1994 Mercedes Benz (im Looking To Buy It) Good Deal Or No?? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

will70724 · #1 10-15-2006, 09:32 PM

Hey guys i found your board here. ANd I figured I woudl post here.

Im looking to buy this 1994 mercedes benz s500.

It looks really clean inside and out, its loaded, and like I said really clean.
now the only problem is that it has a bunch of miles on it.

186,000 miles. That has me really worried.

Should I be worried about something like that, maybe some kind of advice.
I know very little about mercedes, and this eye just really caught my eye.

Im going to take it for a test drive this week. Below is a detail about the car and a link to the pics of it.

Please let me know anything at all, bad car, overall a good car for mercedes? Gas mileage? How many miles should this car have left on the engine.

ANything at all is appreciated. Thanks guys.

1994 merceds benz s500
$5,995

V8 5.0 Liter; Automatic; RWD; Slip Control; Air Conditioning; Power Steering; Power Windows; Power Door Locks; Telescoping Wheel; Cruise Control; AM/FM Stereo; Cassette; Bose Premium Sound; Dual Front Air Bags; ABS (4-Wheel); Leather; Dual Power Seats; Sliding Sun Roof; Premium Wheels All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes; any finance charges; any dealer document preparation charge; and any emission testing charge. - This vehicle was verified to be available as of 10/15/2006.
Prices plus taxes, DMV fees and dealer documentation. all vehicles subject to prior sale. Sales taxes and DMV fees applied to the sales price. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

heres the link:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=209503780&dealer_id=43359296&car_year=1994&search_type=both&num_records=25&make=MB&transmission=&model=&distance=25&make2=&address=94591&advanced=&certified=&max_mileage=&max_price=6000&bkms=1160962008781&sort_type=priceDESC&min_price=&body_code=0&end_year=1998&color=&start_year=1994&drive=&engine=&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=2

will70724 · #2 10-15-2006, 10:24 PM

ANy ideas at all guys?

The 2 biggest things im worried about is

1) the mileage ( 186,000) even though it looks like it was well taken care of.

2) the price of fixing something if it breaks down.

Other then that this car is something i want.

But you guys know far more then me. Love to have the pro's and cons

davidrap · #3 10-15-2006, 10:36 PM

Miles are nothing to be scared of.

Service Records are paramount. If there are no records, I would look for another car. I have a W126 (S Class 1981-1991) 560SEL with 178K. I would not hesitate to take it anywhere, but I bought it from my mechnic with service records.

The W140 Body you are looking at is to the best of my knowledge more expensive to maintain than the W126. I do know that when they have climate control problems it can be many thousands of dollars to repair.

Any W140 guys may be able to give you more info.

-David

will70724 · #4 10-15-2006, 10:48 PM

Thanks like i said im completely new to this. Right now i have a 1971 camaro z28. ANd its so easy to fix things.

I litteraly get scared thinking im going to buy this car and its going to break down the next week.

$5,900 does seem like a good deal when its this clean and its the s500 model even with 186,000 miles right?

Like I said i just get nervous about thinking im going to have to pay tons of money all the time to fix it.

How could i find service records by the way??

will70724 · #5 10-15-2006, 11:33 PM

WHat actually concerns me now is after reading some stuff, you guys on the board talk about repairs and changing things on a normal basis.

Im definitely not use to changing or fixing things on my camaro (guess im lucky)

But it sounds like that you guys are use to spending $1,000 to thousands of dollars a year?

That seems outrageous because i dont even think I spent that the whole time i had my camaro ( about 4 or 5 years) and maybe only spent 400-600 bucks.

Should I be worried?

AM I wrong thinking that I can get in this car and just drive it?

I mean i can change the oil, even change the the coolant and just check my oil and things like that?

My situation is that I ran into some money ( a little more then what im going to pay for this car) and im looking to spend it on a car.

But should I even be looking at this car after reading all this negative stuff now?

Jim B. · #6 10-15-2006, 11:37 PM

These are well engineered and very safe and comfortable cars. However they cost around $100,000 when new, and were expensive to maintain insure and own. This one you are looking at is in a independent lot in Vallejo which is selling a Geo Prism with 116k on it for the same price as the Mercedes, so chances are they know nothing about these big Mercedes cars

However, they have lots of very complicated accessories on them that are very expensive to fix and will have to be attended to by a good independent mechanic, and in the last 8 years I never found a really good one in the SF Bay area, but check the "good shops" section and maybe you can find a good one.

The airconditioner and evaporator are very expensive to repair, as the entire dashboard needs to be removed to fix them when they go "south" and the job typically requires 30 hours of labor which in the bay area these days is over $100 per hour. If the car has been neglected, it may cost a mint to fix.
A good detailer can clean these cars up very well and make a really bad one lookm very good, so be careful

A prepurchase inspection would be a good idea on a car like this, and I think you would be very lucky to find books and service records for a car like this, it is for sale from a small independent used car lot, which almost certainly got the car at an auction somewhere, and I always liked to see the history of the car if possible before I bought it. when I was looking for my Mercedes 10 years ago, there were used Mercedes at small independent lots in SF, Fremont Hayward San Jose etc, that had cars but almost always, they had no books and records and you knew nothing about the history and servicing and prior repairs that had been done on the cars

I have never seen a buyers guide for the W140 Mercedes, which is what this car is, but the prior big Mercedes has a buyers guide that you might want to look at, (I helped write it about 6 years ago, on www.mbcoupes.com )
You might post this question again on the technical help section of this board, for more questions to be answered.

will70724 · #7 10-16-2006, 12:13 AM

I definitely appreciate your help.

So basically I shouldnt mess with this car if it doesn't have service records and other info like that right?

ALso I believe you said something about a prepurchase inspection?

How and who would i go to about this??? I know i can take it for a test drive and everything. But how would I go about the prepurchase inspection??

Assuming that the evap doesnt need to be fixed.

What is the percent that I can just get in this car and drive and just do regular maintanance ( plugs, wires, oil, coolant changes things like that)??

will70724 · #8 10-16-2006, 12:23 AM

SOrry about so many questions.

But also when I go test drive it, I should probably

check the evap?? ( Do I just look at the ac pump or what should i look for)

check for any kind of leaks.

see what kind of service records they have.

What else would you guys say I should ABSOLUTLEY CHECK?

what signs are signs I should clearly turn the other way if I see or hear in the test drive?

Thanks in advance.

Mbz81 · #9 10-16-2006, 02:33 AM

No Maintance History?

If not dude a s500 for 6 grand hell no ran from it cause just few repaires are gonna cost you more than the car.

check insurance..big money on s class

mpg aroung 16 mpg...

will70724 · #10 10-16-2006, 02:38 AM

Ok yea if theres no service history I wont get it.

What things should I look for ( that would be good ) if there on the service history?

And when you say expensive insurance how much roughly are you talking a month??

Cuz I been used to paying high since im only 24 now, but earlier my insurance was higher.

Mbz81 · #11 10-16-2006, 02:42 AM

well your under 25 years of age but also it depends on you driving record

I have a 93 e class + 4 points on record + AAA Ins. = $130 a month..

Jim B. · #12 10-16-2006, 04:42 AM

A good prepurchase inspection probably costs about $100-$200 and would be performed by a mechanic who knows and is familiar with the Mercedes and especially the W140 Mercedes. He will inspect the car and do a compression or leakdown test on the engine and check the suspension, transmission and other components of the car to see what kind of overall condition the car is in, and this way you can get an idea of what repairs may be needed or soon due. He will be able to give you an estimate of how much $$$ it will cost to get the car fixed and this gives you an idea of what the car will cost to get repaired, and thus a good negotiating tool for negotiating the final price off the car

Some mechanics on this board think that books and service records are only "interesting reading" and the actual mechanical condition of the car is everything, but I think the records of service show how well the car has been maintained and the car which has proof of oil changes, filter and fluid changes, such as for instance automatic transmission fluid changes every 30,000 miles, regular coolant and brake fluid changes, tuneups, and so on is less susceptible to catastrophic failure...If for example, the car had 186k on the odometer and you bought it with no records and the transmission fluid was dirty, there could be a bigger risk of a transmission failure than on a similar car with records of regular transmission services, and the transmission might fail at 150k to 200k.

When you test drive it, you will see whether the transmission shifts crisply and doesn't flare, and you can engage the cruise control to make sure it works, and test the electric seats, windows, and make sure the air conditioner blows cold at all speeds, and the heater and defroster works, as well as the windshield wipers and washers (it even has heated windshield wiper/washers for the headlights!) The shock absorbers should be good, and the car should ride smoothly at all speeds and track striaight and not wander, and be in good alignment and the tires in good condition. Check the jack, spare, and first aid kit are in place, and lift up the trunk mat, and check the carpets to make sure there are no water leaks into the car, and make sure the car hasn't been repaired from an accident and is full of bondo.

Ask the dealer for a CARFAX report (it gives a history of the car, see www.carfax.com for more information) or post here on tech forum and ask for a report from members

It is hard to say whether you can get by with just simple oil changes, tuneups and coolant changes with a 12 year old W140 Mercedes S500, you might, but with 186k you WILL eventually or very soon need some repairs, at the least a battery ($120), tires ($600), brake jobs, or who knows, maybe flex discs, a radiator service, belts and hoses, brake fluid flush, ball joints, windshield wiper blades, things ANY used car might need.

These were expensive complicated cars, wonderful to own and drive, and so comfortable and safe, but buying a 12 year old one with 186k on it is not the same as buying a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry or a Ford Crown Victoria/Mercury Grand Marquis, which are also good cars to own and known to be virtually indestructible and need VERY little in the way of repairs.

Take a look at www.benzworld.org in the W140 section to get an idea of some of the repair issues that come up with these cars, also.

Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to tell you to run away from the W140, but buying a well used one with no records or stamped service records from a used car dealer that sells lots of other different cars too is a VERY risky proposition.

Even an S500 in mint condition with low miles will not be particularly cheap to own and maintain, (and insure) but if you feel your budget can withstand the ownership exspense of a car like this, they are a WONDERFUL driving experience

BTW my brother owns a '73 Camaro 350 he bought from the Chey dealer in San Bruno back in 1976 with 28k on it and now it has over 300k on it, but along the way he's put major $$$ into it, including a factory crate long block, a couple off rebuilt transmissions, new windshields, paint jobs, and upholstery work and a new vinyl top, and he conhtinues to maintain the car, it looks decent and runs well, and is becoming a collectors item, as people try to buy it from him sometimes. So, many cars can be made to run a long time, evenyour '71 Camaro.

Go ahead and test out this Mercedes, but be aware there lots of other ones out there, too, and other models, such as the 1986-95 300E and 400E sedans that might be worth a look, in your price range. There might be some really nice ones, out there, worth a look, so try to not be in a hurry. I shopped for a year before I finally bought my 1991 Mercedes coupe, and never did find a good one in the SF bay area, in a color that was right, and finally wound up buying one in the Southern California (greater Los Angeles) area, where the selection is better, prices cheaper, cars generally better kept up, and more good Mercedes mechancs to take care of the cars, and more Mercedes enthusiasts who woned the cars.

You could become more educated on the cars, to figure out which Mercedes is best for you. Even the W126 models from about 1986-91, the 300SE, 300SEL (6 cylinder), 420SEL and 560SEL sedans and the 560SEC coupe are worth a look, also, and might suit you, they are the predecessor to the W140 and considered well built and long lasting too. But they have fussy airconditioners also, and the purchase of them is subject to the same cautions as any other used Mercedes. If you are lucky you could find one with one fussy owner who had all the books and records, the car was garaged and never wrecked or rusted, had a good CARFAX, and was in original unmodified condition, it would be a good bet. With any Mercedes, used, it's best to get the best condition one you can afford at the beginning, rather than get one "cheap" and run the risk your savings could get eaten up on unexpected repairs in the near future. It's been said many times the cheapest Mercedes usually turns out to be the most expensive one, because of the unexpected repairs they might turn out to need.

Good luck in the hunt. If you wind up getting a good used Mercedes, you will really enjoy driving it. There is nothing like driving a good one.

Jim B. · #13 10-16-2006, 04:49 AM

The Insurance on my 1991 Mercedes 560 SEC is about $1200 a year, with full coverage, State Farm, good driving record, and age 58 and long time State Farm customer.

will70724 · #14 10-16-2006, 06:07 AM

Thanks for all ur good insight. I really apprecitate it.

See im not really worried about the m oney to pay for insurance, I understand that cost, i even understand brakes, tires, stuff like that. But from the read on this site some people make it sound like there spending like 1,000 bucks a month on different things.

I cant handle that. I need a car that i dont mind maintaining like tires, brakes, oil change, tune up. Thats fine, but it seems like people just expect these cars to have something wrong all that time. Very different to what im use to.

Also about that pre inspection like who do i call about that to get them to check out the car? And do i have that guy come to the car lot or something?? How does that work?

Jim B. · #15 10-18-2006, 03:24 AM

If you are still considering the car, for the prepurchase inspection, see if you can get the dealer to release the car to you so you can drive it to the shop of the independent Mercedes repair facility who will do the inspection, among other things he will put the car on the rack and look at it, for leaks damage and rust, and do the compression test and perform whatever else he can do to give you a good idea of the condition of the car.

Hopefully the prepurchase inspection can be done by the mehcanic you can find in Vallejo, where this car is located

Keep in mind, this site deals with the problems and solutions for repairs for the cars when they come up. People don't usually post here when their car is running OK, they would have no reason to do that, so don't get the idea that EVERY Mercedes has problems all the time. If they are kept up, they likely won't, although some particular models are more trouble free than others. No two used Mercedes are alike and won't have all the same problems at the same time. Any car with 186,000 miles will be bound to have things wear out, but on the other hand, these W140 Mercedes are engineered
to go long distances, so just the mileage alone is not enough to scare me away from them. What you want is a good indication of the condition of the car before you buy it, and for that reason, any history and service records of the car would indicate how likely it will be reliable in the future. Regular fluid changes, evidence of rebuilt transmissions, steering boxes, timing chains, replaced belts, hoses and filters show that maintenanced has been performed and is a good thing.

I saw the carfax results on this car, and can tell you that Trabuco Canyon is an ultra rich gated community in Orange County so the first owner was very rich and probably took good care of the car. (My Mercedes' 2nd owner lived near Beverly Hills and he used to own the Beverly Hills Hotel and he sold the car to a man who lived in Trabuco Canyon, I talked to both of them, and the mechanics who owned the shops that worked on the car, and was able to learn they took good care of the car. I even got copies of the service records they had on the car from them and the shops in LA who worked on the car, so I actually have all the service records from April 1992 on the car.
I got all this information AFTER I bought the car, so I was lucky. The Mercedes dealer in LA who sold me the car included the stamped service booklet with the car, and my search began by phoning and visiting the shops who had worked on the car, and the mechanics remembered the car and told me about the work they did to it, and the guys who had owned the car.

Just be aware that in the case of the W140 series, they were very complicated and expensive when new, and repairs could be very expensive when they came. They are not a drive it and forget it kind of car. like Honda Accords, Toyota Camry and Ford Crown Victorias.

When taken care of, they'd provide you with unparallelled safety, comfort and prestige. They are the ultimate long distance highway cruisers.

Gas mileage won't be too great, but the idea was the first owners of these cars, with the price new so high, the cost of fuel was not a concern.

Finally, if I bought the car WITHOUT any records, I think I would try to establish a ground zero basis for my maintenance, beginning by changing all the fluids and filters that I didn't know when they had been changed, and go from there, and deal with any other unexpected reapairs when they came up.

For that, you need to find a good mechanic you can trust who understands and is experienced in the model of Mercedes you are going to buy.

Good luck