Quote:
Originally Posted by A. Rosich
[Hi Jim! Long time since I have heard from you on the board]
I totally agree with Jim, my S 500L has proven to be the most reliable Benz I have owned (including one W123T and various W124Ts). Comparing parts and systems it is obvious that the W140 was built as tank (regardless of well-known problems like the A/C evap).
About the comments on the Palomino/Zebrano interior combo as being out-dated, I just consider them classic instead. Anyway, during the last three years of its production, at least in Germany and other world markets, the W140 was offered with an inmense combination of colors and wood finishes (to widen the appeal). Don't know if they were available in the U.S., but they certainly uplifted the spirit of the model. Here is a pic from the interior of the 1997 S 320 owned by the Ambassador of the local Russian Embassy (Black Leather with Bird's-eye Maple Wood):
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Very pretty! I have seen the dark birds eye on some other models but never a 140.
I think Zebrano looks classic in a w126 but to me at least its out of place in a w140. But it all really depends on individual taste. With the larger windows and glass moonroof and lighter colors that the 140 interior comes with zebrano looks dark and out of place almost like wood panels in a 1970's home to me.
The fortunate thing is Mercedes does do their wood MUCH better than many of the other car makers out there. I test drove a Lexus once and felt like a chest of drawers had exploded inside the car with all the wood everywhere on the dashboard. I would take a 140 with a black dash and palomino interior and zebrano trim any day over that!