I have the S140 bug - somebody help me! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tenknots · #1 02-03-2007, 04:04 PM

I've been driving 300D's and 300Sd's for a long time, but my commute really sucks. I want a big comfy car with airbags and ABS. My commute is 90% interstate and very easy on a car. I want something besides a 126 or 123.

I've found a 1993 300SE with some RF fender damage going for cheap. It's a two owner car, with 183k. The headgasket is new and the car looks great except for the damage.

My 300D gets 24 mpg on my commute. At the price differential, if I get 19 mpg on unleaded, it's a wash.

So my questions are:

Can I use 87 octane gas? I know the engine management system senses knock (I think on each cylinder) and should compensate with lower power. That's ok, I'm coming from a 300D with almost a half million miles so the power is not an issue. The potential for damaging the engine is. What's the professional opinion. Has anyone run one of these sixes long-term on low octane gas?

Second, I know little about body repair. Assuming only the RF fender has to be replaced, what is my cost to do it myself and then have it painted? Are these body parts outrageous? Even at the junkyard? Doesn't have to look perfect, just nice.

What's the likihood that this car can hold up for another 30-60K? Assuming proper previous service and on going. I see E300's for sale with 250k...

I know this isn't an ultra simple and reliable 123 diesel, but frankly, I'm ready to move up. This car is half the price of local 1990 300D's. I can buy a lot of parts and gas. I've read many posts about the 140's - not all flattering, but I've kept my cars going pretty well. I don't care if the door closers work (as long as I can close the door) or some of the other foofoo stuff, but I need it to get me there. I like the size and looks and this one seems to have some extras (headlamp wipers and a couple of switches I don't get on the console to the right of the defroster and headrest buttons - what are they? One looks like a key in a pouch and the other looks like a filled in arrow and a hollow arrow between a rectangle with dots or dashes in it).

I know it's a gamble, but I got a little money coming back from the IRS and I'm going to sell my wife's 300SD since she doesn't drive it any more (hint: it's a beautiful white one with 225k and 50k on an MB trans).

What say you? Let me hear it!

cool · #2 02-03-2007, 06:01 PM

hi ten knots, your messages sound more like a million knots (joking) whats your problem, simplify it and you'll get a lot of answer to your question. (just an advice and my opinion)

POS · #3 02-03-2007, 06:10 PM

I like the w140s, and I don't think they're as bad as most people think they are. There are good ones and there are bad ones. As you're running your figures, however, you have to include depreciation. The 300SE, if priced high enough, will lose value quickly as you drive it; the 300D and 300SD are probably at the bottom. Does it have to be big? What about a w124? Too small? The diesel variant gets better mpg than 24 - that's for sure.

I don't know what you want to pay, but you could move up to an '98-'99 w210. They're quite big and quite comfy, cheap, reliable, and the I-6 gets 27 highway. Should also be more reliable than the w140. You should check a w210 out.

tenknots · #4 02-03-2007, 09:43 PM

Depreciation doesn't figure. I expect to pay no more than $3000 for this car.

softconsult · #5 02-03-2007, 09:53 PM

Seems like a very bad idea. A W140, one of the most complex MB ever, in the second year of a model run is not the car for a person with limited maintenance funds. For better idea to look for a nice 5,000 dollar 300E.

Steve
'92 300E 245K
'97 S320 115K

TMAllison · #6 02-03-2007, 11:06 PM

Until you said $3k, I was going suggest you spend $10-12K and get the best of both worlds...98/99 E300.

I guess your decision needs to be based upon how important $3K is in your life and whether you have additional monies to put into it as needed as W140's can be expensive to own.

cool · #7 02-04-2007, 07:10 AM

check the condition, or ask a competend mechanic to help you investigate.

cool · #8 02-04-2007, 07:12 AM

the price 3K is too cheap for such a car, I suspect much have to be done but again I may be wrong since there are individuals who just want to dispose off their old toy or vehicle and would just sell it at a wonderful tune.

POS · #9 02-04-2007, 09:23 AM

With a $3k car, expect to put $2k in it immediately.

tenknots · #10 02-04-2007, 01:22 PM

Ok, thanks for the answers so far.

Here are a couple of questions:

Can I use 87 octane gas? I know the engine management system senses knock (I think on each cylinder) and should compensate with lower power. That's ok, I'm coming from a 300D with almost a half million miles so the power is not an issue. The potential for damaging the engine is. What's the professional opinion. Has anyone run one of these sixes long-term on low octane gas?

There are two rocker switches on the console to the right of the defroster and headrest buttons - what are they? One looks like a key in a pouch and the other looks like a filled in arrow and a hollow arrow between a rectangle with dots or dashes in it).

Thanks!

HoustonM3 · #11 02-04-2007, 02:23 PM

First off I cannot comment on using 87 octane gas , every Mercedes requires high octane fuel. They are just designed that way. If you cannot afford to put premium into this vehicle you should probably pass on it. The two switches you are asking about are as follows.
The key button is the door lock button. It locks/unlocks the doors/truck/gas cap.
The switch next to it is the "Charcol filter activation" , in the early models they were not integrated into the climate control panel as found in later 140's.

Hope this helps

Hatterasguy · #12 02-05-2007, 12:05 AM

Wow a beater W140!

I was going to say spend $15k on a nice one until you said $3k.

My friends S320 has gotten 24mpg on the highway, its in real good shape though and is a 1997 so different trans.

Running lower octane fuel would be pointless because the computer would retard the timing and your fuel mileage would drop. Its a wash run what it calls for.

cool · #13 02-05-2007, 12:24 AM

just use 91 to 92 octane the price is not far apart.