To Buy or Not to Buy a 140
 

I have been a diehard Mercedes 'nut' for over 28 years and have owned just about every chassis from a ponton to a 129 ('92 500SL). I like the looks of a 140, but because of the early 'problematic' issues have never purchased one - evaporator; wiring harness; 722.5 tranny; etc. I am fairly handy with a wrench and can do almost everything mechanical / electrical - except paint, body work and upholstery.

I have found a '93 300SE with 228,000 miles on the clock that has good original paint, good interior, good tires, tons of records (back to 72,000 miles), working windows & sunroof, functioning climate control, functioning door assist & trunk assist closing, central locking works, shifts out OK but needs a top end rebuild as it has a blown head gasket (running on 5 cylinders and blowing steam out the tailpipe). The only other problem I noticed was a cracked back glass, which is available in the local junk yard. I am sure there are other issues, as it has been sitting for quite some time and will need a LOT of cleaning, as well as, some small fiddley bits & pieces.

Since I am not aquainted with the 140 chassis, I am looking for some input on other problems I might expect to find. I did not try the electric seats (forgot) or the cruise control (did not have area to go fast enough). The price is cheap - just over scrap pricing.

So, if all the early 140 Owner's out there would speak up on problems they have encountered, I would be most appreciative.

Tom

If you can fix it yourself like you say, you're pretty good to go. Wasn't a bad year. Had a lowering wiring harness issue. But look at it this way, wouldn't it happen eventually? :)

The w140 isn't really that complicated... :)

When they are right they are a heckuva ride.

The W140 chassis was one of the best Riding cars MB ever made, of course Michelin tires are needed!

Thanks guys. The wiring harness has been replaced about a year before the car was parked, as well as a host of other work - air pump replaced; tranny resealed; front end work; and a new battery. The battery may or may not come back to life. It is dead as a door nail and I had to switch the battery out of my 350SD in order to start the 140.

The tires on the car look very, very good - no dry rot showing, excellent tread with no wear showing. They are a matching set of Bridgestone's.

I do most all the work on my other Mercedes - '66 230S, '67 250SE coupe, '67 250SE sedan, '80 300SD, '89 300TE, '89 300SE, '91 350SD, '92 500SL. I also have a '95 E320 cabriolet with leaky top cylinders. The 140 will add just one more project to my list of 'things to do'.

Thanks again. I will post the results of my offer.

Tom

I studied the w140 for a full year before I bought one.I found 1996 and above wre trouble free. Older models with new wiring are good too.
No to Chinese Michelins

this may sound silly...but i was on the verge of buying a 92 4matic wagon.... it had too many issues.

now I have my eye on a 1999 s320.... i am pretty sure i am going to buy it..

130k for about 5k..... it had a service contract until 2009. i drove it today... and couldn't believe it... i like the 104 engine... easy to work on...

everything works except the trunk mounted cd player

Recommend buying it.

wound up buying a 1997 with 93k on it. 7k dollars. Maintained to the 9's including transmission conductor plate and torque converter.. also front end rubber completely redone.

this car is like no other.... closest thing i ever had to it was the facelifted 1994 Infiniti Q45

That's called living. Kudos for having balls, sir. Many others wince and whine, only a few of us have the cojones to take the plunge.

That's a hell of a ride. Of all the 140s........probably the most solid year. It'll wow you a lot and beat you up a little....but you know what I know. The payoff is worth the pain

A 320 with a 125 nitrous shot is fast

Just bought a '97 C140 coupe with 135K. New transmission, custom interior and not a mark on the car anywhere. Problems? Yes, door closing assist and a bad MAF from a previous mechanic sealing the valve covers with a tube of silicone.
I have never driven such a magnificent beast. The downside, 14 MPG. But I don't care since my commuting days are over. Now it is the occasional road trip/picnic.
Anziani
'97 C140 135K
'95 E420 128K

good luck with that car... I wouldn't mind one of those some day... but I suspect by the time i am ready, it would be hard to find a decent one.


the only thing i dont like about my s320 is the original wheels....they look fuddy duddy to me... however it's tough finding something good looking with the 51 et offset. I love CLK wheels from the 2000-2003 era... had them on a couple of my 124's

Hey Lee 32 and 35 offset is awesome.
 

You can use 2000 and up c, an
e,and of course S wheels