Wow this is an old thread.

Now I can say that they are way over hyped. My friends S320 has been dead reliable, as has my other friends S600. Absolutly fantastic cars in all regards, better than my old W126.

I think that it seems like W140s get a bad rap most of the time...

I really don't agree with what that mechanic said about them being the "biggest piles of **** ever" they couldn't be that bad. We're talking about a flagship Mercedes-Benz, not some cheap Pacific-rimmer. I think that Mercedes just had a different focus with this car than they did with the W126. Seems like they were thinking more "cutting-edge" then they were longevity.

I had a 1995 S500 with 172k on it when I traded it for a newer Mercedes and I loved it. Didn't cost that much to maintain.

The 140 bodies shouldn't be lumped all together. Some of them have multiple complex and/or troubled systems - ASR, ADS, ESP, automatic door closers, electronic transmissions, etc. - and others have none of those systems.

They all have AC evaporators...

Sixto
87 300D

I also think they get a bad rap. My '94 has been the 'best' MB and cheapest to maintain of all MBs I've owned.

Not counting tires, brakes and a battery, here's what been replaced:

1) DI module: $225 . . used from a NYC junk yard
2) Water Pump: . . . new, about $100
3) ETA: $750 . . . replaced w/ new one (got a price break!)
4) Motor Mounts: $45 . . bought from eBay . . new
5) Oil tubes: $50 . . replaced 6 that were bad.
6) Belt extender: $20 . . . used some old gears.
7) Headrest extender: $40 . . . replaced w/ new one.
8) Door Closing Assist: $45 . . . replaced w/ new one.
9) Spheres: $160 . . . replaced w/ new ones

But as sixto says. . they all have 'evaporators' and if you keep the car, you will have to replace it.

10) Evaporator: $2100 . . included labor and parts (new compressor, exp valve, evaporator, fittings, refrigerant.

In 11 years, I'd say that was pretty good. . :)

Jim, do you think you will only have to replace the evaporator once? I have replaced mine, but is it a recurring problem or has the weakness been fixed?

How many miles do you have now? Is it over 300,000 yet?

I certainly hope so . . . only have 119K miles and don't drive as much as I used to.

Paul is asking if your car has over 300K miles?? I guess he is implying that it could fail again around that mileage. I can say for-sure that I will never drive it enough to get to that mileage . . :(

Well, I did not get that 93' 400SEL, but still looking at a 1995 S500 (175K) and a 1996 S420 (161K). The 96' has a CEL light that the owner says has been on for a year, but the car runs perfect and has a new cat converter. A/C leaks down after 2 months - may have the dreadful e-core problem. I am not sure the signs of a bad core... if they are bad, would the A/C not be cold ever?

Also does the 96' S420 have those complex systems (ASR, ADS, ESP, automatic door closers, electronic transmissions), or are they limited to the S500 / S600?

deanyel may give you better advice but personally I wouldn't touch the '96 with a CEL *and* leaking A/C.

You are guaranteed that the evap is bad . . . . *and* the '96 was the start of OBDII. I found a similar problem on a '96 with the identical problem at my tech's shop.

Problem was plugged (carboned) egr lines on the passenger side and not too-bad on the driver's side; it was plugged enough that the OBDII would NOT allow it to get to the "ready" state. The EGR makes an "emission" fault so it must be fixed. Had to remove both heads and clean the ports . . .

You can tell by using a good scanner and reading the OBDII status. Betcha a dime, that's the problem.

So between the evap and EGR, you'd be an unhappy camper unless you could do this yourself. You'd probably still be unhappy but have some $$ in your pocket!

I am at 361,533 miles. Evaporator replaced at 223,561. I also am not driving as many miles as I used to. Doing only about 16-17K a year. Car doing fine except for some oil consumption. I was using about a quart every 625 miles and changed from synthetic oil to dino oil. Consumption went down to a quart every 1200 miles. I guess its just thicker.

Thanks... so basically the 92-95 have their share of problems and the 96-99 have another share of problems? Get shed of one and get another? :)

Well I emailed the seller to see if he knew why the CEL was illuminated. Has a new converter, so I guess thats ruled out.

I was told that the 4.2L was basically a bulletproof engine. Too bad about the "plugged" EGR lines on these cars that makes the heads have to be removed. I had never heard of that before.

Do you know how many miles that one had with the clogged EGR lines? Seems like there are so many things that could set off a CEL, so I am hoping it could be something else.

I warned the seller that I needed a tight car, because I run a tight ship! :P

BTW - I think I can get the car for about $2500. Nice overall and since its a 1996, I am assuming it will not have the bio-degradable wires?

$2,500 is probably about right. Figure its going to need three G notes to fix the AC and whatever is tripping the CE light.

Odviously the seller is either flat broke or doesn't care about the car if he ignored a CE light for a year.