1999 s600

 

1999 - much less ever goes wrong. No distributor caps.

 

There's a perceptable difference in build quality between earlier cars and later cars. Modest, yes, but perceptable nonetheless.

 

1992-94 Small V8 models - 400 SE/SEL and the S420. No ASR, no VSA, no electronic 5 speed transmission, no side airbags, no auto level rear suspension, no sonar parking sensors, no sealed torque converter, no xenon lights, no analog phone. Not much to go wrong. Plus the engines with cap and rotor were stronger. The later year engines used lighter weight internals for better mpg. Same with transmissions.

 

I second this notion. Today I was parting out the 93 400 SEL and noticed the hugeeeee difference in insulation as well. The 93 has a 3cm foam in the doors while the 97 has a 1cm foam inside. 93's foam was heavy, dense , and very sound absorbant, the 97 not so much. I wish I could get a 93 coupe with 97's stereo, 99's sensors, xenons, and transmission. It would be perfect at that point.

 

now if talking about turbocharging a mm104 the early engine had piston squirters

 

The 1999 CL500 simply because it's the year of my W140. At the time I was buying I was looking specifically for the eight cylinder coupe and my trusted long time Mercedes mechanics suggested the '99 as the best example.

I hope to keep it for a long time and to keep it in pristine condition as it deserves.

Stryker- Your love and admiration for the W140s is certainly noticed and appreciated.

 

someday i want to get a 99 cl

 

Best w140

My first w140 was and still is a 1995 S 500 coupe. I feel like a king driving it. Replaced the wiring harness at 55,000 miles and the usual tuneups. Evaporator is OK but it is hard on gas. Used only in summer

 

Thanks, TankNoir. Nothing makes you appreciate something until you no longer have it.

Paradise found.

Paradise lost.

Paradise found again makes it that much sweeter.

And while the w140 is ONLY a car, finding something that is what you have always been looking for is very satisfying. And it took me 'losing' it to realize that I had found the 'perfect car' for me and my perception of personal motor transportation.

Some things about the w140 resonate with me. They are:

1. The car was built around it's chief designer, a man 6'3'. I'm 6'3', so the car fits me perfectly.
2. The intent of the engineers of the w140 body was to have it compete with Rolls Royce and Bentley.
3. These cars, at their present price points, represents incredible value given that these cars sold for the equivalent of $225k+ in today's dollars. I have always been a value-buyer of whatever I endeavor to own.
4. I find the overall design of these cars, both the sedan and the coupe, are tasteful and conservative, which resonates with me. Unlike other designs from the same era, the w140 has a timeless, classic look that will wear well as time goes on.
5. The fact that MB has a policy of continuing to stock and support every part for every car they ever made, I feel investing in the care and maintenance of these cars is a worthy endeavor that will never go obsolete, as long as gasoline is available and 12-cylinder cars aren't outlawed down the line. And if that ever happens, they will make wonderful lawn ornaments.

Any questions?

 

5. The fact that MB has a policy of continuing to stock and support every part for every car they ever made, I feel investing in the care and maintenance of these cars is a worthy endeavor that will never go obsolete, as long as gasoline is available and 12-cylinder cars aren't outlawed down the line. And if that ever happens, they will make wonderful lawn ornaments.

Any questions?

I wish that were true of MB but I'm afraid they make parts nla on a regular basis.

 

I've owned 3 W140's from the early years--a '93SEL 500, a '95 S500 coupe and my current '94 S500 with 195k mileage.

Which is better and why? It's a matter of perception, but the '94 manufactured in July '93) is the best one in my opinion. The '95 coupe was ok, but didn't have the Teutonic image that I prefer. Easy enough to maintain, but the paint quality was inferior to pre-95's. I have read that Mercedes cut back on the paint bath in about '95 in order to cut costs since they were losing money on these W140 models.

The '93 500SEL was majestic enough but it had not been maintained as it should have been, but the person I sold it to renewed it professionally so it looks and drives like new.

The '94 S500 is my garage queen. Everything works as it should. Have all the records from 1998. Lots of proactive and predictive maintenance was done. The PO had a Starmark Warranty on the vehicle so things that didn't have to be done but would have to be done were done at a Mercedes dealership in Malibu, California. I estimate from the records that a minimum of $35,000.00 was spent on maintenance from '98-2007.
Simply invigorating to drive. The king of the road.

But my best Mercedes is my '89 190e 2.6--the little brother of the W140. Very easy to maintain, economical--a little tank. I use it to drive short distances like to the grocery store whereas the S500 is only used for a 26 mile round trip every early Saturday (or for a very special occasion)morning when I can really fly on the freeway.

I'm pushing 80 years of age, and I know that I will have to part with these vehicles in the foreseeable future, but I will feel good that I had the experience of driving and knowing about these remarkable vehicles (if they are maintained).

Just a few thoughts on your post Stryker.

 

I've owned 3 W140's from the early years--a '93SEL 500, a '95 S500 coupe and my current '94 S500 with 195k mileage. Which is better and why? It's a matter of perception, but the '94 manufactured in July '93) is the best one in my opinion. The '95 coupe was ok, but didn't have the Teutonic image that I prefer. Easy enough to maintain, but the paint quality was inferior to pre-95's. I have read that Mercedes cut back on the paint bath in about '95 in order to cut costs since they were losing money on these W140 models. The '93 500SEL was majestic enough but it had not been maintained as it should have been, but the person I sold it to renewed it professionally so it looks and drives like new. The '94 S500 is my garage queen. Everything works as it should. Have all the records from 1998. Lots of proactive and predictive maintenance was done. The PO had a Starmark Warranty on the vehicle so things that didn't have to be done but would have to be done were done at a Mercedes dealership in Malibu, California. I estimate from the records that a minimum of $35,000.00 was spent on maintenance from '98-2007. Simply invigorating to drive. The king of the road. But my best Mercedes is my '89 190e 2.6--the little brother of the W140. Very easy to maintain, economical--a little tank. I use it to drive short distances like to the grocery store whereas the S500 is only used for a 26 mile round trip every early Saturday (or for a very special occasion)morning when I can really fly on the freeway. I'm pushing 80 years of age, and I know that I will have to part with these vehicles in the foreseeable future, but I will feel good that I had the experience of driving and knowing about these remarkable vehicles (if they are maintained). Just a few thoughts on your post Stryker.

Can i buy one when that time comes for you to part........

 

DCA - pushing 80?

No way man, you sound 35 every time I speak to you Mr. Bond

And of interest perhaps, I corresponded with one of the people responsible for the 140 in Germany. He always told me the best 140 ever made - the 1994 S420.

If I could have my druthers, a 99 CL600 - but I'll keep my M119....

 

Probably for the reasons I mentioned. Of course I am partial, I own a 1994 S420.

 

Thanks Richard, but I don't know if old age is a curse or a blessing. I think one of the blessings though is being able to drive a big black Mercedes.

 

1993 600SEL... Just the name of the Lettering sounds just so great. Love that Two-tone also, some people think it makes the car look older but it just looks great on the W140, W124, and W126.

 

No single year fully satisfies me, but they are all good enough and a pristine example of anything would be a pleasure to own.

A 94 LWB S320 with the HFM engine and lots of options (like 4 place seating but not the fax/phone), plus the ESP and side airbags from later models and no sunroof would probably be my ideal for a daily driver.

 

To IanRandom: yes,occasionally MB will be out of stock on a certain part, but keep the order active and you will get the part. If MB is depleted on a certain part, such as replacement wiring harnesses, they will commit to restocking that part. It may take some time, the part will not be cheap, but they will make it.

You can also converse with the MB Classic Centers in either Stuttgart or Irvine, CA. They also have access to parts, especially obscure parts or color-coded parts like interior trim bits.

They will make every part for every car they ever made. MB takes great pride in their heritage, something no other car company does.

 

Thanks, I might have to try that. I've got nla from the dealer quite a lot lately. Today they said there are 19 ecu units for me old 126 left and once they are gone that'll be it.

Sorry for the slight hijack, I'm often intrigued by your 140's and this thread caught my eye. 600 must be quite a drive

 

I like the later models, post '95 without the problematic wiring harness. I looked a long time before I purchased a 98 S320 LWB. I have owned it a year, and the previous owner (whom I know) had just done the head gasket and the door closing pump, and I knew it was in good condition. Now at 140,000 miles I plan to keep on driving it for quite a while. I get compliments all the time on the quality of the ride! Imagine that in any other 15 year old car.

 

Ive owned 2 W140s so far. For some reason my then 93 300SE was a lot more quiet than my now 95 600.

This is more noticeable when going up a driveway at an angle. Could it be the difference between the SWB and LWB?


I agree with Stryker - I like the earlier trim like the memory rear view and reverse rods. Although I hate that there is less storage on the center console of the 600 vs 320

 

I have read that MB keeps the sewing machines from the 1930's so they can recreate the exact stitch in the leather the interiors of the cars of that era had.

That sort of attention to their heritage tells me that MB is serious about keeping their cars not only on the road but in pristine condition.

When I visited the MB museum in Stuttgart, we wound up on a parking level that must have had 50-cars under individual car covers. When I looked over them, each had a little tag that identified them, and they were all various MB's restored by their classic center. Examples they showed on the showroom floor were absolutely mint, looking like they were just manufactured. Sure, they were selling for prices higher than their new production cars were selling for, but they were available and gorgeous!

So I reasoned the investment I make in my w140's was even more worthwhile, because the cars won't go obsolete.

This is something everyone here should understand, especially those 'on the bubble' whether to fix your w140 or not. If you're like me, and found the 'perfect car', the investment of time, talent, and treasure to keep these cars up is well worth it!

 

None of them!

Speaking with 20 years of dealership experience, the only time ANY were good years was brand new. Not to put a damper on anyone's preferences, but we don't like any of them and steer customers away from 140s.

 

Speaking with 20 years of dealership experience, the only time ANY were good years was brand new. Not to put a damper on anyone's preferences, but we don't like any of them and steer customers away from 140s.

How about early year 220's?

 

The above is a fascinating post! Most fascinating, indeed!

I would be interested to learn what supports that statement.

Thank you!

 

Early 220s do not have nearly the problems the 140s has(have). 113 engine is light years ahead of 104 and 119s, and the electrical systems seemed to have most of the bugs worked out. Just a better car all around, and still look good.

 

Ha Ha Ha. We all know when Chrysler merged together and cost cutting was at highest priority over best build at any cost, the later models show and prove their downfall. Engine studs blind drilled and sealant gobbed on for quick fix for the loose tolerances of the 3 valve head motors. Many 3rd party independent sources did not recommend the later years. Sure the techs love the new cars as they get paid for warranty work to REPLACE parts not fix items. The W140 is known as the last over engineered and built Mercedes-Benz model. I wouldn't touch a newer MB at all. Much much better quality and value is found just about anywhere ELSE. No wonder the techs at my MB dealer are divided. The newer techs come from other makes or are right out of tech institute school and the long time 20 plus year veterans only work on the older stuff as they still have pride in their work.

 

I was told by a man at the dealership that in 2015 mercedes is getting rid of Maybach and putting the technology back into Mercedes restoring Mercede's name. Also, the CL would be gotten rid of and be called the S Coupe again.

 

1998 Euro Spec S500 Long wheelbase is the best w140 out there if you can find. You wont have in the US. As being a son of former mercedes dealer in Europe, I had chance to drive, own and live in since my teenage hood. First one we got was 1991 w140 300 SEL. We had almost all the versions and enjoyed the 1998 S500. It was fully loaded which i mean really loaded with almost all the options from the order catalog. It had webasto with external remote control, rear divided seats with center console and back wood tables, road trip computer in the middle console on dashboard, mb nokia cell phone, front diplomatic flag mounts, nappa exlusive leather, side electric curtains, rear cooler inside the armrest, trunk cooler, rear independen AC, etc etc. Hopefully i can find some pictures of it and share with you guys. We sold it to the Ukranian guy after we put 60000 kms. That was one of the fully loaded mercedes vehicle i have ever seen. Datacard was almost full of numbers.


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I owned three W140, too, all 320ties, a 1993, 1995 and the last one 1998 when the W220 has been presented allready.
The first one seems to me the best one due I never had problems with the electronics which was the case with the other two.
Although the last one - being a stock car - was loaded most I paid almost 1 1/2 of the price from 1993. Downside of the 1996 has been beside electronic failure that the exhaust was gone after 50k miles already.
Later I learned that MB switched to water based paints in 1995 which provides less rust protection.
The W 220 has never been liked due his smaller interior space and the lack of the double glazed windows.
I would like to have one of the early coupes because the engine of the CL 600 is very much sensitive and repairs are almost twice of the 8 cylinder ones.
The bottom line: Newer doesn't mean better

 

As a retired tech, the 140 was a money pit and helped bankrupt several extended warranty companies. One could maintain three 126s for the cost of one 140. Between electrical issues, control arm bushings, leaking evaporators, window regulators, sunroof mechanisms an owner was lucky to get out with any bank account left. Although the 220 was not without it's glitches, it was far better than the 140. Sorry guys. The 320 was ok for it's simplicity. The CL for it's styling although I thought they all looked swollen.

 

I don't know how credible you are since you only have two posts, you may just be like OliverK... I think he recently made a new account also. A good majority of people say the W140 was superior than the W220 and that quality was a big problem on the W220. One other thing you forgot to mention is that the W140 cost 25% more than it's predecessor the W126 and Mercedes at the time (I think mid to late 80's) spent 1 Billion dollars on research and development in new technology and it shows and that should explain why it would cost more to maintain it than a W126 which is much more simple.

Go to the W220 forum right now and all you see is problem threads (People who are having problems), and the only thread I see where someone isn't having a problem is about someone getting snubbed for making a comment about a W221 owner who snubbed them... Come to the W140 thread and you see so many variations of topics and not close to the number of problem threads. The W140's are older yet there isn't as many problem threads on the first page, doesn't that mean something...

W220 S-Class - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

What kind of dumb thread is this :bash: ... http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220-s-class/1718740-newer-s-class-owner-snubbed-me.html