Here is what Edmunds.com review sounds like:
What Edmunds.com says
With sizable increases in performance, safety and refinement, Mercedes-Benz has shown that it's not about to take a backseat to anyone else in the premium luxury sedan market.
Pros
World-class performance, state-of-the-art safety features, spacious and comfortable cabin.
Cons
Complicated COMAND system, standard V8 models not as much fun to drive as BMW 7 Series.
What's New for 2003
For 2003, there is more power for the S55 and S600 models, both of which now put out nearly 500 horsepower. Also Pre-Safe, a system that detects an imminent impact and quickly adjusts seating positions as well as seatbelt tension to better safeguard the occupants, debuts. Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel-drive system becomes available on the S430 and S500 and a minor freshening inside and out are meant to keep these big Benzes near the top of luxury car buyer's shopping lists.
Here are some comments from previous 2003 Mercedes S500 4 matic owners:
Love My Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S500 4MATIC AWD 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
Review
I love driving this car. I got the almandine black matallic with java interior. The car turns heads. Love the keyless go and voice command. It's comfortable, quiet and smooth. SAT became available after I ordered the car. I set up an install but stopped the installation when dealer called to tell me they would have to mount antenna on truck and needed to drill a hole in the lid. Almost 7k miles on the car without any problems. Oh, hit some road debris and tore a hole in a tire side wall. Called roadside assistance via the wrench button. I was back on the road in less than 45 minutes. Great service all around.
Favorite Features
Keyless go and voice command system are teriffic. Parktronics has improved my parking ability. Ventilated seats are cool. The ambient lighting looks awsome at night.
Suggested Improvements
SAT should be plug and play. Need better street level detail on the GPS. The map only shows main streets, highways and interstates in my area.
Perfect Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S430 4MATIC AWD 4dr Sedan (4.3L 8cyl 5A)
Review
The Mercedes is a great car with great handling and will always be a favorite too many people. I love my Benz and it is at the top of it's class.
Favorite Features
The best features in the car are the mirrer in the back and the handling and performance.
Suggested Improvements
None
2003 S500
Overall
Rating 
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S500 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
Review
Excellent vehicle. has power style and ride. I get 24 miles/gal highway. Not good in snow. Other than regular oil change very little maintenance cost. Excellent sound and heating system. Handles well.
Favorite Features
Excellent ride and acceleration. Great gas mileage for type of car
Suggested Improvements
Plastic front splash panel too low. Sometimes scrapes
Sleek, powerful, problematic
Overall
Rating 
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S430 4dr Sedan (4.3L 8cyl 5A)
Review
This is my 5th Benz, but first S-class. The car is beautifully designed and well-appointed. Handling is excellent, comfort is superb. It is one of the greatest highway touring machines ever made. At the same time, there have been irksome quality issues. I have had the car about one year, and in that time have endured five major (and costly) problems. A sensor malfunctioned in the trunk, effectively immobilizing the car. The gear shift assembly jammed in park and had to be replaced. The air seal struts developed a leak and had to be sealed. The V-belt broke during a highway drive, lost all power and the engine promptly overheated. Disappointing. Fuel economy is good, 26 highway.
Favorite Features
Interior is posh and extremely comfortable. Exterior design is handsome. GPS system is very good, although need to change disks is a nuisance. Voice recognition for audio commands is fun and it works well. When the car runs well, it is exceptionally smooth and powerful -- a joy to drive.
Suggested Improvements
Surprisingly cheap plastic at bottom (frame) of seats. Better to have fewer electronic gizmos and ensure that those retained do work. Allow autonomous operation of radio (now linked to COMMAND/GPS system).
When only the best will do
Overall
Rating 
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S500 4MATIC AWD 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
Review
These cars are expensive to buy and maintain, but it really is the best car on the road. I traded my 2000 S500 in on the '03 with 4matic. The 4matic tends to drag or hold back compared to my rear drive, but it is great in the rain and snow. The '03 update really changes the look of the car inside and out. Fuel economy is not much better than a Range Rover. I'm averaging about 15 mpg, and I do a lot of highway driving. My rear drive got much better fuel economy. My car also has the sport package which also changes the look of the car quite a bit. It was next to impossible finding a 4matic with the sport package in a good color, but they are out there. A great car to buy used, save a ton!
Favorite Features
4matic all wheel drive. Sport package. The general look of the car. A big head turner.
Suggested Improvements
Make Navi DVD based (this happened in '04) try to improve fuel economy on 4matic cars. eEven the wealthy want to get good gas mileage!
A truly great automobile
Overall
Rating 
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S500 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
Review
This is my 4th new Mercedes. I have had diesel and gas models, I have had the SL models, and S models. They are a pleasure to own and to drive. Very reliable, and with their weight and ample power they make all roads,hills,and curves seem like an expressway. Best money I have ever spent on cars. Regardless of age, mileage, or type, I have enjoyed the car. Never got out of one and felt that I was tired of the drive. I oft times take it for a drive, just for the pleasure of driving it.
Favorite Features
I now have the Mercedes map system in the car. Dont even own a map. Type in the address and it tells me every turn, and in ample time to respond to its directional command. I do appreciate the fact that Mercedes doesnt sell you this years car, then make next years model look so different.
Suggested Improvements
This guys are "way ahead of me". Keep buildin' em, and I'll keep buy'en them.