Hatterasaguy said: My dentist bought a new S430 way back in 2000. Its an 8 year old car now and its still perfect
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He should consider himself very lucky. I live in a very upscale gated golf community with about 1000 homes. Up until the last 5 years MB had always been the most popular car here...mostly S series. My friends and neighbors had so many problems with the 2000/2004 years that they started buying Lexus and Bentley....the MB owners who purchased the 2005/2008 MB models have had way less problems so it seems MB has perhaps got the quality control issue fixed...but MB burned a lot of bridges here with the W140 evaporators and wiring harnesses....and all the electronic problems with the 2000/2004 models. My wife still drives our '86 560SEL which we bought new...159K miles and still running and looking great. She just won't part with it. And that's OK with me.

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1986 560 SEL (159K miles)

You are a very lucky man to have such a smart and sensible wife.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Suginami said: You are a very lucky man to have such a smart and sensible wife
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Yeah....and she is a beauty too, both inside and outside.

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1986 560 SEL (159K miles)

Sounds like your wife has good knowledge and taste when it comes to automobiles!

The 81-91 W126's are one of my favorite MB's. I particularly like the 81-88 models myself. They were "the car" back then - still are in my opinion. Timeless styling.

By any chance, does she happen to have have a twin sister that is "single 'n' looking?"

Just, you know, wondering......

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

I concur. Buy the six. The 140s are too big and too complicated for me. I have driven a six and it was amazingly quick. The fuel economy is probably not much better than the v8 though as it carries a fairlby aggressive axle ratio and takes premium. For myself I would probably try to find a nice early 126 sd. But you won't buy a nice one for 2700 unless it has a major flaw.

For me I would try to find one with a bad tranny and would then convert it to a stick and have fun with that.

I find the 126 body style about perfect...especially with the euro lights, which my 84 had.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

lol.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

I can't imagin a Bentley is any more reliable than a MB! I'm not that familer with them, but I know Jag's and Range Rovers cough up electronics left and right. British is British.

MB has come a long way, I have yet to hear anyone complain about the new S.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I didn't mean to imply that a Bentley was more reliable than a Benz...just that many of my friends and neighbors sold their MBs and moved to other brands, primarily Lexus, but some did buy Bentleys and Escalades, etc. And as I mentioned, the new MBs have much better quality control and the problems have gone down considerably.

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1986 560 SEL (159K miles)

Yeah I have seen that as well, a lot of people defected to Lexus and Acura.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

And engine fires and engine fires and engine fires.....

My cousin has a late 1990s Range Rover and while it has not yet caught fire, there was something wrong with it and she had to stop driving it. Its been at a local shop for about a year being worked on.

She ended up buying a brand new Lincoln Continental in 2006.

I would go for the W140..... We looked at a 1995 S600, and that thing was beautiful..... Original owner, 110k miles, all the records, well maintained.



He wanted alot for it though, but if I had the money, I would have bought it on the spot. That thing was mint, inside, and out.


I personally like the look of the W140. Thing is its so damn big. Yes, it does feel nimble and the steering is sharp, but in a parking lot, it can be a handful.

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

so did you buy the 300SE? price was decent. the front oil leak is from the u-shaped seal at the front chain cover. basic defect over time. not damgaing just oil drips.

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1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
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1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD