Newbie here, looking hard to purchase a Blackwood. I would like to know if there are any "issues" with the truck that I should look for. Lots of info here, great site, thanks in advance

 

I think the biggest problem has been the delicateness of the lids. I personally haven't issues but others here have.

 

30K miles:
The power module for the bed lid failed at about 20K miles more or less. Taken care of under warrenty.
The seat heater blower has failed at least three times on the drivers side and I have quit worrying about it as the weather in Georgia is not all that cold.

Other than that, the truck has been more or less bullet proof.
I have a chip, filter and exhaust on mine and it performs extremely well in my opinion.

As a side note, I would bargain very hard on a Blackwood.
The truck is a great vehicle but it is an orphan and does not command a great price on the second hand market.
If you can steal one, go for it.
Bill

 

Thanks for your help!! I am looking at a Neiman-Marcus editon, just trying to get a good price, hopefully I will be a proud owner in a week or so.

Another question, does one have to use premium fuel in the Blackwood??

 

Glad to see another proud (potential) "'Woodie" in the mix. Bill is right, you can probably push a dealer for a good deal. That Neiman Marcus is really nice. I've owned mine for a few months and love it. No issues except the limited carrying capacity but it hasn't been a big problem for me.
As far as gas goes, mine runs OK on regular 87 octane. The computer adjusts the timing to compensate for the detonation dif. but the MPG falls off as a result, so as far as cost goes, it seems to be a wash. Performance is better with higher octane. I've had success alternating between a tank of premium 93 oct. and mid grade 89 oct. Seems that performance is the same. However, there is only a couple of cents dif. so its really no biggie.
Hope you like washing trucks, though. Good luck.
Rich

 

The owner's manual does recommend 91, but as Straps says, it will run on less although at a slight performance penalty.
If you decide to chip it, which I think makes a world of difference, 91 minimum and 93 if you can find it.

As a side note, the NM version is probably worth some kind of premium if you intend to keep the truck. Way back when, almost 3 years ago, I bid on an Ebay auction for the complete interior of a wrecked NM vehicle here in Ga. I dropped out at about $1,300 as I remember. Even so, don't pay more for that upgrade if you can avoid it. Not our business, really, but what is the asking price for the truck you are looking at???
Please keep us informed about your saga.
Bill

 

Bill,
What exactly is the difference in the Neiman Marcus? I know that it has the logo on the seats and a DVD player, I think. What else does it have?
Incidentaly, I was at the dealership yesterday for service and before I even had the engine shut off, there was a salesman out the door asking if I;d seen the new LT. He was really pushing to get me inside. They didn't have one obviously, but they have some sort of a video presentation. He said that I could get "pre market pricing" whatever that is and that he would buy out my lease (guess he assumed that no one would actoally own a Bwood outright) no matterwhat it took for the buyout. I guess there is a big bonus program for selling the new model because when I started to talk to him about a Navigator, he sorta lost his top spin. Guess they don;t want to let this one "die on the vine" like the Blackwood.
I also met a guy with an absolutely original pristine showroom new 73 Mark IV with 35K miles. Still had the original tires. The guy was 79 and the original owner.Only in Florida.....(I asked, but his son has first dibs)

 

Bill, you can't get 93 octane? As far as I know/ that's all that is available here. I can't remember ever seeing 91.
Rich

 

Straps:
Ummm, site went gunnysack for five minutes.

Anyway, you are so right, my dealer is on me like stink on a cowpie to trade out the Wood for an LT. Calls every other day. I think there is like $5k on the hood for starters, lease loyalty money and goodness knows what else.

I am not enjoying making this post, but my response was sort of like this.
I have a Blackwood with every bell and whistle that was offered except the NM package which was basically embossed seats and consoles and the DVD player as I recall. I cannot get an LT with the Navigation system, at least not factory installed. I forget now if the DVD system is offered or not but probably not so if you get the sunroof. The Bling you get with a Blackwood is, in my opinion not there. It is sort of a Lincoln version of the King Ranch F150.
Good points are that it will cost a lot less than a Blackwood and you will be able to use the bed as a bed, not so with a Blackwood.

Quite a bit off topic, but you brought it up, since my Pat has been gone for almost a month with her Dad, I have started driving her 05 Navigator most every day. Damn thing grows on you. I realize it is just a badge engineered Expy, but the thing is tight as a drum, the stereo is killer, I sat for a half an hour in the driveway and watched part of a movie on the DVD player and
enjoyed that. While I miss the DOHC motor we have in the Blackwood, the six speed tranny takes care of a lot of those issues and with a chip I imagine it would be a very strong performer.
Even though I am looking at a Mustang Cobra, a Merc Marauder and some other sedan alternatives, in the end, come the month of May we may well be a two Navigator family.
And...that would be really different for me. I will turn 65 in March and I have always purchased or leased cutting edge vehicles. Taurus SHO, Lightning, Blackwood, in recent years and here I am thinking about going mainstream right along with the leisure pants guys and blue haired ladies.
Of course, it will have chip/filter/exhaust, can't get too far off the mark.

Bill

 

B]Hope you like washing trucks, though. Good luck.[/B]

LOL
I am used to black vehicles as I have a Mercury Marauder. I understand chipping will help as I have had my marauder reprogramed for optimal performance. Does one have to actually put a chip in or can the PCM just be reflashed? I am looking in the 28K catagory for the N.M edition, 14K miles. I have never seen a vehicle for so many different prices across the board. Some I have found are reasonably priced, and others it seems the dealers just want to "hit a home run with them:. I am looking for lower miles as I intend to keep mine for quite a while. The new Lincoln truck just doesn't have the appeal for me that the "wood" does.

Thanks again for the info

Dan

 

nm blackwood also came with the cooler/fridge in the rear console. i agree on the LT it just looks like a rebadged f150.

Lincoln Presents Neiman Marcus Edition 2002 Lincoln Blackwood At New York Auto Show

NEW YORK, April 11, 2001 - Lincoln unveiled the Neiman Marcus Edition 2002 Lincoln Blackwood, which will be showcased in the 2001 Neiman Marcus Spring Gift catalog, at the New York International Auto Show this morning.

Marking its first collaboration with the exclusive retailer, Lincoln will produce only 50 of the luxurious ultimate utility vehicles.

"This is a marriage of two American Luxury icons - Lincoln and Neiman Marcus," says Mark Hutchins, president of Lincoln Mercury. "It's a terrific combination that will further separate the segment-busting Blackwood from potential competitors."

Unlike other vehicles on the road today, Lincoln Blackwood combines the elegance and comfort of a luxury car, the versatility and convenience of an SUV, and the handling of a sports sedan. The interior wraps four passengers in an indulgent, luxurious cabin trimmed in black leather and wood, while the exterior marries the dramatic presence of a deep-gloss black Lincoln Navigator with a unique and distinctive box-like trunk with a power-operated tonneau cover.

The Neiman Marcus Edition Blackwood exemplifies the 2002 Blackwood's versatility by featuring one-of-a-kind design and entertainment elements. All four headrests feature a Neiman Marcus stitched logo. The leather-wrapped rear-console lid features a 7-inch Panasonic LCD Wide Screen DVD/Video-CD/CD player with game center hook-up and two wireless headphones. Located inside is a cooler/warmer, large enough to hold goodies for two.

"Neiman Marcus has a history of partnering with the world's leading auto manufacturers and this is no exception," said Mike Lubka, senior vice president of Neiman Marcus Direct. "We're excited about showcasing the luxurious Blackwood Neiman Marcus Edition in our Spring Gift catalog."

Neiman Marcus catalogs begin arriving in homes the last week of April, and delivery of the vehicles will begin in early fall.

Customers can reserve a Neiman Marcus Edition 2002 Lincoln Blackwood, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $58,800, beginning Friday, May 4, 2001. At 9 a.m. EST customers can reserve their vehicles by calling 1.877.BLACKWOOD.

Like all Lincolns, this special edition Blackwood will be covered by a four-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty - including the entertainment console, which is outfitted by Eclipse Conversions, maker and installer of the system. Lincoln also provides complimentary scheduled maintenance, including oil changes and tire rotation, for the first three years or 36,000 miles of ownership.

Lincoln, based in Irvine, Calif., markets the full line of Lincoln vehicles, including LS, Navigator, Town Car, Continental, and the soon-to-be-introduced Blackwood. For more information visit www.lincolnvehicles.com.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bill Murray
here I am thinking about going mainstream right along with the leisure pants guys and blue haired ladies.
QUOTE]

NOOOOOOO.........DON'T DO IT !!!!!! Lime green polyester pants and white vinyl shoes wouldn't suit you, I bet. I hope that you reconsider that path. If not, there are plenty of condos available in Century Village down here. You'd probably have to get a Merc Grand Marquis, though (cloth interior, vinyl top..). I'll send you the official plastic flower for your radio antenna so that you can find your car in the mall (required by county ordinance ) LOL...
I prefer to use my AARP discount card at the speed shop.

Seriously though, I drove one of those Marauders and loved it. Wicked fast and I loved the ride.Nice interior, too.

RDY2....Thanks for the info on the Neiman Wood. I like that cooler idea.

 

I think you should go with the Marauder(having one myself) It is like having a 140MPH leather recliner and it is a guarantee you will not have any trouble mistaking your ride from any other in the parking lot. Try www.mercurymarauder.net

It is the best site for info on the Marauder and just a class act as well, I am a moderator there and highly recommend it for anyone that is even thinking about purchasing one

 

Mercman:
Well, stupid me, I cannot find a 2005 Marauder on Mercury's product line schedule website Have not looked at it for six months or so.
Would I have to find a leftover 2004???
As to your purchase, again, I have not looked at Blackwood prices here for several months but the price you indicated is probably ballpark based on those older prices.
Certainly, the mileage is in your favor, if you can find one with so few miles, the truck is not even broken in yet.

So, Blackwoods are rare, so are Marauders.
Both have motors/trannies that will not be seen again and are very tunable to get an extra bit of ooomph.

I will not keep my Blackwood because it does not do what I need to do. The Navigator will do that which I needed for the Blackwood.
But, you have energized me, again, to investigate the Marauder and maybe even do some stuff to my 1992 Town Car.
Bill

 

Marauders were only made in '03 and '04. Your best bet is to do a search for either a new one(getting scarce) or a lightly used one. Wish I was closer so you could drive mine. Team Ford in Atlanta may be able to help you in your search, they have some great mechanics that do magical things with the Marauder and there is a whole group from Mercurymarauder.net in your area, go to the site and check them out.
Once again I appreciate everyones input on my Blackwood questions.