ALEX777

Hi All,

I am a first time buyer for a Benz car and intersted in these below models:

1992 MERCEDES 300SE W140
1991 MERCEDES 300E W124
Difference betwen SE, SEL and E models

I dont know much about these cars and I would like to get some pointers before I purchase, as to what I need to check or decide on a car.
1) Low kms (between 100000 to 1200000kms)
2) Problems with finding spares for 1990 models
3) fuel economy
4) General information abt engine life for these cars.

I would appreciate if anyone could please give me some information.

Thanks
Alex

lcmlee

If you are serious about owning a W140, then you should bring the prospective W140 into a dealer for pre-sales inspection. Get them to tell you all the things wrong with the car. There is rarely such a beast as a W140 in perfect condition.

You should be aware that the w140 was Mercedes Benz's "Cost no object, build the best car on the road" mentality car. As such, the car was the one of the most expensive luxury car in the world. Of course, we all know that the world changed and the public wanted affordable luxury cars, and the Lexus line of cars proofed to be the winner in that decade. Never-the-less, there are approx. 500,000 W140 on the road..and these cars are going for dirt cheap...but the cost to maintain them as world class rides is still at world class price. Many of these forums have really good DIY folks and if you are handy with tools...then you can save some in maintaining these beast. Personally, I take it to someone I trust and have them work on my W140...the amount of time it would take me to maintain my car is not worth it when I compare it to how much I can make in the computer business...mileage will vary to each's profession. From my experience, the car is very low cost to maintain if everything works...but when it breaks...be sure to have lots of cash around. Some years I have spent up to 3k to fix issues. This year, it will take another 6K for air condition/paint/tires/oil/aligment/coolant flush...just to give you an idea of costs.

Good luck, and hope to hear good news with your new purchase. Just go in with realistic expectations that this car is not your average run of the mill drive on the road car...so the cost of running it in acceptable condition will be higher than your average car.

oldsinner111

I would not buy a pre 1996 w140,unless wiring harness was replaced.You don't need the trouble.Plenty of 96 thru 99s.My understanding is 96 had transmission bugs that after a 100,000 miles should have been fixed.

565mercedes

guys,
someone tried to ruin my love for the w140.......check out this link
http://www.epinions.com/review/auto_...nt_57385258628

oldsinner111

Hey 565 that write up sucked.

lcmlee

If you cannot aford a wiring harnest, then best not to buy any W140 for any year.

lcmlee

One rotten apple in a bunch. All the other comments are what we expected to hear from real W140 owners... A little suspicious if the poster ever owned a W140, or any Benz for the matter of fact...reads more like something a loser would write on a car they have no clue about.