Just be aware that you are taking a huge risk in buying an older S-Class. If you go 1996 or newer, your get engine upgrades and the electronic transmission and OBD2 troubleshooting. But if anything goes seriously wrong with the electronics, you need Star Diagnostics to figure it out, and even then it's a challenge with all the interconnections and interdependencies. You end up in situations where you hear "Well, a new ABS/ASR module might fix the problem."

The convenience features start to fail regularly at this age. My PSE is on its second major meltdown with central locking and backup masts not working. One of my rear headrests jammed, and it was $90 for a used part to fix it, $400 from the dealer. If this stuff doesn't work, the S-Class becomes just another car, at least IMO.

I just went through a diffiicult and expensive stalling problem (documented in a recent post) that could have literally meant the end of the car if it had needed an engine or transmission module (needs an upgraded valve body). I was lucky to escape with $600 for some harness work and a new MAF.

They're a great ride when they're right, but they're cheap because they are crammed with expensive stuff that's failure-prone.

__________________
Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe