1996 Mercedes Benz S280 (W140 Series)

1996 Mercedes Benz S280 (W140 Series)

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Discussion

: : Serby : :

Original Poster:

40 posts

207 months

Sunday 13th February 2011
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Hi folks,

I thought I'd share some pictures and information about my latest purchase, a 1996 Mercedes Benz S280, bought for just over £1,000 and with only 87,000 miles.

I'd been looking for a W140 series S-Class for some time, my budget was limited but I wanted to make sure that I found a good example and one which wasn't going to quickly become a money pit. Having seen some fairly low mileage but poor condition examples I'd pretty much given up all hope, but then this one popped up for sale just across town from me.

Having been originally purchased in Loughborough (salesmans business card etc still with the car), the car was owned by one family for 12 years in Leicester, they seemed to look after it pretty well! Now the car lives in Nottingham, so it's always been a fairly local car which I think is nice.

In terms of spec it's the 2.8 straight six, with around 200bhp, mated to a 4-speed auto. I'm use to driving a MINI Cooper S & SRT-6, so it's a total change of pace, but one which I'm enjoying. Whilst the body work isn't totally perfect, something to be expected I suppose of a car that's 15 years old, the interior is immaculate and shows barely any signs of wear and tear.

I'm not very clued up at all about these cars, but I think it's got the optional sunroof, and larger wheels.

Anyway, onto the pics..











So far I've owned the car for a week and there no major faults, one or two interior bulbs need replacing, but that's about it. I had originally intended buying one of these cars just to own for a few months and sell on, but I think I could be tempted to keep this one..

Thanks for reading!

ambuletz

10,754 posts

182 months

Sunday 13th February 2011
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very nice indeed. 87k is nothing on these. slap an LPG kit onto it and drive that car to 300k. smile

mister.t

3,008 posts

197 months

Sunday 13th February 2011
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Fantastic, Mark! biggrin

It must be a MINI thing, because I was looking at these recently too!



flattotheboards

6,681 posts

207 months

Sunday 13th February 2011
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Just over £1000 for that! What an absolute bargain, I like that a lot.

soad

32,907 posts

177 months

Sunday 13th February 2011
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Ohh i like that. Must have cost a fortune brand new biggrin
Waft around in a total comfort

Jw Vw

4,832 posts

164 months

Sunday 13th February 2011
quotequote all
A beauty. For £1k and 87k miles that has got to be the bargain of the century! These are alot more reliable than the newer S-Classes and will hit huge mileages with routine maintainance, 300k-350k is easily achievable. Keep us update how you get on with it mate.

robsco

7,833 posts

177 months

Sunday 13th February 2011
quotequote all
That is a colossal amount of metal for £1k! These big Mercs from the mid 90s really are great value now. I remember our dealership bringing a 1996 CL420 in for £500 a few months back, for a car which was fully loaded and probably cost not far off £100k new.

PimpmyHotwheels

361 posts

181 months

Sunday 13th February 2011
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Are those last pictures taken in Netherfield? Normally where the local McDonalds gang go racing around

Black Sport 160

1,575 posts

220 months

Sunday 13th February 2011
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Truly a ridiculous amount of car for £1000.

: : Serby : :

Original Poster:

40 posts

207 months

Sunday 13th February 2011
quotequote all
Thanks for the comments, I couldn't agree more, it's insane how much metal (nevermind leather etc) you can get for your money with these cars. I've done some internet based research and it's good to hear that there shouldn't be any major problems for the foreseeable future, it won't be my everyday car so I'll be able to treat it well anyway.

It's due for an MOT in April, so I'll keep you all posted as to how that goes, fingers crossed I don't think there'll be any problems, although it does need some front tyres.

@ PimpmyHotwheels - It is indeed Netherfield, I'd nipped to Halfords to get some more polish and touch up etc so thought I'd pop around the back of the industrial estate to take some pictures! I didn't even get tempted to take it up the 'strip'.. I'm determined to treat the old gal well biggrin

wackojacko

8,581 posts

191 months

Sunday 13th February 2011
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Bargain barge, uber cool thumbup

wolfy1988

1,426 posts

164 months

Sunday 13th February 2011
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I have always loved the 140.

All my mates think i'm mad but I will own one, one day!

I love the one that Jason stathom steals from the baddies house in The Transporter!

spaceship

868 posts

176 months

Sunday 13th February 2011
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That is awesome.

So much car for so little money.

Ecurie Ecosse

4,812 posts

219 months

Sunday 13th February 2011
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Very nice! My Dad used to have a W140 back in the day.

They really are fantastic cars.

Love the shot of the rear view mirrors for the rear passengers - a great feature.

carter711

1,849 posts

199 months

Sunday 13th February 2011
quotequote all
Excellent value for money!

Egg Chaser

4,951 posts

168 months

Sunday 13th February 2011
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That is a lot of car for £1000, good work! smile

Wigeon Incognito

3,271 posts

219 months

Monday 14th February 2011
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Lovely, and the colour/wheels combination is spot on.

It's not long since I went down the barge route with my W126 - it's such a different but just as special a way of enjoying driving compared to a sportscar.

5potTurbo

12,548 posts

169 months

Monday 14th February 2011
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That's a LOT of car for £1,000!

There are a couple of these in Luxembourg running as taxis, but as S350 TD, and both have over 500,000km on them and still no rattles/squeaks inside.

thumbup

lost in espace

6,164 posts

208 months

Monday 14th February 2011
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I have a question! Can you get this body in diesel flavour?

al1991

4,552 posts

181 months

Monday 14th February 2011
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£1000??

Bargain. A stunner of a car.