4/11/20 32/75 2000 Mercedes-Benz S500

Matchbox has been familiar with the line of Mercedes-Benz sedans for decades, and the latest for 2000 was the S-class, released in 1999 in the ROW series and again in 2000.  While it finally appeared in a 5-pack for the U.S. in 2001, you can still get one of these S-classes in the U.S. thanks to stores like Kmart and Kay-Bee Toys carrying the ROW lineup back in 2000.  My version sports the sleek black with detailed headlights and taillights; the former had a sliding tampo issue making the right-side headlight sag lower, so after these pictures I used a black sharpie to start over and then used a silver sharpie to reposition the headlight tampo in the correct spot.  The new S-class took some inspiration from the 1998 E-class with swoopier styling even though it avoided the quad oval headlights in favor of the one-piece flowing unit.  The grille is a separate chrome piece and properly identifies this car as a Mercedes, while the rest of the exterior has a sunroof, triangular taillights, and exterior mirrors.  The interior has a smoother dashboard layout with 4-spoke steering wheel and seating for five, along with a massive trunk, while the base shows off some of the drivetrain and the exhaust system.  With a working suspension this helps the S-class handle like an E-class despite its size and at the expense of a rather tall ride height.  While not as expensive to design and as pristine as the last S-class by Matchbox released in the early 1990’s, this S-class still represents the fine attributes of a Mercedes-Benz.

Specifications:

· Engine: 5.0L SOHC V8, 302 hp.

· Transmission: 5-speed automatic

· 0-60 mph: 6 sec. est.

· Real vehicle price: #80,000 est. 1999

Rating:  4 out of 5 stars