I also posted this in general discussion.

I am a Mercedes wannabe owner.
I have the opportunity to purchase a (1994 S500) original owner.

I did some research without alot of confident results.

I would greatly appreciate unbiased input about this auto.

Thank you in advanve for your honesty.

have you hit the 'BUY PARTS' tab at the top all the pages at Mercedesshop.com and dialed in your model to see the prices of parts.

also if you search this site you'll find a russian site that has exploded component/system pics for all Mercedes

you haven't provided enough information on the car for me to comment, but you did say you would be a first time MB owner- and I personally would be vey timid about a `94 S-class due to complexity and price of some parts particularly optioned components.

If you are a reasonable competent and/or enthusiastic DIYer, and the car is a nice example, it could be a nice car for you. If you're not going to get involved in the service of the car, and do most of the work, forget about it. To me this applies to virtually all out of warranty Mercedes, but especially to that car.

Excellent advice. One thing to be aware of though. The W140 is an easy car to work on, as far as parts replacement, and general disassembly/re-assembly goes, but the cost of parts can be steep.

You can also check out

http://www.carsurvey.org

It is an interesting site. I found it to be pretty accurate with regard to my car. Only thing to be careful of is some of the people post after having a car a short time so look at how many miles they are reporting on.

Mike

__________________
1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

I would not hesitate to buy a 1994 S500. The only thing that is important when buying a pre-owned 140 chassis is CONDITION AND MAINTENANCE!!!! It is of the most importance that the car was well maintaned by the previous owner, if not- BIG BUCKS to repair and keep up.

Overall, Make sure that the Transmission shifts smooth and doesnt delay when put into drive or reverse, make sure that the Suspension system operates as it should, the AC blows cold- if not, big bucks!, check for rust, check for rattles over bumps, a shimmy in the steering wheel at 50-60 mph, and of course asthetics.

Many of these cars have been prostituted/ i.e. aftermarket rims, painted lower valances, aftermarket radios, changed headlamps and corner lamps, etc. etc. Keep the car as original as possible.

If it looks good and drives good and the car history is available, I would go for it. Owning a 140 is unlike anything else!!!

__________________
My Work:
Mercedes-Benz Manhattan, Inc.
Business Development
536 West 41st Street
New York, NY 10036

-My Garage-
1996 E320: White 118,000 miles ~Dad's Driver~
1996 E320: Green 109,000 miles ~Mom's Driver~
~My Babies~
2000 SL500: Desert Sand 96,000 miles
-Previoulsy Judge Judy's-
2008 E350 4MATIC Sport
-Flint Grey/ Ash/ Black Birds Eye Maple-

That's exactly what I tell anyone who is interested in buying a used benz. If you're not willing to take the time to work on it and learn it, then don't even think about it. But if you don't mind doing some wrenching, I believe they are a wonderful car to own.

__________________
86 Nissan 720 P/U - 285K miles and counting!!
91 Volvo 240 - 218K miles and still going strong.
00 Mercedes E320 - 111K miles and lovin it!!!