Their are so many crap W140's out their. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hatterasguy · #1 10-24-2005, 08:23 PM

Good examples of these cars are much harder to track down then I thought. My friend and I spent a good chunk of today driving around looking for a W140 for him. We looked at 3, one was flat out junk:
A 1997 S420 that the dealer said was a perfect 9 out of 10 car. Just walking around the car we found the rear view mirrors broken and one was being held on by a wire.

The under body panals were missing and I could see an oil leak coming down from behind the engine and what looked like ATF dripping off the trans pan. The body had a bunch of chips, nicks and marks, the hood star was also missing. the interior was pretty dirty and beat. Without even driving the car I would give it a 5 out of 10. $17k
The next was a 1995 S320 for $10,995. It was actually in pretty good shape but the interior was kind of worn and it had a respray that was noticable. For $9k it was probably a decent buy.
The third car was a 300SE and was pretty decent but it was older then my friend wanted to consider.
Their is also a 1995 S500 local car that is completly shot. The suspension sags and the interior and exterior are beat.

Another downside is since all these cars were at used car lots their were no service records.

So where are all the one owner, mint, full service record W140's found? I am thinking maybe we should talk to the local MB dealer and try and snag a trade in.

I know with W140's you have to be carefull a used car lot pig can get real $$$$ real fast.

t walgamuth · #2 10-24-2005, 10:19 PM

the good ones are still with the original owners, who should be trading them soon. hang in there.

tom w

braverichard · #3 10-24-2005, 10:35 PM

It is very interesting to read about your experiences Hatterasguy because there seem to be so many one owner, "mint condition" W140s on eBay. Perhaps they are like so many other cars on eBay: just dressed up for gross misrepresentation.

deanyel · #4 10-24-2005, 10:52 PM

Built like a tank, but one with a lot of fragile gadgets that break with and without abuse. They are expensive to repair and most have been in the hands of a second owner who didn't have much money or real interest in the car. It is incredible how low the prices are, seemingly headed below 126s and 124s, which are ridiculously low as well. It's a sad situation for a once proud company and I can only think it gets worse for the next generation of cars.

t walgamuth · #5 10-24-2005, 11:03 PM

i am stuck with the 123 and 126 cars. the endless gadgets in the 140 and later cars really put me off.

i had two 124s but wont have any more i dont think.

if i get rich sometime soon i might buy a new one, or if they offer mb diesels in dodges i might buy that. the euro mb dashes int he magnum and crossfire have me interested. my 03 dodge cummins with stick reminds me of a large friendly very strong 240d.

i am thinking of the new dodges and chryslers as low end euro spec mbs.

tom w

Nabeel · #6 10-24-2005, 11:20 PM

There is a '95 S320 for sale at the local MB dealership here that is in beautiful condition. It has about 100K miles and they want $10K or so for it. I would say that the Mercedes dealer would probably be a safe bet for finding good condition cars. I'm sure they get a lot of trade-ins, and the cars they sell there would have passed some sort of inspection. If a car is in truely bad shape, it is doubtful an MB dealer would attempt to sell it. Also check Lexus, BMW, Audi, and other high-end dealerships- they frequently get MB trade-ins, and they also would not offer a car for sale if it is not in good condition overall. I bought my E320 at a Lexus dealership, where it was a trade-in. It was a one-owner car, and in beautiful condition for the age and mileage. Don't be discouraged, the W140 is a car that is unique enough that there should be many owners who took very good care of them.

braverichard · #7 10-24-2005, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deanyel

Built like a tank, but one with a lot of fragile gadgets that break with and without abuse. They are expensive to repair and most have been in the hands of a second owner who didn't have much money or real interest in the car. It is incredible how low the prices are, seemingly headed below 126s and 124s, which are ridiculously low as well. It's a sad situation for a once proud company and I can only think it gets worse for the next generation of cars.

It's one of those things that vary, depending on whom you talk to. My 1995 S350 had nothing go wrong in it for 10 years and 171K - other than the engine of course. All gadgets still work. I met a man that owns a 1992 500SEL with 294K miles. Original engine, transmission. He said he replaced one seat motor but everything else was original. I actually drove the car and it got up to 80mph on the highway in no time at all. Engine was also super smooth. The car drove like a dream. Then I know a guy who after owning a 1998 S420 for 130K miles had only replaced the power steering pump. I've heard many bad stories on W140s online, but I've never met anyone who actually experienced horrific events with his or her W140. Go figure.

wbain5280 · #8 10-25-2005, 03:41 AM

Hmmm, time will tell.

Impala · #9 10-25-2005, 04:07 AM

I think no matter how fully optioned the Corolla, it can't come close to the W140 in terms of ride quality, safety, performance, etc. (well maybe it wins at the pump). So the $ comparison may not be very meaningful ?

benzboy87 · #10 10-25-2005, 10:01 AM

This past spring there was a really nice '93 500SEL for sale at the MB dealership - 71,000 miles, black, black and they wanted $20,000 for it

.

I think a lot of the w140s that are crap were original lease cars that were bought by second owners (after the original lease expired) who did not take care of them. They have paid them off and are trading them in for something else now - usually not MB - which is why they also do not have records with them. When something expensive broke that was not detrimental to the actual running of the car they just let it go because, after all, they already had a fairly high car payment to deal with.
I am also really surprised that the MB dealership here does not keep records, tools for locking lug nuts, sheepskin seat covers, etc. that come with the cars when traded. I don't know if this is because they don't know any better or what.
When I found my 420SEL I was actually looking for a W140. I am glad now that I got the 420SEL given my current financial state. I will get a W140 when I am out from under credit card payments, car payment, etc. and can actually come up with a decent size down payment and some $$$ in reserve just in case.

msethk · #11 10-25-2005, 01:51 PM

This is an interesting thread. I just want to add my thoughts on this. It is amazing to see so many people respond to these cars as being "on lease." I have always wondered how many "New" Mercedes owners and especially owners of S class autos are actually Mercedes Enthusiasts. I have often felt the second owner of a Mercedes is the real enthusiast who will really appreciate the car and take the extra care to keep it nice (Yes, i know that is not always the case!) But why are people leasing these cars? Pride comes with ownership not a lease. I have been searching the tucson for a good quality 98-99 s class for months with asolutely no luck.

One other key note: I remember a few years back, you could count on the quality of a dodge to make it just through the warranty before it rattled to pieces and fell apart. Now I see their quality getting a little better. Ever since the merger the quality of Mercedes has gone down (funny, these cars are just out of waranty, coincidence?). Is a new dodge the better car here?

I really love my 94 c class outside the wire harness issue. ( i wish more people would write letters and support the effort made by so many here who do not want to see it become a lost cause, go infoage1!

) but I am in no hurry to buy a newer c or e class and especially one that is as poor quality as some I have seen for sale.

benzboy87 · #12 10-25-2005, 02:01 PM

Most people I know who buy a new S-class (be it the current W220 or the then new W140) are business owners/executives who, when cars were leased, could take expenses off on their taxes. They also figured that, since they would trade in several years for the new model, a lease payment is usually less each month than a car payment.
A lot of second owners are people who want a Mercedes for the prestige but can't afford a new one - families that want an upscale, reliable and safe vehicle. Most of these people are only interested in the name and prestige but do not care to keep them in tip-top shape. They are also the ones who probably put in green coolant and adhere to the flexible service system

.

snp8990 · #13 11-07-2005, 06:46 PM

Hey, i got a 1998 S500 excellent conidtion. It has 99,900 and is in excellent condition. I am not a motivated seller, but if the right offer comes around, I may be willing. IT IS BEAUTFUL. IN PA. send me an email if your interested at snp8990@yahoo.com. I have had many W140s and I know how to treat a car. Always garaged, always serviced. Has the michelins on it. Alll original. Xeons, Obsidian black paint over beige leather. The car was never ever driven wrecklessly. Once again, I am not a motivated seller, but if your offer is reasonable, then I will consider it. Just drop me an email at Snp8990@yahoo.com if you want pictures.

Hatterasguy · #14 11-07-2005, 07:21 PM

Thanks but we are picking up his S320 Wednesday.

fazer · #15 11-02-2005, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Good examples of these cars are much harder to track down then I thought. My friend and I spent a good chunk of today driving around looking for a W140 for him. We looked at 3, one was flat out junk:
A 1997 S420 that the dealer said was a perfect 9 out of 10 car. Just walking around the car we found the rear view mirrors broken and one was being held on by a wire.

The under body panals were missing and I could see an oil leak coming down from behind the engine and what looked like ATF dripping off the trans pan. The body had a bunch of chips, nicks and marks, the hood star was also missing. the interior was pretty dirty and beat. Without even driving the car I would give it a 5 out of 10. $17k
The next was a 1995 S320 for $10,995. It was actually in pretty good shape but the interior was kind of worn and it had a respray that was noticable. For $9k it was probably a decent buy.
The third car was a 300SE and was pretty decent but it was older then my friend wanted to consider.
Their is also a 1995 S500 local car that is completly shot. The suspension sags and the interior and exterior are beat.

Another downside is since all these cars were at used car lots their were no service records.

So where are all the one owner, mint, full service record W140's found? I am thinking maybe we should talk to the local MB dealer and try and snag a trade in.

I know with W140's you have to be carefull a used car lot pig can get real $$$$ real fast.

I have a clean s500 coupe 74,000 miles very good condition, let me know if your interested. thanks....