Is 138,000 miles a lot for a 2002, S430 Mercedes engine?

Question

I heard Mercedes Benz engines are just warming up at 100K miles - Is 139 over the limit or is it a wise tale?

Answer 1

that's a lot of miles for 4 years, but if it was miantained well, it should be good for another100,000.

Answer 2

If it's been maintained to factory recommendations, it's just about broken in. Most Benz owners are pretty good about keeping them up. Another 200k would easily be possible, and possibly a lot more.

That's high miles in 4 years but was most likely highway miles which are not nearly as hard on an engine as stop-and-go city driving.

My 96 has over 160,000 on it now. Doesn't leak a drop anywhere and doesn't use any oil between 7,500 mile oil changes.

BTW, Mercedes doesn't use timing belts. Never have to my knowledge; it's always been timing chains and I've never known one to break. They do NOT require routine replacement and will normally outlast the engine.

Answer 3

These cars are beyond maintanence issues. 2002 S430 is an excellent car. like all Mercedes Benzes, the handling, braking and steering are excellent. It has decent performance, and the luxury is outstanding. No issues at all. One family in arizona, ithink. They have a 1970 mercedes benz, which has 1,030,000 miles on it. they have never had a problem. But you may expect to pay more than 35000 for one, especially at a dealer. Oh, you can't get a Benz at a non dealer. God knows how they modify those cars. The only place you should get a benz is form a dealer. they have excellent service, they fix the cars properly, and like most cars, it is better to buy from a dealer. overall it is an excellent car. you are missing nothing, just don't be surprised if you get one for over 32000 to 40000

Answer 4

The norm is about 20,000 miles per year, so that's a bit high. Although Mercedes engines have lasted as far as 800K miles on them.

The main thing is how well its been maintained. If its been kept up by the book, you should be ok.

Answer 5

At 100K plus miles the engine life depends heavily on what kind of maintenance it has had. There are some BAD engines out there, but the good ones still depend on maintenance. Assuming an average maintenance, that engines is below midlife.

Answer 6

No, that's absolutely nothing for that engine. You've got a lot of miles on such a young car, but you've got a ton of life left in that engine if you've maintained it properly (fluid changes and levels, spark plugs, etc.)

The only thing you should do if you haven't already is having the timing belt changed... that should usually be done every 60K miles or so. Have the mechanic check the rest of the engine out while he's in there, but if you've taken care of it, it should be good for many years to come.

Answer 7

If the engine has been well taken care of there have many people who have had their Mercs for 500,000 or more. Have a mechanic that you trust look at it, they can generally tell if an engine has been taken care. Make sure you get the CARFAX report on it from the dealer (I know the require them to show you in California, but I don't know about other states.)

Answer 8

My Mercedes has 287,000 miles on the original engine and transmission and is still going strong.

I am really hard on cars! Any American cars that I have ever owned did not last over 100k.

I had a Toyota that died at 120k.

Answer 9

Plain and simple, yes for a car that's only 4 years old, but if you did your part to maintain it well, it will run for another 10 years or so. German cars, like Mercedes and BMW, retain their resale value and if maintained well, will run for well into 300K miles on the engine.

Answer 10

yes it is so don't drive it for nine years and it'll be considered low miles for that in which the value will actually increase....but can you keep it clean and buy another while it sits in the garage?