The unloved W140 Coupe
Discussion
I wonder whether I misunderstood.
My understanding is that there are very very few that liked the W140 series - the coupe in particular. (Presumably that is why, although relatively rare the prices are at bottom level).
On paper the car was very good. A lot of money were invested in development I kind of liked the shape of it and its clean lines, but admittedly never had a chance to drive it.
So why people don't like it?
My understanding is that there are very very few that liked the W140 series - the coupe in particular. (Presumably that is why, although relatively rare the prices are at bottom level).
On paper the car was very good. A lot of money were invested in development I kind of liked the shape of it and its clean lines, but admittedly never had a chance to drive it.
So why people don't like it?
The saloon was perceived as too big and flash for its times and still suffers. This is fairly astonishing given the guiding maxim of present day motoring, viz, flashier equals better.
The coupé was—quite rightly—perceived as less elegant than its predecessor.
Both are perhaps unfairly regarded as complex.
They have aged well in many opinions. The saloon looks super in these days of the Chinese S-Class and even the coupé's lines appear restrained and bear some beauty. The main problem for them is most examples have suffered terrible neglect, especially in the UK where almost nobody looks after a car properly.
The coupé was—quite rightly—perceived as less elegant than its predecessor.
Both are perhaps unfairly regarded as complex.
They have aged well in many opinions. The saloon looks super in these days of the Chinese S-Class and even the coupé's lines appear restrained and bear some beauty. The main problem for them is most examples have suffered terrible neglect, especially in the UK where almost nobody looks after a car properly.
So it is not "bad" driving dynamics/ rolling quality or even reliability. Perhaps more of an image projection issue.
I agree the predecessor lines were spot on. But w140 visually is the most solid shape ever, kind of sculptured from a piece of rock.
I agree the predecessor lines were spot on. But w140 visually is the most solid shape ever, kind of sculptured from a piece of rock.
Edited by Motorsport3 on Monday 8th June 20:39
I saw the heading and just had to sign in to address the heretic! Burn the witch!
But I see in fact another convert to the fold. Absolutely love them and had a few myself. As R129 says, hard to find a properly maintained one and probably increasing so.
The last of mine was a 1998 S reg CL500 that we took across Germany and drove it the way it was designed to be driven. Stunning stunning car and while I often read about the notion of trans-Europe grand tourer, this was it. Spookily quiet at top speed and actually felt more planted.
It really does, in a subtle way, gently encourage the peasants to move out of the way :-)
Have looked at getting one here in the UAE but extremely hard to find a decent one. That being said, the CL gods have twice this week sent a stunning black CL600 past me on the freeway - on the second occasion I wanted to give chase and leave a number but my wife started carrying on about getting the kids to their school performance or something. I tuned out and pointed out, through increased volume of voice, the more important fact that it was at least a series 2 since had parking sensors. I was ignored.
I drove a CL70 (so the 7 litre V12 AMG version) a few year back and it that was a stupidly quick car.
If I was back in the UK, I would buy one before I found a place to live :-)
Enough of my ramblings - let me know if you have any specific questions
But I see in fact another convert to the fold. Absolutely love them and had a few myself. As R129 says, hard to find a properly maintained one and probably increasing so.
The last of mine was a 1998 S reg CL500 that we took across Germany and drove it the way it was designed to be driven. Stunning stunning car and while I often read about the notion of trans-Europe grand tourer, this was it. Spookily quiet at top speed and actually felt more planted.
It really does, in a subtle way, gently encourage the peasants to move out of the way :-)
Have looked at getting one here in the UAE but extremely hard to find a decent one. That being said, the CL gods have twice this week sent a stunning black CL600 past me on the freeway - on the second occasion I wanted to give chase and leave a number but my wife started carrying on about getting the kids to their school performance or something. I tuned out and pointed out, through increased volume of voice, the more important fact that it was at least a series 2 since had parking sensors. I was ignored.
I drove a CL70 (so the 7 litre V12 AMG version) a few year back and it that was a stupidly quick car.
If I was back in the UK, I would buy one before I found a place to live :-)
Enough of my ramblings - let me know if you have any specific questions
XB70 said:
I saw the heading and just had to sign in to address the heretic! Burn the witch!
But I see in fact another convert to the fold. Absolutely love them and had a few myself. As R129 says, hard to find a properly maintained one and probably increasing so.
The last of mine was a 1998 S reg CL500 that we took across Germany and drove it the way it was designed to be driven. Stunning stunning car and while I often read about the notion of trans-Europe grand tourer, this was it. Spookily quiet at top speed and actually felt more planted.
It really does, in a subtle way, gently encourage the peasants to move out of the way :-)
Have looked at getting one here in the UAE but extremely hard to find a decent one. That being said, the CL gods have twice this week sent a stunning black CL600 past me on the freeway - on the second occasion I wanted to give chase and leave a number but my wife started carrying on about getting the kids to their school performance or something. I tuned out and pointed out, through increased volume of voice, the more important fact that it was at least a series 2 since had parking sensors. I was ignored.
I drove a CL70 (so the 7 litre V12 AMG version) a few year back and it that was a stupidly quick car.
If I was back in the UK, I would buy one before I found a place to live :-)
Enough of my ramblings - let me know if you have any specific questions
I did some time in Uae as well and the big Merc is really suited to the type of roads and... Gasoline prices there. I like the car a lot. I like the shape and the craftsmanship and at that price is good value too. it's just that im not sure whether for the uk i would be better off with an E class coupe...But I see in fact another convert to the fold. Absolutely love them and had a few myself. As R129 says, hard to find a properly maintained one and probably increasing so.
The last of mine was a 1998 S reg CL500 that we took across Germany and drove it the way it was designed to be driven. Stunning stunning car and while I often read about the notion of trans-Europe grand tourer, this was it. Spookily quiet at top speed and actually felt more planted.
It really does, in a subtle way, gently encourage the peasants to move out of the way :-)
Have looked at getting one here in the UAE but extremely hard to find a decent one. That being said, the CL gods have twice this week sent a stunning black CL600 past me on the freeway - on the second occasion I wanted to give chase and leave a number but my wife started carrying on about getting the kids to their school performance or something. I tuned out and pointed out, through increased volume of voice, the more important fact that it was at least a series 2 since had parking sensors. I was ignored.
I drove a CL70 (so the 7 litre V12 AMG version) a few year back and it that was a stupidly quick car.
If I was back in the UK, I would buy one before I found a place to live :-)
Enough of my ramblings - let me know if you have any specific questions
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