Don't give up on the W140 if you really want one. I already have 3 cars and right now no such money to spend because of our new house, but if I was in the market for a W140 I'd most likely get the S320. It doesn't have the rod-bending problem of the diesel and it's reasonably economical. I agree with you that they are very impressive looking cars.

__________________
2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL