On the cover is a beautiful 140. It is a 97 S320, and it's reason for notoriety is the mileage on the car,,,, 452,000 miles. Wow. Only major issue is a head gasket at around 300,000 miles. Unbelieveable.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

There is a guy who comes where I work who has a S320 with 500k on the clock. Claims no major issues either. Car looks phenomenal for its age/mileage. Paint is original, leather is in excellent shape. No smoke, no noises... just moves off silently. He said he wanted to trade it in but they would not give him any thnig for it so he figured he'd keep it and drive the wheels off. From the looks of it, that might take him a long time.

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Sent from an agnostic abacus

2014 C250 21,XXX my new DD ** 2013 GLK 350 18,000 Wife's new DD**

- With out god, life is everything.
- God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson
- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

Thats not that surprising. The W140 is built like a tank, and the M104 is one heck of an engine.

Like any MB keep the fluid's changed and they will go forever.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

So much for those that say they are built like crap....



Is he the original owner?

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

I have always said,,,, if you spend a lot of time in your car, you might as well be in as much comfort as possible. This guy lives by that creed.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

From what I recall him saying yes he is. Takes care of it like his child. Oil every 4k or so. He drives quite a bit (duh) so he changes fluids more than recommended.

__________________
Sent from an agnostic abacus

2014 C250 21,XXX my new DD ** 2013 GLK 350 18,000 Wife's new DD**

- With out god, life is everything.
- God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson
- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

I don't think the 140 is built like crap. I think they are the last true tank like Mercedes. I think their problems stem not from inadequate build quality but from horrifyingly overly complex subsystems like the climate control, and the unfortunate effect of ecofreaks on the wiring harness etc. But the basic car is probably as solid as you can find.

I saw one in the parking lot of Fry's electronics yesterday. A dark green S420 that literally stopped me in my tracks. It looked like it had just been driven out of the showroom it was that awesome. I desire one of them greatly apart from two three things.

1) I'll likely never have the money to keep one in good repair. Or buy one which is...

2) I can't stand the downsized steering wheel which makes it impossible for me to rest my left elbow on the door while lightly holding the wheel with my left hand.

3) The low setting of the center console "armrest" that's too low for me to rest my right arm on as opposed to previous models that had proper seat mounted armrests.

These last two points may seem like nit-picking to some but they kill the whole essence of a Mercedes for me, which is to be able to drive a particularly comfortable arm chair down the highway. Somewhat like taking my favorite lazyboy recliner on the road.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Oh, I am not one of those people that thinks they are built like crap. In fact, I think they were one of the best S-Classes ever built. I think that they get a bad rep from those people that neglect their cars, or purchased one that was neglected. I personally think that in the 90s they were bought by people who weren't the type to do preventative maintainence, and simply drove it to within inches of its life.


I think that if I ever come across a properly sorted W140 with records, I am going to pick it up. My neighbor has a 95 S600, with an AMG body kit/wheels. It looks stunning, really the last of the big bodied Mercedes built.

I also saw a white S420 in the Mercedes dealers showroom over summer. It looked immaculate. They wanted alot though, but I am sure it would have been worth it.

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

I think the W140 was the best S class. I'm not all that familer with the W221 so it may be as good. But the W140 is certianly a better car than the W126 before it and the W220 that replaced it was.


I don't think anyone will make a car like the W140 again, certianly not MB. They spent to much money on it.

Well maybe a Maybach, those are probably the true successors to the W140.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I can only imagine the small fortune that went into repairs on that thing throught the years.

I have some customers with them that pay $500 a month for repairs on them before they get disgusted and trade them in for a Lexus.

The article claims that the ONLY major expense has been the head gasket. Everything else has been required maintenence. I'm just the messenger.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

500 bucks per month required maintenance perhaps?

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Or an Obama/Biden bumpersticker.

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Sweet! Incredible amount of mileage I wonder how many times around the globe that is, anyone wanna guess?

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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

Both of my friends with W140's an S600 and S320 have been happy with them. In the 4 years he has had the S320 the largest repair was $900 for a new blower motor and a bunch of other work at the dealer. Other than that just brakes, tires, and maintenance. The S600 over the last 5 years has only needed basic maintenance. It needs a little rear SLS work now, but that will be the first major repair in 5 years on a $130k super complicated car. So if it costs a G note or two who cares the average is still very low.

I have spent more money on my SDL than they have on both of their W140's.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200