I read all over the 'net about the rodbender, evaporator, front end issues, etc.... on the early 140's. But I testdrove a 140 and it was sooo nice to drive, accelerated great.... probably not unlike other large cars with gas motors. So just yesterday I traded my bulletproof, hardshifting, trusty 84 300D with God knows how many miles (odo broke long time ago!).... for this new stallion. AC blows mighty cold. All records for maintenance made it look like it was well taken care of.... oil changed regularly, etc. Only issues I have with it are as follows:

-trunk close mechanism not working
-anti-collision antenna's don't work and the grommets are rotted off
-radio antenna motor works but aerial won't go up (suspect belt is broken)
-seems to use some oil, although doesn't appear to have external leaks;
-glow plug light doesn't come on til after engine starts.
-engine has a little to much clatter at idle, like what a gas engine with the wrong octane sounds like when you accelerate...

I adjusted the trunk closing striker, etc. so it closes flush without assist; next weekend I will pull the antenna & motor out and confirm it's the belt... antenna motor comes on at start up and shutdown so the belt seems to be the likely candidate. The oil use issue I have not yet confirmed but I suspect; could the turbo seals be the culprit, blowing oil into the motor via the intake? If a diesel burns oil, wouldn't the exhaust be blue like a gas engine? Mine has no soot, what little there is is black; I saw earlier advice from an Aussie tech about the glow plug check.... not looking forward to replacing those rascals... work area is TIGHT to do that job. Unlike the old 300D, where the intake is on the other side..... surely it can be done. I will learn this car slow but sure just like when I gambled on the 300D before. However, this car runs fantastically well at all speeds so I think I am going to be fine with it. It's a beautiful car... very elegant.

Any other W140 3.5L Turbo6 owners out there with any feedback or advice?

I would appreciate.

JMH