What to look for on a 1994 S320
 

Hi all,

I am going to look at a 94 s320 today and was wondering if there is anything in particular I should look for or ask about.. I know about the evaporator issues as well as some rear suspension components. Anything else....If it passes my inspection it will then go onto a PPI...Thanks for your help...

Please have the Car Inspected by a Shop that knows the W140
The Big Ticket Items are AC/Trans/Central locking...Not sure if the S320 has Close assist...And the W104 Headgaskit
Check the VIN with Mercedes for The History
Run a Car fax
Good Luck!

Thanks Mark


Sixto,

Any suggestions??????

Since you live in San Diego, I'd take the car to this shop that JimF recommends:

http://pages.prodigy.net/jforgione/EXM.html

They should know what to look for. Since this car has an M104 engine between the years of 1993-1995, you need to have the engine wiring harness checked. If it hasn't been replaced yet, it will need it (the part is about $500).

Also, the early headgaskets on this engine leak oil at the right rear corner of the headgasket.

If you have a chance to check it out yourself, make sure everything works including:

- central locking from all points
- remote locking from all points including windows up and sunroof close
- closing assist at all points
- parking aid antennas
- retracting trunk handle
- all functions of power seat adjustment
- all functions of power mirror adjustment (inlcuing rear view mirror) and side mirror retract
- both functions of steering wheel adjustment
- rear headrest collapse
- all functions of ACC or as much as you can check
- all functions of power windows and sunroof including express
- all functions of stereo and CD changer if equipped

Not all of these things are difficult and/or expensive to repair.

And general condition items like:

- complete tool kit
- complete first aid kit
- pillar trim in place. My 140 has pillar upholstery lifting in a couple of places.

Of course there's checking history and records along with the mechanical aspects of the car, but that's not much different from checking the basic soundness of a 126 or 124.

Spend an evening at JimF's website and familiarize yourself with the nuances of the 140. Things like engine temps of 110C in traffic being normal were a shock to me and might have meant passing on an otherwise good car.

I don't know if JimF's website goes into the SRS light but apparently a lot of owners, including me, live with an SRS light that stays on for a minute or so after every start. Don't get in a frontal collision until it goes out ;)

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

Thanks guys,

Sixto Im gonna print out your list as not to forget that stuff.. People tend to give the W140 a hard time as far as up-keep goes but as far as searching this forum goes it appears there is alot more trouble with my 124......which is a great car.. I do understand there were alot more W124's made than the W140's. But it still seems to hail in comparison. Thanks for the help !

This post was very timely. My wife found a 1994 S320 with 117,000 miles on it for sale. It was owned by the owner of a quick lube operation. (At least we know the oil was changed on a regular basis). Looks good, except for some discoloration on the driver's seat and one of the back up guide antennas is broken. Wiring harnes recently changed and new head gasket kit installed along with new tires. everything else seems to check out. Thanks for all of the tips.

Timely? The thread is a year old!

Sixto :D
95 S420
87 300SDL

Excuse me, I'm getting old and can't read anymore. Let's just say I found it very helpful. I shoulldn't scour the searches late at night
This forum is great and very useful. I couldn't or wouldn't be able to keep these cars without everyone's help.
Sorry for the error.