 S430 with 179,593 miles. Bought it last year with 140k for $2900. I did get lucky and found a 2000 S500 with converted suspension and bought that for $900, took the suspension off and put it on my 2002 S430. That is LITERALLY the only thing I’ve had to do to this car in the last 40,000 miles. I need brakes now. Got new tires yesterday, and this car feels brand new all over again it’s crazy!! Catalytic converters are starting to rattle. Interior a 9/10 Exterior 8/10 .. this car was driven to California, Texas, Florida, GA x2, and all over NC in the past year. •Glass mirror come off side mirrors •Soft close doors may stop working •Rear tires wear quicker than front •Brakes go quickly •Air suspension system will fail, and yes it was only one wheel on my car.. I decided to convert to regular suspension •Instrument cluster will go out •Steering wheel melts in high heat •Coolant Temperature Sensor fails +Voice Control works +Steering wheel switch turns off easy entry mode +Navigation still works

[@timmitchell4633]

"""YYYYEEEEEESSSSS""", exactly. I have the same 2002 S430 W220 MB and it's the very best car I've ever owned and driven!!! I maintain it myself, military discounts on all parts, and youtube all info and repair subjects... "piece of cake"! This is my daily driver and I feel like a king everyday. The stereo is great for factory, but I'm an audio nut, but the audio systems fiber-optics make it hard to upgrade ... without a " total switch-out " and upgrade.

[@timmitchell4633]

Auto mechanics TIP: "FREE BRAKE PADS" for as long as you own the car.... "Disclaimers apply" HOW: Buy the "VERY BEST" brake pads for the front and rear brakes. Get the LIFETIME warranty, then when they ware down simply take them back to the store in the original boxes WITH your RECEIPTS..... and they will hand you BRAND NEW, EXACT SAME SETS..... "FOR FREE" under warranty (under your cell phone number/ acct. name).

[@zombrexgaming687]

I have a SL600 it’s lots of fun

[@FrightfulAccountant]

I tend to wear driving gloves when I do long drives with post 2000 cars. 8 hours of sweaty hands tend often to be a disaster for modern cars their knobs. ;-)

[@Casual_01]

One of the cheapest Mercedes models you can buy now (probably because of the suspension problems)

[@earthfeeler]

You see so many sad examples with collapsed suspension going for a few grand. They'll cost more to sort out than to buy

[@Casual_01]

@@earthfeeler not only collapsed suspension but with a lot of rust too (one of them was sitting near my house)

[@earthfeeler]

@@Casual_01 we've redone the all 4 doors on ours. The body shop changed the gutter shape in the doors and its been fine since!

[@Casual_01]

@@earthfeeler Nice :] Good to know that one of them was saved. I hope it will serve you a long time :p

[@matsujarvinen]

Airmatic is not a problem,rust can be.They are not all rusty,but the period circa 1993-2003 was poor rustwise.Mind you though;you can buy a rust-free W220 1998-2002,and a rusted one 2003-2006.Although the latter modelyears are a bit better with rust,they are not a quarenteed better choice.And as always,the car is only as good as it´s maintenance history,no matter what the modelyear!

[@bighomietank3384]

Broo u funny asl u was really tweaking on them boxes 📦 on that rudimentary infotainment system🤣🤣

[@adamogden5212]

damn the 2000s MB ages like an 2007 chevy impala compared to the 90s S class

[@andresnider4926]

Interesting how the S430 was concurrent with the Lexus LS430 🤨

[@alexmercer8042]

Just a small notion, this is S430L, not S430 shortie. Its a pre-face but thank god the owner swapped the headlights to clear facelift ones

[@jamie7664]

Only have the center rear headrest up was triggering my poor OCD 😫😂

[@Intechdude300]

Imo the air ride isn’t that complicated if you personally know how to work on it. Personally had an 06 for 2 years. Replacing the struts are a breeze. For me what I had to replace multiple times were motor mounts. First I got Chinese cheapies, that lasted 2000 miles and came out In pieces. Then I got Lemfordors, I got 9k. Got the lemfordors again and around 5k, I could tell they weren’t at their peak any more but they didn’t get worse. Replacing them I doable but such a time consuming chore. That is what I hated most about the car but it served me well and never had any electrical issues. From 155k to around 182k. I probably would’ve held onto it longer if it were an older 500 with the simpler 5 speed.

[@essasolex]

how much was each replacement though? I’m reading thousands online.

[@mathsrodrigues667]

9000km or 9000$ ?

[@marklindsay4804]

Every market had cupholders, not just NA

[@kimberlyreyna7023]

Can you add a backup camera to this car with that radio?

[@jacobyo99]

I’d rather have the 5.0

[@andrewstanley4831]

Great review

[@dave11686]

Very nice

[@armenvegas]

Ive got s600 you can drive. Come to Vegas

[@isaiahhall415]

Funny video dude love it👍

[@DavidShantzwildoutwest]

There is no world where that is a cool/sexy great car. You see how Mercedes got acquired by Chrysler. Low point for a great marque.

[@PharaohYTC]

“not making a political statement” earned my sub lol. comedy

[@crazeguy26]

there's a s class for 2k and it's sitting on the ground.

[@captainamerica9353]

Have to comment as the "new parent" of a 2003 S500. I've owned a 2004 Caddy Seville for 4 years and a 2006 Caddy STS V8 for 3. My kid just bought the S500 as his 1st car (yes I know but he insisted and there is only junk where we live). Has 130,000 miles and for $3,500 it isn't bad. But I'm not impressed considering the $70K when new. One front strut is shot so it leans, ok it's 20 years old, but there's no tranny OR oil dipstick which I think is inexcusable ! The ride / handling is big and clumsy feeling, the gearing too tall, confusing A/C controls, and way too many electrical gadgets. And the rear seat legroom is unusable unless you're chauffeuring NBA players around. Very hard to park due to the size - I think an E-Class would be much better for most people, certainly for my kid who should be in a C-Class. Point is, I know these are cheap, but unsure where all the praise is coming from.

[@JasonFlorida]

Enjoy your 2010 Kia with 189k miles

[@captainamerica9353]

@@JasonFlorida , funny, but what's not is that the doors and trunk won't lock or unlock and in the cold we're having the key is acting up and won't always turn to start it. We hope to get rid of it come spring.

[@bwofficial1776]

The purple windshields MB and GM used at this time are weird. Why would they use purple glass instead of clear? Only the people who tint their windows purple would like seeing everything purple. The triangular-ish wheels are so early 2000s. I like the electroluminescent gauges emphasizing the cruise speed. Very advanced for an early 2000s car. The tiny outdated screen is laughable from a modern view. I didn't expect the buttons to slide down to show the tape deck. I love how Euro cars put a full phone keypad in. Winter driving mode will start in 2nd gear to prevent wheelspin on slippery roads. Old MBs used to always normally start in 2nd for a smoother, more luxurious start but it was too slow. Taking drinks with you in the car isn't really a thing over in Europe, they don't eat in their cars much. There's nothing more expensive than a cheap German car. You might get a $100k car for $5k but you'll still have the bills of a $100k car. I'll never own anything from Europe without a warranty or without any computers in it. That's some serious dedication to keep this white elephant going. There was a new S-Class parked over the line at my office today. If there hadn't been a car in the other spot, I would have gotten my car and parked it up tight on the S-Class. Make the driver climb in through the passenger side because I don't care how expensive their car is, they didn't buy the right to park like a loser.

[@jamie7664]

It’s a metallized windshield. The color isn’t intentional. It adds UV protection. It was probably used on the enormous windshields of the GM Dustbuster vans to prevent them from getting too hot.

[@iansmith514]

I had mercedes and bmw of these Era with these windshields, you don't notice any tint when you are inside of it, and they really do help with uv light. I kind of like the look of the purple/green shift when looking from the outside

[@porsche928s4]

I love the purple tint

[@JasonFlorida]

What a miserable individual. I sure hope you get the help you need

[@mohamedomer3667]

.

[@vornamenachname5589]

maybe you should have done more research before putting out a "review". Looking in the user's manual would be a good first step.

[@lrs3]

Love the really shitty old infotainment lol

[@Casual_01]

i would say its quirky

[@lrs3]

@@Casual_01 Just slightly

[@liltony514]

THIS CAR IS AWFUL!!!!! NOTHING WORKS...PROBLEM-ATIC SHOULD HAVE BEEN A FEATURE ON THIS $90,000 DOLLAR CAR BRAND NEW🤬🤬🤬