I have been getting a car itch...and went to see a 1997 s500 with 123k on it today...

car was basically in good condition, but just did not seem to have a pure luxury feel to it.... seemed a bit unwieldy...

i don't know what i was expecting, but i like the nimbleness of a 124...

this car probably needed some tie rod ends and i think it may have had some air in the brake lines......

other than that, not too bad....

just not my style.

the 140 guys really seem to like them

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

Try a couple more, if its your first time in an S class they'll feel enormous (because they are)

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

ironically, this one was in Southampton, just outside of Philadelphia

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

I picked up my first W140 (1993 400SEL) two weekends ago. I have only driven it about 4 times, but I love it. I have owned several Mercedes in the past, a 74 240D, 84 190D, 85 380SE and a 88 300SEL (which we still own) and this one by far is the best riding/driving one I have owned yet, though I know the most complex. lol. It rides and drives so smooth and the seats are incredible. I need to replace my motor mounts, which I am sure will get the car as smooth as butter again.

I agree with Tbo... try a few more and like he said, they will feel enormous. I am used to it though, as I have a 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood and a 1995 Lincoln Town Car.... AND a 72 Caprice station wagon and a 73 Pontiac Grand Ville... all tanks. lol.

Lee,

I'm the other way around I do not care for W124's, I just love the W140's, and love them with 722.6's transmissions. They are very complex cars, and full of double or triple the electronics than most other cars, but the best experience is the drive-nothing compares to it; The penalty is the car requires higher interval of service intervals at all levels, but I have a degree in electronics, and so far all the electronics parts I've rebuilt my self down to resistor, capacitor and transistor level. While it is my gain to pick-up these cars for less than $1000, someone else loss for the lack of knowledge with these cars.

I want a third W140..

Martin

Yeah and you will need to make sure that the steering/suspension is not worn... thankfully, most of this on my '93 has recently been replaced by the PO, as well as all of the other costly things on these cars, such as the A/C evaporator (which is a very $$$$ repair on these cars). On mine, they also replaced the dryer, heater core and receiver, but that may be the norm when doing the evaporator since the dash is already out.

Good luck!

When my friend sold me his 90 560SEL, he replaced it with a 97 S500.

He and his wife were quite fond of the 560 and initially he wondered if he had made a mistake replacing it with the S500.

Now, 170K miles later, he says that the W140 is a fine, though different, automobile. While the 560 had some endearing features, the newer car excells in places the 560 could only dream of. Like fuel economy.

He is just as happy with his W140, now has 200K on it, and sees no reason to replace it at this time. It's a different car, but just as satisfying in it's own way.

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

I've always wanted to get an S500.

I think what's preventing me is I don't think I could fit it in my garage....my E430 barely fits as it is, and I won't park a Mercedes outside year long.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

My coupe barely fits in mine....I have about a foot in front of the bumper and the rear bumper has about 6" of clearance. I align the edge of the LH rearview mirror with a mark on the wall when I park.

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1983 380SL
1995 C280
1995 S500 coupe
1990 Mazda Miata
2004 Suzuki Hayabusa

I drove a friend's '95 S600 (long wheel base model) a while ago, and it felt nimble to me. In fact the steering response was so good I thought it was a smaller car.

The interior is like a cockpit!