RE: SOTW: Mercedes S-class (W140)
Discussion
pSyCoSiS said:
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!
These cars are very expensive to run and maintain.
They don't go wrong often, but, when they do go wrong, parts can be expensive, as they are not as commonly available.
And, suspension components, brakes, etc, are pretty big on this car. Everything is!
They need the correct Mobil 1 oil for servicing, decent spark plugs, etc.
But, if you get a sorted one, you'll have many happy years of trouble-free motoring.
They never give away the mileage they have done. The engines are bullet proof, and will outlive the bodywork.
They don't go wrong often, but, when they do go wrong, parts can be expensive, as they are not as commonly available.
And, suspension components, brakes, etc, are pretty big on this car. Everything is!
They need the correct Mobil 1 oil for servicing, decent spark plugs, etc.
But, if you get a sorted one, you'll have many happy years of trouble-free motoring.
They never give away the mileage they have done. The engines are bullet proof, and will outlive the bodywork.
pSyCoSiS said:
Do it mate. Or, keep the Panda and you can put it in the boot of the W140 !!!
I think my wife would have issues with the size of the W140 - she is American so it used to big cars on wide roads but would hate trying to pilot that barge on narrow UK roads. Shame...If my daily commute wasn't so long I would snap that up - but I just shudder to think how much the fuel costs would be.
Bertie W
BertieWooster said:
I think my wife would have issues with the size of the W140 - she is American so it used to big cars on wide roads but would hate trying to pilot that barge on narrow UK roads. Shame...
If my daily commute wasn't so long I would snap that up - but I just shudder to think how much the fuel costs would be.
Bertie W
Show up in the S-class and expect an instant promotion If my daily commute wasn't so long I would snap that up - but I just shudder to think how much the fuel costs would be.
Bertie W
ITech said:
Interesting points. I've owned both also and could never decide which I liked best. Perhaps you have persuaded me, the w140 does handle slightly better. I always felt the w126 would be more reliable (having less electrical gizmos), but as it turned out, I didn't really have any issues with either car. Ok, yes, w140 is better, I liked my e38 740i even more though.
I agree the E38 probably has a slighlty better chassis. But, it has nowhere near the oppulence of the W140.You can tell the W140 was the more expensive car.
Even E38s represent astounding value for money these days. They are built properly.
pSyCoSiS said:
These cars are very expensive to run and maintain.
They don't go wrong often, but, when they do go wrong, parts can be expensive, as they are not as commonly available.
And, suspension components, brakes, etc, are pretty big on this car. Everything is!
Not always true, they can be very cost effective to run, if you buy and run it wisely and have the skills and tools to do all maintenance work on it yourself. They don't go wrong often, but, when they do go wrong, parts can be expensive, as they are not as commonly available.
And, suspension components, brakes, etc, are pretty big on this car. Everything is!
Ok, fuel is gonna be costly if you do a lot of miles in it, but aside from that, they really should not cost more to run than any other car, if you follow 3 rules.
1. Buy a well maintained one, mileage is un-important, condition and previous servicing is everything.
2. Then do preventative maintenance, such as, regular oil and coolant changes, changing ATF, rust proofing, etc. Keep an eye on everything and maintain it very carefully.
3. Source OEM parts from either Ebay or ECP.
If a component goes wrong you can find a good 2nd hand replacement easily on Ebay, these cars are always being broken. If you need consumables like brake discs or pads, they are cheap from ECP or GSF. Insurance and road tax is cheap and depreciation is now non-existent, so we are only left with the cost of petrol. As long as you are not doing big miles, there is actually not much cheaper to run that one of these!
Ecurie Ecosse said:
The business. My Dad used to have one.
With regards to the article, are you sure dual-zone climate was standard? I think air con was standard and climate was an option, apart from on the S500 and S600.
IIRC, they all had dual zone climate control.With regards to the article, are you sure dual-zone climate was standard? I think air con was standard and climate was an option, apart from on the S500 and S600.
The Series 1 models (like my old 400 SEL) had the dials you moved up and down, but the display was digital.
The Series 2 models have the buttons on the climate control unit.
My old fella has one that is around this age although only 80k and has owned it for 12 years now. Its probably not worth that much but wafts him along as good as anything out there for less than 100 grand, Big & roomy and handles quite nicely for a big old girl and is not as slow as you think especially onece your up to speed, You do miss the low down V8 deep chested sound but the 6 cylinder'd snarl aint too bad if you're heavy with the right foot but obviously not as nice as the 500.
Budget for repairs but in the scheme of things my old mans has been really reliable over the years, Obviously wearable items like brakes and tyres cost big but give it a good check and you've got a great car for bugger all money. A very very worthy SOTW.
Budget for repairs but in the scheme of things my old mans has been really reliable over the years, Obviously wearable items like brakes and tyres cost big but give it a good check and you've got a great car for bugger all money. A very very worthy SOTW.
pSyCoSiS said:
I agree the E38 probably has a slighlty better chassis. But, it has nowhere near the oppulence of the W140.
My e38 740i had a built in colour TV, phone and 12 way electrically adjustable front seats, so seemed even more opulent than the s320! You can probably get a w140 with all that as well though.I think we have similar (good) taste in cars lol!
TonyHetherington said:
What sort of money are you talking to run something like this? Garlick's Lexus is right up my street too, but you just have to look at some of the costs he's had recently to realise that a £1000 barge very quickly is £5000.
I suppose it all comes down to what you want from it; if you wanted to sink £900 into it, run it until it fails catastrophically (unlikely mechanically, probable financially) then eBay it with no reserve, then you would just have your normal costs. Fuel, tax, insurance. Who is to say whether that tipping point would be in a week, or a year. Alternative is, you buy one that is cheap, but the niggles annoy you to the point where you start chasing faults / fixing everything. That, in my opinion, is when a £1k can become £5k.
I had a W124 Merc that was a total shed. I could easily have spent on it, sorting clunks / rattles rust etc, but just left it as was. Think it was £600 buy, ran til MOT died, 10k miles later it eBayed for spares for £420. Repeat.
ITech said:
Not always true, they can be very cost effective to run, if you buy and run it wisely and have the skills and tools to do all maintenance work on it yourself.
Ok, fuel is gonna be costly if you do a lot of miles in it, but aside from that, they really should not cost more to run than any other car, if you follow 3 rules.
1. Buy a well maintained one, mileage is un-important, condition and previous servicing is everything.
2. Then do preventative maintenance, such as, regular oil and coolant changes, changing ATF, rust proofing, etc. Keep an eye on everything and maintain it very carefully.
3. Source OEM parts from either Ebay or ECP.
If a component goes wrong you can find a good 2nd hand replacement easily on Ebay, these cars are always being broken. If you need consumables like brake discs or pads, they are cheap from ECP or GSF. Insurance and road tax is cheap and depreciation is now non-existent, so we are only left with the cost of petrol. As long as you are not doing big miles, there is actually not much cheaper to run that one of these!
Good point, totally agree.Ok, fuel is gonna be costly if you do a lot of miles in it, but aside from that, they really should not cost more to run than any other car, if you follow 3 rules.
1. Buy a well maintained one, mileage is un-important, condition and previous servicing is everything.
2. Then do preventative maintenance, such as, regular oil and coolant changes, changing ATF, rust proofing, etc. Keep an eye on everything and maintain it very carefully.
3. Source OEM parts from either Ebay or ECP.
If a component goes wrong you can find a good 2nd hand replacement easily on Ebay, these cars are always being broken. If you need consumables like brake discs or pads, they are cheap from ECP or GSF. Insurance and road tax is cheap and depreciation is now non-existent, so we are only left with the cost of petrol. As long as you are not doing big miles, there is actually not much cheaper to run that one of these!
I think their legacy, size and fuel puts most people off.
But, plenty of sources to get parts from.
Although, I did struggle to find a decent set of wings when I needed a set!
TonyHetherington said:
What sort of money are you talking to run something like this? Garlick's Lexus is right up my street too, but you just have to look at some of the costs he's had recently to realise that a £1000 barge very quickly is £5000.
Funnily enough, the same bits seem to wear on W140's as they do on LS400's and need replacing about the same time.About 140-150k miles W140's need a front suspension overhaul otherwise they tend to go all wobbly under braking and acceleration - usually about 50-60mph.
J4CKO said:
Imagine what you could get for 2 grand....
A proper one:http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C235788
5.0litre V8 and no rusty arches.
ITech said:
My e38 740i had a built in colour TV, phone and 12 way electrically adjustable front seats, so seemed even more opulent than the s320! You can probably get a w140 with all that as well though.
I think we have similar (good) taste in cars lol!
And I think we both appreciate that they really don't make 'em like that anymore!I think we have similar (good) taste in cars lol!
Agreed with the TV point, not seen many W140s with the TVs built in.
But, for me, I would have an S Class over a 7 Series, for the prestige alone.
BMW prob will drive better, but, will still not have as much class (all in my personal opinion, of course!).
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