Looked at a 94 S420 the other day. Just crossed over 100K miles and a color combo I prefer to my 95. Drove okay except when the engine was over 80C after sitting at a light, there was hesitation moving off. Happened a couple more times from a stop or restarting from a crawl. Giving it more gas overcame the hesitation and it seemed to run fine. No CEL, no codes using the button test. No access to a scanner at this point.

I've driven V8s with 1 or 2 missing cylinders and my guess is that a whole bank is down when this S420 is limping. It can barely get going. Any thoughts on what this could be? Bad coil connection? Something really expensive? I'd rather not spend on a PPI if this is a definite symptom of big problem. I took it on a long ride and it only happened a those 2 or 3 times. If it doesn't happen during a PPI, the tech might not pick up on the problem from my description.

Thanks,
Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Of course check to see if the engine harness has been replaced. Distributor caps and rotors are a common problem.

Unfortunately you always take a risk on those cars on the harnesses and throttle actuator. Its my belief that the prices those cars are being sold for compensates for those risks. But you are always better to get the price on a car that has been fixed already.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician