I currently own a 1988 420sel with 170k miles and it's starting to give me some problems and I'm worried there is no end in sight. Safety is also an issue with me and I am looking for a car with modern safety systems. After looking around a lot, I keep coming back to the 1999 cl500.

I have read all of the threads here about these cars, and the seem rather trouble free save for the air conditioning woes common to many mercedes. Does anybody have any insight on whether this would be a good purchase if I'm looking for a car to give me reliable and safe transportation for next 5-10 years? Are there any other problems common in this car that aren't a problem with the other w140 models?

I will be purchasing an aftermarket warranty for this car as well. Does somebody have any recommendations for me?

Thanks for your time

Peter
1988 420sel

Thanks for the response Paul. That's exactly my line of thinking. From what I have read the w140 seems to be a better road car than even the w220 (flame suit on ) but I am very worried about the maintenance issues. Especially because I am a 21 year-old college student applying to medical school (read: many more years without a steady income). That's the purpose of the aftermarket warranty, but we'll see what people have to say about that.

Had Mercedes fixed the vacuum problems by 1999?

JimF - any thoughts? You seem to know the most about these cars.

Thanks again
Peter
1988 420sel

I am a college student and played with the idea of getting a W140 or a Jag last fall. But I decided to keep my W126. I am glad I did because things break and on those cars they can be expensive. For example I was looking at 98-99 XJ8's, did you know that the trans on those cars cost $6k to rebuild? My grandparents found this out with their Jag. I can just imagin, in the middle of a exam week having a $6k trans blow. If you want a coupe I would think CLK320/430.

Their will be a time in my life for really cool cars, just not now. I think I will just stick an SL600 poster in my room and be happy with that for now!

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Ok guys - thanks for your replies. I just want you to know you crushed my dreams

In all honesty though I appreciate your responses. I'll go back to the drawing board and continue my search.

Thanks

Peter
1988 420sel