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2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Review
The benchmark for ultra-luxury sedans.
2004 S-Class Review Summary & Specifications
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class offers a lot, as it should, given its price and reputation. It represents the state of the art of the high-performance luxury sedan. Its interior comfort is unsurpassed, and its styling is both appealing and aerodynamically efficient. The S-Class screams status. It's as roomy a sedan as you'll find, amazingly fast with the higher output engines, and as steady as the Rock of Gibraltar.The S-Class isn't quite as nimble as BMW's 7 Series, nor as lithe as Audi's A8L, and it costs more than either. Mercedes' ultra-lux sedan puts a little more emphasis on comfort, less on active driver participation, and many buyers will no doubt prefer that. Its daunting array of switches and systems can be intimidating, but the allegedly simple, single-control interface in the BMW 7 is much more difficult to master. The distinctions will matter most to buyers on their third or fourth ultra-luxury sedan. The rest of us will just be wowed by the S-Class.
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| Vehicle Category | Luxury Cars |
| Editor | Sam Moses |
| Model Lineup | Mercedes-Benz S430 ($74,320); S500 ($82,770); S55 AMG ($110,170); S600 ($122,820) |
| Engines (standard) | 4.3-liter sohc 24-valve V8 |
| Engines (optional) | 275-hp 4.3-liter sohc 24-valve V8; 302-hp 5.0-liter sohc 24-valve V8; 493-hp 5.4-liter sohc 24-valve supercharged V8; 493-hp 5.5-liter sohc 36-valve twin-turbocharged V12 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 7-speed automatic with manual override |
| Transmissions (optional) | 7-speed or 5-speed automatics with manual override |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | front-passenger front and side-impact airbags, rear side-impact airbags, curtain-style head protection airbags; ABS with brake assist and electronic brake proportioning; ESP traction and stability control; xenon headlamps with washers; BabySmart seat system; Tele Aid emergency calling |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | none |
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Sindelfingen, Germany |
| Manufacturer Phone | 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES |
| Manufacturer URL | www.mbusa.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 74320 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Mercedes-Benz S430 ($74,320) |
| Standard Equipment | Airmatic self-leveling air suspension, leather upholstery, hand-polished wood trim, Bose sound system with CD and 12 speakers, COMAND GPS navigation system, 14-way power front seats; dual-zone climate control with charcoal and dust/pollen filters, integrated garage door opener, cruise control, intermittent wipers with Rain Sensor, power windows with express up/down, multi-function steering wheel controls, power tilt/telescoping steering column, pneumatic door and trunk closing assist with retracting trunk handle, power glass sunroof with tilt and express open/close, power rear window sunshade |
| Destination Charge | 720 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | Parktronic ($1060); Motorola V60 phone with voice control and handset ($1995) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Layout | rear-wheel drive |
| Price as Tested | 78095 |
| Horse Power | 275 @ 5750 |
| Torque | 295 @ 3000-4400 |
| Fuel Economy | 17/24 |
| Wheelbase | 121.5 |
| Length/Width/Height | 203.1/73.0/57.2 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 39.7 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 37.6/NA/41.3 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 38.4/NA/40.3 |
| Trunk Volume | 15.4 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | |
| Front Suspension | independent, four-link, air springs, electro-hydraulic damping with gas-charged shocks, level control |
| Rear Suspension | Independent, five-link, air springs, electro-hydraulic damping with gas-charged shocks, level control |
| Ground Clearance | |
| Curb Weight | 4160 |
| Stock Tires | 225/55HR17 |
| Brakes Front/Rear | 13.0-inch vented and drilled disc / 11.8-inch vented disc, with ABS and Brake Assist |
| Fuel Capacity | 23.2 |
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2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
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