Now I have heard that this car is underpowered. While I gave up the notion of purchasing a late model W140 because of the maintenance, I considered this car.

Would this be much cheaper to maintain than an S500? I know the gas mileage would be excellent compared to it, but the prices don't really make a big difference. An S500 is about $5k more than it.

So what are you opinions on it?

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1985 500SEL 124k miles
2001 Honda Civic EX

I have a 94 S320. I had the same concerns you did regarding lack of acceleration. I looked for an S420 for the longest time until I found this S320 that was too cheap to pass up on. I stole it for less than half the blue book. It was a little rough, and there are a few things that you need to know before you buy one...the most important being the AC system. Make sure that the evaporator has been replaced, because although you can get the part rather inexpensively(200-600) depending on where you get it, it is in the most inconvenient place...and requires between 17-25 hours labor to replace. When I got mine, I knew the AC system was shot, so I had figured around 2500 to fix this problem....I got lucky, and have a mercedes mechanic that does work for me, and he basically is fixing mine for free(just parts). The other things that are known to be problems on the w140 chassis are the wiring harness, and the vacuum pump. I also have problems with the retracting mechanism on the seat belts...Most of these problems are minor and inconvenient...as the AC problem has been, but the engine and transmission are bulletproof. I upgraded from a C class, and I would never go back. I drove an E class 97...and have to say that the w140 92-99 S class is by far the best mercedes I have ever driven or owned....despite the problems mentioned above.

__________________
1994 S320
131K miles

1998 ML 320
126K miles

1994 Blue C220
122K miles

Im going to Grad School @ the University of Iowa
Go Hawkeyes!!!

Thanks for your input. Yeah I know about the notorious AC evap. Despite the numerous bad things I have heard about this chassis, I still would love to get one. My parents have an S350 and so far the AC evap is still there. But then again it only has 61000 miles.

__________________
1985 500SEL 124k miles
2001 Honda Civic EX

I recently purchased a 1999 S320 with very low miles. I shared the concern about the car being underpowered. In fact, I came out of an six year-old M3 I had babied since new - but family circumstances were forcing me into a larger car, and at 6'4" the old S-class is the most comfortable car for me (and any rear seat passengers behind me). The transmission ratios seem to make the S320 perform nearly the same as an S420 - though it lacks the serious punch of an S500. To date, I have found the acceleration adequate and the car is simply awesome on the highway. Plus I love the exhaust note and smoothness of a straight six.

If you really need to win stoplight derbies, and are willing to pay a price premium for it, the S320 is not the car for you - get the S500.

To put things in perspective, not too many years ago a 0-60 time in the low to mid 8s was pretty good for a midsize sedan, much less one that weighed over two tons.