Hello all, I am thinking of upgrading to a mid to late 90s S500. The air suspension system is kind of scarey maintenance wise, especially in the salt belt. Which years didnt have the air suspension? I have my eye on a 94 but am still doing research. Any comments on these S500's would be appreciated also. Thanks Jim

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1997 E300D Wife's daily driver
1985 300SD my daily driver
1999 Expedition family road trip and material hauler

W140's

(a) Bio degradable wiring
(b) AC evaporator problems
(c) Bose amp problems
(d) Self closing door hydralics

If these have all been corrected then the W140 is a great ride.

All 140s had hydraulic suspension, there were some changes made in 95, to get rid of the two piece radio. The trunk lid was rounded and a trunk release was added. The evaporator was an issue with most, so was the bose amp, and the rotors and distributor caps were deleted. I would think the later cars are a better deal

Get a 97-99.

They had SLS in the rear, and regular struts in the front. Nothing ground breaking there.

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

Some 140s had hydraulic suspension. Distributor caps on V8s were eliminated in 1996. I personally don't see how any advantages of the later cars could overcome the burden of having a 1996- 722.6 transmission, at least for the DIYer.

I really like the 94 350SD but don't want to take the chance of getting a rodbender. I know not all are prone to bending a rod but I don't want to take any chances. So isn't the 94 S500 the same car but a gasser?
Oh, and thanks for the very useful replies on this. Jim

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1997 E300D Wife's daily driver
1985 300SD my daily driver
1999 Expedition family road trip and material hauler

The simplest W140 you can own, and the one thats the closest to the diesel is the S320. My friend just sold his 1997 and it wasn't a terribly complicated car, well no where near my other friends S600. With the I6 you will enjoy a lot of room under the hood as well, and a lot of stuff on the front of the motor will look familer to you, since I see you have a 606.

The S320 is the slowest gas W140, but its still not bad. It will leave the diesel in the dust, the M104 does put out about 80 more hp than the diesel. Its no autobahn monster like the S600 but I never felt it was lacking for power. It will run 80-100 all day long without complaint, it just won't loaf at 100 like the V12 and big V8 will. The plus side is you'll get far better fuel mileage with the 6, high teens around town, over 20 on the highway. The 722.6 gearbox really makes the most of what the engine produces, since its a 5spd and pretty smart.

The S320's also lack SLS, they just have gas shocks all the way around. They still provide a supurb ride.

You want a 1997-99 with low mileage and a no BS service history. The last W140's are the best, they kept sorting them out as they went.

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