Ron and Rich: I would buy the newest example of a 140 that I could find. Ron, I have to review how old the car can be and still have Starmark warranty, I think a 93 is too old, I wanna say 7 years, but let me check, unless someone else knows for sure. There is more than likely info at the MB website, I'm not fond of jumping around on the net looking for answers you can find yourself with a little button-pushing.
This is plain and simple: A smart person would wait until a product has matured before buying it. That's my philosophy, always will be. How many examples do you want? About the only real exception that comes to mind is the 202 chassis, although even with that there were definite benefits to buying say a 2000 over a 1994, the engine, etc, were upgraded. The 140 is the "grand" example of this. I know I mentioned this earlier, I think in this thread, about the "value commitment program" for the 140. In otherwords, they were such a problem that they instituted this program to fix the cars, they were THAT bad. You're ALWAYS better off buying the last year of a MB model rather than the first, IMO.
Now dammit, everyone go out and buy a 2002 210 chassis before it's too late!
Gilly

The oldest Starmarked car you can buy now would be a 1995(7 model years old)

Rich.....I have heard that the 1997+ cars are actually pretty reliable...but TRUST me.....the repair costs in comparison to the 126 are VERY much different as the car is a lot more complicated and has a lot more systems involved in it....really watch out for AC work..it can be very expensive...although some people have never had problems...my tech me that the most problems came from cars that were in warm humid climates
You also might want to budget more than $30,000 if you want a starmarked car with mileage that low

good luck

Warren
1992 300SD
Columbus Ohio

Really? I didn't know that about the W140 cars. Ya learn something new everyday...

Yeah John, we average I would say 2 a year, and we're only a little 4 stall dealer. New trend this year though, as we've already done 2. Well, one was repaired at another dealer and for some reason (?) was brought to us to do the proper repair, which is replacement. Not an real good thing to repair in the field, IMHO, there are quite a few special tools required to properly repair it. Some guys just try winging it without the proper special tools, with the expected results. Plus you have a warranty on the new or reman box. We also have diagnosed another leaker, owner is balking on the price, can't blame them.
Gilly

No doubt about it: if you want a relative realiable W140 you must go for the 1997-1998-1999 model years and preferable an S320 (the V8's are O.K. until they start giving problems, then hang on to your wallet...)

Avoid at all costs 1992-1993 model years, any model. Those are the real lemons!!!!

Although, as commented before, I have yet to see a W140 that hasn't require some type of A/C work, from an easy-fixed filter clogging to the infamous evaporator change ($$$$).

As for the W126 issue: the W126 and W116, design wise, are the nicest designs M.B. have yet perfomed on the S-class theme. The W140 is nice but not to die for, although, in terms of size and comfort features, it wins hands down (even over the W220). In terms of driving experience, the W140, the more your drive it the more it "shrinks" (it feels much smaller and agile than its size would let you beleive).

In terms of buying used: get a rencet '97-'99 model, with a FULL history, NO accident damage (even if it was repaired by an authorized dealer) and definitely low mileage -certified- (less than 40k).

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

Well, not to start fanning the flames again, but after paying too much for repairs on my 140, I'm getting a W220! I'm sick and tired of paying too much on repairs for it. The comfort-fit feature on the seatbelts keep going out, I'm on my 4th pump for the door closers and have already had to change the evaporator on the car. Enough is enough for me. After 125K miles and 9 glorious years of ownership, it's time to move on!!

I just test drove the '03 S500 and must say that it is indeed quieter than the 140 and they've finally upgraded the interior trim quality to match the previous 140 chassis. I definitely fell in love with the car!

My only debate now is whether to go for another S500 or get the S600! With the turbocharged V-12, I'm quite tempted to take the plunge! :D

I agree
 

If i had the money, my W140 would be in a used-car parking lot, and a new 496HP S600 would be in my garage. LOL Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

Not sure if you guys have been looking...but I have noticed in the last few months several 97-98 S320 and S420 vehicles in the 22-26K range...miles usuallly in about the 70-80K range


but I also noticed the diesel 140's(if running properly) seem to be demanding a premium over the S320 cars that were the same price when new......but in any case a 140 of the 97-98 vintage would be a great car to have at that price range I think


Warren
1992 300SD 151K
Columbus Ohio

In our parts, the word must be out about the 92-93 W140 cars. I've seen a few priced lower than same year 300E cars...

Now that is something I haven't seen....I have seen 92-93 300E's priced at about $7500(US)...never seen a 140..no matter how old or at what mileage under 12-14K


Warren
1992 300SD 151K
Columbus Ohio

Gentlemen... an interesting read of experiences and feelings.... the significant other and myself are fortunate enough to have both a sl and sel, 600 (93's).. our past mb's have been 190's, 300's and an e420, and a 300td. after nearly a year with the 600 sel, i understand why some individuals find the car overwhelming.. it does not suffer fools well.. the combination of weight, size and power will bite you for even a moment of inattentiveness (nearly got me;my own fault). the car is so deceptively fast that you can be over your head in a second, and the weight, well, we all know about momentum and inertia. the sl on the other hand feels like a toy compared to its sibling and does not exhibit a propensity to bite quite as quickly (less mass?). As far as running costs, both of these 600's have been less expensive and less demanding than my departed 97 sho('lectrics by lucas, self destructing camshafts)
indeed either of these 600's could be called monsters, but when you need to do a 6 hour trip in 4 hours...... and boys, size really does matter...

mithra

I agree with those who feel the W140 is a better car.

This last weekend, we had some friends over, and among the cars that our friends own are a brand new 2002 W220 S500 (with 2k-3k miles on the odometer), a '97 W140 S500 (about 80,000 on the clock), a 2001 Lexus ES300 (about 33,000 miles). I have a '93 E320 with almost 141,000 miles.

We got to talking about our cars, got into a heated discussion about quality ,etc,, and we left the women in the kitchen and went out to test drive all of our cars.

Needless to say, the owner of the W220 got his feelings hurt. Nobody liked his car the best. Nobody. With the exception of him, everyone thought the W140 was a better riding car, quieter, better built, doors closed with a thud. That W220 rattled when going over rough pavement. It was worse than my W124. Everyone agreed but the owner of the W220 (a wealthy doctor, by the way). It was obvious to me. My W124 with almost 141,000 miles was rattle free over expansion joints, rough pavement, etc. Yes, the W220 was quieter and smoother than my car, but didn't feel close to being an $80,000 car. If this is the best that MB can do, they're in deep trouble.

It was also nearly unanimous that the Lexus ES300 was smoother and quieter than the W220. The interior felt much better and expensive. It seemed clear to all of us that Mercedes is trying to copy the "feel" of a Lexus with their interior design and materials, but are failing miserably. I personally don't like the Lexus ride as it is damped too softly, but it felt like a much more expensive car than the W220, which costs more than twice as much.

Plus, I have never driven a car that has the "King of the Road" presence as a W140. I have never felt the same sense of power, security, and refinement as I did in the W140. I know owners have complained about the cost of ownership, but I got to get me one someday, and it has to be an S500.

:D

That's funny because I went through the same discussion with some of my buddies here. While I was at his house with our friends for a "co ed" book club meeting that our ladies pretty much made us join in with them last month, the guys ended up outside talking about our cars.The contenders were a brand new 600 that the host just bought a month ago glistening in the garage, a Clk, a 300 sedan(W140), my 560 (126) an S Type Jag, NSX and my other car, 250 C (I had to drive because I didn't want to pick the wife up from the hair dresser so she took the 560). Another partner that has an ML has had sooooo much trouble with it its a shame (interior and exterior lights going out, his engine locked on a long distance trip over the summer and his wipers act up at times-probably only when it rains).

We ended up driving each other's cars too (some of them anyway) and for some reason I went with the 140 ( I just love the look of em too) with the 600 a close 2nd, the 140 owner,the NSX owner,the CLK and even the host liked my 126's ride better than theirs to my shock:eek: The jag owner loved the NSX ride better than his and the ML owner would pretty much take anything (its his wife's car and the CLK is his so he hears it!) I guess it all depends on what kind of ride you want. Although I love the ride of my 560, I guess its just that I'm used to it and I think that's what the other guys experienced also. My 126 is very roomy and thats the first thing that anyone says when they get in it. Some even prefer to ride in the back for that "limo" feel :) Everyone loves my 250C's and they appreciate that baby sitting still and they've seen it or ridden in it when I open her up so that wasn't an issue. :)

I guess any and everyone will have an opinion on this one but I sure did enjoy myself comparing different vehicles and appreciating each for its own qualities. Have fun with it fellas!

Alan

Having driven both a 126 and 140 for considerable amounts of time, they're both great cars. The 220 I have only sat in and not driven so I cannot make a comparison to that one.

The 140 is a boat. My parents own a S350 which is the diesel powered SWB version of the car. It's nice, but of course we have had major problems with the car (engine failure but everybody knows about that engine's history).

The 126 was received in not so great shape but I still appreciate the way this car drives. My friends absolutely love the car simply because of the size and the presence this car has.

I would love to someday own a 99 S500 grand edition, but I think that at some point I have to let go of these old cars. By the time I will be able to afford them, they will be well over 6 or 7 years old.

Wonderful cars, but who knows what the future holds. People will stand by their cars till the end of time and there's nothing wrong with that.

I'll just simply say this: if you have a Mercedes S class, you can't go wrong.

W140 spawned maybach???+
 

I agree that the W140 was a MB designed by engineers,
not marketers. I also heard that the Maybach is an updated design of the W140 platform instead of the newer S-Class, because the body was so much more rigid than the new S-class.

Does anybody else have more info on this?
texasrad