I have decided to buy a mid to late 90s S Class sedan and would like some advice. I am a knowledgeabel car guy (wife has Jag VandenPlas, daughter a MB 190E 2.6 that I help maintain) but I am not familiar with the S cars I am interested in. I would only put about 5-6K miles per year on car.

1. What are the pros and cons of the 420 vs 500 vs 320/six engines?
2. Are some years better than others?
3. What are the major problem areas to watch out for?
2. What about the 12-cylinder 600s? My recollection is that the old 6.9-liter V8s were extremely expensive to work on and troublesom to own. I probably don't want to go there. But I had a Jag V12 on two occasions and they were OK.

Much thanks to forum gearheads,

Tom Bohs