Their are so many crap W140's out their. - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

braverichard · #46 11-05-2005, 09:12 PM

You know I always wonder what it feels like to be in cars much faster than the S600. I drove an S600 Coupe (now CL-Class) just three weeks ago and it felt faster than hell. Acceleration at ALL speeds (I actually did a 110mph - 130mph and it was very fast) is incredible. Can't help but wonder what a current generation S600 feels like with much more power, better engine power delivery and management and less vehicle weight. Not mention what super fast cars like a Saleen or a Ferari Enzo feels like.

braverichard · #47 11-05-2005, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deanyel

Congratulations! But I would point out that you haven't actually found one that isn't a piece of crap if you haven't yet seen it. Good luck.

Very true. Car looks sharp, though I hate the interior color (just my personal crappy crap taste

)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/WDBGA32GOVA348369_W0QQitemZ4585500018QQcategoryZ6336QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Hatterasguy · #48 11-05-2005, 09:24 PM

If my memory serves me, the same V12 (M120?) used in the W140's is found in the Koesingg(sp?) CCR. But in this car it is in Brabus tuned 7.3L form. This thing weighs probably about half as much as the W140 if not less. Has the widest tires I have ever seen on a car 350? I would imagin dropping the throttle in that car would feel like the hand of god came down and punched you in the back.

Needless to say I would kill for one, doing 250mph on I-91 would be a cool trick.

It better be in good shape, if I sit on a crappy train for 4 hours and it sucks I am going to be pissed. Maybe I should delay the mothballing of my SDL for a few days, I'd rather drive it up their then his Altima. If we drive.

E5004ME · #49 11-07-2005, 02:08 PM

I was told that the V12 has some pretty expensive periodic maintenance. Anybody have a high mileage one that can chime in?

suginami · #50 11-07-2005, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genodm

I was told that the V12 has some pretty expensive periodic maintenance. Anybody have a high mileage one that can chime in?

I'd guess they're expensive to maintain because basically you are maintaining two engines. I've heard the V12 described as two M104 6-cylinder engines: you have 12 spark plugs, two mass air meters, two throttle actuators, etc.

smharr4 · #51 11-07-2005, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami

I've heard the V12 described as two M104 6-cylinder engines: you have 12 spark plugs, two mass air meters, two throttle actuators, etc.

I've heard the same thing. if this is true, how much more difficult is it to work on these V12's than (say) a 3.2l or 2.8l M104? Obviously the cost of parts would be doubled, but with the limited amount of space in the engine bay, are they any harder to work on?

There's a '92 S600 for sale on a local roadside lot for under $12K. I doubt it has records so I should probably stay away... but it's tempting.

Hatterasguy · #52 11-07-2005, 05:31 PM

S600's are not as bad as everyone makes them out to be, you just have to have the right mindset to own one. Ie will a $3k repair break you? If so keep looking. These were $140k cars new and act like it. Now if you are cross shopping a Ferrari V12 to one of these then no the MB's are pretty cheap to run.

Also remember the S600 itself is a very different car then an S500/420/320. The engine under the hood isn't the only thing thats different. The entine suspension is S600 specific, along with many other systems.

snp8990 · #53 11-07-2005, 05:46 PM

Hey, i got a 1998 S500 excellent conidtion. It has 99,900 and is in excellent condition. I am not a motivated seller, but if the right offer comes around, I may be willing. IT IS BEAUTFUL. IN PA. send me an email if your interested at snp8990@yahoo.com. I have had many W140s and I know how to treat a car. Always garaged, always serviced. Has the michelins on it. Alll original. Xeons, Obsidian black paint over beige leather. The car was never ever driven wrecklessly. Once again, I am not a motivated seller, but if your offer is reasonable, then I will consider it. Just drop me an email at Snp8990@yahoo.com if you want pictures.

Hatterasguy · #54 11-07-2005, 06:21 PM

Thanks but we are picking up his S320 Wednesday.

suginami · #55 11-07-2005, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smharr4

... how much more difficult is it to work on these V12's than (say) a 3.2l or 2.8l M104? Obviously the cost of parts would be doubled, but with the limited amount of space in the engine bay, are they any harder to work on?

Good question.

I've seen the engine bay of an SL600, and it was so tight that it'd be a nightmare to work on, and the mechanic who was working on it agreed.

I have never looked at the V12 in a W140, and you'd have to assume there'd be more room to work. Heck, it should be similar to a V8, but with two more cylinders.

The V8 has a 90 degree angle. Anyone know what the V12 is? 60 degrees?

A. Rosich · #56 11-07-2005, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

S600's are not as bad as everyone makes them out to be, you just have to have the right mindset to own one.

Also remember the S600 itself is a very different car then an S500/420/320. The engine under the hood isn't the only thing thats different. The entine suspension is S600 specific, along with many other systems.

I agree the S 600s are not as bad to maintain as you mentioned, although they really are more expensive to run than any other Benz. The worse part, besides having to double EVERYTHING on parts over an S 320, is that due to very limited space, to change some simple parts you literally have to dismantle almost the whole engine (running labor costs through the roof!).

I have to disagree on the comment about the S 600 being a very different car from an S 500. They are actually almost identical (it all depends on the market you bought the car). For example: my car was FULLY optioned when ordered from the factory, including the factory fitted refrigerator on the trunk that can handle six bottles of champange. When I buy parts, most of them would fit either my S 500 L or an S 600 (according to specs which I get from the parts department).

Actually, I remember many German car magazines always stating that the S 500 was actually a better buy than an S 600, since the heavier V12 engine made the S 600 misbehave on B-type roads. Also, everyone has also commented that you can really tell the difference on performace between an S 500 and an S 600 only on runs above 120 mp.h.

I have driven a CL 600 and I have to agree on that fact.

t walgamuth · #57 11-07-2005, 07:34 PM

but most v12s are 60 degree. that is correctly balanced in a 12 or flat. the ferraris are 60 degree, mostly.

tom w

pjo · #58 11-07-2005, 08:01 PM

It took me a while to find a good W140, but it was well worth the wait.

I located a 1999 S500 that was a one owner documented car in Malibu with 26K miles. It was the best $28K I ever spent. The car was/is showroom. A rare find I know, but other examples like this may pop up.

Hatterasguy · #59 11-07-2005, 10:03 PM

Afaik the S500 has standard shocks up front, while the S600 has hyd adjustable shocks.

braverichard · #60 11-07-2005, 11:55 PM

Hatterasguy is correct, the two models don't share the same suspension for ANY year 1992 - 1999. In fact, in 1998, when the adjustable suspension became standard on the S600, I don't think it was made available in any other trims.

Hey, while we're talking about W140s here, there's a 1992 S500 locally available for $8000. This is a special car. It has had about four owners, has a black exterior and a funny-colored interior (looks like palomino or something, but very nice though), 193K miles, sharp 18" Lorinser D93 Chrome wheels, custom speaker system that's not too intrusive, has had the evaporator replaced some time ago, has Lorinser dual chrome exhaust tips and is dressed up like an S600 complete with all the appropriate badges. It has been for sale for a very long time. The current owner explained to me that he searched for a long time before he came across it for sale at an estate auction. It was the baby of the man who owned it before and he fully looked after it and even did all of the custom work on it. The current owner is selling it because his wife feels it makes them look like snobs when they drive such a car.

The guy's original asking price was $15K and he has gone down to just $8K. Sounds like a steal to me if I were to buy it, but the miles worry me. I've driven the car and it was wonderful, very powerful and every last feature on it was functioning well!

Should I be worried about the mileage? After several eBay searches for a while, I haven't yet seen a W140 with that many miles without any issues. I'm not really in the market for a W140 S500 now, but the current price is very attractive. As much as I am sure it will ace a PPI, I just wonder if everything on the car will start going to hell once I buy it considering the high miles.

Edit: Check out the pics.