differences between 2004 S 500 2006 S 500

[smayshusband]

do the two have any major differences if so what are they thanks in advance

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[whoover]

Nothing significant. All of the final W220 improvements came in 2004. I think they all had the sport package cosmetics in 2006, but of course that was available in 2004.

[Skylaw]

I don't know how significant it is to you, but the '06's phone system is a bit more flexible than the '04's - assuming the '06 has one. Also, if neither the '06 nor the '04 has a phone system, it's a lot easier and less expensive to activate one in an '04.

The '04 has what's known as the CP 211 PSE (Communications Platform 211 Portable Support Electronics), a module that combined the handsfree cell phone option and the Tele-Aid option. If an '04 wasn't ordered with the full phone option, all that is necessary to have it is to order and install the V60S cradle, and have the dealer turn the phone system on with the STAR diagnostics computer. Then, add the V60 Bluetooth puck, choose a compatible Bluetooth phone, and you're in business. Or, if you prefer a plug-in phone, you can get a Motorola V60S (Verizon only) - but they are very expensive. If you choose a plug-in with the '04 you can only use the V60S; older V60 models are not accepted on any U.S. network because they are not E-911 compliant. The V60S is.

Unfortunately, the Tele-Aid system in the '04 is analog-only, and there is no longer a network to support it in the U.S. To have Tele-Aid requires a digital upgrade that runs around $1000. However, Tele-Aid is not a requirement - it's an option. Your cell phone will work without it.

On the other hand, if the '06 has a phone system installed, it is very different from the '04. The '06 uses the same MHI phone system being used in the new cars. You can choose from a variety of cradles for plug-in phones, cradle/Bluetooth combo units that allow charging and connection to the car's external antenna when necessary, or a straight Bluetooth option. Each of the cradle or puck options just slips onto a "contact plate" (connector) in the phone flip-up compartment of the console. You can tell quickly whether a phone system has been installed in an '06 by looking for a "D" shaped plate with a set of pins pointed toward the back of the console, in the phone compartment. See Fig. 30 at http://phdwebsite.powerpulse.cc/Phon...s/2005%20S.pdf - the contact plate is at the arrow (the '05 and the '06 S-Class phone systems are identical). In some cars, a rounded cover protruding slightly above the compartment floor may conceal the contact plate - just pop it off. If you're really lucky, a prior owner may have even left a cradle or a puck there. However, if the phone compartment floor looks like Fig. 26, the car has no cell phone system installed.

'06 was the first year that MB made "prewiring" - meaning only the harnesses that the phone equipment connects to - not the phone equipment itself - optional. Before '06 prewiring was always standard. If the car did not have the "prewiring" option PLUS the "handsfree phone" option, installing the phone system gets pretty expensive - $2500 or so. Perhaps a bit less if the car had the "prewiring" option but not the "handsfree phone" option.

The Tele-Aid system in the '05 and on were digital, and still work if you buy a subscription. I find the automatic GPS position reporting on airbag deployment and the theft recovery capability (now included in the base package) to be worth the price. Tele-Aid equipment is standard, and is always installed.

Regarding phones, it would be my preference to buy an '06 that had the phone option installed - but again, if it's not that important to you, I wouldn't spend the money. You can read up a bit on what folks go through at http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/sho...77#post2788377

The rest of the electronics and the mechanicals are pretty much the same between the '04 and the '06 - except the '06 will still have some factory warranty left (probably) while the '04 won't. The Super Nano Clearcoat was introduced in '04, so both cars will have it.

I agree with Whoover that the major improvements (mechanical and electronics changes begun with the '03 Facelift model) were essentially completed with the '04 model, and reliability had improved significantly over earlier models.

[whoover]

Good point on the MHI. I think that was introduced in 2005.

[Skylaw]

Originally Posted by whoover

Good point on the MHI. I think that was introduced in 2005.

That's correct.

[newton22]

Thanks Skylaw. Do you have all this information in your head?

[Skylaw]

Most of it, but I sure had to read a lot of stuff to get it there, and often have to check my recall before posting information (I couldn't remember the figure numbers in the phone bulletins without looking them up). A lot of what I read comes from the experience of other forum contributors. This has been a great resource.