'Brash Question

[420SEL Realtor]

As a 123 and 126 owner am now considering a 140 (S600?)

Any suggestions on WHICH MODEL to purchase first time in the 140 range?

I'll keep reading your posts...

[Tbilisi79]

Do some research on this board. There are plenty of related stuff.

But, S420 i think is the best model, OK power, no hydraulic shocks in the back and less toys to go wrong,, which they will.
600 will make you broke, not a logical car to buy used unless you get a mint model and event then, how often will you use those 389 HP? Maintenance will kill you. I am a power freak myself and am used to fast cars that go 13's in a quarter, but my 500 satisfies most of my needs, and if you get a 96-up model, they come with 5-speed auto which makes things better.

So in the end, I think S420 would be the best of both worlds.

[ychachad]

I have an S420, and she has been trouble free so far. Touch wood.

[SSL]

420SEL Realtor

Any W140 is a nice car provided you follow the basic rules about servicing and maintenance and that you set aside a reasonable budget for upkeep.

Unlike us Europeans you have four engine choices 3.2,4.2,5.0l or 6.0l (we have five with a 2.8l) and all of the engines are basically sound.

Personally I think the S500 is the one to have. It gives little away to the S600 in terms of outright performance and differs very little to the S420 as regards fuel consumption while enjoying a significant performance advantage over the smaller V8.

Whilst the V12 was and remains the pinnacle of the W140 range the S500 represents the best compromise between availability of power and smoothness of it`s delivery and everyday reliability and cost of upkeep.

Whichever one you choose to buy I would look to buy the latest model year as possible with full records of servicing and maintenance. Good luck.

[1996_S500]

SSL - 1/3/2006 2:09 PM

Personally I think the S500 is the one to have. It gives little away to the S600 in terms of outright performance and differs very little to the S420 as regards fuel consumption while enjoying a significant performance advantage over the smaller V8.

Whilst the V12 was and remains the pinnacle of the W140 range the S500 represents the best compromise between availability of power and smoothness of it`s delivery and everyday reliability and cost of upkeep.

i agree. I have an S500, and i am very happy with it. Plus, in addition to the things that SSL said, you can get an S500 for about the same price as a 420. The 500 is great, because it's all the power you need, and it is more sensible than the 600.

in regards to the 420, i have heard that it is even better than the 500, because it is not an expensive car, in regards to maintenance, however i have had no experience with the car.

If you get a 600, make sure you can afford it, cuz you will really love it, (when it is fixed). I had one, and now i really want one again, but not sure if i can afford the maintenance bills. The 600 is a really great car, but only if you have the money.

[ghost]

I agree with many of the posters...

The s420 and s500 would be the choice.

i would look into the last years 97-99...(not that the other years are bad, but if there is only couple of thousand dollar difference, why not get the last year, when they addressed most issues)...

If maintenance and money is no issue..then the s600...i think its more of a status symbol though....

[bass1175]

I have to agree with the the others on the s420, it has excellent power, with a great simple suspension setup. I get close to 21 gallons on the highway. Owned mine for 18 months now and havent had any serious mechanical problems, just maintnance. I own a 94 would love to get a 97 in the future, I think once you enter the 99 last edition made you enter a different price tag range, for the price and relaibility I would go for a 97 s420, no harness/wiring problems there either.

[NZ Benz]

bass1175 - 1/4/2006 2:23 AM

I have to agree with the the others on the s420, it has excellent power, with a great simple suspension setup. I get close to 21 gallons on the highway. Owned mine for 18 months now and havent had any serious mechanical problems, just maintnance. I own a 94 would love to get a 97 in the future, I think once you enter the 99 last edition made you enter a different price tag range, for the price and relaibility I would go for a 97 s420, no harness/wiring problems there either.

The 420 would seem to be a good choice. in retrospect my 300sel is a little underpowered. When buying a car it is important to consider power vs weight. Buying a smaller engine for example the 300se or s320 may not give fuel savings because the smaller powerplant has to work harder than a slightly larger one. the s600 would be fun to have but you would need deep pockets for gas. The s320 is a little underpowered for the size of the car. the 420 comprises the best of both worlds.

[Hans Anders]

first waz an 83' 300SD and now always enjoy mine 1994 S-klasse S-420, few things I am workn on presently...heat and window regulator, but es gut vehicle. would not sell! hans

[1996_S500]

whatever the case, you should definately consider a w140. They are very good and solid cars.