On the market Again
#1
12-16-2008, 02:45 PM
On the market Again
Alright, I have not been on as often as I like due to job and moving back to the states but as mention a couple of months ago, the beloved 560SEL gave up ghost in Germany. At least it died in a proper place, 2 hours away from where it was built in 89.
Now I'm on the market search again for another S_Class. More of the lines of a W140 (97-99) or W220 (2000-2003).
Now I've seen some good examples but and took a great look at both. This examples being actually a black2000S430, silver2001 S500, black2000 S500 and a 1994 S420.
Out of the W220, I found the black 2000 S500 the nicest. Plus the mochaperforated seats (air-cooled) isa cool feature. The black 2000 S430 caught my eye the most. It had the grey interior which I liked better but lacked the air-cooled seats which is no big deal. The seats are nice and comfy in the W220 but the controls can bea bit intimidating at first. Luckily I was already familiar with how to operate most ofthe things but apparently the sales guy didnt do his omework and struggled to even work the radio. Then while walking around the lot, I spot a black 1994 S420 sitting in the corner, almost looks forgotten about as the sales guy had no idea what I was talking about at first when I inquired about it. It was a little dusty on the outside but the paint shined like new and the interior was clean with no tears, rips, and very minimal wear. The only bad thing about the interior was maybe the carpet mats could usea litle steam cleaning. But being inside this W140,is a total difference. Feels like a tank all the way to the sounds of the doors. W220, sounds like any other door, W140 has that classic Mercedes sound that I'mfamiliar with from the W126. The whole car felt heavy like you can drive it through a brick wall and be ok. The W220 felt lighter a tad morenimble butfelt like a giant computer. I was waiting fora computer voiceto say hello or something and load up Windows XP on the navi screen.Overall I would buy either one of these cars. The W220 seems to be more ready availbe on the market (in Texas) than the W140. The 1994-1996 area bit more common of the W140s for sale but many of them have a bit more miles than what I'm looking for and some of them just dont look taken cared for properly at all. The 1997-1999 is bit more rare but have been some good looking examples that I wouldtake the next step and test drive. The S600 the rare daddy of them all inW140 and W220 (2001-2003) is of course a gemto find. I'll get one if I can find a good one. Last thing I want or need is a poorly cared forS600 or any Mercedes for that matter.
The W140 and W220 do I have to worry about that 100,000 mile timing chain maintence thing like the W126 andpre?
What about that W220 air matic suspension.Word on the street is that thing is a bugger to fix when it goes. Yet at the same time I heard theyare usually not problematic at all. How can I tell when it is about to go? And what mileage would I expect it timefor it to be serviced?
Some W140 S500s and S600s came with the hydromatice suspension. Heard a few complaints about it from the 1992-1993 ones but havent heard apeep from the 1998-1999 ones. I know if it'sanything like the W126 one itcan be a bugger to get fixed too. On the W126 it was a wonderful thing to have when properly taken care of and last ages but neglected ones break and hurt wallets.Well not really a question.
What features are in the W140S500 and S420and S320. From what it looksis mostly wood trim and engine, the S320 sometimes lacks the electric rearshade while it's common in the S420 and S500. S320 usually have conventional suspension while S420 can have it and it's common on the S500. The S320 is usually lacking he cellphone while the S420 and S500 can have it (not sure if it's still functional now and dont care).Anything elseI miss?
If I do go W220 I'll probably aim for S420.
Anyone have any real world information on the W140 S600(1995-1999) and W220 S600 (2001-2003)?
Now I'm on the market search again for another S_Class. More of the lines of a W140 (97-99) or W220 (2000-2003).
Now I've seen some good examples but and took a great look at both. This examples being actually a black2000S430, silver2001 S500, black2000 S500 and a 1994 S420.
Out of the W220, I found the black 2000 S500 the nicest. Plus the mochaperforated seats (air-cooled) isa cool feature. The black 2000 S430 caught my eye the most. It had the grey interior which I liked better but lacked the air-cooled seats which is no big deal. The seats are nice and comfy in the W220 but the controls can bea bit intimidating at first. Luckily I was already familiar with how to operate most ofthe things but apparently the sales guy didnt do his omework and struggled to even work the radio. Then while walking around the lot, I spot a black 1994 S420 sitting in the corner, almost looks forgotten about as the sales guy had no idea what I was talking about at first when I inquired about it. It was a little dusty on the outside but the paint shined like new and the interior was clean with no tears, rips, and very minimal wear. The only bad thing about the interior was maybe the carpet mats could usea litle steam cleaning. But being inside this W140,is a total difference. Feels like a tank all the way to the sounds of the doors. W220, sounds like any other door, W140 has that classic Mercedes sound that I'mfamiliar with from the W126. The whole car felt heavy like you can drive it through a brick wall and be ok. The W220 felt lighter a tad morenimble butfelt like a giant computer. I was waiting fora computer voiceto say hello or something and load up Windows XP on the navi screen.Overall I would buy either one of these cars. The W220 seems to be more ready availbe on the market (in Texas) than the W140. The 1994-1996 area bit more common of the W140s for sale but many of them have a bit more miles than what I'm looking for and some of them just dont look taken cared for properly at all. The 1997-1999 is bit more rare but have been some good looking examples that I wouldtake the next step and test drive. The S600 the rare daddy of them all inW140 and W220 (2001-2003) is of course a gemto find. I'll get one if I can find a good one. Last thing I want or need is a poorly cared forS600 or any Mercedes for that matter.
The W140 and W220 do I have to worry about that 100,000 mile timing chain maintence thing like the W126 andpre?
What about that W220 air matic suspension.Word on the street is that thing is a bugger to fix when it goes. Yet at the same time I heard theyare usually not problematic at all. How can I tell when it is about to go? And what mileage would I expect it timefor it to be serviced?
Some W140 S500s and S600s came with the hydromatice suspension. Heard a few complaints about it from the 1992-1993 ones but havent heard apeep from the 1998-1999 ones. I know if it'sanything like the W126 one itcan be a bugger to get fixed too. On the W126 it was a wonderful thing to have when properly taken care of and last ages but neglected ones break and hurt wallets.Well not really a question.
What features are in the W140S500 and S420and S320. From what it looksis mostly wood trim and engine, the S320 sometimes lacks the electric rearshade while it's common in the S420 and S500. S320 usually have conventional suspension while S420 can have it and it's common on the S500. The S320 is usually lacking he cellphone while the S420 and S500 can have it (not sure if it's still functional now and dont care).Anything elseI miss?
If I do go W220 I'll probably aim for S420.
Anyone have any real world information on the W140 S600(1995-1999) and W220 S600 (2001-2003)?
#3
01-05-2010, 10:52 PM
yep. The 420SEL is nice though. I can tell a difference in ride and power but not too much. A person who never owned both of them would never tell. The 420 do seem little better on gas especially around the city.
I'm trying to sell the 300 soon before I get another Euro but might even just go ahead and add a third to the stable.
I'm trying to sell the 300 soon before I get another Euro but might even just go ahead and add a third to the stable.
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