S 320, Credit Union Auto Brokers, Atlanta, Ga.
 

Can anyone give me information on the 1998 S320? What is the deal on it as far as maintenance, reliability and serviceability.

Has anyone in Ga. heard of this Dealer: Credit Union Auto Brokers?

What year?

I have a 1995 S320.

1998 S320
 

1998 sorry!

As any other W140 car, the 1998 S320 is expensive to run and maintain (if you want to keep it top shape).

Although, being a 6 is relatively cheaper to run than the V8s and 1998 and 1999 model years are ALMOST trouble free compared to previous years.

You always have to keep a close watch to the A/C (expensive evaporator problems) and the W140 just love to eat (big and expensive) tires like potato chips.

When buying the car BE SURE everything works properly (all electrical, hydraulic and power feautures). Any repairs on a W140 are not cheap. Better if the tires have more than half of their life on them and the engine compartment is spotless (with no leaks).

If you are extremely concern about maintenance costs, I will advise you to go for an E420/E320. Although, I admit the S class W140 has no competition for size, comfort and luxury.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

I test drove an S320 for a couple of days before I decided to not buy the car. The number one complaint is inadequate power for weight of car. For normal acceleration you really have to hit 4k rpm to get it moving. I think the necessary higher rpms will cause decreased service life of the car. There are all sorts of parts that wear w/ increased rpms. Unless there is full documentation and inspection and a low price then I would advise you to stay away. My advice is an s420,s500 especially a 99. I talked with the foreman of Calabasas Motorcars and he said that he has never had any evap problems w/ this year. The 99 had almost all gremlins worked out. Plus the V8s dont have head gasket issues or leaks to deal with like the 3.2. The V8s are whisper quiet and it accelerates at low rpms unlike the s320 which is always screaming during acceleration. I bet you the V8 motors will outlast their 3.2 brothers in the future. As far as maintenance cost, W140 is expensive. Also sipping gas is the same and I bet the s320 uses more gas just to accelerate. Another problem is how the s320 came in two variations of wheelbase. Expect in the future for unaware mechanics ordering wrong parts because the distinction is hard to tell between the two. Unless they have a trained eye they won't be able to tell. I love how Mercedes owners complain about tire wear. Benz tires are cheap compared to Lexus' special order tires.