You might want to check your figures. My 1999 Bluebooked for right around $19,900. While the car in question is older and with higher mileage $12K is not outrageous for one of these cars.

Don't believe the scare stories that you hear about the 140's. While they do cost more than the average car to repair its not a Honda we are talking about here. Its an S class one of the best cars in the world. Many people believe when Mercedes designed the 140 they had sights of the car competing with Rolls Royce.

The 140 has legendary build quality comparible to no other production car made. Its ride quality is equal to if not better than some of the new S class cars. Its sound insulation is better than the current model cars. (Mercedes stopped using the double paned glass in the S class in 1999).

Essentially your getting a lot of value for your money and the car's resale value reflects that. One of my best friends drives a brand new Lexus LS430 and my 1999 S320 is quieter and has a more luxurious ride and better road feel.

If your looking at 140's go late model 1996 and newer. There are a lot of differences between the earlier models and the older models. Many owners of the older models love their "gadgets" that Mercedes deleted from the cars to enhance their reliability and claim the interiors are better. Thats a subjective thing that you will have to look at and evaluate on your own. Mercedes eliminated a lot of the wiring issues in the cars in their late production and fixed a lot of other flaws with the cars. The later models may have a few less of the gadgety features but you get a wonderful Bose Audio system and glass moonroof (earliers have the metal ones). The later models also have a more updated exterior and interior with more up to date colors (no more two tone plastic trim and outdated zebrano).