Info needed on 400SE
 

Can anyone supply insight on the pros and cons of the 400SE. I believe this one is a 92-94?
Thanks

There is actually only one 400SE - a 1992. In 93 it became a 400SEL - only long wheel base. Then in 1994 it was rebadged an S420 - also long wheel base. Therefore the 1992 400SE is the only short wheel base, V8, 140 body that came to the US - and in that respect it is a desirable car - if you are looking for a V8 with the slightly more agile, lighter, short wheel base. The 4.2 liter 119 motor is a very nice motor. If you need more backseat space you would want the long wheel base of 93 and after, or any 500 140 body.

thanks, I wonder if being "the first and only year" is a red flag. Any owners out there with experience. The one I found is a beauty, well maintained, low miles, relatively speaking

I have a 400SE 92 ...list of problems ..

Air Con failure - $4000ish
Gear selector light failure
Dashboard lights
Steering Grear Leak - $400ish
Central lock failure $700ish
PSE Pump Failure - 700ish
Water leak - New Water Pump
Transmission flaring between gears - Rebuilt at 115,000 miles $2,800
Oil leak at front of both cam shaft seals $300ish
Oil leak from valve cover 200ish
Drive shaft linkage worn
Ventilation blower motor failure $500ish
Radio Amp replacement $500ish
Radio Tuner replacement $100ish
New engine wiring harness $500ish
Headlamp wiper failure
Break in front glass at base of window - just sealed
New control arms both upper and lower
Ball Joints 2 times
torsion bar
steeing shock
sway bar bushings

As you can tell... some of the items are $$$$$.... And of course certain items are normal wear items.

Those are 140 problems and not necessarily "first and only year" 400SE problems. 140s can be expensive cars to maintain but there's nothing particularly scary about a 92 400SE. The 4.2 119 motor was made, with some minor evolution, through 1999, and the short wheel base was offered on the 320 through much of the 92 to 99 run of the 140 body.