Overview & Reviews

Side-impact airbags debut in all S-Class cars this year. S-Class coupes get new front bumpers. All cars get new alloy wheels. A Parktronic system is available for those who aren't comfortable parking their $100,000 car in a smaller space. Mercedes' outstanding Automatic Slip Reduction (ASR) traction control system is finally available on the S320s. Lastly, a rain sensor system is now standard on all models. (It adjusts the speed of the wipers to the intensity of the rain.)

• All of this perfection feels soulless at times.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 18.00

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  The German tank - 1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By THE VIKING - July 27 - 8:46 am

  The most overengineered MBZ ever built. Love the Black leather, dont get the beige or gray. Even has a parking assist in 1997 ! I love this car. Best driving car I have ever driven. Parts are very $$$ if you buy this used. You can get one for 7K, but make sure it has been taken care of. Mileage is meaningless on this car. Maintenance is most important, and a good mechanic. These cars can go to 1,000,000 miles actually. I think its in the world record book. The car drives like a sports car. The car is very heavy, so get the S500, not the weaker S430 or S300, there too weak to pull this much weight. And get black interior.

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  Style and Class-The S class - 1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By betty from Florida - March 16 - 2:00 am

  Finest S class I have owned, and its been a great car, EXCEPT for the transmission problem. Had it rebuilt once, and acting up again, so now Ill trade it in. Too bad, otherwise Id be driving it another 5 years. Had my other s class Mercedes 10 years for one and 11 years for another. Great car otherwise.

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  hot - 1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By dannydyno - March 15 - 10:00 am

  the mercedes s 500 is the best car in the world

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  Speed, smooth, solid nickle & dimer - 1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Mr. T - July 11 - 2:23 pm

  Shes a highway machine. Silky smooth accelleration. She holds the road like an autobahn purebread. The engine rules, except for those pesky oil journals (nice job designer guys). When the miles start to rack up, the strangest things start to go out on it. Air coditioner wierdness, transmission gremlins (limp home mode?!) leave you and the dealership scratching your head as to whats wrong (computer diagnostics?!). The heaviness of the car eats suspension and brake parts. On a positive note, if you can find a mechanic who can identify and fix the little strange things that will happen to this car, it will last forever!

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  Excellent preowned luxury car. - 1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Heskett - June 25 - 9:26 am

  Havent had the car long but have made some extended trips. MPG was a little over 20 on these trips. Performance and comfort are excellent. Still a classic for MBZ styling. With good care should remain a symbol of classic style and quality engineering.

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  1997 S500 - The Last Great Benz - 1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Viking99 - May 29 - 6:46 am

  I have owned a few MBZ in my life. I had admired the W140 chasis on the road for many years. The square bold looks, & rock-solid build looked indestructable. New price: $ 100,000 A few points: Steering Wheel: If you can get a wood steering wheel. Hard to find. Interior: Black is the only way to go. Grey / beige dont age as well. Engine: This is a super heavy car. Dont waste your time with a V6. Its like using a wheel barrel to pull the Queen mary. Stick with 97-99. This cars can be had for 7K-8k used, but buyer be aware. Most of the lower priced ones need work of easily 10K - 15K. Get one with service records & an anal owner, that had the work done for you. 10K-15K

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  Amazing Benz! - 1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By John Henry AIA - September 28 - 9:23 am

  A great car for a big person. Seating is the best in its class. Performance is there when you want it. Whisper quiet, soaks the road up. Best on the highway but slow cruises catch attention. Can be a bit wallowy but shock adjustment allows tighter handling. A very heavy car, so not typically thrown around corners, but can be. Large trunk, thirsty engine, but supremely satisfying. Very rare to see on the road. Slab look does not feel outdated, especially in the coupe. Reliability is very good, but parts are pricey when required. Midrange acceleration is amazing. This is not a dragster. Great looks, super feel, quiet and extremely comfortable mean a 9.5 out of 10 for me.

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  THE BEST CAR EVER!!!!! MERCEDES FOR SURE - 1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By karpathos77 - August 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought it with 110000 miles. I still have not done anything to the car but change the oil every 5000 miles and change the spark plugs. It is smooth over bumps. This car gets great gas milage. On a full tank with normal driving you can get anywhere from 450- 540miles on a full tank. The interior looks like brand new. Like the car has never been sat in. Lots of leg room. Engine always runs smooth with no wineee noise. it can go 155 miles an hour no problem. The car is the most stable car in the world. It should have been a race car. If you are in to looks and big wheels this is your car.

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  Special experience - 1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By carfemme - August 5 - 6:08 pm

  I have owned this car for 6 years. Bought it used with 90K mileage - had been in love with the look of the vehicle since I first saw it at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1997. When I found a nice used one, I bought it. Needed some work to restore it and I did that. It is a very fun and comfortable car to drive. Costs more than the norm to repair it, but it is an experience you just cannot find in a normal car. I use it for highway driving and know that I will have the performance and safety that I need. It also happens to be quite beautiful.

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  battlecruiser - 1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By hovocop - April 4 - 3:12 am

  I purchased this car a month ago used with 162000 miles on it. The price was right, and I thought it to be a "disposable" car. NOT SO!!!! I have driven much newer mercedes, and this 14 yr old car has not lost a step in performance or comfort. Beware of a "weeping" oil drip of this car. I was stunned and horrified when I discovered it. A little research on the internet told me that the oil should not be at the "max" of the dipstick. it should be in the middle. The key comes down to maintainance records. If you had an anal previous owner, you are in luck. If you had an owner who saved his pennies to get it (and did not want to spend his pennies to maintain it) you will have a bad experience.