OK, F-Chat Brothers - need help on BENZ Buy

My thoughts....buy V8 not a V12 if your worried at all about maintenance cost.

 

I think it would be MONSTEROUSLY fun!

$9k isn't peanuts, but why not? What's the worst that could happen?

Get a PPI for sure.

 

What a delightful dilemma...some random thoughts:

1) I think consensus is that overall the W140 was a better built, "built to a standard, not a price" car than the W220, so that kind of works in your favor.
2) In my experience, Jaguar parts are at least as much as and often more expensive than Mercedes parts, so if you're already living with an "older" Jaguar, you probably have the tolerance for Mercedes parts prices. Having said that, the following caveats apply...
3) Labor will be somewhat higher because it's a V12 (and everything is jammed in there), but not necessarily a deal breaker.
4) Because the MB is older, you may have more expenses with "age-related" replacements - rubber bits, electrical switches, etc.
5) The other system (besides the ones you mentioned) that can run up big bills on the MB is the air suspension system - pay close attention to what has already been done, and what may need to be done in the near future.
6) If you already drive the Jag in the winter, the MB shouldn't be any worse - might even be marginally better because it's heavier.
7) Everyone should own as many V12s as possible during their lifetime. The MB V12 is probably one of the least fragile and finicky of them all...

My 2 pfennigs...and worth every bit! Good luck with the decision...I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Bob

 

either buy the ******** car or send me the link!








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Has the evaporator core been done? That's a $6,000 hickey. Almost entirely due to labor as the entire dash has to be torn apart/removed. Ask me how I know...

There's plenty of threads in the archives about MB 140s and 220s. I've had them both, under warranty. MB "quality" managed to turn me from a serial S-Class buyer to a Lexus LS customer in less than a decade. 221 is tempting in the 12 though...

I never had any mechanical trouble to speak of. It was the ridiculous niggling little electronic problems that pushed me over the edge.

If you can get it for $9,000 and it's had everything done...evaporator core, wiring harness...then I'd say get it and enjoy it in good health.

W140 build quality is truly the last of the old school Mercedes Benz. There's a reason, when designing the Maybach, they went back and looked at the 140 so hard rather than the 220.

 

NEVER BUY THE FIRST YEAR OF ANY CAR.

The V12 of that generation has a fact based reputation as an oil leaker. Lotsa car for little $$ if it is sound.

You will get killed in the service department......everything is priced as though the car cost $175K new........which it did up here anyways.

Personally, I'd hang on for a 1997-99 version.......they have the nicer two tone leather/alcantara interior.....nicer wheels, a very subtle body facelift, xenons, wood wheel/shifter, glass sunroof, 5 speed electronic tranny......etc........most of the bugs are worked out and they are still damn cheap. I sold these when they were new and love them.