MrX123

The best luxury car ever made. Maybe the W126 was better, but that's debatable.

Whenever I can afford it, I will be buying a 99 Black S500 and be calling it a day.

Grand Edition if I can find one.

I really am obsessed; people are like, "You're gonna trade in your bad ass Acura for a 10-12 year old Mercedes?"

"Yep, if I can find the perfect one."

It's just that I realize that it won't cost nothing to drive it, like now lol.

People who say they are unreliable don't realize that in most cases it's that they're neglected...unlike our Acuras you have to pay big bucks to keep those running pristine, however it is easily a 300k car if you do.

I've been looking at Ebay at them for about a year and a half now...finally found one in Atlanta (3 hours away) and took a look...was not in condition advertised (imagine that!). At least, I wasn't ready to give up my TL for it.

Ideally, I'd want to keep my TL and buy the S500 and use the Benz as just something to keep in my garage and gawk over. Can't really swing that now...and I keep thinking that I'll never be able to find a "good" one, when that time comes.

Anyone else have experiences with this car? I already brought it up in another thread, so that's why I started this one.

When I was a kid my father's then co-workers, they had a fleet of 1997 S classes, from the 320 (which was surprisingly quick) all the way up to the 600. I was 15 and 16 at the time, and this was when they were brand spanking new, so imagine my drooling. They were all black on grey or black. I got to spend a considerable amount of time driving the 420 and 500. I could write for days about how awesome of a car that is.

I'd pick the 500 because the 600 would be a maintenance nightmare, and the 500 is nearly as bad-ass. It's good enough. A black one, I'd even get a personalized license place that says "500BENZ". P-I-M-P

Sorry if I'm rambling....bottom line is that was the ultimate ride....the last over-engineered Mercedes...and I will own one before I die.

d-townhakuzo

My dad used to own one...they are amazing.

nokiaman

You have me beat on the W140 obsession that's for sure. I've also been wanting one for a while but financially it doesn't make much sense...maintenance can be pretty hefty, however it was the more reliable car over the W220.

Top Gear:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbaDSgR7o3A

MrX123

Like I said, the W220 was a POS by comparison...at least the early ones. You couldn't give me a 2k S class. Time will tell about the W221. Haven't had much experience with those (unfortunately), but lemme tell you, the new 2010 with all the LED treatment and AMG package...I about wrecked the other day gawking at one. Lol.

nokiaman

Both the wife and I test drove an 07 with the AMG package when she was car shopping and it was very nice as well. Loaded with a lot of tech features. Best part was when we were stopped at a light and the night camera screen was on the dashboard and the teenagers in the car next to us were screaming and pointing. However it had high mileage 50k+ and was overpriced so we ended up with something else.


P.S It must be because I'm getting old but I miss the old school M-B features like the huge single wiper that was used on the 140 or better yet the super crazy hydraulic steering. There was no such thing as a 3-point turn in that car.

MrX123

On the W140 it was two wipers, but it was every bit as unconventional. They came up the opposite way as regulars. To get the drivers side clean first (another example of genius engineering). I remember that was the first car (I believe) with automatic wipers, and it sure was cool then. Granted, you can get it on a 30k car now, but you know.

MrX123

You know that a billion dollars went into the development of the W140 and it nearly bankrupted MB. It was criticized in it's time for it's size, being too heavy, etc., but all those attributes are exactly why I want it. Even though it's old, the car has tremendous road presence.

csmeance

you do know that you can pick up a car like an 745Li nearly fully loaded for about 20-30K now...

MrX123

Those just don't do it for me. They aren't hideous, but not beautiful either. All that iDrive mess, just not a fan of the Bangle 7.

Now the E38 was a fabulous car. My dad actually drove a '97 740iL at the time, and they even had a '97 750iL...I got to spend alot of time in those too. I remember I got to drive the 750 from Orlando to Miami (being 15 and just having acquired a learners permit)...my dad let me nail it a few times. The V-12 in that was unbelievable, too. Not fast by today's standards, but still, flooring a 100k+ V-12 BMW when you're 15?

And all these Benzes and Bimmers were all brand spanking new back then, with like 3k miles on the Odo. So it was quite a memory.

Anyway, I'm rambling. I just really want an S500 identical to the one I got to experience when I was a kid. I know that it won't be cheap, which is probably the reason I haven't gotten one yet. I"m gonna wait until I have more cheddar.

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Weren't the V12's the 760's?

MrX123

That was in the E65. (2002-08).

Costco

Yeah.... I wanted a W140 coupe too

I just really like the way they look, both sedan and coupe. I haven't driven one yet, but I was thinking about trying one out. Plus I've only heard good things about them (maintenance and maintenance costs aside)

mrmako

This S class does it for me. The W140 was a bit of a barge, and these have come down to "affordable" (if $30K is affordable)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-...t_37344wt_1167

mrmako

MrX123

Nice, but I'd always be wishing I had the 5.5L.

Also, I prefer the old SL. Check this one out: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...ht_4441wt_1165


That car makes me drool.

mrmako

I like those too. Especially the later model years with the projectors inside the big headlights..... I have a thing for retractable hard tops. And the Sl is a really nice piece. But as with all Mercs, it's the money after the sale that would bother me.

lazytik

My cousin's first car was a POS 318 something...he wrecked it going too fast in the rain around a corner. I'm not mad because no one taught him how to drive properly. His second car, however, is a 1995 S500. His dad bought it for $1700.

Yes, it needs a lot of work and definitely will never be in pristine condition (the kid is 18...) but I would still drive it. It's one of those cars which are legends from day 1. I love old Benzes and the W140 would definitely be in my stable!

TheMirror

Ha, that's interesting; I was researching these just the other day. They are good cars with a nice selection of engine choices. As noted above, the V-12s are a maintenance horror show and best avoided. IMO, the W126 has a far more classic look, but the W140 is far advanced over that older model.

The problem is it's a lot more complex too, and there were reliability problems. Just the other day I read about a little plastic T-fitting that can fail and dump all your car's coolant onto the road in about 60-90 seconds. Holey mackerel! The wiring looms disintegrate too, a common problem with period W124 E-Class cars as well. There are some other known issues, but that comes with the territory of an increasingly aged German car. The upside of that is new owners can be more prepared due to current owners headaches.

I'd like to have one someday, they are a pretty good deal....I'd hesitate to make one a DD though.

The dastardly T-fitting link

W140 knowledge base link

myron

iTrader: (4)

my friend has a 96 W140 and he loves it. I have always liked S class as well

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

V:

The "750" is a Bimmer. The 750's didn't come with a V12, the 760's did. The E65 isn't a Bimmer, it's a MB.

Sclass88

See my username if you want to talk about obsession. I've been crazy about the W140 since I was 10 years old. I'd trade my beloved TSX for one anyday without any reservations. That is my ultimate dream car and if you ask me why, I have no good reason other than the fact that I love it. Great taste!

TheMirror

Fail.

Costco

phee

iTrader: (5)

i love how all the features are avalable on the last gen RL. (well, most of them)

MrX123

He'll definitely be safe now! The W140 is the epitome of the word "tank."

And yeah guys, the reason why I don't have one is b/c of the potential cost. I'm not at a point in my life right now where I can swing that. Like I said though, I have this fear that I won't be able to find a good one when that time comes.

As far as using it as a DD, I see plenty of them on the road daily...I even see several W126s almost every day. There's an old man in my neighborhood who has a pristine '83 500SEL. It's beautiful.

MrX123

x2

csmeance

740 IL and 750IL were the Old E38
the 740 had a v8, 750 had a v12, made until 2001 MY

745LI , 750 LI and 760Li are the E65/66
745 had v8, made from 2002-2005 MY
750 had v8, made from 2006-20008MY
760 had v12, made from 2003-20008MY

750Li and 760 LI F01/02
750 has TT V8
760 has TT v12

ALL BMW's not MB's

achenator

I had an 87 300e- great car
I remember when in the mid 80's my aunt got a new 560sec. Was like 65k. Insane money back then lol.