First, thanks to everyone for their replies...

The S 500 L designation comes, as mentioned before, from the fact the here in Costa Rica, as in Germany and the rest of the world, the 500 could be had in short and long wheelbases. The car rear deck badge does not sport the "L", but EVERYTHING else (from maintenance books and records to the car factory production card) do specify the model as an S 500 L).

The stupid close assist pumps are a real nightmare, most customers (I have been told by the local dealer) do prefer just to abandon the issue and slam the doors. Although, there was a customer who demanded his money back on his brand new S 320 when in a period of seven months they had to change the close assist pumps six times!

I'm still waiting to find the "maintenance free" Mercedes, and I do believe the W140 is right up there in terms of maintenance trouble with the W210, W124, and others (W123 and W126 excepted). The big problem is cost, parts on the W140 are so expensive it borders on the offensive.

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A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]