Hi,
I want to get your opinion on price of ownership of a 97 S320.
I have owned a 83 300SD for the past 10 years, it has over 200K miles on it, it has served me very well; recently I have considered upgrading to a 97 S320, 67K miles in excellent shape with 8 months of Starmark left on it.
My independent mechanic advises against it! He says the newer MB cars (97 S320) are complex cars to repair; mechanical links have been replaces by electronic sensors, actuators and motors that are electronically controlled by computers. If any of these units (engine control, transmission, AC system etc.) need replacement the lobar and replacement costs are very high – in the thousands. Do you find that to be true?
I like the S320 but do not have to have it at any cost!

Regards,
Bob

I think it depends on the price of the car. However, if you do a search here you will find that the w140 can be an expensive car to maintain - some argue that its the most expensive benz. Your mechanic is right by advising that the parts and labor costs can be in the thousands when things break. It seems that the 140 series sedans are best suited for the DIYers who can make most repairs themselves.

Have you considered looking at the w210 E320? Aside from the spring perch problem, these cars seem to be cheaper to maintain than their larger s-class stablemates.

__________________
Daily Driver: 02 E430 4MATIC
In the family: '03 E500 // '04 ML500 // 64 220SE

I own a 1997 S320 and i've had it for a year/40 thousand miles (115k-155k)

I've replaced the evaporator core, which was $2400 in the shop or $500 and a month DIY.
The sway bar bushings and links which were $40 for links and $15 for bushings DIY. Dealer quoted couple hundred.
2 Headlight lenses were cracked, dealer quoted ~800. DIY for $80
I replaced the stock radio/tape with in dash CD for $300 from perfectmarket audio.
My window switches broke and i replaced them, didn't even bother getting quote from dealer just DIY.
I've have tire wear problems, and the recommended michelens wear out too fast for me.

Basically i'd say if you're a mechanic this car is a fine one to own. But if you're going to take it to the dealer to get it fixed it'll be pretty brutal. I enjoy it though. Vacation drives aren't completely DREADED anymore. We put 2 adults and 3 teenage kids in it and drove ~600 miles and no one was in too much pain.

Thank you for the advice, you confirmed my mechanic’s advises. I am not a mechanic and can not DIY.
The seller is asking $17K for the 97 S320, 67K miles + 8 months of Starmark.
KBB is $15K private party; for other cars I have found KBB to be 20% over market price; don’t know if that applies to MB. Current owner extended Starmark for 2 years; could I extend for another 2 years? I like the S320 – I am 6’4” and need a car with space that I enjoy driving; like to drive the family around in a roomy and safe car on weekends and trips. I will look into the E320.

throw him a low ball offer and if he doesn't take, no worries~

Considering how cheap you can pick these cars up for I don't really see how you can go wrong. The S320 doesn't look really all that much more complicated then my 300SDL. I really don't see what the hype is all about.

My friend has been ticking away the miles on his S320 since Oct, no issues yet. Again where are the thousands in computers it is supposed to be sucking down? All its doing is running and driving like a new car with zero problems! Hmm.

I like the W140's and wouldn't think twice about buying one, provided it was in good shape.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

One vehicle, owned by one friend, does not constitute a sufficient data base.

Ignore the issues with the W140 at your peril.

Of course it doesn't the sample needs to be larger. I have my friends dad with the trouble free S600(W140), and my dentist with the trouble free S430(W220) as well, and I can't forget the fellow MB fan that I know with the trouble fee S420.(Nice car, pampared since day 1 ) Or that guy with the car dealership that I work for that has owned more W140's then I can count, and never has trouble with them.

I just don't see how spending $3k a year to fix a W140 when it does break is any different then spending that to keep an old W126 in shape.

Spend $600 to replace a MAF on the 320, or $600 to replace a sunroof on the SDL. $600 is $600 either way you look at it.

Pretty much in my book all MB's are pricey to keep on the road, thats just what it costs to drive one.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

There are only a few of us who spend $3K per year on the W126. Actually, if I figure it out, I'm not one of them.

I'm willing to wager that there are quite a few more that spend $3K per year on the W140.

Yes, you have several folks that have no current issues with them. Might the mileage on these few vehicles be less than the "problem point"........generally 100K or so??

Most of the vehicles I am talking about have 40k-100k on them. So of course age and mileage play a big factor as well.

The real queston is 10 years from now when a W140 is 20 years old and has 250k on it, after 4-5 owners. Then will it be able to be bought like your average W126 and used.

Probably not, but now they are at the sweet age. Old enough to be cheap, but not so old that age is catching up to them.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Well, it's a bit unfair to be making reference to vehicles that are expected to run reasonably flawlessly at that mileage.

Let's wait until some of them have 125-150K on the clock and see what the repair numbers might be.

I think that you'll easily spend close to $3K per year on parts for such a vehicle. I only know one person who spends that on a W126.

I just paid $14,500 for a 1999 S320 with 99K. Not sure of the Starmark status as the car was a Starmark Certified Preowned when the previous owner bought it.

I would not really be "afraid" of these cars. I do some simple DIY work myself and have an independant mechanic that does my big jobs. If you locate a good independant you can save a lot of money. In my opinion the w-140 is the most comfortable and best built Mercedes ever made. With this car you do get what you pay for.

If you really need help making a decision get the dealer to let you take the car for an afternoon. Go on a long drive somewhere and you will be amazed how refreshed and relaxed you are when you arrive. In my opinion you can't really attach a dollar figure to that.

As for the E class I have driven several from several years. Honestly I would rather drive my 82 300SD than any E-class.

There is no question the S320 is a beautiful car, I have test driven several and they are a real pleasure. As you pointed out buying a $70K car for $17K is a real bargain. I suppose the above reasons are enough for some of us to turn a blind eye to the high cost of ownership of these cars. I was very close to making an emotional decision and buying one. I have not owned and don't know anybody that has owned one of these but when my mechanic and others on this forum advising me to stay clear unless I am DIY, buy the car at a low price or can stomach spending several thousands per year on repairs I take that advice. Thanks to all for contributing to this discussion.
BTW, I offered $15K for the car but seller would not consider. I saw another 97 S320 with 45K on it, excellent condition, asking $14K; when I did the CARFAX it came up salvage title with frame damage due to collision, car has had 4 owners! What can I expect from a car with frame damage? Is it worth perusing?

My friend ended up paying about $12k for his 97 S320 with a tick over 70k on it. It has a few cosmetic issues, but once they are resolved he will have about $15k into it. $15k seems to be about right for one of these.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

NO!!!

Especially at that price. Frame damage does permanent damage to the safety features/frame of the car (as I understand it). With 4 owners obviously the car has "issues" that no one wants to spend the money to resolve.

If you do persue the car, PLEASE get a PPI done by a repuatable, benz-specialist (a dealership perhaps). Then you'll have an idea of whats going

__________________
Daily Driver: 02 E430 4MATIC
In the family: '03 E500 // '04 ML500 // 64 220SE