2001 Mercedes-Benz S500 (W220) Guard Special Protection Armored Sedan (B4)

For Sale:

2001 Mercedes-Benz S500 (W220) Guard Special Protection Armored Sedan (B4)

One Owner

VIN: WDBNG75J11A181521

59,275 miles

Option Codes:

979 - M-B Guard Special Protection Vehicle. Protected occupant cell B4 certified (small arms protection up to .44 calibre + shotgun ), Polycarbonate glass, high strength steel body, reinforced rear suspension.

Z15 - 2-way intercom

Z16 - Self sealing fuel tank

5.0 liter V8 24 valve

You are bidding on a 2001 Mercedes S500 with 59,275 miles on it. This car was originally purchased at Rusnak Pasadena CA.

Now, for a little background on these cars. The S500 Guard was Mercedes' first official factory-offered armored car to be available to the U.S. public. The main advantage of the S500 Guard over other modified armored cars is that it’s purpose-built from the factory. Mercedes starts the armoring process when the car is still a body shell. This allows them to more fully integrate the armored components into the car. Specialized technicians install all of the upgraded and armored components. Aftermarket security companies often have to start with a regular production car, meaning they have to disassemble the vehicle completely, install the armored components and then put the car back together. It can end up looking pretty aftermarket, but everything looks factory the way Mercedes does it. There is nothing to really give away that this is an armored car except the thick bullet-proof glass and the doors which feel much heavier than their unarmored counterparts on the regular “S” and the lack of a sun roof..

This car is certified to meet a European B4 ballistic protection level. Extensive steel armor plating is used for the entire occupant shell, including the doors, the A-, B- and C-pillars, the roof, the firewall and the rear bulkhead. Armoring is arranged in a way that prevents bullets from passing through door locks and the gaps where the doors are shut. On the doors where metal adjoins window glass, overlapping joints prevents bullets from entering the cabin. The B4 rating certifies that the occupants are safe from all acts of mechanical violence (such as hammer or baseball-bat blows) and handgun rounds up to .44 caliber as well as shotguns. We have never had to test that and hopefully neither will you.

The windows themselves are composed of thick multi-layer polycarbonate security glass that does not splinter when hit or shot at. The glass is almost totally distortion-free. Additional security upgrades include run-flat tires from the factory (*note this car comes with regular tires which are not run-flat*) with a tire pressure warning system and a self-sealing fuel tank that resists fuel leaks when punctured. To compensate for the additional weight that the armoring adds, this S500 Guard has reinforced suspension components and upgraded brakes.

The rest of the S500 Guard looks totally stock. It’s nearly impossible to tell the difference unless you know what you are looking for. External dimensions and body panels are nearly identical to stock.

This car has had all shocks replaced in the past several years and all scheduled services has been performed. It has been driven mostly highway miles with very little city driving. We have some, but not all of the service paperwork that has been performed.

The Good:

Interior is in great shape, the paint is beautiful and car has been garaged the entire time. Low, mostly highway mileage for a car of its age.

The Bad:

Since we have owned the car the tire pressure warning light has stayed illuminated and we have not been able to get it to go away. All other electronics have been working fine.

There are 3 small dings on the front passenger side of the hood near the front which have been repaired with factory paint. They are minor and you can see them in the posted pictures.

Drivers seat and arm rest show normal wear and tear.