Save me from making a terrible Mistake!

"Schaefft" (Schaefft)
07/02/2016 at 13:02 • Filed to: W140, barge, Mercedes, Kohl, V8, Schaefft

I need it!

DISCUSSION (37)

Leon711 > Schaefft
07/02/2016 at 13:10

A friend bought an S500L about 6 months ago, it’s been faultless, just thirsty.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Schaefft
07/02/2016 at 13:10

MOAR 140!

Schaefft > Leon711
07/02/2016 at 13:13

Apparently it needs new coil packs and a shifter solenoid, I hope I can check it out with 4muddyfeet next week. If thats all it’ll be a bargain.

dogisbadob > Schaefft
07/02/2016 at 13:14

Kinja'd!!!

petebmwm > Schaefft
07/02/2016 at 13:18

i’ve always loved these!

Kinja'd!!!

Schaefft > dogisbadob
07/02/2016 at 13:20

I love the LS400 as well, there are too many great cars I want...

Schaefft > petebmwm
07/02/2016 at 13:21

Always considered them, never drove one. This could be a good chance to get into them.

Leon711 > Schaefft
07/02/2016 at 13:27

What power station is under the bonnet?

Schaefft > Leon711
07/02/2016 at 13:42

S500, the only real option for me.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Schaefft
07/02/2016 at 13:44

Youve come to the wrong place for logic. Buy it!

Schaefft > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
07/02/2016 at 14:02

Argh, Oppo will ruin me!

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Schaefft
07/02/2016 at 14:04

Tu es. Bitte tu es.

Schaefft > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
07/02/2016 at 14:06

Oh Gott, wo wird das nur hinführen...

LOREM IPSUM > Schaefft
07/02/2016 at 14:13

Depending on year all of the wire insulation in the car may be some eco friendly crap that ultimately crumbles, falls off, and allows things to short out.

All of the things.

So both upper and lower engine harnesses must be replaced if they haven’t been already or you’re going to have a bad time. Money. Also, any wire prone to flexing will break at some point. So all of the power windows and door speakers will need to be eventually rewired, as well as anything related to the hood or trunk.

A water pump at a competent indy will likely be $1000-1200, and it will need a water pump shortly after you buy it. Every german car ever seems to need a water pump within 2 weeks of purchase. It’s just how it is.

The heater blower motor and resistor will fail. Great fun to disassemble the wipers and cowl and such to gain access.

...and about that transmission. For economy’s sake whenever you come to a stop the car will start you off in second gear to save gas. Saving gas is great and all, but when you’re trying to, say, turn in front of oncoming traffic it would be nice to have access to whatever horsepower and torque the engine is able to muster. Instead the car lumbers along, unaware that youre about to he broadsided by a speeding semi. The only way to counter this is to mash the gas pedal to the floor to activate the transmission kick down switch, sending the tranny into first gear, the revs to redline, and you to the shop to address the now slipping 1-2 shift.

I liked my pre-shit wire insulation Benz, but I love my e38. Only one of them was really worth my time and money.

Dingolfing, baby.

Leon711 > Schaefft
07/02/2016 at 14:13

They sound great from outside, inside you can’t hear it that much.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Schaefft
07/02/2016 at 14:14

Wenn du dich schon immer wie ein Diktator/Yakuzamitglied/Hollywoodproduzent fühlen wolltest dann kauf ihn.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Schaefft
07/02/2016 at 14:20

S600 is the way

Schaefft > LOREM IPSUM
07/02/2016 at 15:15

Owned an E38 for a short time and loved it, it had to go for the E39 eventually, there just was too much rust. According to the ad this would be a 1997, I think we can say for sure that it’ll have the updated harness. The downside is that corrosion might be more of an issue. Water pump hopefully won’t be an issue, the pump in my E39 is still fine after owning it for over 2 years after all. :D The transmission was rebuilt 3 years ago according to the owner and seems to be fine apart from a solenoid for the shifter, you can still put it in park/drive and so on tho so I have no idea what exactly the issue is.

Schaefft > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
07/02/2016 at 15:16

to bankruptcy.

Schaefft > Leon711
07/02/2016 at 15:22

That’s perfectly fine though, I’m sure the double glazing does a good job. You can always wind down a window!

Schaefft > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
07/02/2016 at 15:28

Ich schraub dann vorn an beide Kotflügel ne Deutschlandflagge und fahre so als neuer Kanzler durch Great Britain :D

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Schaefft
07/02/2016 at 15:30

Party like Helmut Kohl. Ich weiß nicht ob das wirklich so gut ankommen würde in England...

Leon711 > Schaefft
07/02/2016 at 15:31

Or fit straight pipes.

Schaefft > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
07/02/2016 at 15:32

Ich glaub nicht, in meiner Gegend haben die meisten für Brexit gewählt xD

Schaefft > Leon711
07/02/2016 at 15:33

Nah, wouldn’t fit the character of the car.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Schaefft
07/02/2016 at 15:34

Oi lieber nicht haha

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Schaefft
07/02/2016 at 17:12

Lol I have one and I'm not legally bankrupt.

Schaefft > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
07/02/2016 at 18:34

The problem is that I have 3 other high maintenance cars I won’t get rid off.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Schaefft
07/03/2016 at 01:32

Worst idea. 140's are junk. All they’ve got going for them are nostalgia and the engine.

You want a 90's Benz get a 124 or a late 210. Don’t pay S-tax for a 140.

Schaefft > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
07/03/2016 at 07:13

Get a W210 instead of a W140? First time I heard someone saying that :D The reason why I’d buy a W140 is because I want that specific S-class though, not a 90s Mercedes in general. And this one *might* turn out to be quite a bargain.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Schaefft
07/03/2016 at 11:56

Facelifted 210's are actually crazy reliable. Not sure why the internet thinks otherwise. Look at it this way, most Mercedes techs own at least one at some point and most technicians hate having to work on their own cars. I own two, and have owned one other previously (though that was an early one). My beater one has 190k and only needed basic maintenance, control arm bushings, and ball joints. My E55 has 130k and has only needed basic maintenance, but could use a MAF and engine mounts. That’s it. I’ve never met a single tech who’s owned a 140.

That’s cool if you really want a 140. But they are big headaches more often than not. There aren’t very many left, for good reason. I sincerely hope that yours it’s a gem and works out for you.

Schaefft > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
07/03/2016 at 12:43

I am not aware of anything particular that would make it less reliable than a comparable W210. The engine wiring loom has been an issue in the past (as it was on most Mercedes of this era) but apparently was fixed from the factory during the ‘96 MY. This being a ‘97, it shouldn’t have any issues with it at all. Even if it did. replacing it is fairly easy and there are plenty of online shops specialized in offering decent replacements. I am not aware of any other noteworthy issues that the E-Class wouldn’t have apart from normal wear.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Schaefft
07/03/2016 at 13:34

It will certainly have all of the issues of an early 210. It’s the facelifted ones that are the best. Other mid-90's problems include: leaking evaporators, bad auxiliary fans, blower motor and regulator, wiring breaking in hinged areas, flex discs, leaking diffs, every suspension component being worn out, every other rubber component being worn out, window regulators, ignition switches/cylinders, floor shifters (from having drinks spilled on them), camshaft oil tubes failing causing engine noises. I have quoted all of the above on single cars on many occasions and I could keep going...

If this list doesn’t scare you (my only intention is to educate), then I hope it helps you avoid a money pit.

Schaefft > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
07/05/2016 at 17:19

Your help is definitely appreciated. The issue I have is that I would have pretty much all these problems with pretty much any car of this age (as is the case with the the cars I own). Window regulators, worn suspension components and leaking evaporators are not an issue of specific cars, these are issues caused by wear and tear, no matter what you buy. We did have a look at the car today, and while I was hoping to find less rust underneath, all electronics and mechanical areas seemed to be sound, including the blower motor, apart from an apparent issue with two ignition coils (which is the reason the car didnt have an MOT). A few suspension components for the front have been replaced, a few are included in the sale. We will have a closer inspection soon, ideally I would like to have the car on a lift, but apart from corrosion it did make a decent impression.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Schaefft
07/05/2016 at 17:26

You are definitely correct in that those are issues for any car if that age, unfortunately too many purple don’t understand that so I find it’s better to mention them than not. And Mercedes from that era are more prone to those issues than other cars, in my experience. The other issue is that being a Mercedes, and an S in particular, parts can be very expensive.

Seems like you know what you’re getting into here, and that’s fantastic. It’s sad when people buy something like this without doing the proper research then end up wasting unexpected amounts of money and time trying to make it a car it will never be.

Good luck on the close inspection, I hope it turns out to be what you’re after!

Schaefft > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
07/05/2016 at 17:31

No worries at all, its great to see people that have the knowledge are willing to share it on here, thats whats making it a great site after all.

I don’t really expect this to be a sensible purchase. Considering I’m probably the only person who is daily-driving a Lincoln Mark VIII in the UK, and probably the only person who owns an Olds Aurora, a V8 S-Class can’t be that bad (I know the V12 would be a whole different story). I even speak German, if that doesn’t make things much easier, I don’t really know what else could. ;)

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Schaefft
07/05/2016 at 18:50

You my friend songs like the perfect owner of a car like this :)

I’ve owned a northstar powered car too, and it was much more of a headache than any old Mercedes.