1) Correct...you will spend upward of $40k cash (in my experience, about $46k min) including Starmark premium for a W140 that will last 5-7 years with a reasonable chance of no big non-wty maint.

2) I got a deal to pay $39k total, including all taxes, for 4 years lease of a S430, F/R heated seats, Nav system, rear side blinds, and CD chgr: ZERO maintenance costs, guaranteed for life of lease. No down pt. Buy car at end for $47k or walk away.

3) Same deal = pay $16k (lowball figure) for a 100k miles 1994 S500 and spend $23k on maint over the 4 year period (reasonable assumption given the car's history). Assumes one AC rebuild, one semi-major top end rebuild of engine, and routine maint plus contingency for other work.

4) My old boss had a 199s 600SEL with main bearing oil leak that was NEVER fixed despite numerous attempts.