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W140: Dinosaur or Collectable?
I think that the W140 MB was perhaps the biggest financial loss of any model introduced by MB in it's modern history. The reason for that was multi-fold: Over-complication of sub-systems; over-utilizing not-yet perfected technologies; over-assuming the size of it's marketing niche; and over-production in a world-wide recession. Do you see the repetition of the word "over"? I do believe this was a vehichle that was done to excess, be it intentional (I tend to think it was) or not.
Regardless of what the reasoning was, there are a LOT of these awesome cars out there and I own one of them. Before continuing, let's get one thing straight.....there is nothing about this model that is inexpensive: The original sticker price was roughly $95,000 and up to $120,000, and keeping one running in prime form has a proportionatly high price tag. Upkeep will continue to be high, and hopefully parts will continue to be available. The 500 and 600 models in particular are examples of cars that probably will never again be built on that grandeous of a scale, and there-in lies my primary question: Is this a model to hold onto and pay to keep in A1 condition because it will eventually be a collector's car? Or, is this going to be a model that will be an undesireable dinosaur becuse of it's problematic tendencies?? I am looking forward to insightful relies ![]()
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1996 SL320 97K miles 1996 C220 130k miles 1992 500SEL 170k miles <---sold 1986 300E 216k miles <---sold |
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