Are W140's as expensive to maintain as everyone makes them out to be? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

gerryvz · #31 11-19-2004, 04:00 AM

I put a lot of stock in what MB repair shop owner friends, and mechanics, tell me. And to a person, and this is at least 15 individuals in the states of California, Oregon and Washington, they say to stay away from the W140 and C140. And never to purchase one used, particularly a 600 model, unless you have money to burn, or want to take out a sizable home equity line or second mortgage.

They'll unanimously praise the W140 as a "stoutly" built, great-driving car, but that's all. Then they'll effusively praise the W126 and C126 as being simpler, cheaper, and easier to maintain. They also praise the build quality, quality of materials used, safety, and the relative simplicity (i.e. lack of unnecessary gimmicks and gadgets (such as double-pane windows)), and far more elegant exterior design of the 126.

This is not my opinion. This is the opinion of MANY people who work on the cars, who know them inside out.

Cheers,
Gerry

pcmaher · #32 11-19-2004, 08:50 AM

It all boils down to basics. If you want a W140, be patient, and buy the right one. Do a ton of research BEFORE you buy the car. Know what to look for, and avoid any vehicle that exhibits these problems no matter how much you may think you want it. I researched W140 prices and issues for two years before I bought mine. I saw some very sad cars in my search, and passed them up knowing I would eventually find the one I wanted. I did. It's a 600, and it's fantastic. I've had it for 1 year and 7 months. I've spent maybe $1,200 in parts to get it where it should be, and I have a little more to go. I am a capable DIY'er, so I don't pay someone else for labor. If you want one, buy the right one. If it turns out to be too much trouble, sell it.

stephenson · #33 11-19-2004, 09:42 AM

Are the last years 97-99 any better than earlier ones? i.e. problems worked out?

pcmaher · #34 11-19-2004, 01:32 PM

Yes, 97-99 had most of the bugs worked out.

ken_xman · #35 11-19-2004, 01:49 PM

My 95 S600 is a tank! I have owned 34 cars & this is the best. Drives like new, 69k miles. Original wire harness, evap, and amp.
Its also a german model with over 400 hp & factory wine cooler.
Normal maintenance only. No winters & garaged. You have never owned a Mercedes until you own a V-12.
I am glad everyone is scared of the V-12, keeps them rare!
I also have a raggy 89 300SE. Takes more maintenance $'s than the W140 ever thought of!
My 911 is a pretty good money pit, mostly upgrades...............

Snowman · #36 12-08-2004, 01:15 AM

1994 S350 with 70k miles. My parents bought it new, gave it to me. Motor rebuild (but this is almost expected with the famous 3.5 L Turbodiesel), back windows, AC stopped working (probably the evaporator, will find out in the summer), sunroof started sticking.

It's various stuff. Yes my parents and myself have put a good deal of money into this. But not as much as some people on here have stated. Definitely not $10k a year. More like $2k a year but that includes maintainance that finally caught up with this car.

Other than that, I'm pretty happy with it. If it really is the AC evap, I may just sell it and get a Japanese car.

braverichard · #37 12-08-2004, 12:58 PM

Sounds like a lot of folks here have had luck with W140s.

Well, as general advice, an M-B specialist told me that the best W140 to purchase would be a pre-1995 version. This would have all the superb quality parts that M-B was known for, before they "cheapened" all M-B in 1995 in order to be able to reduce the prices to better compete with the then rising Japanese luxury brands like Lexus and Infiniti.

But when you're purchasing a W140 without any form of warranty, remember the general statement: there are two happy days in the life of a W140 owner... the day he/she purchased it and the day he/she sold it!!

Hatterasguy · #38 12-08-2004, 01:09 PM

Well I have decided that a W140 will have to wait until after school!

As my friend said "your playing with the devil!"

So if I do sell my W126 I am thinking W210 E420/430.

JimF · #39 12-08-2004, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braverichard

Well, as general advice, an M-B specialist told me that the best W140 to purchase would be a pre-1995 version. This would have all the superb quality parts that M-B was known for, before they "cheapened" all M-B in 1995 in order to be able to reduce the prices to better compete with the then rising Japanese luxury brands like Lexus and Infiniti.

That's always been my feelings; my '94 S500 Cpe is as 'solid' today as it was when new and I've had little go wrong with the car.

There's a lot of separate ECUs that were later combined into a few modules. As an engineer, the reliability of the resultant combined module HAS to be better than that of the individual modules that my car has. But in practice, the car has been a 'tank' of reliability sort of going against the odds.

The guality of the car is better than the later versions, so do agree with you. Nothing of consequence has 'died' and all systems are operational and the interior leather appears as new.

And as I said before, this has been the cheapest MB in repair cost than any of my other MBs. My MOST expensive was a 190E, BION.

duxthe1 · #40 12-08-2004, 09:29 PM

As a mercedes technician I tell everyone who asks to stay away from any 140 chassis car. They are huge money pits. On any given day I can take any random 140 and find 1000$ worth of necessary repairs on the spot. The suspensions ARE problematic with control arm bushings that are underengineered, shock mounts that loosen up and rattle, front springs that break....ect....Add in door checks, window regulators, vacuum pumps, blower regulators, a/c evaporators that are all common problems and you havn't even stopped it from leaking or fixed the check engine light yet. Bottom line is that as someone who intimately knows these cars, you couldn't give me one. They are in my opinion one of the biggest piles of **** to ever roll off a mercedes assembly line. That being said they are and will continue to be the backbone of the independant mercedes repair shops for the next 10 years.

deanyel · #41 12-08-2004, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duxthe1

As a mercedes technician I tell everyone who asks to stay away from any 140 chassis car. They are huge money pits. On any given day I can take any random 140 and find 1000$ worth of necessary repairs on the spot. The suspensions ARE problematic with control arm bushings that are underengineered, shock mounts that loosen up and rattle, front springs that break....ect....Add in door checks, window regulators, vacuum pumps, blower regulators, a/c evaporators that are all common problems and you havn't even stopped it from leaking or fixed the check engine light yet. Bottom line is that as someone who intimately knows these cars, you couldn't give me one. They are in my opinion one of the biggest piles of **** to ever roll off a mercedes assembly line. That being said they are and will continue to be the backbone of the independant mercedes repair shops for the next 10 years.

Very convincing. And what is it you recommend to those who ask?

turnne1 · #42 12-09-2004, 07:06 AM

duxthe1...that is a very convincing...but really none of those items you mentioned are very expensive fixes( especially considering the price of the car) except the evaporator core.
That being said I owned one for five years and it is still the best one of the three in my opinion that I have owned...the others being a 85 126 and a 1992 124...could the 140 be problematic..yes at times...but probably the best quality car I have ever seen interms of material finish and amenities...look at some of those older cars with higher mileage...see any rust(if you live in the nothern states) and look at how incredible the interiors look

for those that compare to the 126...I don't that that is a even comparision....to me the 140 was definitely a step up...in materials,finish and amenities
In the 5 years I owned mine 90% of the work was done at the dealer by a tech who knew the body style inside and out, and mine was a very early production 1992 at that
it is not car for those who don't like to maintain their cars...seems like that should be the common theme here....its a car for perfectionists who appreaciate the very best

Warren
1992 300SD(sold)
2000 BMW 740i w/sports package

braverichard · #43 12-09-2004, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimF

That's always been my feelings; my '94 S500 Cpe is as 'solid' today as it was when new and I've had little go wrong with the car.

There's a lot of separate ECUs that were later combined into a few modules. As an engineer, the reliability of the resultant combined module HAS to be better than that of the individual modules that my car has. But in practice, the car has been a 'tank' of reliability sort of going against the odds.

The guality of the car is better than the later versions, so do agree with you. Nothing of consequence has 'died' and all systems are operational and the interior leather appears as new.

And as I said before, this has been the cheapest MB in repair cost than any of my other MBs. My MOST expensive was a 190E, BION.

Well I'm glad to read that yours is serving you well and keeping your wallet's internal walls from making contact.

That M-B specialist knows of my love for the W140, especially how a 1999 S600 is one of my dream cars. But he keeps telling me to get a pre-1995 S600. That would be a big tradeoff for me, as many of the electronic gizmos in the 1999 version (stability control, ABC) weren't there in the pre-1995. However, of course, if I want a money pit in my hands, I'd get a post-1995.

My general belief is that parts may be more expensive, but the pre-1995 ones have to be at least as durable as the W126. Afterall, they were engineered with a bigger "hang the expense" attitude (double glazed windows anyone? Door closing assist?) than the W126 was engineered with. Additionally, M-B had to prove to the world (including snobs like Rolls-Royce) that they were still the kings of automotive engineering. No chances were taken with the W140 in engineering. And with Acura, Lexus and Infiniti offering similar M-B products for $20,000 less, that ought to be the case. The best W140 to get? A well maintained, pre-1995 version. Of course, that greatly narrows down what you can find as you'd be looking at cars from just 3 model years. But do yourself and your wallet and favor and stick to that rule and you most likely won't regret it!!

oldsouth · #44 12-09-2004, 09:00 AM

I have a 1995 S-350, so I am curious. Exactly what is different in a post '95 as opposed to a pre '95. I have read of some of the sensors were combined but looks like to me the car would be improved upon every year. Usually the last year in a series is the most trouble free one. The only thing that I can find different in a '94 from my '95 350 is that the '95 don't have the little antennas that go up when you put the car in reverse. Not something I would call poorer quality. I mean is the leather thinner, or materials sub-quality or what. Most of the parts I buy is for the W140 series car reguardless of the year. The springs, suspension, body panels, etc did not change; they just added more electronic controls like leveling, stability, and brake assist.

I think Mercedes reduced the price to compete with the Japanese. Some things like the rear antenna guides were removed but they were probably problematic anyway. Anybody have any specific changes as to quality to back up these statements?

turnne1 · #45 12-09-2004, 09:07 AM

I think they lost the map pocket in the front doors....the electric interior rear view mirror...no more becker radio and CD changer...cleaner grill design...mono colored bottom body panels

Warren
1992 300SD(sold)
2000 740i w/sports package