Which year W140? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hit Man X · #1 12-27-2005, 10:36 PM

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!

BenzOnline · #2 12-27-2005, 11:26 PM

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.

mbdoc · #3 12-28-2005, 08:14 AM

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!

Hit Man X · #4 12-28-2005, 12:49 PM

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

Hatterasguy · #5 12-28-2005, 07:48 PM

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.

eddie · #6 12-28-2005, 08:43 PM

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

Hit Man X · #7 12-29-2005, 10:43 AM

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?

A. Rosich · #8 12-30-2005, 12:10 PM

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

S-Class Fiasco: W220 vs W140

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.

Hit Man X · #9 12-30-2005, 02:47 PM

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

Ethan · #10 12-30-2005, 04:29 PM

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.

Hatterasguy · #11 12-30-2005, 09:56 PM

Forget about the W140, the new W221 has arrived!

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