I do worship my W140! I think it is the best designed, best built, best featured and best overall car ever built up to date. I would NOT trade it for anything and Mercedes nor anyone else will ever built a car like it again.

In terms of maintenance, my S 500 L has proved (as Jim Forgione always says too) to be cheaper to run and more reliable than all my previous W124Ts and W123T wagons combined.

The W140 issues about the A/C evap, door closing assist pump, rear window regulators, and early production model faults are not horror stories, they are just plain and real facts about certain design faults which irritates some owners. Other owners like me understand that nothing can be perfect and such minor incoviniences are just some bumps in the road of the real honor of owning the best production car ever manufactured.

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

I have to respectfully disagree with you there. The reason why I kept my 300SD around for so long was because of some of the misinformation I read on boards just like this. Things like high parts prices and mechanics that don't understand the cars and just replace parts tends to scare off potential owners. Quite honestly the reason why I was able to get such a great deal on my car was because of some of this misinformation and because of the 140's reputation as a money pit.

Now that the 140 is older there is more real information about the car and there are less mysteries. Many owners can deal with design flaws. But not many people want to get involved in mysterious dealer only money pits which these cars once were.

I have confessed to being exactly that, gun shy, purely based on internet forums. Now that I have one, '97 S320, it's really just the reliable M104 and the 722.6 transmission all wrapped in that wonderful package that is just no-holds barred solid.

If the evaporator goes, then so be it. I paid less than 12K, so if I have to cough up another 4K to fix the thing I'm still at around 16K. Where am I going to find an equivalent car for that price?

Steve

Actually there are plenty of other cars that are just as nice for the money. 2000 vintage BMW 3 series cars with their bulletproof build quality and reliability are hovering around 10K for the smaller engined lower optioned models. Post Ford buy late1990's Jaguar XJ6's and XJ8's are hovering around 5-10K still cursed from the reputation of their previous models. Later model BMW 7 series cars lately have fallen in value and can be purchased in that price range as well.

I think the 140's are just much nicer. And like many Mercedes cars just age better over time.

Yes , of course, but "just as nice" is in the eyes of the buyer. None, of those you mention register on my interest meter. I enjoy my familiarity with MB. Learning another brand would require too much effort.

PS: I just noticed the little decal just over the hinge for the door check strap. To be oiled every, 7,500 km.

Regards,

Steve

Depends on what your looking for. The quality of the burled walnut and leather in a Jag is much superior to that found in most MB's. The road feel and finesse of most BMW's is different than that of an MB. For spirited driving I honestly prefer the BMW's.

All that said my choice was obviously the MB.

The late 90's-01 model BMW 7 series are a NIGHTMARE to maintain. More so than the 140. My fathers girlfriend has a 00 740iL. It has been nothing but problems. If its not one thing its another. The pixels in the dash go out,both front windows failed in the down position within a week of eachother. The list is too long to list. It is plagued with oil leaks and electrical problems. I really do not understand why people on this board make such a huge deal about the evaporator on these vehicles. IF IT GOES OUT JUST HAVE IT FIXED. If you cannot afford $3,000-$4,000, you DO NOT need to own an S class Mercedes.

Great words of wisdom from an M3 driver.

People make a big deal out of the evaporator core on these vehicles because MANY drivers of these cars understand economic decision-making. Often it doesn't make sense to proceed with a repair item that can cost $3K to (sometimes) close to $5K on a car that's 12-15 years old.

People make a big deal about the evap on a W140 for the same reason that 7-series drivers complain about cooling system failures, pixel burn-out, and power window failure. What is the difference?

That said, if (when? ) mine fails, I fully intend to have it replaced.

Now that's a strange post. Clip, "MANY drivers of these cars understand economic decision-making. Often it doesn't make sense to proceed with a repair item that can cost $3K to (sometimes) close to $5K on a car that's 12-15 years old.
"
Paragraph one pretty much says that you are stupid to put 3-5K in a 12-15 year old car. Note, W140 for instance produced until 1999, now 7 years old.
Smarter to dump the car and start over even though the car is in perfect shape?

I don't know what paragraph two means.

Finally, Matt says he will replace his if it fails? Guess he doesn't understand economic decision making!

Sorry, I just don't get it.

Steve

Try this - worry about what I DID say rather than what I "pretty much" said.

If I plan to keep the car another 5 to 7 years then it odes make sense. Especially if I do the work myself. Then again I did not say that, so perhaps I left the door open for assumptions.

You mentioned the 140 is only produced for North America ? and with regards to ignoring the huge problem by MB, believe it, they'll ignore the complaint until there are tons of complainant airing it out with the government or consumer group, unlike othe car makers they put extra attentions to recalls and technical service bulletin, and thats a FACT. (just for your information).

Not worth arguing about.

Steve

Except this little point of courtesy. All caps is internet shouting. So if you were responding to me in person you would have shouted the word "did".

Think about it.

Steve

Matt, I am not sure I understand your point in mentioning that I own a M3. The reason I know to stay away from the 7 series is because I own an M3. My service advisor has said from the get go that the 7 series is where the shop makes their money. The 3 series platform as mentioned before is the most produced and most reliable BMW. My M3 is no exception. Yet you mention that 140 owners "understand economic decision-making". I do-not agree, I believe the exact opposite. Take for example, someone who wants to spend $18,000 on a car. They see a 1999 S500 which was $100,000 new, and think wow they can have this car for $18,000. I believe people do not understand the ownership cost of these vehicles. Therefore people who "understand economic decision-making" do not often "Understand what it cost to keep these vehicles running".

I know because I own a 1998 Silver/Grey S500 with 78,000 miles. I have not had any problems with the evaporator core. But one day if I go out and my air conditioning is not cold , I will have it fixed at whatever cost. That is part of the responsibility of owning a car "MAINTAINING IT". With that said , I also live in Houston and would probably die of head exhaustion if I tried to commute in my S500 with no Air conditioning.