Their are so many crap W140's out their. - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

msethk · #16 10-25-2005, 12:51 PM

This is an interesting thread. I just want to add my thoughts on this. It is amazing to see so many people respond to these cars as being "on lease." I have always wondered how many "New" Mercedes owners and especially owners of S class autos are actually Mercedes Enthusiasts. I have often felt the second owner of a Mercedes is the real enthusiast who will really appreciate the car and take the extra care to keep it nice (Yes, i know that is not always the case!) But why are people leasing these cars? Pride comes with ownership not a lease. I have been searching the tucson for a good quality 98-99 s class for months with asolutely no luck.

One other key note: I remember a few years back, you could count on the quality of a dodge to make it just through the warranty before it rattled to pieces and fell apart. Now I see their quality getting a little better. Ever since the merger the quality of Mercedes has gone down (funny, these cars are just out of waranty, coincidence?). Is a new dodge the better car here?

I really love my 94 c class outside the wire harness issue. ( i wish more people would write letters and support the effort made by so many here who do not want to see it become a lost cause, go infoage1!

) but I am in no hurry to buy a newer c or e class and especially one that is as poor quality as some I have seen for sale.

benzboy87 · #17 10-25-2005, 01:01 PM

Most people I know who buy a new S-class (be it the current W220 or the then new W140) are business owners/executives who, when cars were leased, could take expenses off on their taxes. They also figured that, since they would trade in several years for the new model, a lease payment is usually less each month than a car payment.
A lot of second owners are people who want a Mercedes for the prestige but can't afford a new one - families that want an upscale, reliable and safe vehicle. Most of these people are only interested in the name and prestige but do not care to keep them in tip-top shape. They are also the ones who probably put in green coolant and adhere to the flexible service system

.

ken_xman · #18 10-25-2005, 01:08 PM

I have a 95 S600 that I am shortly going to be selling. Its black/ black euro model with a factory wine cooler. The interior is a 9.8 of 10. The Exterior is about a 8.5. If I was going to keep the car, I would have the front bumper re-sprayed, because of chips, and the rear 1/4 .....scratch. Has 91k miles.
It has the bottom of the car black also, and the newer style s class chrome wheels, with new conti tires.
Its a beautiful car, to be asking $25,000 seems too cheap, but that is NADA.
e-mail me if you really want to see pics.
ken_christman@ml.com

msethk · #19 10-25-2005, 01:29 PM

Seeing how the value of these cars have plummeted, it would not make sense to purchase one of these cars. I agree the only way to get one is to lease! I for one wouldn't want to take the depreciation hit on a new poor quality Mercedes. Second hand ownership is the only thing that would make sense.

iwrock · #20 10-25-2005, 03:36 PM

I support the idea that the owners of new mercede use them for their business purposes. My boss had a brand new E55 nad a new ML55. He writes their payments off as vehicles that he uses to "chauffer" people around in. The ML is his "mobile office" even though his wife drives it daily. He also writes his boat off as another mobile office. It must be nice to be in a profession where you can write off an exotic vehicle.

And oh yes, I forgot. A guy came in with his brand new Hummer H1 Alpha and was talking to my boss. He writes it off for his business, saying that his business is "rescuing" trucks that are stuck on the rubicon. I can almost gaurantee that the Jeep he has is the trail rig, and this is his show car for his wife.

deanyel · #21 10-25-2005, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken_xman

Its a beautiful car, to be asking $25,000 seems too cheap, but that is NADA.

Good luck, but I think you're going to be very fortunate to get half that.

Hatterasguy · #22 10-25-2005, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken_xman

I have a 95 S600 that I am shortly going to be selling. Its black/ black euro model with a factory wine cooler. The interior is a 9.8 of 10. The Exterior is about a 8.5. If I was going to keep the car, I would have the front bumper re-sprayed, because of chips, and the rear 1/4 .....scratch. Has 91k miles.
It has the bottom of the car black also, and the newer style s class chrome wheels, with new conti tires.
Its a beautiful car, to be asking $25,000 seems too cheap, but that is NADA.
e-mail me if you really want to see pics.
ken_christman@ml.com

Thanks but he isn't interested in the V12. Good luck with selling it but in todays market you will be very lucky to get $18k for that car. Its a shame really.

Don't get me wrong for every beat W140 out their I see two beat W126's.

No one takes care of these things they just seem to drive them into the ground.

The search continues.

page62 · #23 10-25-2005, 05:16 PM

I'm still trying to figure out $18K for a Toyota Corolla!!!

104.992 · #24 10-25-2005, 07:50 PM

Maybe some the folks who are buying new Benzes now are the ones who bought the Corollas when they were young and studied in thier spare time.

plink49 · #25 10-25-2005, 09:25 PM

Interesting thread! I have to put in my 2 cents. The W140 had, has and will have its warts, and every owner will agree to that. But, it is also the last of a breed, the last of the true big Benz's, the last of the true engineers Benz. This is a car of the type will never be built again, and to own one is to own a classic, even if that "classic" designation doesn't seem appropriate at the moment. The new S class cars are a mere shadow of what the W140 was in both design and reality....they rely more on gadgets and not the true legacy of Mercedes S class quality (I only wish reliability!). And as a secondary thought, if in an accident, I would much rather be in my 2-3/4 ton 500SEL than in the more reliable and lessor Toyota Lexus!
I, at times, entertain the idea of putting my W140 up for sale. After all, it is a gas guzzler, has ASR problems, and it is well let's see....13 years old. Then I look at the reasons for NOT selling it......I can put up with a few warts!!!

suginami · #26 10-25-2005, 10:04 PM

I find it interesting that the Maybach cars are built off of a stretched version of the W140 chassis, not the W220 chassis.

braverichard · #27 10-26-2005, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plink49

Interesting thread! I have to put in my 2 cents. The W140 had, has and will have its warts, and every owner will agree to that. But, it is also the last of a breed, the last of the true big Benz's, the last of the true engineers Benz. This is a car of the type will never be built again, and to own one is to own a classic, even if that "classic" designation doesn't seem appropriate at the moment. The new S class cars are a mere shadow of what the W140 was in both design and reality....they rely more on gadgets and not the true legacy of Mercedes S class quality (I only wish reliability!).

Oh here we go again... I recall the exact same things were said about the W126 when the W140 came out and dragged down Mercedes quality ratings in one year!! Humans will always be humans.

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami

I find it interesting that the Maybach cars are built off of a stretched version of the W140 chassis, not the W220 chassis.

An unofficial reason I heard was that since the W140 chassis never made any money, the company simply decided to give the chassis another run at additional revenue by using it for the Maybach. Not to mention that when it comes to solidity and luxury, very few cars can match the W140 chassis in years to come.

Hatterasguy · #28 10-26-2005, 05:55 PM

Well we have 3 new prospects that look good:
A local 1996 S420 with 99k on it. Owned by a MBCA member, and now by a Judge. I know the car and it is extremly nice.
A 1995 S500 with 60k miles popped up. The seller seems to know these cars and put a picture of every wear area you want to see. He even put it up on a lift and took half a dozen underbody pics!

I don't think my friend will get a bargin on this one but it seems like a good car.
Then their is a 1998 S320 with 70k miles on it. This could be a very good car if we can figure out what the check engine light is. Possible blown head gasket but I suspect that may not be the case. Even if the headgasket is shot I'd still buy the car if the rest of it is mint, the price is right.

The hunt continues...