I found a local 96' S420 at a independent Mercedes used dealer/service shop. I have heard horror stories with high $$$$ maintainence on the 92-94 S-Class sedans, but wondering if the 95 and newer models were any better. What major issues tend to crop up on the 1996 S-Class models? Do they also have the "prone to failure" A/C units that require the entire dash to be removed if it becomes broken? Below is the ad for the car. I have seen it in photos and it looks showroom new. NO DEFECTS. Is it worth the asking price? Thanks in advance! Photo link may work..... http://www.benzhaus.com/images/carpics/113-1.jpg
http://www.benzhaus.com/images/carpics/113-2.jpg
http://www.benzhaus.com/images/carpics/113-6.jpg

1996 MERCEDES BENZ S420
Miles: 146,000

Color: WHITE

Features:
*BLUE LEATHER INTERIOR
*SUNROOF
*BOSE SOUND
*ASR TRACTION CONTROL
*LOCAL TRADE IN
*MAJOR SERVICE
*ALL SERVICE RECORDS


Price: $12,500

Not worth that kinda cash, it's a 10-11 year old vehicle.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

You might want to check your figures. My 1999 Bluebooked for right around $19,900. While the car in question is older and with higher mileage $12K is not outrageous for one of these cars.

Don't believe the scare stories that you hear about the 140's. While they do cost more than the average car to repair its not a Honda we are talking about here. Its an S class one of the best cars in the world. Many people believe when Mercedes designed the 140 they had sights of the car competing with Rolls Royce.

The 140 has legendary build quality comparible to no other production car made. Its ride quality is equal to if not better than some of the new S class cars. Its sound insulation is better than the current model cars. (Mercedes stopped using the double paned glass in the S class in 1999).

Essentially your getting a lot of value for your money and the car's resale value reflects that. One of my best friends drives a brand new Lexus LS430 and my 1999 S320 is quieter and has a more luxurious ride and better road feel.

If your looking at 140's go late model 1996 and newer. There are a lot of differences between the earlier models and the older models. Many owners of the older models love their "gadgets" that Mercedes deleted from the cars to enhance their reliability and claim the interiors are better. Thats a subjective thing that you will have to look at and evaluate on your own. Mercedes eliminated a lot of the wiring issues in the cars in their late production and fixed a lot of other flaws with the cars. The later models may have a few less of the gadgety features but you get a wonderful Bose Audio system and glass moonroof (earliers have the metal ones). The later models also have a more updated exterior and interior with more up to date colors (no more two tone plastic trim and outdated zebrano).

When have you ever seen a vehicle sell for Blue Book? Get serious.

$12500 retail is maybe $6000 at an auction.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

rchase,

The Bose audio systems were available from 92 thru to 99 on the W140s...in fact the 92-93 year was the best for the sound because its before MB changed the EQ.

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99 C43
98 S420
99 C230K
01 C240

Hmmm,

Dunno about that..... I have never been impressed by any Becker headunit......

What are the specs on the early Bose systems by chance?

I don't agree that the $12,500 price is that high, if the car has been well serviced and is in impeccable condition. Of course, that is a dealer starting price and he may sell it for $10K - $11K, but the idea that everyone has to buy their Mercedes at some wholesale price level is ridiculous!! If the car has the inherent and real qualities, then it is worth more dollars; everyone can't go to an auction and bid low on something that may have some real problems and require the dollar difference to fix it up. Also, everyone is not a DIY, so they have to try to find a car in excellent overall condition and perhaps buy an extended warranty if they wish. I think the lowballers in the forum are just trying to provide a basis for their own low offers to sellers, but it is not a valid approach overall. If you have a really good Mercedes, it should sell at least at the average retail level and still be a good deal for both seller and buyer.

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Ben Harrison Carter
1999 Mercedes ML320 87K
1992 Mercedes 300CE 89K
1995 Corvette 29K -- Sold Dec 09
1989 Mercedes 420SEL 99K -- (Sold 4/08)
1968 Mercedes 230S (106K) (Sold 9/06))
1976 Mercedes 450SEL 130K (Just sold - 06)
1961 Mercedes 220Sb (sold years ago)

It really depends on the car. Many cars sell for over book value and many sell for under. Book value based on what the "average" car might be like. There are cars that are below average and cars that are above average and hence the price variations in the marketplace. To one buyer dried out leather seats and a dirty interior might not be a big deal. To another buyer it could be a dealkiller. There is a balance between the owners tolerance of faults in a vehicle and its price.

Many buyers have this bizzarre notion that no matter what the asking price of a car they are "going" to get something off just because they feel as though they are entitled to it. On a paticularly nice car these buyers "negotiate" themselves right out of a car if the seller know's what they have.

I have sold a couple of cars and priced them at what I wanted for them. I did have to deal with the cheapskates that wanted a free car but eventually found someone who recognized the value of what I was selling at the price I was selling it at.

Just because your not willing to pay the sellers price does not mean they are not going to sell it to someone who is willing to pay their price.

Not talking about public auctions, I have connections to dealer auctions. If you're smart enough to use these type of forums and be out there, chances are you know someone somehow, that has a license.

Sure if a vehicle is in high demand people will pay more (that's a given), but for a '96 S420... that price is too much for what I've seen around my area. Dealers markup to markdown. It's a common vehicle that's overpriced in my area.

$8900 for a 1998 740il. $7600 for a '95 S500. Obviously they'll have issues, like anything used/old.

You're obviously informed such as I and look for deals and know how to shop.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Oh and to answer your question I have seen cars sell for way above Blue book in my former career. You would be surprised at how many buyers will sign on the X on your dealsheet after the first writeup and drive off happy as a clam in their new to them highly overpriced used car. We used to call those deals "pounders" and the customers "lay downs". In some cases the numbers that we used to write up the deal were random and pulled out of the sales managers head.

Speaking of auctions. You do realize the cars that the general public sees at the public "wholesale" auctions are the ones the dealers have already picked over right? If there is a $6000 S class at auction its there because even the buy here pay here lots did not want it.

Come on - a 96 with 146k miles, white with blue, ASR, a 722.6 transmission in it's first year, asking $12,500 - this is no contest. That's a car that you wouldn't want to buy at any price. There are too many other nice cars out there.

Its not a Chevy but a Mercedes.

As we all know, the worst thing is a cheap Mercedes.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Not always. The condition of a car has nothing to do with its price. I have bought mint condition cars from older people who just want to get rid of the cars quickly because of a death in the family. I have also looked at cars that were priced extremely high and that were in extremely poor condition mechanically but had a nice spit and polish job and presented well.

My, my, my. Thanks for all of the replies. I was not expecting so many differnet responses.

Not to sound standoffish, but one that has be baffled is the one about the negatice comments on the "blue" interior. I think it is a matter of personal taste and not a reason to discard or degrade this car. I actually really like the interior color on this car, but it would be nice if it were a slightly darker shade of blue. My current Mercedes has blue interior and I like it very much. I do not think the interior color would stop me from buying it. If that were the case, I would never had mentioned the car here.

Funny- I have heard the statement- "cheap Mercedes is the worst Mercedes". Not always true. I paid only $1000 for mine about a year ago (including delivery) and have had no major issues and it has never left me stranded (knock on wood). Occasional stalling when hot, but it always restarts and I have been told it was a vacuum issue. Tranny is still strong and engine still runs well, despite 267K miles. This 96' is priced at $12K and while that may be pocket change to some "money fortunate" people here, it is not pocket change to me and I would have to have the car financed.

At any rate, from what I have gathered, it seems like the 1996 and newer models up to 1999 seem to be decent cars now.

I am still undecided though, because there are other cars I am considering (brand new and used), but saw this MB and thought it looked nice and priced decent. I thought that service records and current maintainence was a plus. BTW - I looked it up on KBB and PPV (private party value) for that car is $9700, so the $12K price does seem rather steep. I like to get cars for at least the PPV and not the retail value.

Thanks again in advance. The advice was most appreciated. I will keep you posted.