Which one to buy????
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Southeastern PA
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Which one to buy????
Okay, this should fire guys up-but honest-I want to buy a MB, but don't know what model and years to concentrate on. I am looking to spend up to the mid 20's and like a bigger car, but easy to get parts for and fair on fuel (20 mpg is a target range). I don't need 4wd or any of that, already have a big pickup and an older blazer, as well.
As much as I'd love a rocket, this will be an everyday car, much around town useage. I am looking for something that is sharp looking, a wee bit zippy, will get high miles,etc. (hey-asking a lot, but I know M.B.'s fit this bill)
Longhaul
https://mbworld.org/forums/newthread...ewthread&f=29#
drive
As much as I'd love a rocket, this will be an everyday car, much around town useage. I am looking for something that is sharp looking, a wee bit zippy, will get high miles,etc. (hey-asking a lot, but I know M.B.'s fit this bill)
Longhaul
https://mbworld.org/forums/newthread...ewthread&f=29#drive
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 640
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From: Granbury Texas(burbs of DFW)
a Few Nice cars.
Well W140 Fit that bill,other in the miles per gallon range...mid 20's you should fine a very well taken care of w140 between 96-98 with 56k-89k remember 100k and its time for a timing chain!..I get SOOOOO much looks in my Benz and you will too witht he greatest Benz they ever made....W140!
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Joined: Dec 2003
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DONT buy a 210 series E class - they rust (well they do over here)
a W140 3.2 will prob do 25mpg - but it weighs two tonnes - so isnt nippy...
the 4.2 has 275 bhp, and isnt too bad off the line, but is definately a ?interstate? / ?highway? autobahn / motorway cruiser. the steering is very light, so is easy to park
get a post 1996 car (identifiable by side air bags and probably proper electronic parking sensors - a must! )
I get 22 mpg in my coupe (4.2) - called a CL420 - i think you guys didnt get the 4.2 option - only the 500 (5 litre !)
a W140 3.2 will prob do 25mpg - but it weighs two tonnes - so isnt nippy...
the 4.2 has 275 bhp, and isnt too bad off the line, but is definately a ?interstate? / ?highway? autobahn / motorway cruiser. the steering is very light, so is easy to park
get a post 1996 car (identifiable by side air bags and probably proper electronic parking sensors - a must! )
I get 22 mpg in my coupe (4.2) - called a CL420 - i think you guys didnt get the 4.2 option - only the 500 (5 litre !)
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 393
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From: Mesa, AZ
2011 E350 Bluetec, 1996 S320 & 2006 E320 CDI Sold to my son & 2017 GMC 2500 Diesel Pick up
W140
I love my S320 for alot of the reason from your request. Realativly good fual milage low 20's. Eligant / clasic MB looks, A real head turner. With 18's & amg or crome wheels ( oh baby ) With so many great cars and differing personal preferances your only going to find a wide range of anwers. Good luck
Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 99
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From: Madison, Wisconsin
1997 S600 - Bentley Turbo R (black/black)
If your looking to spend in the mid 20's ....low miles....big car ....good gas...
Then the car that would fit the bill is last year or so w140 s320 lwb....
1999 last year ,or maybe 98 ..because they the earlier problems in the early years of w140 were addressed.
The Long wheel base s320 looks exactly like s500 or s600... so a big car as well..
Since its s320 v-6....it better fuel economy then s420,s500 or s600
With your budget you can probably get 97 s420 or s500 as well, but i think the s320 will fit the bill and you probably get the last year and with fewer miles...
i bought , owned, and sold many w140's ....and infact i just bought 95 s320 lwb ..yesterday...and its still powerful enough to a have a zipp to it like an s500 or s600....
good luck
Then the car that would fit the bill is last year or so w140 s320 lwb....
1999 last year ,or maybe 98 ..because they the earlier problems in the early years of w140 were addressed.
The Long wheel base s320 looks exactly like s500 or s600... so a big car as well..
Since its s320 v-6....it better fuel economy then s420,s500 or s600
With your budget you can probably get 97 s420 or s500 as well, but i think the s320 will fit the bill and you probably get the last year and with fewer miles...
i bought , owned, and sold many w140's ....and infact i just bought 95 s320 lwb ..yesterday...and its still powerful enough to a have a zipp to it like an s500 or s600....
good luck
Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 240
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From: Milford, CT
1987 300SDL aka the "Money Pit"
W140's come in a few flavors, S320, S420, S500, and S600. Stay away from the V12's unless you want to spend big money fixing them. Also the S420's cost about the same on the used market so you might as well look for an S500. An S320 would give you the best mileage and the move along ok. Remember the S320's weigh 4,700 empty so only the 400hp V12 is going to give you any speed.
First the S320 used the M104 I6 not the M112 V6. The M104 is a great engine but the head gaskets do blow the were weak from the factory.
The S420/500 used the M119 V8, probably one of the best V8's every made, the oil tubes would blow their end caps off on the early models and make a lifter ticking sound. Not a big deal and cheap fix. Also they do not require timing chains to be replaced at 100k miles like the older M116/M117. An M119 timing chain is probably good for 300k+
Now the S600, wow their is nothing like a V12 powerd MB. It cost $150k new and it reminds you of that when things break. You have to have a "money is no object" attitude with these.
Also don't forget the S350D, the engine is sweet. But just get one with the updated engine because these are rod benders. However since it is a diesel fuel mileage will be very good. If the engine goes south $13k.
With any W140, make sure the evap has been done. They will go south eventually and it is a $3k job.
Mid 90's versions had the bad wiring harness. $500
It is a W140 expect to have a few problems, and spend some money.
First the S320 used the M104 I6 not the M112 V6. The M104 is a great engine but the head gaskets do blow the were weak from the factory.
The S420/500 used the M119 V8, probably one of the best V8's every made, the oil tubes would blow their end caps off on the early models and make a lifter ticking sound. Not a big deal and cheap fix. Also they do not require timing chains to be replaced at 100k miles like the older M116/M117. An M119 timing chain is probably good for 300k+
Now the S600, wow their is nothing like a V12 powerd MB. It cost $150k new and it reminds you of that when things break. You have to have a "money is no object" attitude with these.
Also don't forget the S350D, the engine is sweet. But just get one with the updated engine because these are rod benders. However since it is a diesel fuel mileage will be very good. If the engine goes south $13k.
With any W140, make sure the evap has been done. They will go south eventually and it is a $3k job.
Mid 90's versions had the bad wiring harness. $500
It is a W140 expect to have a few problems, and spend some money.
