Question for Benz Owners

[Shaolin]

How is the maintenance on these puppies? My uncle's going to sell his S320 and I'm really tempted on getting it.. I'm just worried that I'll have to pay an arm and a leg for regular maintenance.

[rage2]

They had S320's in north america? I thought S430's were the minimum engine in the S classes...

Or are we talking about an older model?

[nismodrifter]

rage: its a w140 chassis car (big body..)

shaolin: what year is the s320 you will be getting?

[max_boost]

I suggest you buy a Honda if you can afford the car but can't maintain it!!! :rofl:

[Shaolin]

LOL I already drive a honda! I drive an Acura and a Kawasaki too! I think it's time for some Euro brand into the household.. the S320 is a 92 or a 91.

[crx]

it would be a 92
the 91 s classes were the 126 model

[rage2]

If it's the W140, I heard they were notoriusly complex and unreliable. I've never owned one, so it's purely speculation based on other owners.

The W126, My dad has a 560SEL. Bulletproof. Built like a tank, but when something does go wrong... parts can get expensive.

[nismodrifter]

w126 is the way to go: 193000 miles (308000kms) and still running great :thumbsup:

shaolin: I'll look around the mbz sites for you and give you a list of major problems in early model 140's by tonight

[ZorroAMG]

W126 S class and W124 E class were the tanks...very solid, extremely well built. W140 and C class (1993) saw the beginning of cost cutting methods for MB's. I test drove a SWB 1993 S320 and was pleased with the feel and although very underpowered, it was acceptable. Consider the fact that you will spend $1200/ year maintaining Benzos of that era.

W124 all the way :)

[Shaolin]

so it'd be a good buy and it won't cost much then I would assume... i don't know the Benz lingos :thumbsup:

[ZorroAMG]

You never know with any used car, but the W140 you are looking at is a good car. Depends if you want to drive such a boat though. The car will guzzle gas like a mofo.

[Shaolin]

yeah I know it's big.. I know how my uncle drives his car so if i was to buy a used car, buying it from him would give me assurance that it wasn't ever bagged.. besides it's got just over 100k on it, for a 92 i think that's pretty dam good :D but I'll ask my aunt next week and see if she'll score me a deal.. thanx for the help guys.

[nismodrifter]

regarding boat size: I am not sure if they had these on the earlier 140 S-Classes, but I know that later ones had chrome rods that rise out at each rear corner of the trunk....they are there to help you see where the rear of your titanic sized car is :D

[Shaolin]

lol, i can assure you his doesn't have those.. i like the key that it comes with, it's like a switchblade lol.

[dkhy]

My dad had a '97 S500, and it is very expensive to maintain even he had the signature class warranty. The last couple bills were more than $2500 each without the warranty. The service people told us that the S-Class had many improvements after year '94. I know it is cool to have a giant Benz but I would recommend a '94 or '95 W124.

[ZorroAMG]

Originally posted by dkhy
My dad had a '97 S500, and it is very expensive to maintain even he had the signature class warranty. The last couple bills were more than $2500 each without the warranty. The service people told us that the S-Class had many improvements after year '94. I know it is cool to have a giant Benz but I would recommend a '94 or '95 W124.

And I would NOT recommend a 94-95 W124. They did many changes to the model electrically and the engine was tempremental. The M104 engine is more powerful than my M103 but more hassle maintenance wise. Also the $1300 wiring harness always goes on the car. I do however recommend a 1990-1992 300, 400 or 500 E, you can then easily add the 94-95 style hood, grille and lights.

W140 is still a very soild car and the best is the advantage YOU have, knowing the previous owner. ENJOY!

[Kamen]

I drive a '95 S420 with 45,000kms.
It's in great shape and a nice sturdy car. I take good care of it, so no, maintenance has never been a problem for me, just regular stuff like taking it in for inspections and oil change once every few months or so. Doesn't cost a lot at all. Except for the gas guzzling V8 it's got...that's what costs the most.

I don't know how other people drive their cars or push them, but they shouldn't have many problems at all.

[ZorroAMG]

45k is still a baby :) that is why you have no probs, but when the car is 10 yrs old and over a 100K things do go wrong.