I have decided to buy a mid to late 90s S Class sedan and would like some advice. I am a knowledgeabel car guy (wife has Jag VandenPlas, daughter a MB 190E 2.6 that I help maintain) but I am not familiar with the S cars I am interested in. I would only put about 5-6K miles per year on car.

1. What are the pros and cons of the 420 vs 500 vs 320/six engines?
2. Are some years better than others?
3. What are the major problem areas to watch out for?
2. What about the 12-cylinder 600s? My recollection is that the old 6.9-liter V8s were extremely expensive to work on and troublesom to own. I probably don't want to go there. But I had a Jag V12 on two occasions and they were OK.

Much thanks to forum gearheads,

Tom Bohs

Try reading this, it would help on most of your topics:

S-Class Fiasco: W220 vs W140

__________________
A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

Wow. Thanks for that recommendation. Tons of info!

Tom Bohs

Go for a 1998 or 1999 S320- Remarkable car! Economical and Reliable, great every day drive... The S500 is worth the little bit more over the S420/ I would go with either the S320 or the S500 depending on what your needs are. Lots of luck! You're gonna love it!

Only reason I fret from the 1997 is that it is the first year of the 722.6 5-Speed Electronic Transmission and there were issues there. A 1999 with a final build date of 4/09 would be the most ideal!!!!!

__________________
My Work:
Mercedes-Benz Manhattan, Inc.
Business Development
536 West 41st Street
New York, NY 10036

-My Garage-
1996 E320: White 118,000 miles ~Dad's Driver~
1996 E320: Green 109,000 miles ~Mom's Driver~
~My Babies~
2000 SL500: Desert Sand 96,000 miles
-Previoulsy Judge Judy's-
2008 E350 4MATIC Sport
-Flint Grey/ Ash/ Black Birds Eye Maple-

Actually, the first year of the 722.6 5-speed automatic transmission was 1996 and only very early production models gave real trouble (like the new 7G transmission gave trouble with the very early production W221s).

A late production 96, a 97/98 or 99, with low miles and with proper maintenance records would be an excellent and safe choice.

Personally I prefer the S 500 over the S 320, but if you do a lot of town driving an S 320 would provide you with a slightly better MPG.

Just be sure to check all electrical systems and any fluids leaks. The smallest sign of something not working properly can mean big $$$ trouble later on.

But if everything checks out, the W140 is definitely and without a doubt the best Mercedes-Benz ride you can buy.

__________________
A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]