I have had a 1995 S320 and currently have 1999 S420 with only 41,000 miles.

I can tell you this- they are very expensive to maintain. You better have a warranty. Buying a car without an inspection is death. Period. The S320 had a fan blower motor and control panel speed control go out $1800.00. That is just the start.

Also, a common head gasket problem was more $$$$. Be careful and buy
the best example you can. I bought the last year of the big body SClass two years ago with only 18,000 miles (S420). Only problem is that the values of
this cars have dropped fast and hard. At the time I paid $27,000 for the 1999two years ago which was top buck. However, would be lucky (and I mean real lucky) to get $15,000.

The market is small. People who like the W140 / S Classes can afford new ones. It leave a lot of secondary S Classes in the open market and they
just do not hold their value well. Compare a Lexus LS400 and S320/S420/S500 and see what holds its value better.

I have had my share of problems on the S420- wheel bearings, ball joints, window seal failure to name a few. I do not think I have ever driven the car with everything working 100%. But, the safety I feel driving the bank vault down the road makes it worth it. I think?

Hope this helps.

Tully Lee