S600 Monster

[Brett San Diego]

There's nothing like having that big green (in my case) V12 sitting in the garage. But, if you want to drag race, get a Mustang Cobra. The s600 is a 5,000 lb car. It goes through tires fast enough as it is. For a big sedan, it does pretty well in corners (much flatter than your typical Caddy or Lincoln), but if you want to drive curvy roads fast, get a Porsche. The W140's element is highway cruising, and passing power (60-100 mph) is awesome with the 600.

I would forget about the negligible 10 HP difference between the 92-94 models and the 95-99 models. I concur with vee12's recommendation to get at least a 96 model. You don't want to have to deal with distributor caps and rotors and wiring harness issues. And the 5 speed transmission is nice. It would be nice to say you have 400 HP rather than "almost 400 HP," but the improvements in engine management systems and other systems made as of 1996 are worth having. You still have 420 lb-ft of torque.

I would call the difference between S500 and S600 significant. If SSL's numbers are correct, 7/10's of a second quicker to 60 mph is a huge difference. And forget peak HP numbers, most importantly, the V12's peak torque (73 ft-lb more than the V8) occurs at lower rpm, 2800 rpm for the V12 versus 3900 rpm for the V8. That translates into getting pushed back in the seat more with the V12 when starting from standing still (hence the much faster 0-60 time).

It's a fun car, and a brilliant highway cruiser, but you will pay for the privilege. Be prepared. Do all the usual careful inspections before buying any car.

I really like my S600, and BTW, it is a daily driver (116,000 miles now). The comment made that an S600 cannot be a daily driver is silly.

As far as maintenance cost comparisons of S500 vs. S600, the only difference is the engine compartment. The rest of the car is pretty much identical. The differences aren't as great as some seem to think, in my opinion. The V12 engine compartment is cramped, so labor costs tend to be more since sometimes you have to remove many other parts to do work on the engine. But, then again, I haven't yet paid anyone to work on my car, so I may not be a good judge of costs. I've done all my own work so far in 2 years of ownership.

If the big V12 Benz is your dream, go for it, but know the consequences.

Brett

[Bee]

Try getting a well serviced S500. If you feel the need to upgrade from there do so. But the 600's are know to be expensive and very needy cars.

[Galov]

Brett you certaily know what your talking about. I think i will probably go for a 1997 model or something now. Maybe even a few little performance enhancements.

One thing the first 600 i ever been in was the one at the auction. when i turned it on the oil pressure was at 1. Now i have a 300e and the oil pressure is up at 3. What the hell was this about.


**Anyway i am in this s600 1992 i rev the beast a couple of times and go outside to look at the motor runnung, after a min it turned off like a lawn mower.

NO PETROL LEFT... This mighty v12 chocked like a little mower in the last second before it went to sleep LOL***

My first v12 experiance, hehehe

[1996_S500]

yup. the S 600 is a real monster. I love that car. Very quick and responsive. I love all the special S600 only features. Like the hand stiched leather, and having pretty much every option installed standard. Boy, i have got to get myself one of those again, but i know if I do, there will be a big hole in my wallet.

[carjoy]

If you are undecided about whether the W140 S600 is the car for you, DO NOT drive the 600. My downfall. Last year, when shopping for one new family driver, we drove everything from a 1995 S600 to a 2003 S55. Even given the comparative inaccuracies of driving a number of cars over a period lasting three or four months, my choice was still the late '90's S600. The driving experience was addictive and crazily enough we bought two, a 1996 European spec version and a 1999 US spec example.

While our brothers Brett in San Diego and Maher in Chicago are better sources for prophylactic advice, there are a number of vulnerabilities you should be aware of for any 140, especially given these vehicles' current age. The insulation pad lining the transmission tunnel always drops onto the driveshaft. Suspension bushings and motor mounts wear due to weight. Rear suspension accumulators fail. Fluid leaks may develop from everywhere: transmission, steering gear, engine. Sometimes it seems that Lucas (sorry UK members) got their hands on the electrical bits.

That said, the 1999 has been flawless, requiring nothing more than "routine" maintenance -- you do understand that even changing the oil requires some disassembly? The '96 has required more investment but that has really been nothing more than finally supplying the "deferred maintenance" for the car. They are both dependable daily drivers. Good luck.

[Galov]

You have owned two s600's. Even i can see exactly why. Or maybe i dont know, you get never get enough, right?

About the repairs for this car, i belive this car was certaily not intended for the average person. So as you say even changing the oil is a hassle. The car is like a Lamborgini Diable, well the engine. People that own cars like diables have there car serviced and they take the whole engine out for a service. I mean the service costs like $10000. This is for a v12. So the s600 is in the same ball park. Just that the prices have come down allowing people who can not really cope with them to actually own them.

So i can imagine its a real problem to do most things on that engine.

[ychachad]

Truly, and as my good friend Ghost will attest to, these cars were designed for their first owners who were unquestionably wealthy enough for dealership only maintenance and did not have problems with payments on these vehicles - they were mostly paid off right at delivery. That does not mean they ought to break down.

[migg48]

I've owned several Ferrari V-12 cars and a few Lamborghini's as well. None of them compared to the cost of maintaining an S600. In fact, I also owned a 6.9 Mercedes, probably the most expensive MBZ to buy and maintain ever(?), but it didn't scare me like the S600. When the "check engine" light comes on in a 600 it can make a grown man cry. I now own an S500 coupe with low miles (65,000) and a perfect service history. I still budget $400-$500 per month (annualized) for maintenance/repairs--and that's not a penny too much. Remember, no matter what you pay for the car you are repairing a $100,000 vehicle. I love these cars, but you can probably lease a new one for less than the upkeep on a 140.

M.D. Moore

[dantefr]

Galov - 2/2/2006 6:00 PM

You have owned two s600's. Even i can see exactly why. Or maybe i dont know, you get never get enough, right?

About the repairs for this car, i belive this car was certaily not intended for the average person. So as you say even changing the oil is a hassle. The car is like a Lamborgini Diable, well the engine. People that own cars like diables have there car serviced and they take the whole engine out for a service. I mean the service costs like $10000. This is for a v12. So the s600 is in the same ball park. Just that the prices have come down allowing people who can not really cope with them to actually own them.

So i can imagine its a real problem to do most things on that engine.

Although I have never owned a Lamborghini, or a Ferrari, my mechanic services both on a regular basis. After reading the posts, I talked him about costs and service of a V-12 Lambo and that of an S600. He told me they are both a pain in the ass, but the S600s seem to require more service in the same number of miles than that of a Ferrari or Lamborghini! He also informed me that one of his clients has both a 95 S600 and an 89 Ferrari Testarrossa and he pays more money to keep the S600 running!
Don't get me wrong, the S600 is probably the best looking, most prestiges car, ever built! Because it was fit for a king, It requires all the King's gold to keep them running. Like I said before, go with a late 90's S500, you can't go wrong with it! They have MORE than enough power, are very comfortable, and still ahve the three point star on the hood. If you want to have the BEST S500, get the 99 Grand Edition. Check out my gallery to see pictures of one. The interior is the same as the S600, but without 2-tone seats. It is the only S500 with hand stiched leather, and all the goodies an S600 has, but without the motor.
Hope this helps in your decision process. I wish you the best!!

[1996_S500]

dantefr - 2/2/2006 8:50 PM
It is the only S500 with hand stiched leather, and all the goodies an S600 has

does the S500 grand have hand stiching on the doors, center console, armrest, etc? because i know that it is hand stiched on the steering wheel, but not sure about everything else. Please inform me dante. Thanks.