I've had the privilege to own two W140s so far. One being a 1997 S 420, and the present, a 1997 S 500. Both unique unto themselves, but are similar in many ways. I currently have the S 500 for sale, only because I moved into a small apartment in Miami and can't readily afford the extra space needed to house her; and being able to walk to work has caused me to rethink the need for a car. However, upon my listing the car, I have been amazed at the low ball offers received, and the sheer lack of interest in itself. Mind you, this car has been for sale almost a year now...but there is something holding me back. It is my memory of the S 420 I once had. That car saved my life. I remember the accident clear as day, it was a high speed accident that caused me to mow down two large, mature pine trees before crashing into a ravine which caused the middle of the frame of the car to bend...so much that you could not close the rear doors properly. I was not wearing a seat belt. The air bags did not go off. Once the car settled, teetering over the crest of the ravine, I was able to exit the car and assess the damage. Totally unscathed...not even a scratch or a wince in my neck over it...The tow truck came and pulled her out back onto flat ground. Voila. Turned the key and she fired back into life. I drove home, saddened by the accident. Next day I went to work, drove just fine and everything worked! All of the double paned windows functioned properly, the sunroof, the radio, the amazing Bose sound system...I was so impressed and appreciative of her service for me. A couple weeks later, I got a job offer in New York...I took the job and drove my post accident S 420 with all my worldly belongings inside her. Stuffed to the gills. We drove up to NY from FL that spring and she operated for me all the way until Hurricane Sandy hit in 2012. The only reason she stopped there was because I had been eye balling a 2009 E 350 with RWD at the local Benz dealer...I picked that one up for $22K with only 33,000 miles on her in 2012...I traded my faithful S 420 in for a measly $1500 at her present state. She was the best, of my 19 so far, Mercedes I have encountered. Relentless work ethic, larger than life personality, and a force beyond belief to anything she encountered. The living legend. I'm so happy to share her story. And confirm the belief of the designers and engineers who created her. Because that build quality is a thing of the past...the very distant past now. I sold that E 350 at around 115k miles...and then the S 500 popped up. She came from Las Vegas with 65,000 miles on her to Miami...I wanted to have that security back in my life. I wanted to know I was in a steel bank vault again. I lusted after that sound system and gigantic road presence the W140 could only offer. And she is here. With me now, and I love every moment with her. She is my rock, she is my reliable, faithful, super model of a woman I personify with this car...unforgettable in every way. I find her hard to sell not only because of sentimental value, but because I realized tonight that not many people have ever experienced the W140. Most likely the least made S class in history...with a short 7 year (1992-1999) lifespan...and a ferocious appetite for fuel...made this in my opinion one of the least driven S classes of all time. But the greatest. The simplicity of the vehicle and the thoughtful appointments make her unforgettable. I know the W140 will rise in value one day...but her rarity is her demise right now. Anyone like me that had the experience before will always crave it...it is an insatiable feeling in any car unless you have the W140...there is NOTHING LIKE IT. There never will be. So for now...she will be loved. The S 500 will always be maintained, and driven, and enjoyed...until her next rightful owner takes her under his or her wing...I will faithfully preserve the legacy of this fine automobile, and the brand, as long as I live.

 

If they had offered a better diesel for the u.s. market,they'd be worth more.A pristine w126 diesel is worth more than some w140s,I don't care,I put a new motor in mine,trans next,and will turbobandit it soon.

 

Hey, could you please provide additional details about your S500? Many thanks!

 

How much did that S500 sell for?

 

Still for sale! I relocated from Miami to San Diego...she's here in our garage now. My wife who at first scoffed at it, has now enlisted it as her daily driver! Happens to everyone who drives a 140. Listed on autotrader for $9500.