bzliteyear

hi all,

looking to get rid of our 1995 525i and replace it w/ the S320...2nd owner and silver/grey. looks well cared for, and i figure if it's like the E320, the engine and transmission should both be pretty reliable. i know the S500 and S420's have had their share of problems, but i'm curious if the S320 is any better, same, or worse then the V8 brothers.

btw, the asking price is around $12k...any thots on price?

ph1958

I bought my Smoke Silver 1997 S320 in January 1997. I was age 39 and had expectations of owning the car at age 55. With the exception of a three-year period, my car has generally been driven for long-distance commutes. The car now has about 155,000 miles.

I have had to replace / repair the oil pan gasket (twice), the electronic shifter (it would not shift below 3rd gear), the antenna core, the blower motor, and transmission pan gasket. I have the motor oil drained and replaced every six months by a local independent mechanic. I also have had two alignments and am staring at a third one. As they are so easy to change, I replace the disc brake pads myself. In general, I have not bee disappointed by the service / maintenance / repair requirements.

While I wish my car had a navigation system, the car has generally been a wonderful car. It is exceptionally comfortable for my daily commute and some infrequent long-distance trips. I never feel as though I have a lesser car when I pull up to restaurants, hotels, etc. The six-cylinder engine is smooth and trouble-free.

Although I am generally a "must-have-the-latest" person and can afford to buy the current generation S550, I have not been able to justify giving up my S320. (I also own a 2005 SL500; perhaps it has resolved my new-car itch.) I am focused on getting my car to 300,000+ miles and owning the car when I'm 55 years old.

I have been a happy owner...

bzliteyear

thank you for sharing - you answered many of my questions, though i am a bit confused why you felt happy/content w/ the 2x oil pan, blower motor, transmission pan gasket, electronic shifter, etc... they do not seem to be normal maintenance items. therefore, i can only assume that they were not very expensive, or you're ok with spending some of the over an 8 yr period as normal part of mercedes ownership? was any of that during the warranty period, or mostly as it got older, past the 100k mark?

p.s. i'm very pleased to hear about your SL500 and yet you don't feel the need to buy a new S550 just because it's new or because you could afford it...that's a good role-model for the younger people today(i'm almost 42).
thx again for sharing.

NZ_Benz

I picked up my 1993 300SEL/320 about a year ago when I was 18, these cars really are great, the I6 engine despite what anyone says has more than enough power unless you feel the need to travel at the speed of sound. It's also a much easier engine to work on which means repair bills are lower.

Rod Spohn

bzliteyear
I have a '96 S320 with almost 150k miles. I have had it for almost 4 years. All I have had to do was the blower motor( it would only go up to med speed), crank case positioning sensor (only $130),Brakes in that time. I have had a couple of minor problems that people on this forum have helped me work through. I have looked at getting a SL or SLK320 but wouldn't sell my Sclass to get it. Its been an awesome car. ( Thats just my opinion)

Drive on

ph1958

Dear bzliteyear,

The oil pan gaskets were replaced at about 75,000 miles and recently at 155,000. The transmission gasket was replaced in the 90,000 area. The blower motor was replaced recently. The only "covered" item was the electronic shifter (under an extended warranty). All-in-all, the aggregate
"abnormal" costs have not been significant given that I have owned the car for ten years (as of January 2007). Perhaps a Lexus LS430 might have been cheaper to own...then it is just not the same as driving a Mercedes-Benz S-class.

Thanks for the kind words about being a role model. I bought the car for a long-haul ownership experience and believe the S320 has lived up to my expectations.

Happy New Year!

bzliteyear

[QUOTE=ph1958;1908403]Dear bzliteyear,

The oil pan gaskets were replaced at about 75,000 miles and recently at 155,000. The transmission gasket was replaced in the 90,000 area. The blower motor was replaced recently. The only "covered" item was the electronic shifter (under an extended warranty). All-in-all, the aggregate
"abnormal" costs have not been significant given that I have owned the car for ten years (as of January 2007). QUOTE]

happy new year to you also.

could you share approx how much the transmission gasket and the oil pan gaskets cost? did you use MB dealer or indep?

thx again.

ph1958

Bzliteyear,

The oil gasket cost about $1100 while the transmission gasket was about $400. The oil gasket replacement was performed by Ramsey Motors, an independent in Ramsey, NJ.

The price quoted by Prestige Mercedes, the local MB dealer, was siginificantly higher. The MB dealer also was insistent that the oil gasket replacement work would also require a wiring harness replacement (sound familiar...) for an additional $1500.

When Ramsey Motors first provided the estimate, it was quite certain that the wiring harness was not an item for replacemtn.

Hope this information helps.

MBProS320

I'm with NZ on this one. I got my 1998 S320 when I was 17 (hand me down from my mother, who in turn bought an S500). Althought the car wasn't the best of condition when I got it, I knew it was ten times as solid as the newer S-Classes. Best part is, this car is easier to maintain, and doesnt follow the "Chevy x4" rule as much (what ever it costs to fix a chevy, times 4 to fix a benz). Don't really see myself getting rid of it anytime soon, and I have 125K miles on it.

A 1997 S320 with 122K should be solid. Just make sure your take care of your mechanic on holidays!

bzliteyear

thx everyone for sharing.

i took another look at the car and here are some observations:

1) transmission was replaced by MB 3 yrs ago right before the CPO 100k warranty expired.

2) the rear view mirror is broken - and it's rigged to stay, but doesn't work that well...hearing it's $600 to replace.

3) front left tire wore unevenly toward the outside and needs replacement. the front right was uneven also, but not nearly as bad. is this simple alignment, or could it be hiding other facts including prior accident?

other than that, one indep mechanic said S320 engine gaskets often go bad because the 6-cylinder S-class is under-powered...and he quoted $1800 if that needed work.

also, front pads done at 104k and now car has 122k...so one day could need replacement...being quoted $800 for front/rear including discs.

any thots appreciated...and thx to all for your valuable input.

JAM

Wow, my 1997 S320 LWB was on of my favorite Benzes. In fact, if you look at my list of previously owned Benzes, the S320 was my second favorite (The SL600 remains #1). But, in all honesty, I preferred the S320 to my 2000 S500. The power that the V6 is able to muster in the W140 LWB is incredible. Fuel economy is great, VERY smooth suspension and whisper quiet idle when inside the car.

I leased the car for 3 years in 97 and wished I had bought it; in 1999 I bought the 2000 S500, but it is just not the same at the W140. I like a lot of the more modern conveniences and added power, but the W140 reigns supreme. Nothing driving down the road has more presence than a W140 LWB.

BTW, the S320 came in a LWB (Long wheel base) and a SWB (short). The S420, S500, and S600 only came inthe LWB versions in the US. The difference is noticed in the rear seat area.

Seems like a good deal for $12k. You might consider buying on from an MB dealer for a bit more $ in that you would probably get an engine and powertrain warranty.

Let us know what you do.

Mclarenf1

I just joined this forum as I just bought a 1998 S320 LWB. I absolutely love it but I have a hard shift problem. I only bought it two days ago from what seems like a reputable dealer. It drove like magic for the first two days and then the engine light came on. I panicked as I bought this for it's reliability, knowing that if it did need to be serviced, it would be expensive. The next day it started shifting very hard indeed. I looked underneath and there was oil all around the area where the gearbox joins the engine. I was pretty upset. The dealership (independant) said they would take care of it. I am assuming the gasket is gone and that it it leaking transmission fluid. My question is what are their legal responsibilities? Are they required to foot the entire bill? Also, can I top up the transmission fluid to drive it down there? It's an hour drive. I drove it last night around the parking lot and it was smooth again but I imagine it will slam shift once she is warmed up. I just don't understand how one minute it was shifting like silk and the next minute it was slam shifting pretty hard. I'm a little upset because I actually really really love this car and so do my kids. I have always been a bit of a sporty car owner and bought silly cars but at 37 years old, this thing has made me a new man :0) please let me know any advice you have. I do feel a little calmer to hear all your great reviews of the car. I was panicking that the S- Class was a problem car. Thanks to you all!

Mercefreaken

What kind of problems are you referring to? My experience is that the V8s are actually the engines that are likely to cause you the least problems in the W140-series The 320 is a good engine as well, but you should count in the costs of a new head gasket.

As for the transmission there are one 4-speed and one or two different 5-speed automatics to choose from, depending on what year the car is (and of course what the first owner asked for). The 4-speed is perhaps the most solid and reliable, although not as smooth and "refined" as the newer 5-speed. The 722.6 5-speed is still in use, and it adapts to the way you drive the car. There have been some issues with the converter on these, mainly in the W211 E-class CDI though.

There might be differences in part prices where you live compared to here in Norway, but one of the first thing I noticed when I upgraded to my first W140 from my W124, was that you can double or triple the prices on many parts.

-Michael

benica

For me, having a SEL with the I6/380/400/420, etc.....the body is the same and weighs the same....a smaller engine pushing that amount of mass....the transmission/engine are bound to have problems.
I bought a new 300 SEL in the late 80's....I should have spent the money and bought the 560 instead. Headaches. And then I bought a 1990 420 SEL...transmission problems.
But then again, just because it's a MB, does not mean it'll last forever! Quality and construction are superior to many other cars of course, but not without problems as this site can attest to! Even if one maintains them correctly, it's always something else.
Now I have a 92 500 SEL and a '05 CL55 AMG Coupe. Both are always needing something it seems. Replaced the window regulator, driver's side and then the passenger side goes out and then the rears on the 500! On the '05 CL55 AMG Coupe, passenger window reg went out, blower motor, transmission was slipping, cam shaft seals were leaking...and the car has 50K on it! The 500 has 81K! Low miles on both.
Anyway...just my .02 worth.

barry S320V

THE W140 WAS NEVER MARKETED AS AN ECONOMY CAR. This car was built "without regard to cost", remember this when it needs repairs. The I6 engine has 228 hp, is capable of 135 mph with the North American chip or 165 mph with the Euro chip, fast enough? I bought the I6 on the theory that with a 6 under the hood there would be less heat and more room to work when it needed service. I also wanted to avoid the complicated suspension on the S500. I won't bore you with a list or repairs. The bottom line is it feels great rolling down the road in this car.

napaAl

It's like riding my Harley with it's stock engine. A classic V-twin. One hundred years into it.
The German style I-6 is also a classic. The records show that Porsche, and BMW will agree. Thanks to YEARS of development, the shorter V-6 is almost as smooth and can fit into a smaller footprint.
Enjoy

fduffer

If anyone is trying to justify the purchase price and maintenance cost of owning a late 1990's w140, consider this...the original cost of these s class MB's was 60,000 US. They spent 2 Billion dollars developing just the s class alone.
It makes sense to me to find one with most of the major repairs done (AC compressor/Transmission Plate/Head Gasket for around 5000, and keeping the cost of the vehicle new in mind, realize that you are driving possibly the best car ever made for the common market, one that will NEVER be as over-engineered as this model, AND that if it is a 97-99, it has for the most part been perfected....it certainly makes it easier for me to spend even another 5k if necessary. Go drive a new s class... after driving my 97 s320 swb for a month, the new ones are almost a joke...and the cost? 60,000...many people on this site and in your community will tell you, it's impossible to justify buying a new one...the late 90's MB's are just the best cars ever made. I am lucky to have found one, and if you do, you should buy it and drive it until the wheels fall off...

oldsinner111

I like my s320 1999,it did have good mileage till I put the new motor in.I had a tinking,it was the chain tensoiner at 189,000. I did'nt fix it and aluminum was all over my engine,so I replaced it with 57,000 engine.I even had nitrous on it,and did the 1/4 mile in 14.6 secs.

rosswell

I drovie a 2008 s550, great power, but couldn't bring myself to spend 37k on it as it was rough inside. So I spent 12k on a '95 s320 (maybe too much) but it has 33000 original miles by original owner. Mostly cosmetic repairs needed to body and came wi mint garaged interior (no seat cracks at all). I agree with the posts above you should buy it and drive it til the wheels fall off. I too may need a new pan gasket due to the oil just on bottom of engine, but the top is immaculate and still has factory wax in several places. My check engine light is likely an o2 sensor...car runs smoother than anything I've ever driven. I will have dealer check the codes soon.