Purchase Decision!! HELP!!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Ronkat81 · #1 05-17-2012, 06:16 PM

Hey guys,

Ok Ok I know this is the Diesel side, but you guys have always been so good at helping me si I figured I would ask you also...I have an opportunity to get a white 95 S500.. It is in immaculate conditioninside and out and has 165k miles.. Ther only thing that is wrong with it is the a/c compressor is shot, and the passenger side headlight wiper is stuck.. The asking price is $3,900... What are some of the issues that might present themselves or that I should look out for before purchase? What is a good price that you feel wouldbe acceptable? are there many failures that happen with this model?

Thanks guys!

PS it doesn't have the reverse indicators

I LOVE those!!

davidlee · #2 05-17-2012, 07:08 PM

Is this from a Dealer or a Private seller?
Do you know how many owners?
What part of the country is it located in?
Who came to the conclusion that the car is perfectly sound save for the A/C and the one headlight wiper?

TMAllison · #3 05-17-2012, 07:55 PM

'95 had biodegradable wiring harnesses; on that car that could be a lifetime of challenges. Had to replace mine on my 99 for a different reason, $600 part (picture a 10 octupus orgy) and 2 weeks to arrive from Germany.

Ronkat81 · #4 05-17-2012, 08:20 PM

@DavidLee, actually I'm going to check it out tomorrow to make sure.. Get the engine good and hot..check everything out... Yes a private owner.. The second owner.. And in the south east.. Away from the snow :-)

@Terry... I was thinking of going a max of 3200... did you replace it yourself? Was it very difficult?

Ronkat81 · #5 05-17-2012, 08:21 PM

How are the engines holding up in these?

Brian Carlton · #6 05-17-2012, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronkat81

Ther only thing that is wrong with it is the a/c compressor is shot,

...........and you know this because??

............the seller told you..............

............and the evaporator has definitely been replaced...........right? Because you're looking at 40 hours of work to get that done.

Ronkat81 · #7 05-17-2012, 08:46 PM

@brian... Yes the evaporator is a horrible experience been there done that lol.. I'm going to check it tomorrow, but just off the basis of the hypothetical "if".. If the a/c just needs a flush, the accumulator (which should stop any lose particles from the compressor from getting to the evaporator) and the condenser along with a flush... Would it be a good purchase as fast as reliability of the overall drive train is concerned?

Brian Carlton · #8 05-17-2012, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronkat81

@brian... Yes the evaporator is a horrible experience been there done that lol.. I'm going to check it tomorrow, but just off the basis of the hypothetical "if".. If the a/c just needs a flush, the accumulator (which should stop any lose particles from the compressor from getting to the evaporator) and the condenser along with a flush... Would it be a good purchase as fast as reliability of the overall drive train is concerned?

You cannot check it without a functioning system.

Like most technologically advanced vehicles, the engine and transmission are usually the least of your concerns.

Figure the vehicle will cost you $3K per year, on average, in maintenance and repairs. If you're OK with that, go forward with it. If you bank account won't tolerate that...........then stick to vehicles you can repair easily, yourself.

Ronkat81 · #9 05-18-2012, 06:57 AM

Maybe I can purchase a used car warranty? :-)

rchase · #10 05-18-2012, 04:45 PM

I would stay far far away from a 1995 model! There's a reason why it's that cheap.

With the A/C issue that's a HUGE bag of worms. The 140's have their condenser behind the dash and if that has to be replaced that's at least 2K in labor to remove the interior and replace that part. And to make matters worse it's the MOST common reason why the A/C goes wrong due to the way the part is constructed.

The older 140's have wiring harness issues (biodegradable and crumbling) and vacuum line issues as well. I would check the car to make sure all the vacuum closers on the doors and trunk are working as that's not cheap to have fixed as well.

If you really want a 140 go with one of the newer ones. You get the 140 with most of the issues fixed and one that's modernized for just a little more. Most of the later models came with a 14 speaker Bose system with 4 deck mounted subs, burled trim rather than dated looking zebrano and solid color options rather than the two tone giving them a more modern look.

The best one in my opinion is the S320 SWB with its rock solid 25mpg inline 6. The SWB gives you a more reliable A/C system without the A/C in the rear. They fixed a lot of the issues on the 1999 before they stopped making the car. Of course I'm kind of biased as that's what I bought.

Brian Carlton · #11 05-18-2012, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rchase

The 140's have their condenser behind the dash and if that has to be replaced that's at least 2K in labor to remove the interior and replace that part. And to make matters worse it's the MOST common reason why the A/C goes wrong due to the way the part is constructed.

If you really want a 140 go with one of the newer ones. You get the 140 with most of the issues fixed and one that's modernized for just a little more. Most of the later models came with a 14 speaker Bose system with 4 deck mounted subs, burled trim rather than dated looking zebrano and solid color options rather than the two tone giving them a more modern look.

The best one in my opinion is the S320 SWB with its rock solid 25mpg inline 6. The SWB gives you a more reliable A/C system without the A/C in the rear. They fixed a lot of the issues on the 1999 before they stopped making the car. Of course I'm kind of biased as that's what I bought.

evaporator

Otherwise, I agree completely. I almost was tempted by the S320, but the 740iL looks so much better and handles so much better that I had to pass on the W140. I cannot get past "fugly" for that vehicle, unfortunately. Not a proper line on it.