Potential new buyer, anything to be wary of?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
1998 e320
Potential new buyer, anything to be wary of?
Hey everyone,
I will be a new buyer for a s500. Currently I am looking at a few in the range of 3-5k USD with about 120-150k miles on them. Anything in particular I should look out for? Are these cares reliable at that mileage?
Thanks so much!
I will be a new buyer for a s500. Currently I am looking at a few in the range of 3-5k USD with about 120-150k miles on them. Anything in particular I should look out for? Are these cares reliable at that mileage?
Thanks so much!
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 103
Likes: 4
From: Northbridge, Ma.
94 S420,95 S500 ,96 S500
THE CARS ARE ALL GOOD 92-99 IF THEY HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF, IF SOMEONE DIDNT MAINTAIN IT RIGHT YOU WILL SPEND A TON OF MONEY GETTING IT BACK TO NICE CONDITION.. THE EARLIER CARS ARE BUILT BETTER THAN THE 96-99 CARS..THE CARS GO 300-400,000 MILES IF MAINTAINED PROPERLY
Last edited by eddie a; Sep 28, 2012 at 05:31 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 897
Likes: 19
From: Commierado
Deleted
The 92-4 (some of the 95 as well) have some wiring issues. Typically you can just get the throttle bodies, MAFs, upper and lower harnesses rewired and things will be fine. Do some reading on Benzworld in the W140 section. Much more life than on here. Buy a 500 at the very least. The 600s are better in every way. Expect to spend about $4-9k on fixing deferred maintenance within the first week of purchase--if you take it to a dealer/indy.
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 103
Likes: 4
From: Northbridge, Ma.
94 S420,95 S500 ,96 S500
Buy what you like
Ive had 500s and 420s, I have had my 420 for 4 years and havent put $4000 in it yet. The car isnt as responsive as a 500 or 600 but, Im not racing around the town anyway. On the highway these cars are the king of the road. Ive never even driven a 600 but Im sure they are animals and my guess is they are more expensive to run and maintain. The 320s are not much better on fuel than mine. And as far as the transmissions, they do fail but,I have been very lucky..I put 60,000 miles on mine and still shifts perfectly.. so good luck in the hunt, dont rush to buy one, learn about them then buy one...
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 69
From: Socal, Chino
E55 2006 / CLS55 / S450 / Jag XKR2011
Try to get 97-99 S500 at the lowest price possible. Try to get $2K because eventually tranny will fail, MAF sensor will fail...... You will typically spend $3K to restore at the first then spend $500 to $1000 per year for repairs and maintenance. I bought mine 3 years ago for $2500 1997 Silver black S320 with 150K miles. I had to fix valve gasket leak and maf sensor (check engine light came on for smog check) I sold it before I had to fix the tranny. It started slipping and to rebuild $2K. Just buy it at low price then have budget to rebuild it like new. When people tell you my car is in perfect condition and want to sell for $5K - $8K that's total BS because they are 12 to 15 year old car. Even the most reliable Camry breaks ! Happy hunting 
