I'm somewhat-seriously in the market for a car to replace my 560SEL... The 560 is an outstanding automobile, even more so now since it just had $15k worth of work done on it last summer...

...But (there's always a butt, isn't there? ) it's just not as fast as I'd like. It's certainly fast enough to get me into trouble, but I'd still like something faster... I'd also like something that gets better gas mileage, but that's not really *that* important (or I wouldn't be considering a 600...)

Basically what I want to know is how reliable the W140 600s are. I'm 19, this is going to be my only car, and I need something that isn't going to leave me stranded in the school parking lot once a month or whatever. Minor electrical bugs like power seats that won't move aren't a big deal... I have to deal with those now. I just need to be sure that, like I said, the cars aren't prone to having major problems (read: anything that would make it undriveable) on a regular basis.

Also, how much more expensive to maintain are they than the W126s? I don't think they'd be all that much more, but...

Oh, and I'm most interested in 1996 and newer cars, as I'd like a 5 speed, but I'd still consider a pre-1996 car.

 

I've never owned a S Class, but I met a person who has a 95, he bought it with 105K miles and had it about 2 months. He told me so far is was very reliable, he bought it from a private seller who diligently serviced the car. But routine service cost are somewhere betwen a E Class and a Ferrari I am told.

 

you will just get more headache on 140 S600.

get a more lighter car if you need good acceleration.