https://centralmich.craigslist.org/cto/d/mount-pleasant-2004-mercedes-s600-v12/7160544844.html
I know this would not be a good idea, but on the scale of bad ideas that I normally run in, would this be monumentally horrific or has the potential to cart my Midwestern bulk around in absolute comfort?
Priced too high for a non-runner. I wouldn't be comfortable paying that without hearing it run.
Check replacement parts cost for common items... which for an S-class includes radiators, catalysts, and suspension components.
I have a feeling the first time you get a P0420 code you'll go down a very dark rabbit hole. You'll either try the $500/ea aftermarket cats and the code won't go away (and you can't return them) AND it will add a P0300 and a P0171 and P0172, or you'll just suck it up and pay $1300/ea for new Benz cats... which will make the code go away for another 30k. Then your radiator will spring a leak and you'll sell the car for $2000 because you'll be better off cutting your losses than paying for a new radiator.
I looked at the same basic thing. I was eyeballing an S63 AMG with 100k. It was a $190k car new, and it was on Ebay for $14k buy-it-now. Then I checked parts prices.
Most expensive maintenance item are the coil packs. Buy a bootlegs MB SDS to diagnose the issues.
Offer 2500. If you get burnt on it then you'd easily make a profit selling it or parting it.
I used to think mercedes had a special group to review every design and tell engineering how to make it more difficult to repair. Now I think they have this department and another one to make the difficult stuff more difficult. Wiring is a classic example, I have seen harnesses change wire colors at connectors, and wires seem to run the whole length of the car when they could just go 3 feet.