S600 Monster - Benzworld.org

Galov · 01-31-2006, 09:49 PM

In the future i wish to own a Mercedes s600 W140.
I want the 1992 model becasue it has more hp.

Can some people who know about these cars give me advice in relation to the different year models 1992-1998. I have only ever been in one exept it was at an auction so i dont know how it drives. Can someone who has actually driven one of these monsters tell me whats it like.

c140v8 · 01-31-2006, 10:08 PM

I drove a 1994 s600 coupe when i was looking to buy my s500 coupe. the 600 was an absloute BEAST which did the business like no other when the loud pedal went down!!! ( i chose the 500 for maintenance cost reasons) I would like to own a Black s600 sedan one day.

Tbilisi79 · 01-31-2006, 10:34 PM

600 comes with 389HP. very fast car considering the weight. BUT
To maintain one in good condition could be a very expensive thing to do.
500 will do the job just fine for less money, so unless you floor the car every time, you wount miss those extra 60hp.

600 can not be an every day car.

Galov · 01-31-2006, 10:53 PM

mmm. Not worth having an S600 unless you floor the pedel? Nothing like having that big black v12 sitting in the driveway.

So how is the car on corners? And what about speeds above 100km/m?

Also any s600 drag stories, like on the traffic lights?

SSL · 02-01-2006, 02:28 AM

Galov

If you have a dream you should go for it but beware that some dreams can be nightmares.

If you search through this forum you will see that that S600 has a passionate and committed following from those who own them but that even the most committed souls recognise that the car can be a money pit and a source of unbridled frustration. That said, I get the impression that when the car is on song it is THE ultimate W140 experience. If you are going to buy one I would look at the latest model you can afford with the most comprehensive records.

As previously posted the S500 will probably do 98% of what the V12 can do and will do it with perhaps fewer maintenance worries. But do not come away with the impression that any W140 is trouble free. All of them are complicated cars and need proper and timely maintenance otherwise your ownership experience will be disappointing.

As to speed both the S500/S600 are limited to 155mph (in Europe not sure about US) and the V12 gets to 60 in 7/10ths of a second quicker than the V8.

I have `97 S500 and when you floor the loud pedal the car has a momentary pause before all 320bhp starts to come on tap.

For a big car the handling iS excellent and the cars are quite agile but we are not talking sports car like reaction.

Good luck.

Galov · 02-01-2006, 02:44 AM

Well the S500 sounds certainly better then i thought it was.

The 500 has 235kw 600 1992 has 300kw, the later 600 models have 290kw. I heard that the latter ones have variable valve timing so they have less total output but they are more responsive and waste less fuel.

Now i'm thinking like a 1996 s600...

You would think that you could feel the difference between the 500's 235kw and 600 300kw... The 600's power must come in at higher reves?

I tells yous what i can wait to drive one...

ychachad · 02-01-2006, 06:49 AM

Think before you buy one!!!
Don't make an impulse buy. Heck, most people get any of the 140s as an impulse buy without puting much thought into it. I mean you can get an S-class for under $10k??? Let's get it. Then reality strikes. ALL 140s are expensive to maintain.

**zeaq** · 02-01-2006, 07:20 AM

Quote:

ychachad - 2/1/2006 8:49 AM

Think before you buy one!!!
Don't make an impulse buy. Heck, most people get any of the 140s as an impulse buy without puting much thought into it. I mean you can get an S-class for under $10k??? Let's get it. Then reality strikes. ALL 140s are expensive to maintain.

True...All W140s are real pain ass to maintain.If you are a college student, i wouldn't recon it..I've seen many college students in the US using Mercs and BMWs, Ferraris in various car forums which shock me..[:0]

vee12 · 02-01-2006, 08:08 AM

I wouldn't be too concerned about the difference between the S600 HP rating of a 1992 vs a 1995/96/98, etc. The difference is negligable. Be more concerned with more important model changes in those years. 1996 and newer have the five speed transmission, ADS II and OBD II electronics.I have a 1995 S600 that I have spend a fair amount of money on over the years...engine wiring harness, transmission overhaul, various suspension bushings, central vaccuum pump, etc. All cars need service...and expensive cars are expensive to service. But, the fit and finish of the interior, and the veritable mountain of torque available at the slightest brush of the throttle makes the maintance issues worth the price of admission. Try to find a 600 with a complete service history. Otherwise you may find yourself in very deep water.

dantefr · 02-01-2006, 02:32 PM

It has been mentioned several times on this forum, but I will say it again, S600s are way too much work to keep running! Sure, they are the king of cars, new and old, but you must have VERY VERY deep pockets to keep them in pristine condition. And I would highly recomend, if you do decided to go through with the V12, DON'T get the 1992! This was the first year Mercedes ever had a V12 engine and it still had a lot of bugs to be worked out. By 1996, it was pretty reliable and stable. Not to mention, the 96 has the 5 speed tranny.
Best of luck in whatever you choose. If it were me, I'd go with a 97, 98, or 99 S500. They are the best over all, at least in my opinion! [:D]