Is the 2002 Mercedes Benz S500 Better Than Lexus LS430?

Got a chance to review the 2002 Mercedes Benz S500. I try to find out if the 2002 Mercedes S500 is better than the Lexus LS430. I already reviewed the 2013 Mercedes S class as well and I drove some other older luxury sedans of the era like the Lexus LS430 to get a good grasp of the segment. I really enjoyed driving the Mercedes S500 and this review will go through the interior and practicality of the S class as well.
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#mercedess500 #mercedesbenz #s500

[@MeynMotorGroup]

Apologies for the late upload. Thanks to Cary Imports for another old school. Few Johnny Sack references of course that is to be expected. Follow my Facebook page Exhaust Sports Auto because I actually uploaded this video on my FB page first before here. If you want to see which cars I review next, follow on Insta @exhaustsports or become a Patreon member. Thank you for watching.

[@kecupabece4000]

Hi Kevin, loved your reviews on the classic cars:) I appreciate & enjoy your non-bias, no bs reviews. Would you please do a vlog on comparing the LS400 vs LS430 vs your LS460 vs LS600 (non hybrid V8 version)?

[@wbwayne8887]

No, I would much rather have the bulletproof reliability of the Lexus LS, especially if I was buying a 17 year old car.

[@MeynMotorGroup]

I understand haha LS is rock solid in terms of dependability but this truly was a different era for Mercedes

[@wbwayne8887]

@@MeynMotorGroup Oh, definitely, the same could be said of all manufacturers though. Look how far Hyundai/Kia have come, and the major quality improvements in automobiles in general since that time. We are living in exciting times.

[@MeynMotorGroup]

Yea that’s true Hyundai Kia did the opposite of what the Germans did haha 😂

[@MichelLinschoten]

Grandpa looking Japanese fuck box.. I got one cannot wait to sell it , overpriced glorified Toyota

[@elseagullo4979]

@@MichelLinschoten You are really missing out if you think the LS430 or Celsior is shit

[@kurtroepke1211]

im kind of glad these cars get a bad rap it makes it cheaper to buy one lol.

[@meesterp]

I have a real nice 2005 S500 4Matic. To drive it is to LOVE it. Performance similar to a '65 Shelbly GT350 but with AWD it will do it in the rain and feel so smooth and solid in the process. I go for pleasure rides again. I haven't been stung by any reliability gremlins so it's still sweet.

[@khaleedlovett7942]

I’m surprised that’s I’m the only one that caught it, but this MB S500 doesn’t have the hydraulic ABC Suspension. At 6:32 under the hood, you’ll note that there’s no ABC hydraulic fluid reservoir next to the Power Steering Pump (which also functions as a tandem pump for the ABC suspension). I believe that the one you’re driving in fact has just the AIRMATIC (air suspension). Just a heads up to anyone watching.

[@crazyyakuza8741]

The ls430 is far more superior car . There’s no comparison. The luxury car world is suppose to isolate you from the world . The caddie is not in the picture , might have to compare that to a Camry v6 .

[@MeynMotorGroup]

Think you should try some of the cars you despise first before speaking with such boldness

[@DJJBENASIS]

Lexus is just a Toyota. Sorry

[@chrisreed26]

I actually learned quite a bit from this video..I owned a 1978 Mercedes 300D Non turbo back in 1996 until 2002...prior it was bought new by a relative in WV and used during the gas lines of 78 then once over, it was stored..then my uncle bought it in 1988 with only 28,000 miles! I got the car in 1996 from him with 74,000 original, old man miles..maintained by him as he was a master locomotive mechanic owing his own locomotive repair facility in Lakeland FL during the phosphate days...Anyway, sorry to ramble...I could not help but think back how mine idled..you said how the S500 was smooth at idle..well let me tell you my diesel at idle, the whole car shook hahaha..it was normal of course..the diesel engine sound was reassuring and the car could and did drive all day at 80 on the open road without a care in the world..at sale of the Mercedes by myself in 2002 it was sold as mileage exempt but probably had over 300,000 miles on her..with many original coolant hoses/heater hoses, original glow plugs except one and even the original starter!! I did have to replace the original York piston style A/C compressor in 1997 as it locked up..I replaced and charged with the original spec R12 as when charged with R134A the pressures were just too high..R12 was colder anyway..in fact, I bought a new 2002 Mustang in well, 2002 and the A/C in the Mercedes was colder than my new Mustang!! I miss my old Benz! I love the gadgets in this S500 but question how long they will last...They are such a bargain now to buy though...Great video!

[@rastechfab7404]

Ls 430 kicks the benz out the park on the throwback Thursday

[@joeschmo4170]

Yup. So darn true.

[@ksajan16]

I have this car, no problems with engine or transmission. Crazy linear power and smooth shifts, 200k miles on mine except the airmatic is going bad again:( lol. Solid car for road trips with avg 26 mpg.

[@christschool]

Is the 2002 MB better than the 2002 Lexus LS430? NO! I have a 2002 LS 430 and its not had a single issue in 17 years.

[@MeynMotorGroup]

Well of course you haven’t had any issues it’s a Lexus haha 😂 but to test these cars for what it is on the road, I thought they drove similar, S500 was a bit faster, LS430 had a smoother engine (probably the smoothest engine of all time) and creeks and rattles were about the same but I get it, many choose the LS due to the legendary reliability

[@joeschmo4170]

Ha typical.

[@davidkovalchuk9842]

Exhaust Sports Auto I really don’t see how is it faster, my 2003 LS430 goes 0-60 for 5.7 sec, I measured it myself, while s500 does it in almost 7

[@3jimp]

I had mine since 2002 and my first problem was yesterday - Torn left boot - and back right strut - That’s pretty dam good and everything is intact leather and all buy it

[@oldwarrenpointforum]

I owned the "next generation" S class (a 2006 model) and it while it was not a 500 (it was a 320 diesel) was the worst car I ever owned. Yes, comfortable well equipped and only 45,000 miles so not much and yet the gearbox gave out, the electronics left me stranded at the side of the road more than once and I lost a lot of money on it. After a few other cars I ended up in a 2006 LS430 and have it just over a year now and the difference is night and day. I can't see me getting rid of it any time soon and if I do it will be into another LS :)

[@blankchannel7656]

Its no way this car left you stranded😂, you obviously didn’t take good care of it

[@malcomM96]

@@blankchannel7656an you don't know what you're talking about dude, german cars are trash lexus, honda, toyota are the top tier only broke mfs buy benz those cars are garbage

[@blankchannel7656]

@@malcomM96 i do, like i said he didn’t take care of it

[@malcomM96]

@@blankchannel7656 even if you did take care of it it's going to fall apart on its own goofy , everyone knows lexus is more reliable than a mercedes benz the electric issues it has has nothing to do with taking care of it you don't know shi

[@malcomM96]

@@blankchannel7656 look it up i'm not arguing w a guy who doesn't know shi about cars broke boy

[@CarswithNash]

Beautiful car! Great review!👍

[@MeynMotorGroup]

Thanks so much sir!

[@cedricwade926]

Love my s500 2003 soft close doors don’t work anymore but still extremely comfortable vehicle

[@Ezq95]

I have the 2008 Lexus LS460L its amazing and durable.

[@nicholasb600]

(LS430 chuckles in Japanese)

[@MeynMotorGroup]

Haha perhaps but an S class has always intrigued man kind, it just has too much swagger

[@nicholasb600]

@@MeynMotorGroup Definitely agree. The first cars I fell for visually were the BMWs and Mercedes of the 90s and early 2000s. Hopefully you can get your hands on a 735i and maybe even an old diesel Mercedes from the 80s o:. If not, I always enjoy the "classic" cars you showcase. People who don't know cars trip out when I tell them I got the 430 for $5k. These older cars are a treasure much of the youth never experience.

[@MeynMotorGroup]

@@nicholasb600 Yea same loved BMWs they just looked so perfect growing up and some of the benzes too. Audis looked so dumb back then lol but they did a 180 during the 2010s. Glad you appreciate these cars, yea I want to try a few more older cars from different brands so when I drive the newer cars. I want a 430 so bad, that engine til this day is the smoothest engine I have every experienced. And I'm talking about the 03 I reviewed with 170k miles. I believe car and driver said the motor was on the same level of smoothness as Rolls Royce and it was smoother and quieter than the Bentley Continental at the time the 03 one.

[@nicholasb600]

@@MeynMotorGroup I don't blame you! I was running around So Cal test driving every budget Japanese and Korean car under the sun trying to find one that spoke to me and the 430 was the only one that blew my mind. I thought an RX350 was a luxurious car until I drove my first 430. Thank the stars I gave the V8 a chance against all my budget-minded reasoning. 7 test drives later i found mine. I've been a bit unlucky and have been hit 2 times since I got it 5 months ago :(. Just don't get a color that nobody can see ( mystic sea opal).

[@MeynMotorGroup]

I’m just glad you’re safe brother damn. Glad you love the 430 tho enjoy it

[@MrCarguy2]

13:50 You saw the video I recommended last time I see Nice review by the way

[@MeynMotorGroup]

Oh Daniel Kon, yea he was great really superb video with great info and it was edited really well too. Thanks again sir

[@stevenwilhite4026]

Well, I wouldn’t want to maintain it, but it does carry the ultimate level of snob appeal. 😁. Not taking anything away from the LS, it’s definitely a great car.

[@MeynMotorGroup]

Haha yea Steven it’s a prestigious ride for sure thanks for watching

[@ThePerfectionOfLexus]

How would you compare the LS430 and S500 in terms of cabin insulation/general quietness?

[@MeynMotorGroup]

About the same

[@lifeofcoby]

Do you know where the cigarette port is at the front of the vehicle? I couldn’t find where I could plug my charger to charge phone

[@ravipeiris4388]

Thank you Kevin.

[@maniac32145]

Nice review as always, but are you sure that those miles are original?:) It is easy to rewind miles on older cars..just saying:)

[@MeynMotorGroup]

Hahahahaha 😂 I hope they are and I genuinely do think so. This car was actually very smooth to drive and didn’t feel like an absolute rattle box. I think this had a digitized speedometer so this might have been the era where the roll backs were not as common haha. Thanks for stopping by my friend

[@maniac32145]

@@MeynMotorGroup you might be right, because now I have watched the whole video, and interior looks in good condition👍but is it made in Germany? If so, it's a masterpiece👌😊

[@MeynMotorGroup]

I didn’t check! But I feel like it would be, the upper echelon vehicles like S classes are made in Germany even today I think. It’s usually the smaller cars like 3 series and C classes are made in Mexico nowadays but I don’t know about back then

[@wdb210sbenz8]

With 15 y experience in Mercedes Mercedes is the greatest car in world

[@Ezq95]

2004 S500 Mercedes Benz with 127k miles and transmission problem for sale $2000. Beautiful car but the issue scares the crap out of me

[@LOGICAL-JAY]

Let me tell you I owned the 2001, 2003 and 2006 s class and cl..they all are problems and headaches after a few years of owning them..yes brand new they drive like a dream but let's be honest to the listeners that dont know..a used 2000-2006 s500 is trash and a waste of money.. go with the LS430 lexus instead..lexus wont disappoint you and is much smoother, cheaper to repair (if needed) and shape is still nice to this day..2006 s 500 looks nice in and out but the car will eventually fall apart on you..wait till your air suspension goes you'll see what I'm talking about..a true "money pit"...the 1992-99 s500 was alot more reliable and was alot stronger..GO WITH LEXUS..

[@Kev27RS]

Yes the W140 S-Class is A LOT better! Mercedes quality went kinda down around 2000 when they merged with Chrysler...

[@blankchannel7656]

Lexus is just a Toyota. They get their parts from the literal best build out, meanwhile Mercedes parts are Mercedes parts. They dont come from another brand, most reliable brands are under different brands. Let alone Germans are known for their quality>build

[@benbruno6656]

​@@blankchannel7656 You made no sense

[@jeremyc6827]

Isn’t the W220 considered to be the lowest point for the S Class, particularly for material and paint quality?

[@drewlim564]

Love the reviews!Lexus all the way as always

[@MeynMotorGroup]

Haha thanks and yea Lexus IS awesome

[@animeblazer66]

Car enthusiast will buy that and throw some amg exhaust and some wheels

[@skateness]

I have an ‘02 S500 with only 23,000 original miles.

[@chriswinter2400]

You're wrong about the battery the batteries in the trunk for safety so even if you're in the most severe front end accident your battery still connected to operate the airbags and safety features

[@user-fg8dx8gw4r]

The facelift W220 is more rustproof

[@D4tnuyrkkiid90]

I had a 2002 S 500 shit was trash that I went back to buying another LS 400 and use that as my daily because they’re reliable while the Benz sat in the driveway unreliable. Now I got a 2004 LS 430 it’s far way 10x better than the Benz. The Benz S 500 lasted 3 years with me while the Lexus LS430 is still with me after 4 years. Lexus L400 and LS430 really reliable and I can’t forget the time I drove a very clean 1997 w140 S 500 from Mercedes dealership with a salesman in it the damn thing started to act up and almost left me stranded with the salesman luckily we got back to the dealership before it shitted on us on road and it did at the dealership. So embarrassing

[@MrMitokiller]

Fake story

[@MrCarguy2]

7:56 you can have a raged out w126 yet it doesn't do that By far my least favorite gen of the S class

[@MeynMotorGroup]

You're not kidding, I remember the 2002 E55 amg I tested had 200k miles and felt very solid. This was a totally different time for Mercedes haha. Thanks for watching my friend

[@Dexoz607]

Jonny sack have a great taste on Cars 😍

[@roystonvanwyk5086]

It rides very well....and it breaks very well too..

[@lucillewest3489]

Where was the LS comparison???

[@nasarazam]

So whats your verdict? Is it better than LS430? Mercedes and BMW's drive will always be better than LS430. Where LS wins is reliability, just my 2 cents worth.

[@MeynMotorGroup]

Yea so I said in the video Benz does drive a bit better but LS430 still handles extremely well. LS430 by far had the smoothest engine .....probably in the planet and of course the obvious reliability so I would say LS wins for me but I did think this Benz was special for sure

[@hcwollaston]

Exhaust Sports Auto Based on your and some other reviews, I just bought a 2002 Lexus LS 430. I agree, the 8 cylinder engine runs incredibly smooth in this car. About as smooth as the rotary engine in my 2004 Mazda RX-8.

[@MeynMotorGroup]

Oh wow congrats my friend on the new LS. And damn is the rotary that smooth? I’m shocked by that

[@hcwollaston]

Exhaust Sports Auto Thank you! And yes, my rotary runs like a turbine from 2000 rpm all the way to 9000 rpm.

[@joeschmo4170]

@@MeynMotorGroup I have two ls430 and each motor has a slight feel difference. Motor mounts is a thing. Guy up the road has a s500 and he really Really likes my ls430's.

[@Excalabur50]

I was a good boy and even though I hate using it I gave your page a like on the Book of Face :)

[@MeynMotorGroup]

Oh man I hate forcing people to do stuff like that haha I’m so sorry I know how you feel, I hate using Facebook too and I avoided it for a long time but now that I’m in this business, I guess it’s only right I try to grow on the book face 😂 thank you for your support sir

[@Excalabur50]

@@MeynMotorGroup Mate don't feel bad about it, just cause I don't like it doesn't mean millions of others don't and you have to get all the coverage you can, it's a smart business decision and I can respect that :)

[@MeynMotorGroup]

@@Excalabur50 Thanks man I really appreciate it. Yea millions do certainly use heck it might even be a billion now lol I just hate that platform, the company, the whole 9 yards haha but gotta be done I suppose. I'm starting to upload videos on facebook first before youtube but I may switch that around later

[@ernesto_1156]

My opportunity to become Johnny sacks

[@LeeePowers]

Not a chance.

[@Ezq95]

Difference is that a Lexus will last over 300k miles and the Mercedes will have issues within 130k mikes transmission issues. Always on limb modes. Even Mercedes dealership service won't work on them. They rather tell you to buy a new one. Shame on Mercedes Benz

[@Kev27RS]

Unfortunately Mercedes quality went kinda down around 2000 when they merged with Chrysler...

[@MeynMotorGroup]

Did they merge? I thought they only gave Chrysler some parts like chassis, trans, engines. Daimler is a little too big to merge with the likes of Chrysler haha

[@Kev27RS]

@@MeynMotorGroup I think they did back in '98. The group was called Daimler-Chrysler if I'm not mistaken.

[@MeynMotorGroup]

Oh wow gonna have to look into that. Thanks for that information

[@MeynMotorGroup]

Oh Daimler bought Chrysler for 36 billion but it turned out to be a failure so yea merger technically just didn’t work out

[@Kev27RS]

@@MeynMotorGroup Yeah it was basically that. 👍 Cheers

[@joeschmo4170]

Looks like something weird, too soft strange angles those headlight shape are garbage. Ls430 looks like a bomb compared especially from backside over rear wheel. So ahead of its time. More angular. Headlights up close are beautiful. People stare at my car.

[@joeschmo4170]

And I know a guy who has a s500 in black and I see it all the time. It is frankly a weird all around look and feel car. Decent but not ls430 level. The ls430 has a tougher feel to it like more solid, less wimpy. Especially the doors. Double glass thick coz mark levinson amp so for db quiet they had to put thicker glass. In dubai the drive ls430 260km/hr and will hold that speed for 15 minutes. It is an insane engine transmission and cooling system. On and on lexus for life coz like lexus I want to live a longgg time. The reliability king. Thank you lexus.

[@theodoreyoung8777]

@@joeschmo4170 🤝 That’s why I’m never getting rid of my 2006 Lexus LS430 bro it’s truly a gem 💎 of a car buttery smooth and whisper quiet with enough power to bring smiles on faces I by the way I dusted a few Mercedes Benz S classes the S430 no competition at all in speed LS430 has more horsepower and speed that’s a fact on paper 😎

[@tqdinh2]

S500=LS460👍

[@MeynMotorGroup]

Haha some may not agree very strong opinions for each side but I agree, they’re both awesome and actually drive kinda similar

[@joeschmo4170]

NO it is not AT ALL

[@Shadowdancer777]

Short answer no. Mercedes are crap.

[@werlinrodriguez2261]

I will never buy an old Benz I’m sorry give me lexus any day any year I know it will last lol

[@Kev27RS]

Depends on which old Benz model it is to be honest...

[@borillkageza1443]

You never had a benz. If you had ever 1 you want never will have a toyota = lexus Tell 1 reason, why you would buy a lexus. It s slower, uncomfortable, expensive. Only lexus no luxus.

[@werlinrodriguez2261]

Borillka Géza they are unreliable why would I want one please explain

[@Ezq95]

Do you know why you're Mercedes Benz doesn't leak oil? 😏 that's because it ran out of it,😅

[@MarbleMansionVayyaar]

lol no

[@malcomM96]

id go with the lexus anyway Benz suck i see em on the side of the road a lot

[@mdmemorable5154]

mercedes 2002 is fucking blady car

[@michaelgrant5258]

Capitol offense! You shall be judged!

[@MeynMotorGroup]

Haha 😂

[@MichelLinschoten]

I have a ls430 I hate it boring looking car. Overly expensive as they are old, parts are stupid expensive. I got totally no love for it, I am glad it’s not my daily driver I would be pissed

[@elseagullo4979]

You have no taste in cars if you hate your LS430. Besides servicing, what exactly is wrong with it? Do you hate it because it is japanese manufactured or is it because of the way it looks?

[@noelr1010]

Why did you buy it in the first place? Bozo

[@D4tnuyrkkiid90]

Noel Reynoso 😂

[@borillkageza1443]

Mercedes is the best. Only the best or nothing. Lexus is nothing else, like an expensive toyota. Laughing number... S500 has the best engine, comfort with the airmatic suspension. The accleration, top speed, dynamic is untuchable by toyota (lexus).

[@MeynMotorGroup]

About 3 trillion people will be ready to disagree with you

[@Sandro_The_Cross]

you are right Lexus is just an expensive Toyota nobody cares about those cars in Europe

[@theodoreyoung8777]

@@MeynMotorGroup 😂🤣 now that’s a fact bro 🤝😎