RE: SOTW: Mercedes S-class (W140)

RE: SOTW: Mercedes S-class (W140)

Author
Discussion

BadgerBill

274 posts

240 months

Friday 8th July 2011
quotequote all
Proper sheddage.

Perhaps only recently bettered by that retro SD1.

Good work.

BB

ZesPak

24,435 posts

197 months

Friday 8th July 2011
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sday12 said:
ZesPak said:
I always liked that weird reflector/plastic thing it's got going on in the back, esp on black ones.
What is that actually?
Tissue box holder?
Euh? I was talking about the plastic strip under the license plate.

TobesH

550 posts

208 months

Friday 8th July 2011
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Who would have thought in 1998 when these were new just a few years later you'd pay just £ 900 for one!!! Amazing for the money, great support car for Le Mans. T

theturbs

949 posts

237 months

Friday 8th July 2011
quotequote all

That is a brilliant SOTW. The best one in quite a while...

sday12

5,053 posts

212 months

Friday 8th July 2011
quotequote all
ZesPak said:
sday12 said:
ZesPak said:
I always liked that weird reflector/plastic thing it's got going on in the back, esp on black ones.
What is that actually?
Tissue box holder?
Euh? I was talking about the plastic strip under the license plate.
Er...Whoosh Parrot?

Goodfella 555

199 posts

169 months

Friday 8th July 2011
quotequote all
Great shed, for similar age and money i've always preferred (and owned) the 7 series only because i think the dash really let these Mercs down. I am nitpicking though, £900 fantastic shed!

Lets Torque

10,974 posts

158 months

Friday 8th July 2011
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The best SOTW in a while! thumbup

£900 is a bargain!

ninos

65 posts

206 months

Friday 8th July 2011
quotequote all
Nice shed, stick a nice set of AMG rims (Euro style or 19's), tint the windows, give it a good clean/polish and service and bob's your uncle. You will run this for many years without issue. The engine will go forever if you look after it, in fact the bodywork will go long before you have any mechanical issues. Great bargain for what you're getting, shame it's not blue or black.

I wonder what the equivalent BMW would cost these days and if it’s as good?

ITech

111 posts

155 months

Friday 8th July 2011
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ninos said:
I wonder what the equivalent BMW would cost these days and if it’s as good?
The equivalent BMW is the e38 7-series which can be bought for similar money, although, like for like, nice ones generally seem to be around £500 more than the Merc.

For me, the 7 is the one to have, because it has the edge on handling and imo looks a bit more stylish. But, either is a great great car. The Merc doesn't tend to suffer overheating issues that the 7 can do though, if it has not been properly maintained.

Mermaid

21,492 posts

172 months

Friday 8th July 2011
quotequote all
Lets Torque said:
The best SOTW in a while! thumbup

£900 is a bargain!
I am sure Garlick is raring to go.

ninos

65 posts

206 months

Friday 8th July 2011
quotequote all
ITech said:
The equivalent BMW is the e38 7-series which can be bought for similar money, although, like for like, nice ones generally seem to be around £500 more than the Merc.

For me, the 7 is the one to have, because it has the edge on handling and imo looks a bit more stylish. But, either is a great great car. The Merc doesn't tend to suffer overheating issues that the 7 can do though, if it has not been properly maintained.
Hey that's not bad at all. I agree, the 7 series is a much more attractive looking barge compared to the mercs squarish looks but I would be happy with either.

xxplod

2,269 posts

245 months

Friday 8th July 2011
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I remember having a drive of one years ago when it was a new car. £900 is just crazy money. A Merc dealer would want more for any ancillary part.

If I had the room (and if Mrs XXPLOD wouldn't kill me) I could be tempted!

pSyCoSiS

3,601 posts

206 months

Friday 8th July 2011
quotequote all
The best SOTW - EVER !!!!

I am biased, as I own one. Albeit, an S500 L. Azurite Blue. W221 S500 18" alloys.

Barges DO NOT get any bigger, classier and better-built than these.

I love all big luxo-barges. I have had most varieties of them. Jags, E32 7 Series, E38 7 Series. But the sheer oppulence and size of these puts them all to shame.

When you turn up in one, people know you have arrived.

The W140 was always one of my dream cars as a kid, and, many years later, when I got the chance to buy one, I bought one in a heartbeat. I have had two W126 500 SELs - this car is WAY better to drive and to be driven in. Also had the Series 1 model W140 400 SEL. They seemed to be slightly better built than the later models, and don't tend to rust as much.

To this day, I don't think there is much out there that has that sort of presence and pedigree.

Yes, the arches on mine were rotting through - common problem. I had the arches sorted, had the bonnet, wings, front and rear bumper resprayed, and used it as my Wedding car!

Still have it, and something I don't EVER want to part with.

Love the double glazing, soft closing doors and boot, and the little chrome handle which pops out when you open the boot.

And, this thing does shift! 322 bhp, ina growling V8, always puts a smile on my face. Fuel consumption is high, however, point to note is that on a motorway run, this thing was better on fuel then my Dad's old X308 Jag XJ8 3.2!

mark1970

102 posts

178 months

Friday 8th July 2011
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Love the double glazed windows.


If they ever need replacing then you pay for the nearside and get the offside FREE!!!

pSyCoSiS

3,601 posts

206 months

Friday 8th July 2011
quotequote all
ITech said:
I can never decide if I prefer the older, perhaps classier w126 or the more luxurious w140. But, either way, the S-Class is awesome and for only the price of a decent mountain bike! Classic insurance too :-)
Having owned both, I personally think the W140 is the better model to go for.

More room in them, they drive and handle alot better. Quicker, and slightly better on fuel too. Look huge compared to the 126.

The W126 is a timeless classic, and do feel very special.

But, W140 all day long!

angusc43

11,493 posts

209 months

Friday 8th July 2011
quotequote all
ninos said:
Nice shed, stick a nice set of AMG rims on (Euro style or 19's)
Totally agree. There's one near me on staggered AMG's and they fill out the arches nicely - the car must have been designed around them as without them they can look a little under-wheeled.

Great shedding.



EarlOfHazard

3,603 posts

159 months

Friday 8th July 2011
quotequote all
In experience with these cars, I'd that a full service history (which this has) is a must. Only because they hide their mileage so well.
And this car has been sale for quite a while as I noticed it a few weeks ago on PH.

Edited by EarlOfHazard on Friday 8th July 10:15

Dr S

4,997 posts

227 months

Friday 8th July 2011
quotequote all
The W140 is an absolute classic. The last big Merc designed and built by anoraks instead of accountants.

BertieWooster

3,295 posts

165 months

Friday 8th July 2011
quotequote all
Want!! In my opinion these are one of the best cars ever made - they have such a fantastic aura about them. I just love the angles and sheer presence they have.

I wonder if I could persuade my wife that she wants to get rid of her Panda and have this instead...

Bertie W

pSyCoSiS

3,601 posts

206 months

Friday 8th July 2011
quotequote all
BertieWooster said:
Want!! In my opinion these are one of the best cars ever made - they have such a fantastic aura about them. I just love the angles and sheer presence they have.

I wonder if I could persuade my wife that she wants to get rid of her Panda and have this instead...

Bertie W
Do it mate. Or, keep the Panda and you can put it in the boot of the W140 !!!