Which year W140?
 

I've read that early 140s have better build materials but suffer from more problems such as the wiring harness and the evap core business. I have the time and will power (as well as hair!) to install new parts, rebuild the SLS, etc. These bits do not worry me as I have access to a lift and a mechanics mind to pick.

What year was the last of the better leather in the interior? For some reason I think 1995?

Didn't the headlights change too at some point?



Basically, if you were in the market for a first gen 140, which would be the best year?

Thanks! :)

For the best sounding BOSE in the w140 its the 1992-93 with the old style Becker unit.

I beleive a 1994 I heard was the best yr for the first gen models.

The ONLY model year(s) W140 chassis I could afford to OWN are the 1998-99! & that doesn't include buying one!

Any 1992-94 car will eat-up too much $$$$$$ IF maintained!

Why are the early ones more troublesome? Or what else can be a problem?

I don't know why people go on about build materials, I never noticed a difference between pre 95 and post 96 W140's. The leather and everything else seems to be the same? I suspect thats a myth.

Buy the best and newest one you can afford. Thats the way to buy a W140.

w 140
 

1992 1993 w140 you gota have 2 ful time joob i know i got one b4 1992 400se sold now i got 1998 e320 and 2002 c320 i sold c230 k

i love mine 1998 e 320 gas good ride good

140 no more maybe 1999 or 2002 the new body

next year maybe s430

i got one now 1993 400se frendoffmine electric problem i duno what to do alternator new wire hornest new light off batery new end still problem over night batery go bad uffff

Hrm, I read that there were many changes to the materials. Guess not but I'll have to investigate more before acting at all.

Also, would a '97 have all these updates and such?

If you want to do a little search on facts about pre and post facelift W140s, there is some useful info at this thread:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/19772-s-class-fiasco-w220-vs-w140.html

Just to clarify your questions:

Pre facelift models (1991-1994) had a better standard leather than postfacelift models (1995-1999). On the 1995 post facelift models M.B. added a second option for leather seats (at least in European and worldwide markets) called "Alcantara" which was better than the original prefacelift leather (this leather could be ordered in a one or two tone variation).

To save production costs many chassis and electronic items were simplified at the 1995 post facelift models. Examples: the doors had 45% fewer parts, the A/C controls were simplified and costed about half of the original unit, etc...

Some of the reliability issues of pre facelift models were corrected on post facelift models, although not all:

The A/C evaporator problem persisted throught the ENTIRE life of the W140, there is no distinction on that.

If you would like to buy the best pre facelift model: 1994 (although, be prepared to fork big $$$ for proper maintenance!)

The best pos tfacelift models: 1998 and 1999.

Ah, thanks for that link here. There is a plethora of useful info in there. :)

As far as I know Alcantera is a man made suede like material. In the US Mercedes is using alcantera as headliner material and other insert locations on the SL.

Forget about the W140, the new W221 has arrived!:D

I think they are pretty nice, the exterior is ok but the interior is awsome!:cool: