Those are two things I'd definitely would love to get some answers on since they are the main weaknesses of the W140 chassis. Oh well.

Regarding the evaporator issues with the newer W140s, yes indeed, it lingered on, I purchased my 1999 S600 at 88K miles and the evaporator had already been replaced in it. I don't know if it goes bad with time or with mileage.

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1999 Mercedes-Benz S600, 103K miles - garage queen
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL, 89K miles - daily driver
2007 Hyundai Sonata Limited, 31K - daily driver

Yep, that is what I was thinking I was told that it even lingered into 1999 on the core issues. I wondered the same thing. I once heard that enviroment has alot to do with it rather than age or mileage. My uncle has a 1993 300SE (W140), with only 78K and he had to have a new core installed three years ago (when it had 54K) @ a low price of $2200. It has always been a garaged southern car (South Carolina). So, with that car, it was not really an mileage issue.

Someone said a tip was to turn off the A/C a few miles before you get to your destination to let the core dry somewhat before parking. I have no idea why, but it seems to have increased the life of them.

If you can live without A/C its not a problem, but if you cannot take heat or live in the south especially, A/C is a must for most unless they like to sweat it out. I see you are in KC and I know it can get sweltering hot there in the summer!

A 1999 S600 eh? Thats very nice! Cream of the crop W140!

Wow Thats a rare car. The S600's became lower and lower production from 96 on. Do you think it was a early or late production car?