94 S320, 114K miles - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

1994C220 · #1 11-06-2002, 02:30 PM

Ok, first of all, I wanted to thank everyone for their help on the 92 400SE I almost bought last weekend. Everyone warned me against getting it, and it turns out everyone was right. Well, now I have another one Im looking at. This is a 94 S320, with 114K miles. Please let me know if you know of anything good or bad on these....Someone told me the other day that the 94-99 140 models are the best Mercedes ever made....is this true? The car is in FL, and Im not going to waste my time going out there if I hear bad feedback on this car.

Thanks in advance for your help.

savagetom · #2 11-06-2002, 05:04 PM

I've got a 95 S320 with 100K and I love it. I suggest having your dealer run a StarNet?? report on the car. I don't think I would consider it unless the head gasket, evaporator, vacuum assist pump and wiring harness have been replaced.

Benz_man600 · #3 11-06-2002, 05:04 PM

All i can tell you is... The 6-cylinder isnt as underpowered as some try to say it is. Think of it like this: This engine makes about the same HP figures as the 5.6L V8 in the 126, and Variable Valve Timing brings the torque down low enough in the RPM band to make it usable.

1994C220 · #4 11-06-2002, 05:10 PM

I got the VIN: WDBGA32E6RA175638

If anyone has access to get info let me know.
Its a 94 S320.

Carlos

suginami · #5 11-06-2002, 05:35 PM

I love the W140 chasis.

I think the main weak points to check on would be:

1. Engine wiring harness: '93- middle '95's had bad harnesses. It may have been replaced, but if it hasn't and it fails, budget about $850 to replace it.

2. Head Gasket - the head gasket design on the early M104's was not good. It probably has been replaced at this mileage, but check for an oil leak at the right rear corner of the head (passenger side). If it leaks, you can let it leak oil until the leak gets so bad that it bothers you. Budget $1,200-$1,400 to replace the head gasket.

3. Evaporator - the early W140's have evaporators that leak. It's about 25 hours of labor to replace one, plus the cost of an evaporator. I'm willing to bet that the car does not have the original evaporator.

You should get a Master Vehicle Inquiry run at a dealer, and it will tell you what recall / warranty work was performed on the car at the dealer. Because this is one of the earlier models, I'm willing to bet a ton of things were performed under warranty.

None of these things would prevent me from getting the car. I'd just need to know what has and has not been done before buying the car.

I'd also insist the car had a full maintenance history, or I wouldn't buy it. On a used car, especially one with over 100,000 miles, maintenance is everything.

blackmercedes · #6 11-06-2002, 11:50 PM

I had a loaner S320 once as they gave away my "rental" ML, and so they took a used S320 off the lot.

Well, I really liked it. Wouldn't buy one, as it's just too durned big for me, but as S-Class cars go, I thought it a real treat. The engine bay had lots of room, and M104 long term costs (save for head gaskets) are really low. The car was not as powerful as an S500, but still had lots of spunk. Burns less gas too.

royaiii · #7 11-07-2002, 01:07 AM

If I were you, I would pass on the S320. Test drove a 98 S320 for a week before deciding to get the 99 S420. The S320 is way underpowered, acceleration to 40 went all the way to 4000 rpm. Also the fact that it has stainless steel headers and at 4000rpm they release their slight ringing noise which can get a bit annoying. The v8 is great, it has gobs of power and is quiet. According to my mechanic, the best W140 is the 98-99 models. Up till 97, these cars had evaporator problems. If you really want the car, check these areas:

head gasket $1-1.5k
wiring harness $2k
evaporator $2.5

Lot of these old W140s are being "dumped" because of the mounting costs of repairs.

RG5384 · #8 11-07-2002, 03:39 AM

One of my father's best friends at work bought one at an auction. A 95 I believe. Anyway, once he had already boughten it he learned of the repairs that could possibly be looming ahead, and decided to sell it. He also said he felt like an "old man" driving it. My dad then let him drive and halfway wring out his 528i, and he was sold on BMW. He went and bought a 740i and from what i hear is very happy, although it has had some work needed as well. The five series was too small for him, as he's a big dude. I beleive he's something like 6' 5" or so. I do remember seeing the car though, and being duelly impressed it had antennas that popped up in reverse so you could see where the back end was better.
Ryan

P.S. he bought the car at the same auction my dad bought his bimmer at (although the bimmer still had factory warranty left, it was a *dealer* only auction, but my father had a friend that had a dealer liscense).

1994C220 · #9 11-07-2002, 10:19 AM

Thanks for all the help guys...im going to call the Dealership here in Austin, and will see if they can help me. I talked to the guy thats selling me the car this morning and had him describe the car to me in great detail.

He did tell me that there is a problem with the AC...he said it blows at only one speed. It blows cold, but when you move the dial, it does increase airflow. He said he thought it was the regulator switch, any ideas? Is it the fan blower regulator??? I heard these go bad all the time...and I know its around 170 bucks here in FastLane....I can put it in myself....Let me know if you think it might be something else.

Thanks again for everyones help.

carlos

1994C220 · #10 11-07-2002, 10:26 AM

Oh, I tried to get the service records from Continental Cars, but they said that I had to be the registered owner. I do want to check and make sure the evaporator has been replaced, and the wiring harness...Could any of the Benz technicians out there peek in the records for me and make sure the trouble areas were taken care of under warranty?

Heres the vin#...if you want to email privately:
my work email is ccastillo@apple.com

VIN# WDBGA32E6RA175638

Thanks in advance.

blackmercedes · #11 11-07-2002, 10:40 AM

The service records do indeed belong to the PO. You would not want people to access the private contracts for repairs that you entered into for your own car.

Warranty work is another matter.

1994C220 · #12 11-07-2002, 11:03 AM

So did I ask for the wrong thing? Should I have asked for the warranty work on this benz? This guy didnt sound too friendly..maybe Ill try a diff dealer.

1994C220 · #13 11-07-2002, 11:21 AM

Ok...I called Bensen Mercedes in SA...they were very friendly...Heres the scoop...she said that the car was only brought in 3 times in its 50K mile warranty. 1) wiring to interior 2)blower motor 3) EDP valve????

She also said that the AC problem it has right now is the blower regulator...labor is 2 hours 150.00, and part is 325.00....

So, there is no indication that the evaporator was replaced...

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