I'm somewhat-seriously in the market for a car to replace my 560SEL... The 560 is an outstanding automobile, even more so now since it just had $15k worth of work done on it last summer...

...But (there's always a butt, isn't there? ) it's just not as fast as I'd like. I'd also like something that gets better gas mileage, but that's not really *that* important (or I wouldn't be considering a 600...)

Basically what I want to know is how reliable the W140 600s are. I'm 19, this is going to be my only car, and I need something that isn't going to leave me stranded in the school parking lot once a month or whatever. Minor electrical bugs like power seats that won't move aren't a big deal... I have to deal with those now. I just need to be sure that, like I said, the cars aren't prone to having major problems (read: anything that would make it undriveable) on a regular basis.

Also, how much more expensive to maintain are they than the W126s? I don't think they'd be all that much more, but...

Oh, and I'm most interested in the post-1996 models because I'd rather have a 5 speed, but I'd consider a pre-1996 model as well.

 

I used to own a 1989 560 SEL some time ago and know what you mean about the costly repairs. The w126 560 will always be one of my favorites because it is pure elegant luxury. Everytime I see one they carry the majestic aura of a true MB no matter the condition of the vehicle.

About the w140 S600... ours has been very reliable thus far. We bought it slightly used and it now has 58K on it. The 50K service was very costly, but well worth the preventing the headaches that could have come about. The S600 takes synthetic oil only and ours gets about 11-13mpg in the city. I believe maintenance is the key with these cars and they will reward you accordingly.

At 19 years old, a S600 is one heck of a car. Just save a little $$ on the side for preventive maintenance and unforseen problems.

Goodluck!

 

Hmm...

Well, I called my mechanic while driving between a couple of dealerships trying to find a S600 or CL600 on Monday (both dealers just sold the ones they were advertising ) and he looked up the TSBs for the 1995 600 (both of the cars the dealers *would* have had if I'd gone last week were 95s) and he said "for a 1995 Mercedes, this thing has very few TSBs. If you can find one that's got all of the records so you know it's been maintained, and is in good condition, it should be very reliable. But, repairs are going to cost you 2-3x what they would on your 560."

So. If I can find one I'll have to test drive it and see what I think... the local MB dealer is supposedly going to call me the next time they get one in.

Part of the problem here is that I don't know entirely what I want yet, other than that I'd like something that's a good deal faster than the 560 (not that the 560 is slow... it's not. It's just that 0-60 in 7s can't get me into trouble as fast as I'd like... ) AND I'm not sure I can talk myself into selling the 560... But either way I'm thinking about a number of different cars. If you're curious, the list as of right now looks like this:

BMW: 850i, 750iL, E39 M5*, E36 M3

Mercedes: W140 S600/CL600, E500 (old one), C43, E55*, 300SEL 6.3 (yes, I know all about the air suspension issues they had )

Porsche: 928, 944 Turbo, 930 911 Turbo*

Acura: NSX

Ferrari: 400i*, 308/328*

Pontiac: 1970.5-1973 Firebird Formula 400, 455, or Trans Am, 1989 GTA w/Buick Turbo V6 (same engine as the GN/GNX)

Buick: GN, GNX

Audi: S4 (2.7L Biturbo, not the V8)

Chevrolet: Early (1968-1973) C3 Corvette

...and that's about it. Anything else that you can think of that's RWD (the S4 gets an exception because I can chip it and get 58hp for $600), has at least 6cyls, and is not a Lexus, Ford (any division), Cadillac, or Chevy (Corvette excluded), can be had for around $20k or less, and runs at least mid 14s 1/4s, I'd be interested in hearing about...

* The cars marked with an asterisk are most likely out of my price range, although there is a slim chance I might be able to afford one.

 

You are young, you have so many cars in your list that you can enjoy at your age.. go for one of them:

BMW: E36 M3, try to go for a 1995.. they were OBDI and are easier to get more power out of and to work on.

Mercedes: E500, the drivetrain is made by Porsche and they will forever be a classic. I still remember the first time I drove a 1993 500E when they first arrived, I was in heaven. The C43 is also a nice catch if you can find a clean one that has had the transmission replaced.

Acura NSX: Nice car, but impractical as a daily driver and eats rear tires every 4500 miles.

Pontiac/Buick 3.8 Turbo and C3 Vette: very nice collectors cars but way under your league in luxury.

Porsche: Go for a 968 if any. Most of the 944 S2 bugs were worked out in the 968 and they added Variocam and a 6 speed manual which brings power on par to the 944 Turbo.

Ferrari 400i, 308/328: good collectors cars or weekend toys, but not a daily driver

Audi S4: very good bang for the buck. You can also get the 2.7 Biturbo with 6 speed in the A6. I have seen low mileage examples go for high teens to low twenties. Can be a maintenance item if the car was not maintained.

I have owned some of the cars in your list and have friends who have owned most of the others so I am speaking from experience. I wish you luck and make sure you drive anything before you buy it.

Regards,
Abe

 

I speak from experience... I have 1995 BMW E36 M3 (OBD1) and it is by far the most amazing car i have driven and i've driven alot of exotics too. Especially at the price they are at today (you can get one for $10-13k for a 95, kia's cost more then that). Granted i have one of the most modified ones out there, but none-the-less its still amazing even in stock form... With the E36 though keep alot of money aside for mods b/c as soon as you get the "mod bug" its all over b/c there are endless amount of parts out there for the 95 E36 M3's