Can I get your thoughts on an S320 I'm considering?
 

My local authorized MB dealer just got a 1995 LWB S320 in on trade. The vehicle only has 60,000 miles on it and the body and interior are in extremely good shape. It was a one owner car and always maintained at the dealership. I talked to the service advisor and he was able to go through the entire maintenance history.

Here are my concerns. The service advisor wasn't able to find any record of the wiring harness ever being replaced, even though the head gasket has already been replaced. I took it for a test drive and everything seemed to be in good order. The blue book value of the car is listed at about $11,300 and the dealer had it listed for $9,980. I made an offer that I never thought they'd accept, $8,800, but when I gave them that figure they immediately accepted it. I didn't know what to say, but I can't help but wonder if there could be a problem. Wiring harness? Transmission? A/C evaporator core? Abiding by the saying, "There's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes." I decided not to go ahead with the deal. What are your thoughts on this situation? Thanks!

I should also note that the car just received a brand new exhaust system which they said was about $4,000. I looked under the car and the entire exhaust is brand new.

Sounds like a nice car. I would think they'd be able to tell you if it was the original harness. I'd be more concerned about the underside of the car - new exhaust system at 60k can only mean lots so corrosion.

First, the wiring harness is not that big of a deal to remedy. There are many other more expensive, pita systems. Think how much the dealer would get for it if they had to liquidate it via wholesale or whatever they do with trade in cars they can't sell. If you want the car, make it worth their while but don't pay more than you should. Be up front; Ask what their price point is selling it to you vs. liquidating it. If you're really handy, then the 140 could be for you. If you pay for diagnosis, repair, and general maintenance, I would really think twice before getting into a late model 140. The core systems are robust but there are lots of expensive, secondary systems that give problems. Exhaust system goes early from lots of shorts trips and never really being driven hard.

Sounds like a great price on a good car.

I'd try and get them to replace the wiring harness as part of the deal, but it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. You can just replace it in the future if it gives you problems.

Sounds nice - I'd go for it.

I'll second that the wiring harness isn't a big deal.

The big deal is if the a/c needs work, especially evaporator.

Don't be put off by dealer willingness to sell it cheap--there's nothing more obsolete than a previous model S-class and their resale values reflect that.

Dealerships are hurting for business right now!
 

Dealerships are hurting for business. The "Blue Book" value means very little in this market now but rather is more or less a guide for depreciation. If you cut a deal that only requires them to put in a few parts (since the parts are at their cost) and labor for a mechanic who might be reading the paper otherwise, you will likely find they will go for it. If you want to restate the deal, tell them you want to pay in cash if they knock another $500 off. If you pay in cash just take $100's and count it out in front of you in piles of 10. Only let one of the dealership's people confirm your count on each pile. I know someone who paid in cash once and they let 2 dealership people count the money. He told me the money was "accidentally" dropped on the floor a few times on the other side of the desk and when all was said and done the count was a few hundred dollars short! Good luck.

If you're worried about the evap (I know I would be since it's a W140), bring a sniffer with you, if you're unsure. Run the A/C for a few minutes, then shut it off and stick the probe near the condensate drains and/or the interior vents. You should easily be able to pick up even a tiny leak.

Even easier fix for the Evaporator worry. Buy an extended warranty with the car. It will cost you a lot less than a new evaporator or transmission.

That sounds like a very good ride for under $10K.

On extended warranty ... 13/14-year old car with 60,000 miles ... is it available at all, and at what cost ? Thousands per year ?

Well, I decided not to purchase this vehicle. The dealer let me bring it home for an hour to take a close look at it and it looked like a very nice car, but man was that thing a monster when I parked it in my garage! I could tell it was a very big car sitting on the lot but it wasn't until I got it home that I realized just how big a W140 really is.

Even though the vehicle only had 60,000 miles on it they were all city miles. The salesman told me the previous owner was an 82 year old woman who only drove it around in the city, so the transmission was probably going through the full range of gears every few minutes for those 60,000 miles. The vehicle had also been involved in a minor accident according to the carfax. The passenger side ball joint was starting to make a little noise when the wheels were turned, even though the dealer completely denied it.

Even though it seemed like a very nice vehicle and it was one of the most comfortable rides I have ever experienced, the size of the vehicle was really the deciding factor for me. At this point I think I'd be happier with something a little sportier such as a CLK or an SLK. I've got to tell you, though, that was one heck of a hefty car. I was amazed at how thick the doors and windows are on a W140. I can certainly see why that was such an expensive project for MB. Certainly a very beautiful and well-constructed vehicle.

I have attached some pictures of it below.