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]
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 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!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!tobinen said:
Looks like an excellent buy and good history too.
Thanks, it certainly is remarkably clean for the £!V12 AMG said:
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.
Ah right, will keep an eye on the central locking then! Did a cursory inspection of the pump and all looked fine; bit too complex for me though! 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.
It works now but the action is a little tired so suspect you may be right! Wheels are admittedly a little OAP, but prefer them to the nasty 6 spoke equivalents, and as you say the ride is fantastic! Bigger wheels look decent but worried about ruining ride and/or giving it an unwanted "baller on a budget" look :P ! May consider it though if some come up at the right price!
dbdb said:
Don't worry too much about developing Princess Diana hair with a W140 - she never owned one. The one she died in was owned by bald oligarch Mohammed al-Fayed.
dbdb said:
I don't think I'd want one with soft close doors. My brother bought a W220 S500 after the W140. The soft close doors gave him endless trouble.
It would not have made a good getaway car!
Haha you make a good point; sounds like I'll just be going bald then! Kinda works with the "bond villain" image of these old buses!It would not have made a good getaway car!
Yeah reckon it may be a blessing in disguise not having soft close, however a little surprised at how basic this particular S is... doesn't matter so much to me as gimmicks are mostly there to go wrong but there it is!
V12 AMG said:
Have had several W220s, all with soft closure. None of them have had a problem.
You also don't have to use it, just shut the door a little harder if you don't want it to activate.
It's brilliant when my arms are full of kids/shopping/stuff.
It would be nice to have, but don't think its the end of the world for me! You also don't have to use it, just shut the door a little harder if you don't want it to activate.
It's brilliant when my arms are full of kids/shopping/stuff.
Been out in it again today
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/hNjDJLNF.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/RO4qcaS9" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/RO4qcaS9.jpg)
aaaand so we've hit the inevitable W140 problem #1... failed rear window regulator. Have stripped down the door now skinning my knuckles trying to strip out the old unit. How on earth did MB think that those plastic cogs were acceptable for lifting a mountain of double glazing!? Also, the cables in the actuator have shredded themselves so will have to replace the whole unit 
As you can tell, you've caught me at a bad time. At least the parts are cheap!
As you can tell, you've caught me at a bad time. At least the parts are cheap!
So after much swearing and grunting have managed to extract the window regulator. Thankfully the motor and glass are fine; was a bit concerned due to the crunching noises it was making before failure but it transpires these were just the bobbin lunching the cable, which probably caused the cog to fail. I digress...
Next question is; how to fix it? Could replace whole unit, which would be easier but would risk gaining worn parts that caused the issue in the first place. Or I could buy a 'repair kit' with a new bobbin, cable, and cog for a fraction of the cost. Downside to that is unknown aftermarket quality and time spent re-threading the thing! Opinions would be appreciated. Here are some pics of the remains of the old regulator. Pics to follow.
Problem no2 is what to do with the glass in the meantime? At present it is sitting on the bottom of the door, relatively unsecured. Is there any way it can be secured in place in the window frame? (bearing in mind that it is very heavy compared to most car glass panes thanks to the double glazing etc)
Failing that, is it safe to drive with it unsecured at the bottom of the door?
Next question is; how to fix it? Could replace whole unit, which would be easier but would risk gaining worn parts that caused the issue in the first place. Or I could buy a 'repair kit' with a new bobbin, cable, and cog for a fraction of the cost. Downside to that is unknown aftermarket quality and time spent re-threading the thing! Opinions would be appreciated. Here are some pics of the remains of the old regulator. Pics to follow.
Problem no2 is what to do with the glass in the meantime? At present it is sitting on the bottom of the door, relatively unsecured. Is there any way it can be secured in place in the window frame? (bearing in mind that it is very heavy compared to most car glass panes thanks to the double glazing etc)
Failing that, is it safe to drive with it unsecured at the bottom of the door?
r129sl said:
With it being a rear window, I wouldn't be too concerned about the quality of its replacement. After all, the rear windows don't get that much use.
Feb Bilstein make aftermarket replacements which are available new for less than £50. This is about what used ones seem to go for on Ebay. I have never had any trouble with Febi parts although I wouldn't use them in absolutely critical applications.
Rear right (driver's side or offside) is Febi 26986. £46 odd here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FEBI-26986-Window-Lift-R...
Rear left (passenger or near side) is Febi 26996. £46 odd here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FEBI-26996-Window-Lift-L...
A genuine Merc replacement is £92. Used parts do not seem any cheaper—at least not on Ebay—than the Febi part.
I have bought parts from this seller before and not had any trouble.
Thanks R129, top tips and sorry I missed them! Feb Bilstein make aftermarket replacements which are available new for less than £50. This is about what used ones seem to go for on Ebay. I have never had any trouble with Febi parts although I wouldn't use them in absolutely critical applications.
Rear right (driver's side or offside) is Febi 26986. £46 odd here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FEBI-26986-Window-Lift-R...
Rear left (passenger or near side) is Febi 26996. £46 odd here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FEBI-26996-Window-Lift-L...
A genuine Merc replacement is £92. Used parts do not seem any cheaper—at least not on Ebay—than the Febi part.
I have bought parts from this seller before and not had any trouble.
Managed to snap up an OEM old stock one from ebay in the end for beer money; works a treat!
Am planning some fairly subtle upgrades to glam it up a bit, be interested to hear some thoughts...
- Mirror Polishing the alloys (some light scratching on them at present, may have been polished from factory but uncertain)
- a touch of Rear window tinting
- Navy Blue carpet mats to make the interior less grey/dull.
- painting the B-Pillars black to make back to OEM, some shotgun-style fading on them atm.
^^ the above may be a bit "Miami Vice" for some but reckon it would give the car a bit of required sparkle to make it less 'old man'!
Or should I leave it stock?
Along with these:
- A damn good valet, and some paint repairs to the odd bumper scuff/rust bubble here and there
- Waxoyling the undersides (better safe than sorry).
- seeing to a squealing and slightly binding front right caliper.
- taking care of a slight fuel leak at idle from the fuel filter
Should be good for improving on its mileage after the above; have already covered nearly 2k miles such is its cruising ability!
- Mirror Polishing the alloys (some light scratching on them at present, may have been polished from factory but uncertain)
- a touch of Rear window tinting
- Navy Blue carpet mats to make the interior less grey/dull.
- painting the B-Pillars black to make back to OEM, some shotgun-style fading on them atm.
^^ the above may be a bit "Miami Vice" for some but reckon it would give the car a bit of required sparkle to make it less 'old man'!
Or should I leave it stock?
Along with these:
- A damn good valet, and some paint repairs to the odd bumper scuff/rust bubble here and there
- Waxoyling the undersides (better safe than sorry).
- seeing to a squealing and slightly binding front right caliper.
- taking care of a slight fuel leak at idle from the fuel filter
Should be good for improving on its mileage after the above; have already covered nearly 2k miles such is its cruising ability!
PlayersNo6 said:
Lovely car OP. I certainly wouldn't tint the windows - you'll just make it look 'gangsta' like a lot of other W140s out there. I'd just re-furb the wheels as standard.
Thankyou! Yup that's partly my feeling as well; a very fine line to tread in terms of taste and I'm normally one for OEM all the way- I'm certainly not one for a W140 on 22s with everything blinged up to 100... just a matter of subtle cosmetic upgrades, remains to be seen how far I'll take it though! The pillars and mechanical repairs are first up before any more decisions made... still of the thinking that polished wheels similar to the below could smarten her up however!
Lagerlout said:
I've got those wheels on my S500.
Nice looking S600 with those in this sale! Not seen a W140 with a tan interior before...https://t.co/9EAVjbQbOh
Mr Tidy said:
Lovely looking car - bargetastic!
Looking forward to the updates.
I also had an M Reg C280 some time ago. Only fault I had was an intermittent one with the brain for the drive by wire accelerator. The engine always started, but sometimes would just idle whatever you did with the loud pedal! Eventually it became more frequent so I got it replaced but I was told it is a fairly common problem.
Oh yes, and mine liked a drink as well!
^^ many thanks!Looking forward to the updates.
I also had an M Reg C280 some time ago. Only fault I had was an intermittent one with the brain for the drive by wire accelerator. The engine always started, but sometimes would just idle whatever you did with the loud pedal! Eventually it became more frequent so I got it replaced but I was told it is a fairly common problem.
Oh yes, and mine liked a drink as well!
Interesting about the idle, mine has only had one brain fart so far with an oscillating idle but all was sorted when I gave it a boot! Fairly sure it was just the 90s ECU being characteristically stupid!
Yup, the old M104 is something of a dipsomaniac!!
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