W140 or W220? Decisions, decisions!

[Beduff wolf]

Hi all.
I've been lurking around the forum for a bit building up knowledge but now I've decided to ask for help on a dilemma.
I intend to buy an S Class early next year and have around £5000 to spend but can't deide whether to get a W140 or a W220. If I went for the W140, then I'd go for the S500 but I'd have to go for a smaller engine on the W220. I'm also aware that the W140 will cost considerably less than the W220 so I'd have cash left over to fix any minor problems.
Which model do members think would be the better buy? Because of a back injury, comfort is more important to me than economy.

 

[jibcl500]

£5000 I would have thought wouldnt give the best W220 available, but I dont know what the prices are like on the W220.

The W140 especially the 500 is certainly a fantastic car, I think it looks better than the 220 also, £5000 will get you a very nice W140, mileage isnt really a problem but history is as these can be very expensive to fix. So buy the right car and droive several before you buy.

jib

 

[stumpy]

Welcome to the forum - Both are top notch for comfort, though the 220 can have the dynamic seat option which is nice. I used to run a 220 S500L and loved it, but it didn't feel bombproof. If I were you I'd go for a 140 S500. 5 grand should buy you the best out there. Avoid the 600 though as the suspension and wiring will make your back injury the least of your worries.

 

[Cole@MBS]

Think the 220 has more faults than the 140, hence i would pick the 140 all-day!!! as stumpy said, £5000 would pick you up a very clean example!!

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Call me biased - but the W140 is a superb example of the Marque.

Lots to choose from out there.

 

[Beduff wolf]

Thanks guys I have to be honest that I do prefer the classic shape of the 140. I have read on here that they are pretty much bombproof provided they have been regularly serviced. As far as I can see, the only fault they have is the suspension springs can snap so I'll be giving them particular attention when I look at one.
One other quick question, if I may? Does anyone know if Mercedes used a common wiring loom for all the W140 models? For instance, if I bought a model without, say, a rear blind, would the wiring be there to 'retrofit' one?

 

[stumpy]

I can't help on the wiring but a 500 L may have the blind as standard. It was on the 220. Business Edition cars are worth seeking out as they come with lots of kit. The 140 is regarded as a 'proper Merc' but buy carefully and look for clocked cars. They hide mileage well. If you go for a 500 make sure it has not got ADS adaptive damping. It is standard on the 600 but some 5's have it too and it can be a pain in the ar5e to sort if it goes wrong.

 

[kth286]

Yes - go for the 140, but be quick because according to the Merc German classic mag, the Russians are importing loads of 140s from Germany and they are becoming scarce there.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Thanks guys I have to be honest that I do prefer the classic shape of the 140. I have read on here that they are pretty much bombproof provided they have been regularly serviced. As far as I can see, the only fault they have is the suspension springs can snap so I'll be giving them particular attention when I look at one.
One other quick question, if I may? Does anyone know if Mercedes used a common wiring loom for all the W140 models? For instance, if I bought a model without, say, a rear blind, would the wiring be there to 'retrofit' one?

I can vouch that a front spring on mine broke. Easily replaced (as a pair!) and not too expensive to have done.

 

[jibcl500]

broken springs is common on any mercedes not just the 140.

jib

 

[JEZ.S320L]

broken springs is common on any mercedes not just the 140.

jib

Oh.! You learn something new every day

 

[jibcl500]

And dont forget our boy Carl, he breaks the W140 so any parts you needs hes your man.

Aint that right Jez!!

jib

 

[JEZ.S320L]

And dont forget our boy Carl, he breaks the W140 so any parts you needs hes your man.

Aint that right Jez!!

jib

Absolutely right, Jib. Carl is your man - please support him, as I believe he has only just started doing this breaking malarky.

1st Class service - highly recommended.

Carl's email address - info@companionmirrors.co.uk

 

[Beduff wolf]

Thanks everyone for your comments. This really is a great forum. I've decided to go for a W140 and I'm keeping my eye on a couple of S500's on Autotrader at the moment. If they are still there in january, I'll make an offer and see what happens. I've stored Carls address so I can use him if needed. Thank you all for the help and I'm so pleased I found such a friendly, helpful forum. Thanks again.

 

[television]

The 140 and the 129 share many parts, including the dash etc,, they are very well made, nice to drive and are true in MB tradition in every way,, with your £5k you should get one with all of the toys , the seats that stumpy mentioned are great and worth while,, good luck in you hunt,,and I know that you will tell us what you buy, do feel free to ask what ever you like, as all of the guys that posted know them so well

 

[TheScrapman]

Thanks guys I have to be honest that I do prefer the classic shape of the 140. I have read on here that they are pretty much bombproof provided they have been regularly serviced. As far as I can see, the only fault they have is the suspension springs can snap so I'll be giving them particular attention when I look at one.
One other quick question, if I may? Does anyone know if Mercedes used a common wiring loom for all the W140 models? For instance, if I bought a model without, say, a rear blind, would the wiring be there to 'retrofit' one?

The w140 has a common 'core' loom, but every option has a tailored loom for each car.
On saying that, the wiring is modular - e.g. a rear blind will have it's own loom, so there is no reason why that part can't just be added
I have a very comprehensive set of wiring diagrams for the w140 which are very easy to follow if you have some degree of automotive wiring experience. More than happy to send you a copy. I have successfully retro-fitted cruise control and heated seats to a w126, and made a new engine wiring loom for my w140 s500.
I think the most difficult bit of fitting a rear blind for example, will be cutting a neat hole for the switch!

 

[Beduff wolf]

Thanks for the information, Scrapman. I don't have much wiring experience, but my mate is an autoelectrician who specialises in diagnostics (especially Mercs) so the wiring shouldn't be a problem. When I finally get the car, if I need a copy of the diagram, I'll be in touch. I have to admit that I'm having to dampen my enthusiasm and wait until the New year or I'd be treating myself to a new motor before Xmas

 

[deejaybee]

Also try a S320

Hi, when you do start looking at these you should also try a few S320's as well. I know you have stated a preference for a 500, but in "real" driving conditions a 320 is more than adequate. I bought a very nice S320 a couple of months ago for <£3000 after having run a Cl 420 for a couple of years. The difference on the road between the 320 and 420 is not that much at all in 99% of situations, it's just that the nature of the 6 cylinder 320 engine is different than the V8 - the 320 "wafts" just as well and when you put your foot down it is quick enough. I know the 500 will have more tourque and power at the same revs, but once you have got over the novelty and stopped booting it around and have calmed down a bit to try and save petrol you might appreciate the smaller capacity model!? Anyway, give one a try, you might be pleasently supprised (there also seem to be more late model W140 S320's around than 500's, so you have a wider choice).

regards,

Dave

 

[Beduff wolf]

Hmmm. Food for thought. TBH, I hadn't really given the 320 much consideration because it's not that much different from the 280 which, as I understand, is underpowered. The 320 is certainly in abundance on Autotrader and the majority are Business Edition so could be worth a look. The insurance is considerably cheaper too. I would imagine that there are more models from the other classes that share common parts?

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Beduff wolf, just a bit of advice about the Business Edition. Make sure EVERYTHING elecrical actually works. I had a few 'niggles' - nothing major - but annoying nevertheless. For instance, a few dash bulbs worked - and then didn't, then worked again. The 'laptop table' in the rear didn't work. A front Parktronic display kept lighting, and then didn't. BUT, thanks to 'Uncle Benz' - all the 'niggles' are now fixed and working a treat.

You will also find extra little touches, such as 'Hill hold" and a system (don't know what it is called EXACTLY) which reduces rear wheel-spin in wet/slippery conditions. GREAT for the Traffic Lights Grand Prix

Having had an XJR, with manic performance, I realised that in todays traffic conditions and the abundance of 'Safety' camera's, the days of 100mph+ on motorways and blasting along regarding the 30/40mph limits as purely advisory, have long gone.

The S320 is a brilliant compromise, and will whaft you along in superb comfort - AND you won't have to fill the fuel tank up as often as you would in a 500.

Next year, I intend to drive mine home to Spain, where she will become Spanish-registered. The journey from Bilbao, will be the highlight of the year - I intend to relish every single kilometre of high speed driving, in a car more than adequately built for the journey.