W140 - V8 or V12

In terms of reliability and durability, which one is better ? Is the V12 much more complicated or is it just another 4 cyl. ?
Did the S600 sedan always have that special grille ? THANKS

[mbdoc]

The V12 is 2 M104 inline 6 cylinders connected at crankshaft. 2 of everything that a 6-cyl. has. If you have plenty of $$$ then go w/V12, everything costs more. The grill changed in 1995.

Thanks for your reply
Does the s600 v12 have any major problems I should worry about such as timing chains ?
Also do you think they worked all the bugs out of this car by 1996 (4 years after the intro) ?

Thanks again

[Benzmac]

The only real bug that I know of is that there is so few of them around that very very few people know how to work on them.

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Benzmac:
1981 280GE SWB
1987 16V
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

[akry]

John R,

If you can find a '96 S600 in good condition, then go for it. I think '95s - '96s are the best built W140s.....

However, if you want to keep value of the car in case you want to sell it later on, go for CL-Class(aka, S-Class Coupe). They are rare, but hold their value alot better....

Happy Motoring...
Andy Kuo
'92 400SE

[Aaron]

John,

I would have to say that the V8-powered 420 or 500 sedans would be the better choice of the two. The V-12's are very expensive to work on and offer no considerable benefit. Either if the V8s will do the dob just fine. I have done plenty of work on those 600s, and they're nothing but a headache. I service Dick Jacobs' car (owner of the Cleveland Indians), he's upping 105K on his 600SEL, and it's always in for something every other week. Camshafts (6.7 hours labor), fuel injection, idle valve, etc...And actually, I think the BEST 140 to have would be the S320. Good motor, does the job just fine--not to mention much more reasonable to fix!

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Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'79 6.9
'80 300SD
'85 380SE
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8

Thanks for all the replys

Why is the v12 such a pain to work on if it is just 2 6 cly. motors put together ?

Aaron, what year was Dick Jacob's 600SEL ?
Also, in general does the 140 have more body roll than the 126 ?

Thanks