S600 or S500 (W140) '96-'98 wanted!!
Discussion
Hi all,
As in title im looking for a pristine S Class with a big engine and plenty of spec. Thought it would be an easy car to get as not many would be looking for them but with all my searching im coming up empty handed. Let me know if you have one on 00 353 87 6575467 or email me joe.moynihan@hotmail.com
Cheers,
Joe
As in title im looking for a pristine S Class with a big engine and plenty of spec. Thought it would be an easy car to get as not many would be looking for them but with all my searching im coming up empty handed. Let me know if you have one on 00 353 87 6575467 or email me joe.moynihan@hotmail.com
Cheers,
Joe
I have a 1997 S500, and have some tips that might be of use. Don't get a 1996 model or before, they were still using the biodegradable wires that year, and unfortunately they were a major design fault as they degraded in about 5 years, the insulation just fell off, so ones produced before feb 1997 have these problems and replacing the wiring harness costs more than these cars are worth now.
Go for a 500, not 600, as the 600 although reliable will cost a lot more to run and the V12 is much heavier than the V8, so performance is not that much different.
You will struggle to find a w140 600 that someone is willing to sell, as there were not as many made as the 500. The best one to get is actually the S320 LWB (its was also the most popular W140 by a mile (more than twice as many 320s were made than 500s)), you will find a fully kitted one more easily, and the straight 6 engines in them are super reliable, much better than the M119 in the 500, and that is saying something!
All the W140 range need to be serviced every 10k miles (and if you just drive JUST short distances, every 5k is a good idea too). Don't expect to pay less than £500 to £1000 for a service. Parts are expensive, but they are well built and if they have been looked after well (which in the UK basically means taking it to a top independent garage these days, and not a merc garage!) they will be very reliable.
In case you are interested, I have had mine from new and it has started every single time and has never broken down! Its had the odd thing replaced, like internal foot well carpets, starter motor, usual servicing items etc. The important thing with the W140 is preventative maintenance, which Mercedes servicing do not do, thats why you need to take it to a good independent that will go over the whole car with a fine tooth peg and a sign of a good one is that they will be very willing/encourage you to spend 20 mins looking at everything they spotted in detail!
By the way, check the aircon works (when on cold it should be very cold air!), its a good way of seeing if the car has been well looked after or not, they need to be regassed every 4 years or less and if not done, then the seels that are lubricated by the gas go, and soon after the compressor will have lots of leaks. They worst thing you can do is not use the aircon for 6 months during the winter!
Go for a 500, not 600, as the 600 although reliable will cost a lot more to run and the V12 is much heavier than the V8, so performance is not that much different.
You will struggle to find a w140 600 that someone is willing to sell, as there were not as many made as the 500. The best one to get is actually the S320 LWB (its was also the most popular W140 by a mile (more than twice as many 320s were made than 500s)), you will find a fully kitted one more easily, and the straight 6 engines in them are super reliable, much better than the M119 in the 500, and that is saying something!
All the W140 range need to be serviced every 10k miles (and if you just drive JUST short distances, every 5k is a good idea too). Don't expect to pay less than £500 to £1000 for a service. Parts are expensive, but they are well built and if they have been looked after well (which in the UK basically means taking it to a top independent garage these days, and not a merc garage!) they will be very reliable.
In case you are interested, I have had mine from new and it has started every single time and has never broken down! Its had the odd thing replaced, like internal foot well carpets, starter motor, usual servicing items etc. The important thing with the W140 is preventative maintenance, which Mercedes servicing do not do, thats why you need to take it to a good independent that will go over the whole car with a fine tooth peg and a sign of a good one is that they will be very willing/encourage you to spend 20 mins looking at everything they spotted in detail!
By the way, check the aircon works (when on cold it should be very cold air!), its a good way of seeing if the car has been well looked after or not, they need to be regassed every 4 years or less and if not done, then the seels that are lubricated by the gas go, and soon after the compressor will have lots of leaks. They worst thing you can do is not use the aircon for 6 months during the winter!
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