Do any club members own a W140 S-class ...

[charlesjs]

Hi, I'm trying to find out what to look for when buying a W140 S-class. To date, most of the info I've collated has been from the US MB forums. I realise that more would have been sold in the US but was the W140 so awful a car that no-one in the UK clubs owns one?

I've posted some q's here but not got much that helps.

All the bad info I've found leads me to think that I'd be better off buying a second 7 series BMW to go with the one we already have.

Can any club members provide me with any feedback as to the W140's good points and are they reliable as cars?

It's just that the list of things that can and should be expected to go wrong is sooo long that whatever one purchases big bills should be expected soon after.

Please, please, someone tell me the truth - are they as bad as the US forums appear to indicate?

A lack of responses from owners would make me think that all is as bad as they say.

Many thanks

Charles

 

[Andy]

Hi

Nothing wrong with the cars, but like old 7 series, when they go wrong you can expect a big bill. You can't have the best car in the world in its day and expect the parts not to be expensive.

There is plenty that can go wrong. Which does not mean it will. To be more sure then you need to buy as young a car as you can afford. They are reliable if kept in good condition. But every thing has a shelf life. So you pays your money and takes your chances.


Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com

 

[charlesjs]

Thanks Andy, I thought that no-one out there had dealt with these before (impossible, I know). If I'm right, you run a non-fran. garage over in the B'ham area?

My main conceren is that whilst the car is without doubt "better" (now there's a subjective comment) than the BMW we already own, the purchase price'll be greater year for year and I'm seeing potential running costs stacking up as greater.

Looking at current prices the one's I'd be going for are '91 to '93 and from what I've found out this is the worst period to buy from (ie before most of the problems were rectified) and that buying a post '95 version (when the facelift addressed many issues) would be best.

I know there's no guarantees either in life or in running any motor vehicle, I was just looking for a few considered comments from owners in the UK.

Thanks for your comments.

Regards

Charles

 

[talbir]

Charles,

From your posts, it appears you seem to have gathered the very correct info on the W140.

I have a Nov 1996 S320, with 49k on the clock and absolutely pristine. It has the 5-spd auto, air-con climate system, paarktronic, rain-sensor wipers etc.

In the 2 years I have owned the car, not a SINGLE thing has gone wrong. I do all the servicing myself (I have 4 Mercs in total and do all the maintenance myself).

The early W140's had some serious teething problems as you have gathered - it is best to buy a 96+ car, which has perfect paintwork, interior, engine and transmission. Plenty of these W140's were Chauffer cars that have been clocked, but their poor interior/paintwork is a dead giveaway.

Best to go for the smaller engined W140's - the S320 has the lowest depreciation of them all. Mind you, these cars have lost most of their value, but the 320's are still as much as and in some cases worth more than the equivalent year 500's and 600's.

I have nothing bad to say about the car - MB are unlikely to build an S-Class as solid and as pretty as this ever again (although the W140 Coupes are an acquired taste). The presence of a W140, in the right colour with the right wheels, is unrivalled on the road. The current S-class, the W220, doesn't even look half as durable as the W140 and unlikely it has the same build quality. It certainly doesn't have the same road presence.


Talbir

 

[bluebenz]

Hi all, have just bought an s 320 made in march 1994, just wondered if this is post teething problem probuction or not, also very interested to read you do all work yourself I'm thinking of doing the same, where can i get service manuals etc.

also do you know of a good indi garage , i'm in enfield.
thanks

 

[jaymanek]

Hi,

I have a 140 coupe. Great car, i love it.

Agree with talbir. Main issues are AC problems so makesure its working.

A lot have been clocked as these are durable cars and you wouldnt tell, so check for a complete history.

Good Luck.

Jay

 

[Chess]

S320 Limo 1998

I have had the car for 9 months and done 25k miles on top of the 150k it had. Completed my own servicing and brought it up to full order.

Fantastic car, fully loaded with every gadget inc sat nav, rear blind, active wipers etc.

Easy and cheap to service, excellent quality kit, nothing has failed.

Fully recommended, especially for those 600 mile day trips!

 

[guydewdney]

chess - 25K miles - and you live on the isle of wight? plop?


My 1996/7 (december 1996) has been pretty good. I have one recurring problem - a very slight misfire after a long / hard run, then waiting in traffic - probably a temp sensor - but all the mb systems say its fine...

couple of probs with a window - but due to a break - in not properly sorted by PO (wind noise)

parktronic went spoons - 1 new 40 quid sensor.

1 cam sensor dies - 20 quid s/h - no change in running.... ???

indi serviced - yet to find someone really good tbh. (im in herts... hint...)

watch out for tyre costs - the Cl has 255/45/18s - £180 each with a bit of nagging discount...


petrol - just over 20 mpg - managed to get 450 to a tank (90 litre fill) once - driving like a granny @ 70 on a m'way

 

[mart]

guydewdney,

http://www.prestigeperformance.co.uk/ in St.Albans?? not tried them I as I have yet to find my S500 coupe. If you have been there would be interested to know your opinions.

While I am here, I will be out and about this week looking at a few S500 coupes around a '94, any obvious common faults worth checking for, ( I assume with the air con problem it just wont get hot/cold??)

 

[bluebenz]

Not sure if these were the guys you meant but I have used them and very pleased with their knowledge prices and customer service. Simon and Stacy are both ex MB Technicians and specialise in MB.

M&D Motortech 01279 876979
They are on the airfield between white roding and matching green.

above is a quote from another link, I've also been there, seem rely good

 

[S320Barry]

w140

I love my w140. However these cars were built without regard to cost. Remember that when repairs are required.