[jsb1990]

Well, crunch time has finally come. After several months of umming and ahhing (and realising the W140 is to be avoided LIKE THE PLAGUE) I am down to my final two choices. I have the money and am armed and ready to buy this week. It will either be a 1996 LS400 with 265,000km or a 1988 420SEL with 460,000km.

I know that is very high mileage, but if I understand these cars are perfectly useable as an every day car even at this mileage if all the work has been done? The engine and transmission have been fully rebuilt and it is immaculate condition-wise; absolutely no expense spared on it.

The Lexus likewise is immaculate. In many ways I see it as the more practical car but it lacks the soul of the W126. How reliable would a well-kept 420SEL be today? Is it likely to be an expensive car to maintain and upkeep? My gut instinct is to go with the Lexus, but deep down, I do want the three points...

J

 

[Steve420SEL]

I don't know about the Lexus, but I have owned an '88 420SEL for 10 years now, from 99K miles then to about 198K miles now. It's been a daily driver for the last 7 or 8 years. I guesstimate a spend of about $2000 per year average for service, which includes tires and maintenance. I get 18-20mpg with mixed city/highway driving, using mid-grade gas. Get 23-24mpg on long highway trips at 70-80mph.

 

[MT_Merc]

You should be able to get the 420 for substantially cheaper, so be careful of overpaying. It's not that it's a bad choice per se, but given how undervalued the market is for these cars it pays to be choosy and take your time. These cars can go a long time, but no car is going to last forever, and especially with that kind of mileage you need to have an immaculate service record and have it checked over. In general, these cars tend to require a little more maintenance than a good Japanese car, but they're also built heavier and will last longer if taken care of. Lexus/Toyota tend to be high quality, but built to a spec. They're good at cost engineering - Mercedes is still trying to figure that one out, which is why a Lexus was substantially cheaper when they came out, and also why Mercedes quality took a tail slide in the 90's when they started cutting costs. Anyway, I'd say that the 420 is a better car overall, but obviously I'm biased. I'll even grant that for someone who tends to drive a car until things start breaking and then unload it, the Lexus is probably a better choice. There's a reason we tend to be fanatical about these cars, but that doesn't mean they're a great choice for everyone.

 

[GreenT]

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You are looking at two old vehicles, both with unknown history, one with almost double the mileage.

Caveat emptor


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[Firewater]

Hmm. Don't ever remember anyone remarking that the Lexus was "bulletproof" or "best made" or "classic" or "tank".

 

[maximapitko]

The lExus is a better buy for so many reasons for the average owner. I would go for the w126 but I can do everything it needs myself and have access to discounted oem parts.

 

[ch.1953]

The 420SEL is a great car. Just make sure the upper left guide rail and timing chain have been done.

As for the W140 to be avoided like the plague, well, not if you buy a 96 - 99 W140. I did and it has been bulletproof. Never went wrong. There are weak points on the W140 (like there are on the w126) but you have to know what to look for - on a W140 - transmission past 150k, AC evaporator (unless you get a 99), vacuum assist on the doors and trunk, rear suspension if it is SLS (easily replaced with stock) and window regulators go out often.

If you get familiar with the forum I would go for a 126 but watch out of that guide rail.

Lexus isn't really in the same league, like having sex with your socks on - but if that is all you can afford time or money wise, its better than nothing...

If you want the W126, get a PPI done on it. Always money well spent...

 

[tusabes]

If you can't work on the car yourself or aren't prepared to spend $1000+ per year on maintenance and repair , don't get the Benz . These are old cars and will need regular work. If you can't do it yourself the $$$$ add up very fast

The Lexus is more likely to be trouble free and cost much less to keep running

 

[graftdesign]

I think the w126 has much more character than the Lexus. Of course I'm biased.

Agree that it will take about $1,000+ a year to maintain if you can DIY. Of course it's always likely it will need something major in the near future since it's high mileage car. Stuff breaks, get's brittle etc. on 25 year old cars and if you want to keep it mint looking/running it can get costly. I would most certainly do a PPI to realy understand the car you are buying. It will potentially save you thousands in the long run. Just because it looks immaculate and drives nice right now it doesn't mean it will tomorrow... or you might get lucky and get a few more trouble free years. That's why that PPI is so important. It's a good gauge to make a informed decision.

 

[POS]

Hmm. Don't ever remember anyone remarking that the Lexus was "bulletproof" or "best made" or "classic" or "tank".

The Lexus is bulletproof, very well made, a tank, but not a classic. I've owned two LS430s as commuters. Great cars - a modern interpretation of everything the w126 was. What you buy should depend on your circumstances.

 

[MT_Merc]

Remember, driving a Lexus is like sitting in a bath of warm wall-paper paste, reading a Jane Austen novel. Nobody really wants that. Listen to your heart.

 

[281lxm]

I don't own socks ....

 

[ch.1953]

^ My point exactly...!

 

[281lxm]

Lmao

 

[A.Cabral]

Both cars arent bad at all. My friend has a 1993 LS400 with every factory option and it has not had a single issue so far, but its bland and forgettable. On the other hand, my 1986 420SEL has been giving me issues with the front dome light and the radio and Ive only had it for 3 weeks. The 420SEL is much easier to work on though, and parts are a hell of alot cheaper than the Lexus. The added bonus of the Mercedes is that at an equal mileage to a first gen LS400 is that the Benz is worth half of what the Lexus is worth. The biggest issue I have found on the W126 is corrosion on the fuse box, which can be solved with copper fuses.

Any W126 turns heads way more than any Lexus and the 420SEL has ALOT more front and rear legroom, and has better visibility, and is easier to maintain. Really you should be choosing based on history, mileage, condition, and personal taste as opposed to which is better though, they are both amazingly well built cars and withstand the test of time well if taken care of, but the benz will always have more class.

Sorry for the wall of text...

 

[bondavi]

I owned a 1993 LS400, loved it, but so vanilla. +1 on POS comments, these cars do you well. But you're just sitting and driving.

So I replaced it w/ a W124 E420. The wow factor went up, but at the caveat of "some" back seat passenger comfort, and general looks from the outside. So what.

Flooring the M119 from 2k rpm, definitely NOT a Lexus LS400 in how it punches/moves.

 

[GreenT]

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Has anyone noticed the OP never came back?

And then... there's this....

To buy or not to buy a W140 S500/500SEL - HELP!

Looking at buying a 1988 560SEL

1992 500SEL or 1995 S500 - which one???

1996 S500 or S600?

Going to take the plunge

1988 560SEL or 1998 S500

1999 W220 S500

1996 S500 - do I/don't I?

1993 Mercedes S600 vs 1996 BMW 750iL

2003 MY2003 S500 questions​

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/search.php?searchid=9802289


Yes, we've been trolled.

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[jsb1990]

I bought the Lexus. Thanks guys.

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[tusabes]

Probably some 15 year old kid

Im surprised these people dont need advice about what to eat everyday

 

[bondavi]

You don't open a thread and close it slam shut with a simple sentence. It goes all to say you're one of those posers who wants all advice for nothing. Man up.