newer MB's

[Big_Richard]

I've noticed that w140s have been obtainable for pocket change for quite some time now, but now to my astonishment, the sexy looking w220 is also falling into the reasonable to pocket change category.

The black leather on these cars seems to look like crap and ages very poorly - the light coloured interiors still look pretty good though and would be my choice along with a light metallic paint colour.

I wonder though, does it suffer from biodegradable wiring harness's and other daewoo inspired plastic componentry failure. I notice also that these are the first S-class's to use rack and pinion steering, which is also prone to noise in this model - and the only cure is complete replacement of the non rebuildable rack at mega bucks.

Still something to consider, when the time comes to purchase an additional toy.

[TJ 450]

I'm afraid there is no escaping plastic, PB. I can guarantee that there is more plastic in a W220 than a 126 or a 140. That's not a bad thing though... lighter weight plus more power= great performance and better fuel economy.

Tim

[Big_Richard]

yeah, i know theres no avoiding it.

I look forward to test driving a S600L, im fairly certain itll blow my socks off

[s class]

Although W220's are not as old as W140's, they don't seem to have the same bad rap for biodegradeability. 

Its also worth noting that MB revised some of these aspects even before the end of W140 production - about 1996 - its only really the 1992 to 1996 MB's that are most severely afflicted. 

[nathan]

i saw my dads w140 500 driving round town the other day (had some extras easy to identify)...oh how the mighty had fallen. i remember picking this up from the dealer in 93, and the day she left (along with well over 6 figues of depreciation!) - now just another dirty large merc being driven around by someone with no appreciation!

i used to dislike the 220s, but they have certainly grown on me. i look forward to being chauffered in PBs 600!

[another sad 280s]

i noticed yesterday that w140's had dropped by at least $10,000 averaging at around $15k. no difference to what i would plan on spending on a w126.(oddly no difference to what i will have spent on my w116.) for future refernce i was always concerned about the w140, mainly by maintenance plus the fact that they were built to only last 10 years. are we saying that there was a better year and a worse year for build models

[Big_Richard]

i saw my dads w140 500 driving round town the other day (had some extras easy to identify)...oh how the mighty had fallen. i remember picking this up from the dealer in 93, and the day she left (along with well over 6 figues of depreciation!) - now just another dirty large merc being driven around by someone with no appreciation!

i used to dislike the 220s, but they have certainly grown on me. i look forward to being chauffered in PBs 600!

only problem is, I'm a tight ass, and these plastic cars still have alot of depreciation left in them, the thing i like about w116's is that they aren't even able to depreciate any further.

Its just psychological as i never buy something to sell it, but ill be waiting a bit longer before making up my mind

[WGB]

I fell in love with the 220 the first time I saw one but they were always a little too expensive for not quite enough performance which is why I purchased a 211 E320 in 2002/3.

This was not a good time to buy as M-B as quality and development was heading South very fast and although my E320 didn't cost me any real money it spent a lot of time getting fixed at M-B's expense (and my time).

Although all problems were fixed there was no guarantee they would stay fixed and as well they possessed this era's famous habit of flattening the battery while left parked due to the need to keep the electronic's alive. If I went on holiday my son would start my car every week and run it or else the battery would be flat in less than two weeks parking.

I believe the 220 had similar problems which were settled in about 2004/5 and certainly my two ML's from 2007 and 2008 respectively are models of reliability that would make a Lexus blush.

Just my tuppence worth.

Bill

[Martin 280s]

I have a 1992 W124 300E and in the two years I've had it I have had to spend more on maintenance than I've done so on my W116 despite both cars having covered similar mileage. Just this morning the E decided to blow something on the steering and left me sweating like a bull trying to get the car moved out of the way. 

Frankly, as soon as I can sell I shall sel the E and get another old MB, the traditionally made ones with metals bits and things held together with nuts and bolts not plastic clip and pins.

[carl888]

My Dad bought a new W220 S320 in 2001.  He only did 24,000 kms in it before he sold it but in that time it did two air suspenstion level controls and a fuel pump.  It was obsidian black with black and I can assure you a dark interior is mandatory in a W220 because of the horrid platic interior.  The build quality was pretty poor, make sure you check out the rear ash tray trim for example.  This was in complete contrast to the underside, have a look at the beautiful forged aluminium suspension links, the alloy suspension cross members and the four piston differental bore brake calipers on the front.  These facts made the interior quality even more inexcuseable IMO.  Dynamically it was great, a really good thing to drive, and it wasn't that heavy either and easily pulled 36 mpg on a trip.  I wouldn't have a problem buying a used one, but like anyhting, a bad one could financially bury you.  Even the S320 still did 243 km/h, all the V8's are limited to 250

Regards,

Carl.