Many early gas w140 MB's are priced in a very attractive manner these days. However, I'm under the impression that an old w140 may be $15k to buy, but $15k a year to run. What's the story? What breaks most often and how expensive is it to fix/replace. How DIY friendly is it?

There are a lot of threads about this - what 140 is it?
All early 140's had front suspension problems because of weight. Evaporator cores are a major headache and expense. Most 300SD's are trouble waiting to happen - some never seem to have problems - engine wise. Door closing assists seem to be a major headache. Wiring harnesses on the '95 and some '96s were biodegrabable - too much so.
The 600SEL/S600s are very expensive to maintain. A search will turn up more info for you.

I have a 92 500 SEL all of those things have gone wrong since the warranty ran out in 96. If you think about it that is in the last ten years. I figure 2K /year and some is maintenance. If you get one with good records you will see what has been done. The most expensive (AC $4K), (Bose $.7K), (Close assist $ .8) motor mounts, suspension parts, brakes, tune ups are maintenance. Find one that has been serviced you will be happy!

It's not $15k to buy - more like $7500. There's a lot of nice cars available for well under 10 grand. At this rate people will soon be giving them as gifts - but only to people that they don't like. They are the modern day version of the 6.3 and 6.9 - overbuilt and seemingly bargains - but they don't actually have a useful purpose given the cost of keeping them on the road.

LOL good point on the Kia, won the J. D. Power INITIAL Quality...

If I was the on the team that designed that car, I would have been insulted.

Killed In Action
Korean Invading America
Korea Invades America
Keep In Attic

Sorry, I love those acronyms!

I have had the pleasure of driving a 140, it was fantasic! I really like that S class car, but it is much too big for me! I am sure it is an excellent family hauler when it behaves.

The early 140's (pre-96) are a big headache to maintain, even if they have been properly serviced. They just have too many issues that were later resolved for the final years of production.

Although, as mentioned before, not all issues were solved. ALL 140s, even late production ones, suffer from A/C evac problems, power assited door closing pump failures (constant and EXPENSIVE$!$!$!$), extreme tire ware (due to its weight), rear power window bracket failures, some electric/electronic gremlims... not to mention the high price of parts for regular maintenance.

Early 140s, among many things, suffer from retractable trunk handle, side power foldable mirrors, all power windows, remote door loock, radio amplifier and hydraulic suspension failures.

Your best bet is a 1997-1999, well maintained, low mileage S320-S500 - stay away from the 600s.

As a proud 140 owner, I can tell you it is the best built, best piece of machinery I have ever had the pleasure to drive. Just because of that, I put up with its out of ordinary maintenance nightmares.

__________________
A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

I agree with inetd. They are great cars WHEN MAINTAINED - especially from the get go. They are much more intolerable of shody maintenance than some other MBs. I would not put them in the same league as the 6.3s or 6.9s. They are so much better (maybe I should say "modern") than these two - don't want to start a bashing thread on this, please.
Keep in mind that many of the 140 series cars were "leases" with people not maintaining them as a typical MB enthusiast would. I can't imagine paying that kind of money for something and then allowing it to become derelict.
If you like power - go for the 500 series. If you want "fuel economy" (I almost couldn't type that one out without guffawing) then go with the inline 300 series.
My personal dream car would be the later model S500 140 series.
Unless you have a trust fund and are not faint-of-heart, stay away from the 600 series.

It is unique for someone who does not own one to comment, on the issues (i guess you might have had one).
If I could buy a clean late 140, I would! There is nothing like the ride, comfort,
and does not compare with my 01 E, my 89 SEC, or SL...or any of the others, now the ML was junk!
The 220s are plastic!