Student Shedding: My W140 S-Class.
Discussion
So; have taken a plunge into the unknown, and snapped up a rather lovely old S280.
It has had one previous owner, and covered 67,000 Miles. The plan is to use it as a gunbus for my University Sport Team, and for general M6 cruising duty. For those of you with sharp memories; worry not the Mini is not leaving me!
Lord, is this a different prospect to that car though. The idea is that it should also take some of the strain out of daily driver point duty from the red one, also allowing me to work on one car at a time without being stuck for transport! Some PH man maths, I know.
Side by side it is hard to believe that both of these cars were built in 1996-7, with the Benz feeling rather 80s in all its blocky glory, and the Mini obviously more at home in 60s nostalgia-land.
Drove it down to Cheshire from Newcastle on the afternoon of purchase; what an indulgently comfortable way to travel. Note to all modern manufacturers: cushy seats, tyres with a proper sidewall and properly set up springs and dampers are the way forwards... it doesn't matter how clever your adaptive springs are, the old ways will always win the day if ride comfort is the end goal... have spent too much time in 22in-shod W221s/F01s etc and they could all still learn from this!
The barge is also wonderfully matronly in the way it carved through Manchester ring road rushour traffic... few cars make people move over more than a W140, as the harsh lines ensure that it looks brutalist enough to crush a modern composite bumper without so much as a
in the paint (whether it can or not is another matter!) If the old American Embassy on Grosvenor Square had a tax disc this would be it.
There were (as ever) one or two annoying niggles when I picked up the car, but all were happily very simple to fix. Central Locking failure was simply a matter of a fuse and a new battery for the remote; and a missing radio code was traced thanks to the lovely people at Mercedes Benz Newcastle, who had sold and serviced the car from new. I'm uncertain at the moment if the soft-closing door system has failed, or if it was ever installed at all, as this is a fairly standard spec S280. No doubt I'll find out when I have some more time to strip the boot down... but other than this it all works a treat. Oh, apart from the dashboard bulbs. I can see where this is going!
More updates to follow, but first some pictures
. All told, not bad for less than half the purchase cost of my last laptop...
It has had one previous owner, and covered 67,000 Miles. The plan is to use it as a gunbus for my University Sport Team, and for general M6 cruising duty. For those of you with sharp memories; worry not the Mini is not leaving me!
Lord, is this a different prospect to that car though. The idea is that it should also take some of the strain out of daily driver point duty from the red one, also allowing me to work on one car at a time without being stuck for transport! Some PH man maths, I know.
Side by side it is hard to believe that both of these cars were built in 1996-7, with the Benz feeling rather 80s in all its blocky glory, and the Mini obviously more at home in 60s nostalgia-land.
Drove it down to Cheshire from Newcastle on the afternoon of purchase; what an indulgently comfortable way to travel. Note to all modern manufacturers: cushy seats, tyres with a proper sidewall and properly set up springs and dampers are the way forwards... it doesn't matter how clever your adaptive springs are, the old ways will always win the day if ride comfort is the end goal... have spent too much time in 22in-shod W221s/F01s etc and they could all still learn from this!
The barge is also wonderfully matronly in the way it carved through Manchester ring road rushour traffic... few cars make people move over more than a W140, as the harsh lines ensure that it looks brutalist enough to crush a modern composite bumper without so much as a
in the paint (whether it can or not is another matter!) If the old American Embassy on Grosvenor Square had a tax disc this would be it. There were (as ever) one or two annoying niggles when I picked up the car, but all were happily very simple to fix. Central Locking failure was simply a matter of a fuse and a new battery for the remote; and a missing radio code was traced thanks to the lovely people at Mercedes Benz Newcastle, who had sold and serviced the car from new. I'm uncertain at the moment if the soft-closing door system has failed, or if it was ever installed at all, as this is a fairly standard spec S280. No doubt I'll find out when I have some more time to strip the boot down... but other than this it all works a treat. Oh, apart from the dashboard bulbs. I can see where this is going!
More updates to follow, but first some pictures
. All told, not bad for less than half the purchase cost of my last laptop...Edited by ajmcampbell on Tuesday 16th June 15:07
|http://thumbsnap.com/qJd2F4Pq[/url]
That is a super looking car and, I suspect, one which will serve you well.
My best friend has run a w140 S420 for the last six years and it has proven extremely reliable, much more so than our various 124s. As observed on the other thread, the 140 has tremendous presence, refinement and interior quality. For my part, in these days of vulgar Chinese-oriented "luxury" cars, its body has also matured into a fine and elegant shape.
Anyway, the reason for posting is that I am in Newcastle, too. I find the main dealer to be very helpful. As with anything, it's about building a relationship and appreciating that there has to be something in it for them: they're not going to fix our cars at a loss. They are very keen to establish a good relationship with owners of older cars, though, and (rightly) see us ambassadors for their brand. And the parts department, while somewhat inefficient, is quite expert. You should also know about Phil Baister at Staithes Garage in Dunston. Not without considerable shortcomings, he is a genius at fixing cars of this vintage and staggeringly cheap. Finally, there is a very well recommended Bosch garage at Forest Hall called West Moor Service Centre.
Good luck!
ETA: the soft close function was optional on S280 and S320 cars.
My best friend has run a w140 S420 for the last six years and it has proven extremely reliable, much more so than our various 124s. As observed on the other thread, the 140 has tremendous presence, refinement and interior quality. For my part, in these days of vulgar Chinese-oriented "luxury" cars, its body has also matured into a fine and elegant shape.
Anyway, the reason for posting is that I am in Newcastle, too. I find the main dealer to be very helpful. As with anything, it's about building a relationship and appreciating that there has to be something in it for them: they're not going to fix our cars at a loss. They are very keen to establish a good relationship with owners of older cars, though, and (rightly) see us ambassadors for their brand. And the parts department, while somewhat inefficient, is quite expert. You should also know about Phil Baister at Staithes Garage in Dunston. Not without considerable shortcomings, he is a genius at fixing cars of this vintage and staggeringly cheap. Finally, there is a very well recommended Bosch garage at Forest Hall called West Moor Service Centre.
Good luck!
ETA: the soft close function was optional on S280 and S320 cars.
Edited by r129sl on Sunday 31st May 09:32
r129sl said:
That is a super looking car and, I suspect, one which will serve you well.
My best friend has run a w140 S420 for the last six years and it has proven extremely reliable, much more so than our various 124s. As observed on the other thread, the 140 has tremendous presence, refinement and interior quality. For my part, in these days of vulgar Chinese-oriented "luxury" cars, its body has also matured into a fine and elegant shape.
Anyway, the reason for posting is that I am in Newcastle, too. I find the main dealer to be very helpful. As with anything, it's about building a relationship and appreciating that there has to be something in it for them: they're not going to fix our cars at a loss. They are very keen to establish a good relationship with owners of older cars, though, and (rightly) see us ambassadors for their brand. And the parts department, while somewhat inefficient, is quite expert. You should also know about Phil Baister at Staithes Garage in Dunston. Not without considerable shortcomings, he is a genius at fixing cars of this vintage and staggeringly cheap. Finally, there is a very well recommended Bosch garage at Forest Hall called West Moor Service Centre.
Good luck!
ETA: the soft close function was optional on S280 and S320 cars.
Interesting that your W140 has been more reliable than a W124... for all their fabled image I'd take a presentable W140 over a raggy W124 any day... and you can at current prices! Great to hear that you've found the Newcastle dealer good too; sadly I'm based in Edinburgh or Cheshire most of the time so may have to brave my arm with Western Mercedes or Inchcape in Chester! Still curious about how much info Newcastle have on the car though, as the chap I spoke too recognised the car by plate!My best friend has run a w140 S420 for the last six years and it has proven extremely reliable, much more so than our various 124s. As observed on the other thread, the 140 has tremendous presence, refinement and interior quality. For my part, in these days of vulgar Chinese-oriented "luxury" cars, its body has also matured into a fine and elegant shape.
Anyway, the reason for posting is that I am in Newcastle, too. I find the main dealer to be very helpful. As with anything, it's about building a relationship and appreciating that there has to be something in it for them: they're not going to fix our cars at a loss. They are very keen to establish a good relationship with owners of older cars, though, and (rightly) see us ambassadors for their brand. And the parts department, while somewhat inefficient, is quite expert. You should also know about Phil Baister at Staithes Garage in Dunston. Not without considerable shortcomings, he is a genius at fixing cars of this vintage and staggeringly cheap. Finally, there is a very well recommended Bosch garage at Forest Hall called West Moor Service Centre.
Good luck!
ETA: the soft close function was optional on S280 and S320 cars.
Edited by r129sl on Sunday 31st May 09:32
LukeST said:
Love the old Merc's, I look forward to reading more!
Enjoy!
Thanks, indeed I shall! Enjoy!
Andy665 said:
Very nice, an S Class of that era is an itch I would love to scratch one day
On the basis of the past few days I can only suggest you take the plunge #wafttastic Cracking car. Read a review when I was a kid on the S280 and they said the engine was not underpowered and moved the big benz well nd was surprisingly agile for such a large car. Your looking the best part of 55k in todays money for that. The silver suits 100% it as it looks to big and brutish in black. Good luck (from a c126 owner)
gvij said:
Cracking car. Read a review when I was a kid on the S280 and they said the engine was not underpowered and moved the big benz well nd was surprisingly agile for such a large car. Your looking the best part of 55k in todays money for that. The silver suits 100% it as it looks to big and brutish in black. Good luck (from a c126 owner)
Find the 280 engine isn't nearly as bad as reputation suggests; you do feel it baulk a little at the weight when you floor it, but the engine is smooth as silk and doesn't feel like it's sweating too hard to get it up to speed IMO, which is perfectly adequate for a car like this. Reckon most criticism comes from the fact that folks are aware of how speedy this unit can be in the lighter bodyshells, and so vouch for the lazy 500 V8, which would have been completely uninsurable for me! The performance numbers are a wee bit sweeter than my old Mini, but obviously very different means of getting there. Feel it isn't much of a car to overtake in, but is adequate for cruising about!Usget said:
I think that is the politest way anyone has ever been called a .
. must admit this crossed my mind too! Good show sir!Disco You said:
I love it. How is the performance with that engine?
Performance is 'adequate' as the Rolls-Royce Folks used to say! Comparable stats to an old Silver Shadow actually, and feels very similar to that car to me in the way it drives!That does look to be a good one. My brother had an S320 somewhere back in the mists of time - on something like an R reg, but a blue-black colour. It didn't have soft close doors, so I doubt yours does either.
They are excellent motorway cars - smooth riding and quiet. I agree they are challenging things to park - they're huge!
I hope it is a good car for you.
They are excellent motorway cars - smooth riding and quiet. I agree they are challenging things to park - they're huge!
I hope it is a good car for you.
dbdb said:
That does look to be a good one. My brother had an S320 somewhere back in the mists of time - on something like an R reg, but a blue-black colour. It didn't have soft close doors, so I doubt yours does either.
They are excellent motorway cars - smooth riding and quiet. I agree they are challenging things to park - they're huge!
I hope it is a good car for you.
Thanks, I hope it's a good un too! Great motorway car, such a chilled place to be at 70+! They are excellent motorway cars - smooth riding and quiet. I agree they are challenging things to park - they're huge!
I hope it is a good car for you.
velocefica said:
If it was good enough for Princess Di then it's good enough for us plebs.
Avoid tunnels though
Haha indeed I shall; particularly eerie for me as I suffer from the phenomenon of "automatic 80s hair", and my friends say I end up having a Lady Di haircut when it gets too long!! Avoid tunnels though
0a said:
Or of more relevance - wear your seatbelt during high speed pap chases.
Will do, and it's not like I'll be able to shake them in this particular model, so will just have to take the heat!There is no better daily driver than an S Class, welcome to the club!
I have defected to the W220 for the last 3 years, i'm sure i'll be back sooner or later.
The central locking fuse may have popped if the pump was getting too hot and drawing too much juice so prepare yourself for potential replacement.
Soft closure is rare on the 6 cylinder cars.
The 16" 8 hole wheels you have are great, especially for ride comfort. If you ever consider a wheel upgrade, the ride is still mind blowingly good on the 18" 5 hole wheels fitted as standard to the facelift C140s. I think they really look the part and the big blocky style of the wheels compliments the shape of the body nicely.
I have defected to the W220 for the last 3 years, i'm sure i'll be back sooner or later.
The central locking fuse may have popped if the pump was getting too hot and drawing too much juice so prepare yourself for potential replacement.
Soft closure is rare on the 6 cylinder cars.
The 16" 8 hole wheels you have are great, especially for ride comfort. If you ever consider a wheel upgrade, the ride is still mind blowingly good on the 18" 5 hole wheels fitted as standard to the facelift C140s. I think they really look the part and the big blocky style of the wheels compliments the shape of the body nicely.
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