Q&A with Pierre Hedary Buying a W140 S Class

Buying a W140 S Class

[stevenbarnett]

This being my 5th Mercedes, I must say that my 99 S320 is the best that I have ever owned. I have never felt safer when driving. Many thanks to you Pierre for your help.

[GeorgeKirko]

I love W126 and W140. They are the best!!!

[honawikeepa]

We have an S500L W140. We got it just for the experience. I service the car myself without any major issues despite having to buy specialist tools. The only suspension issues was the rear outer bushes, which I replaced after buying a tool from China for next to nothing. It's a wonderful experience. My wife has a 1998 AC Schnitzer 540i.

[KennethITGuru]

This was such a nice honest and realistic explaination of what is good and bad about the W140 chassis. I'm so tired of people blowing smoke up my butt and only telling me the good things about this class Mercedes Benz. Great job Pierre.

[SL]

Pierre, I watch all your videos and deeply admire your knowledge of classic Mercedes-Benz cars. I always resented a little that you were not very fond of the W140 but with this video I can see you have opened a bit to this masterpiece. I have two W140s: a CL 500 with 22, 000 miles and an S 500 with 78, 000. Both are amazing and had given me relatively few problems. From the great advice you provide on this video I would add the following: try to look for a late production model (1997-1999), those years most problems had been sorted out and be patient with the door’s soft-close vacuum pump, it is the real Achilles heel of the W140s!

[aspietoo]

Good current summary of a lesser-known model today! Best to buy one armed with as much info. as possible. Perhaps the adage applies most to this model (There's nothing more expensive than a cheap mercedes). As its second owner, my '95 S320 now has 80, 000 kms that I've put probably $6K into at the dealer what with a new steering box, timing cover & gaskets, spark plugs/wires, and new battery that is now returning me pretty decent mileage from its 100 Litre gas tank as it rolls tank-like down the highway with nary a vibration from the planted steering wheel - that indefinable mercedes gravitas. I look at it as cheap transportation that is as enjoyable to me as wearing a favourite pair of jeans. Great ABS performance. This car also allows my newer Benz SUV to sit in a heated garage through the worst of the winter months. I do my own oil and filter changes with Mobil 1 synthetic 0-40 European formula and as a prospective owner, you should enjoy learning about its mechanical and operational details - this is a very complex computerized car technologically, but that complexity is never obtrusive, which is its under-the-skin beauty. Just like the W126, its predecessor, these are now getting harder to find in good shape. If you're a lurker at the dealer, you will still see them showing up for spring service - some in absolute mint shape - more than a few owned by Doctors - as was mine.

[xFWWONGx]

I love this W140. I just bought one one single own that kept this car for 41, 000miles only. Hardly used it by the previous old man. My model is S320L. Totally agreed and because of this video I bought one for myself.

[danpicocfp]

I bought a W140 S320 1995 in Ecuador. Great car so far. I have replaced all fluids, pad, tires, filters, a few hoses and brake lines. All reasonable repairs for a 25 year old car. The car drives great, you feel very safe and comfortable.
One issue that I have is that the car is a German edition, or non-US edition and when I look for parts here in the US I get some wrong information. I even had a very experienced mechanic/shop-owner order parts for me and they were wrong. I think I may need a European Auto Part website for better results. Have you experienced this?

[gregsnu]

Perfect analysis of the incredible w140 line. I’ve owned a ‘93 600 for over 15 years. Had to deal with issues involving the evaporator, wiring harness and suspension. Sane people would have given up and probably would have bought a few new Toyota’s instead of spending what I have invested to date. To me, the car is worth the cost and inconvenience of maintaining every detail and need to its’ most complete level of perfection. The secret is to find the right mechanic who knows and understands the design and the intricacies by which the mechanicals are related and organized. Having the wrong mechanic work on the car will only result in huge repair bills that don’t resolve the issues leading owners to walk away from long term ownership. For that reason, most of these cars are undervalued in a retail setting. Since I’m fortunate enough to have a knowledgeable and trust worthy mechanic, my 600 is kept in pristine condition. As a rule, I see aside $5, 000.00 to $8.000.00 a year for repairs. Last year, I spent close to $16, 000.00 to correct some major problems. Is it a money pit? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes. Why? Because it is more than just a form of transportation. It is the only way to move beyond and ahead of an acceptable state of common. Not to mention it surpasses most everything else on the road.

[danpicocfp]

Hello Pierre, I got a 1995 S320. Great car, well kept. Of course, not perfect and needs some TLC. The problem in have is that it is a German version and it is in Ecuador. I bought some parts online in the US and it did not fit the car. I also went to MB independent shop in the US to get parts and some were not the right ones. What would be your advice to get parts for a German version MB?

[MoMoneyMeric]

Got my second mercades first was a 85 300d that leaked oil from every seal but never let me down now i got a 96 s420 with 115k i only paid 2100 for with some odd electric problems

[eduardoenriquealvarezmarti]

I am the 2nd owner of a 1997 S 600 with 53, 000 Km. I feel the SLS rear suspensión is kind of hard in road imperfections. The rear componentes

[Moneeshkumar]

hi can u please do a video about the w124 please ????

[MrOmgfreak]

the funny part is i have a 99 s500 it loves that e85 u just cant runn it strait so i mix it with premium ..man let me tell ya
my car runs great on that mix
it bumps the timing up while cleaning the injectors too.never run cheap gas in these!!!!
make sure you mix it good 10 bucks e85 bucks premium.

[eduardoenriquealvarezmarti]

Aré not leaking oil . The car came with 8 year old tires that looks fine. Where eles should I look into? Eduardo

[Saleen]

The W140 does not have ABC, that started in the W220. Also I heard Mercedes does not give out service records on the fly anymore as it's a privacy issue.

[markbondurant]

Just bought my second 92 300 SD. The first one was quite well maintained, but the transmission failed. The second one I just acquired was not quite as well maintained but was much lower mileage. The one thing I would just love to find is a repair manual, or series of manuals, or at least a vacuum line diagram. On the passenger side on both vehicles there is a large vacuum line that is connected to Any ideas or references to manuals?

[SailingRegulus]

Mr. Hedary, I bought a W126, as a project. Are parts for these models still readily available?
I restored several other 70’s cars, (Chrysler’s and VW’s) but this is my first experience with a Mercedes.
I know I’ll have a very steep curve ahead of me, but I think I’m up to the challenge. Once I get it road worthy, I wish to bring it to Titusville for service and evaluation.
Once I restore or improve a classic, I do not part with them....that will be my Children responsibility once I take the final Roadtrip. So, I like big or different cars, although my daily driver is a 2017 Pacifica, ( yes I know I’m weird) I like comfort, and I think this 1985 500 SEL will provide me with that; as my Chrysler’s already do. I find satisfaction to go into my garage (next to my office) and spend a couple of hours every night in one of my projects segments. It takes me a long time (years) to complete them, I like to take apart as much as I can, to clean assess, replace and repair. Once all the pieces are to standards, putting them back together doesn’t take as long. One of my biggest problems is to find good serviceable used parts to recondition. I’ve heard that Mercedes in CA, can get all parts for all models produced. Is it true?
Thanks for your contribution. I plan to apply to become a member of MBCA eventually.

[karlbenzladenburg]

Pierre, nicely done...I'm looking for another W140 (3rd one) and yes I've suffered too: installed the upper and lower wiring harness; the thottle body harness too; the plastic bearing in the wiper motor; ASR-ABS light, limp mode, etc, etc, and STILL want anothe one. Fabulous cars for the money.
Please watch out for a '98-'99 S500 with low miles, 1-2 owner Florida car for me so I can come and see it from Daytona Beach. Coming to the Rolex on the 26th? You should have my number and can reach me through the club. The Grand Edition is my "goal" and I've located one here 2 miles away but the owner wants $11, 000 for it (63K on it) and I'm at $8000.- so we probably won't strike a deal.
In fact, I'll give you a call.
Douglas deBoard, GAT German Auto Tours

[VictoriouzBIG]

What about a 1996 W140 s420 V8, what are common things to go wrong with it, and what should I look out for? I'm currently looking into a one owner and very well kept and serviced always at mercedes with all log books but has 270 000k on the clock