My experience with the newer Merc's is somewhat limited. But I have been around an S600 a little and really like it. However I don't think their is a system I have not rebuilt or fixed in my 300SDL, and still their is a lot more to go. I am thinking about a mid 90's S320/420, my reasoning is that something that is about 10 years newer with about 150k less miles on it will be cheaper to keep up. Also from my experience if you buy a good MB and fix things as they break they tend to be reasonable to maintain.

Now I am thinking about the smaller engines because I do all of my own work. I can pull an engine if need be, so other then body work their is little I can't do.

So given that maintaince costs for me is the cost of parts how expensive are these to keep going? I wouldn't mind spending about $1,500 a year to fix things outside of the usual wear items. Heck I have spent $1,500 in a week on the SDL.

How difficult are they to work on? What problem areas do I need to look out for? Any spots that rust? I know mid 90's MB had the biodegradeable wireing harness. Did the W140's have them? I also know the evap cores tend to go bad so finding one that has been replaced is a must.

I am leaning towards an S420 because the M119 V8 is pretty sweet and they seem to be less troublesome then the M104 I6's.

Also what kind of fuel mileage do they seem to get?

Thanks.

 

I think your repair budget sounds more than reasonable. You want to make sure you start out with a good car with reasonable due diligence on your part when buying.

I understand that engine wiring harnesses were an issue up to 95. 96 saw the manufacturing change. You already know about the AC evaporator core. The self-levelling rear struts can fail indicated by leaking fluid, $4-500 apiece. If the hydro-pneumatic suspension accumulators need replacement, I think it's around $100 each (2 of them). Once you get above 100K miles expect oxygen sensor replacements (around $100 each). Bosch recommends 100K mile replacement interval. And there is the closing assist pump. It's always a problem it seems, but this can be dealt with. Search this forum or that on www.mbnz.org for more info. Around $700 for a new one, if absolutely necessary. Window regulators are recognized to be under-designed for the heavy double-paned glass. Lots of failures. Often the motor is fine, just the regulator or cables fail.

I can't speak to 420 V-8 engine issues. For transmissions, people seem to always recommend going 96 or newer to get the 5-speed electronically controlled transmission vs. the 4-speed hydraulic one.

Those are a few issues. My W140 experience with a 97 S600 is just 6 months old, and it has been great so far. I'm very happy with the car. We've had the closing assist pump problems, which I've remedied. An oxygen sensor needed replacement, indicated by a check engine light, and one lower ball joint had a torn boot allowing it to rust, so I replaced both lower ball joints.

Before I bought my car, I literally read every post on the Benzworld site to give me an idea of what problem areas people were talking about. I've mentioned many of them.

Brett

 

So happy to hear that they did something about that bio-degradable rubber and the resulting issues with the engine harness et al. I just bought a very well maintained '99 w-140 with the 3.2l and so am equally pleased to hear about the transmission being superior to the 4 speed. Only issues so far is that the rear vent blows cold air whether you want warm or not. Also the gasket that seals the side-view mirrors need replacing - well one is like new and the other very brittle - almost like plastic. Could use advice on where to purchase such a part and how to install it. OH yeah - the trunk opens about 15 seconds after you depress the button either at dash or key fob. I must say that this reminds me of when I bought my first Harley D. Motorcycle and kept looking for reasons to go for a ride.

 

I love my 99.I just put a almost new engine in mine.Its a 320,and I tell you with my mods,it blows most new cars away.Can't imagine a 500.I get 29 mpg hwy,which is good for a 2 ton car.The safety you feel while driving your family around is awesome.

 

I got my 96 S320 at about 106K miles and have over 180K on it. Sure things break and wear out. I have a mechanic I trust and who makes it convenient to have the car repaired, so considering I got the car for less than $8K, I don't mind spending <$2K a year to keep it running nicely, and run nicely it does. I can get 25mpg on road trips, 18 around town, but I do enjoy driving the car, so a gallon or two extra is worth experiencing a car that makes the freeway glide by yet it pops around turns like a bunny, with the security of a flying bank vault. In SoCal, the lack of a/c isn't a big issue; the windows go up and down (with a bit of finesse). A drive in a newer E Class is far more luxurious, but I'm comfortable throwing sports equipment on the roof rack, parking it in the Costco lot, or driving into a dust storm in the desert. It's an extreme daily driver. In a few years I'll trade it for a 2007, and it will probably trade in for $1, like my W124 did to get the W140. Any car now is good for 100K miles; you can enjoy with an S Class the quality of the second and third 100K in a car you'd be crazy to pay for new, and given the low resale value, do it affordably.

 

I am on my third Mercedes over the past 38 years and they are truly great cars to drive. However, foremost in my mind is the safety and security of knowing that if you become involved in an accident your ability to survive is increased an order of magnitude by virtue of the safety features built into the car. My current Mercedes is a 1997 S420 which is a large and very well made automobile. I know that the front end and back end of these cars collapse in an effort to keep the passenger cabin in tact as much as possible; that is by design.

I also know that many of the electronic features of the vehicle are designed with safety in mind and nothing about these cars was done on the cheap. I know because I get to pay the repair and maintenance bills just like the rest of us.

My experience suggests to me that this is perhaps the safest car in the world in a price range that I can afford. When I have my wife, my children, my grandchildren or great grandchildren in the car there is nothing more important to me than their safety. That is the reason I have been driving Mercedes Benz products for so long.

 

Just wanted to point out that this is how the car is designed. Many cars' center vents in the front and/or rear (just rear for the W140) only produce "cool" air. It's for when the defrost is on HI and max fan speed and the rear passengers are getting too hot. Same with the buttons in between the front vents so you can choose to reverse the air temperature for the most comfort. Rear passengers get heat from the vents beneath the seat as well as from the front center vents. Four-zone climate control gives the ability to produce hot, warm, cool or cold air.

 

Well after 2 days I'm considering the option of "restoring" mine to original condition. Kind of reminds me of the over-built older 600 series, given its vacuum driven pieces and buttons/procedures for everything. You might check out the book "Enduring Passion" (the story of the mercedes-benz brand) by Leslie Butterfield. It has a very good description of how these cars came to be.

 

I loved all the comments about the S420 W140 I'm about to buy a 1995 it has 200,000 mile but runs like a top it was well maintained and my plans are to restore it little by little. It has some things wrong like power door locks rear window regulator and I can repair them myself The body is good it has a clean title, I have one concern it has been setting a lot for the last year only been driven about twice this year. If anyone knos anything about Mercedes S Class that has been sitting let me know.
Vince

 

vbell,remember to replace all rubber parts,like the flex disks,and it might be time to replace front wheel bearings,and plastic suspension parts.

 

I own a 1995 w140 s320. Just bought it with 30000 miles only from original owner. Goes down the highway like a stick of butter slides on a hot pan. Waaaay smoother than my 2006 r class. I honestly believe th car deserves a total restoration (mostly exterior body bits, mirror, etc) regardless of the high parts cost. Best car I've ever owned. The minor electrical glitches are all known problems that can be fixed. (ie the becker radio volume control, antenna, rear defrost, etc). Today's rolls Royce phantom might get you close to this car for ride quality. Just love it... And at 20 years old the next classic. I believe the ones you want are the 1995 and 1996 ones to get the sweet spot. There are abundant "wrecks" out there cheap with 300,000 kms for parts as well.

 

Any issues with the trunk not closing?

 

As mentioned in posts above, some of the "problems" are actually "benefits" although they are annoying. Most people are annoyed that the center vents in the front dash and between the front seats (blowing on back seats) are always "cold" but they're fresh air. Just close the vents if you don't want them on. The little red and blue lights on the dash vents are switches for something I've never been able to figure out.
The trunk lid is delayed on purpose. It springs open powerfully enough to catapult your kid and everything in your CostCo box over a goal post, so it's just as well it's delayed. Gives you time to shout out a warning.
The soft close doors and trunk feature is typical. At first it seems like the most worthless luxury ever. However, if it fails, you (and everyone that rides with you) will demand it be fixed immediately at any cost. I (and everybody who claims it was a stupid waste of money on my W140) get really annoyed closing a re-closing the doors on my W211 (E Class) which doesn't have that feature. The bank vault doors and air-tight interior are safe and convenient but require more finesse in closing than normal, so people heave them shut with a rude and dangerous bang. The E Class is a Mercedes, but just barely compared to the S Class.

 

Got mine 1994 S-500 few weeks a go and just love the car!! I have to take care of few problems right now and i'm sure things will brake along the way but i'm fine with that. This car is a legend! and i'm proud to own it, because the cars they make now days, don't even come close to a quality that was made in 90's.
Love everything about the car, in and out. Cant say that about my 2011 E-350 that i own too, right now. Who ever put these fake leather seats in them should've been fired on the spot. Look like crap and feel like crap, guys that came up with that Should be fired and ashamed of it!!!!
Every little detail on W-140 is amazing, for the years that they were made. I give an 11 out of 10 for the people that worked on the design and all the futures that the car delivers for 1990's Just Amazing!

 

This is my fifth and last Benz. I went clear to the top and found a pristine 1997 CL600 with only 46K on the clock. I have had it a year and it has been magnificent. I spent about $3200 in bringing it back up with new tires, a MAF, engine mounts, etc. It has power up the wazhoo! It breezes right up to 135mph in seconds. I haven't taken it further because of the tires (and safety). It has presented no mechanical problems yet but I have accumulated a complete set of coils (12) and plan on changing out the coils and plugs soon, considering the originals are still in the car. The gas mileage is not great but then I am retired but it would not be my first choice as a daily driver unless I worked close by. All of the luxury features work and since my last car was a CL500, I've had plenty of experience and know what to look for. I think the 140's were the forerunner of the Maybachs.I also found out that only 342 of my model/year came into the Country.
Anziani

 

I'm about to sell my 1995 S420

Car is mint cond, Original owner here NO ACCIDENTS !

Straight Frame even have the Original wheels for her

Around 110K miles

How Much should I ask ??

 

I would say $4500 to $5500 range. where u located?

 

Los Angeles

 

Did you get it sold?

 

no, still have it

 

What exactly do u mean by "plastic suspension parts",which parts exactly????

 

Your car looks real good,are those high performance tires and if they are are hows the ride quality???

 

If you keep with maint.,replace before failure,lower engine temp with alternate thermostat.Trouble free driving.

 

 

Hello I was wondering if anyone can send a picture showing me exactly where the UPSTREAM and DOWNSTREAM O2 SENSORS are located on a 1996 S420 and which BRAND SENSORS would you recommend??? Thanks in advance...