So this 1997 S500 went and ruined my life. I was perfectly content with my 2010 Prius being my work car while enjoying my toys. The great thing about the Prius, other than the fantastic gas mileage and all the tech, was that I cared absolutely nothing about it. Park it anywhere, drive it through the mud. Look! there's another scratch, who cares. Also not a care in the world as far as maintenance and dependability. Then I went and did this...



Coyote jumped in front of me at night while I was going 80MPH. Didn't have time to even tap the brakes. Bumper, all the underbody panels, radiator, condenser, and front support toast. Limped the poor thing in electric mode to the closest exit. The timing was not good, as I was about to leave town for 2 weeks for the latest store opening and I had just sold my 2005 CDI. What do I take? All of my other cars are on a classic car policy and would worry me sick sitting outside of this seedy town for 2 weeks. I skipped insurance and chose to scavenge my own parts to fix the car with the help of my friend Bob who owns a salvage yard. Most had to be ordered; there was no way it would be ready on time.

While I was there, I couldn't help but notice a really sharp W140 out front. Bob had just driven it down from the Mercedes dealer. He bought it for parts, high mileage car with engine problems. Rough running and engine noise diagnosed as a bad motor by the local Mercedes dealer. The owner dumped it for a new S-class after fastidiously maintaining it since new. Just out of curiosity, I took the keys and started it up, and immediately realized their massive mistake.

I bought it quick. All it needed were oil tubes on the right bank of the engine and it was running perfectly smooth and quiet. Absolutely everything else on the car works like new. Took me 3 hours to fix myself; that's it. After a short shake down cruise, I decided this was the car I would live out of for the next few weeks.

The 227,000 car was flawless for duration, totaling nearly 2000 miles. In the meantime I fell in love. The comfort, quietness, power, and beauty. I'm turning around and looking at it as I walk away. When I returned from my trip for a quick stop at home, I went back to my now fixed Prius. I was in agony. The cardboard seats that leave me sore and legs numb. The horrible ride, noise, performance. The cool tech and fantastic gas mileage can't overshadow how big of a turd this car is.

I named the S500 blackbird, and like a moron, taking out a nearly 20 year old, 23MPG, 227,000 mile S-class out again this week to make my 1,000 mile rounds though Kansas and Missouri. Even got a vanity plate for it. These are supposed to be sale pictures but I can't bring myself to do it.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

What are oil tubes?

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Beat me to it.

__________________
You're a daisy if you do.
__________________________________
84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

What is the little pop up thingy on the dash? Car phone? Nice score -- IMHO the best looking of the s classes


Sent from an abacus

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Well done. Now I have a brother in arms, so to speak. There's also a black W140 for sale at the corner of Broadway & Lincoln. One more, we can start a club.

__________________
Сделать Америку великой Снова
"I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left." Margaret Thatcher

Pop up thing is sunglasses storage. Push button actuated, quite nifty

__________________
Сделать Америку великой Снова
"I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left." Margaret Thatcher

If I am correct, the feed tubes for cam lubrication. Known potential failure point, easy fix.

__________________
Сделать Америку великой Снова
"I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left." Margaret Thatcher

I should have been more clear - what's IN the pop up thing? Looks like a car phone maybe? Additional radio stuff?


Sent from an abacus

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Only YOU can score cars like this...

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

oil tubes supply oil to the cam lobes I am guessing. Plugged makes for noise.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Oil Tubes

K6JRF Auto Page

This car has the factory built in phone while most others just have a storage compartment.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

As Tyler said - the W140 had a built-in car phone option which, when installed, resided behind that door.

How neat! I've always had a specific disdain that borderlines on hatred for Priuses and their drivers.

Glad you wised up.

What a great story.

The paint looks perfect in the pictures.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Ah, neat!

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth