96 W140 S280

[m48pro69]

Ok I went and had a look at the car today. All books are up to date . All doors open and close with central locking. Windows all open and close smoothly sunroof as well. No apparent damage to interior or body work apart from parking scrape lower left corner of front bumper. Air conditioning works very cold recepts for re-gassing 2007. Wires to fuel injectors pliable and not brittle. All instruments working correct both front seats working correctly including electric headrest . Boot handle functions correctly. No oil leaks around head or signs off contamination in coolant or engine oil. Car drives smoothly and tracks strait with no brake shudder. Engine temp was stable front fans function. Paint in above average condition no apparent rust visible on body work looked under covering in boot and under car. 188000Km showing on odometer with current owner owning car since 2007 bought from John Hughs. All in all very impressed with the car.Stereo works correct no hissing or popping cd changer works correctly. As well as cruise control. Asked to if I can have it inspected at Auto Europe next week just so I can check for leaks underneath . coolant was was blue . He showed receipts from German Auto Service Wangara for last 18 months so he has changed who serviced the car. Car is March 1996 build date sold new in Melbourne with 1000k service done at main dealer next 100000Km of servicing done BAE Adelaide. From 115000Km servicing done in Perth. Just needs final inspection to pass to check for leaks for money to change hands but agreement has been meet with this final point to finalise. This car is replacing my 2000 Hyundai Accent as my daily as I have a good offer for the Hyundai selling to my Niece . As the Hyundai has complete service history and only 120k on it I have no problem doing this as it has served me as work car for last 5 years.

[T-Modell]

You seem to be a fan of extremes ... either 6.9 or 2.8 ...

Good luck with the car, my father once had an early 320 ... most spacious and comfortable car I ever drove. Probably the only car I know, where you could REALLY sit comfortably in the back ...

Thomas

[m48pro69]

Thanks T-Model going to test the waters with this car as I can do a lot of the work myself. It will be my daily drive if I feel comfortable working on it and get my head around systems then may take the plunge with S600 as a toy. :pray: :drool:

[T-Modell]

I'll set my alarm to November to post an "I told you so"

[m48pro69]

It does not have soft close doors or boot trunk. It is update with 5 speed auto and updated climate control panel . Checked wiring at injectors it is pliable. And air worked as intended. :think:

[pastelgrey300D]

Looks nice - and as for W140 reliability goes you could do a lot worse than a 280. I've spoken to several local owners who have W140s and W220s and they absolutely love them - with regards to servicing and faults etc they have found a great local mechanic who specializes in diagnostics for these post-90s models - so whenever they have had problems they take it to him for fault finding and then either have him fix it or source the parts themselves and have him fit them. If you can do a bit of parts hunting and have a good local mechanic who really knows these cars then you're in for some very comfy motoring.

[m48pro69]

Yes I was after later or update version and a S280 as it has less fruit. As I said this one has normal doors and passed every inspection including complete service records so far. But not rushing in been taking time to check everything on the car. I have noted everything that has been said about these cars good and bad. This car appears to pass every test so far. :think:

[Ivanerrol]

If you have the 5 speed 722.6 then the biodegradable wiring is not an issue.
M.B. had ironed out most of the W140 problems buy the time the 722.6 was introduced.
(except the evaporator issue)

[TheMadRacoon]

Interested in the transmission & biodegradable wiring issues: I've read a lot on here that the wiring issue is '93-'96 builds (at least in relation to w124 & w210) and also read the 5-speed is a known weak spot. So is that for a different 5-speed? ie 722.5? Or is it chassis related ?

I guess what I'm really asking is which post 1992 years / models/ chassis don't you have to trade off reliability of the wiring for reliability of transmission? I'd consider a w210 or w140 if not for those issues (noting I am aware of other caveats for the w140 & m104 engines. If they'd made a w140 with the V6 and a solid 5-speed & no wiring loom issues then that would have been a good thing.... Or is a V6 w210 320 5-speed not a problem car?

Sorry to go off-topic! Good luck with the S280. The quietness of the w140 with double glazing is excellent. Very relaxing for a daily driver.

[m48pro69]

Hi Mad racoon 96 onwards I believe with regards W140 look for LCD panel for climates control in console as a clue same unit as in W210 . Earlier Climate had thumb wheels.

[McGavin]

I think the only time you will miss the Hyundia is supermarket car parks. ;)

[m48pro69]

Yes it has served its purpose which was to park at Perth airport while away with work as a fifo. As the Territory Ghia was getting marked which my wife has departed with it to Coffs Harbour . Still need to accept putting Ex in front of . As I said it will be my daily use car and 6.9 is and will remain my toy. :dance:

[redlaser]

There's a S320 W140 for sale locally , so may i ask about how much did u pay for your W140?

[m48pro69]

just over 6k if that helps . S320 will need to check soft close doors and boot. And if Air works and weather evaporator has been fixed and wiring loom as well. If air is not working over 6 to fix if you cannot do it yourself. 3k plus for wiring loom if paying to have it fixed. :think:

[m48pro69]

Ok I had Mercedes workshop check out the W140 today. It came back with a very healthy report . All electronics are working correctly. Body is in good condition as well as interior. Wiring loom is fine and under body is in good condition with no leaks present and suspension requiring no work at present. So I will now move towards getting it this weekend .

[Hendrik]

Ahh sounds like a good one, guess that is the thing with buying a 140 (or just about any other Merc) trying to find the good one in the herd, that is priced well because that is what the others are selling for.

[m48pro69]

As I said heard all the horror stories about W140s so when I decided to look at one . I had no intention of trusting just my opinion . Owner had no problem having it checked. It passed so deal now done pick it up this weekend. :dance:

[Joe-Trojan]

I have a 1996 S280 with a 722.4 box 218,000 kms or something and have done a bit of work to get her up to standard. About a month after I bought it I had a misfire from a now replaced ignition coil. I've just rebuilt the gearbox (no reverse, common problem on the 722.4) replaced the rear main seal (new seal is a different design), replaced the front flexdisk on the driveshaft and new shifter linkage bushes.

Right now I am in the process of fixing an oil leak coming from the oil cooler (under the manifold at rear near where the oil filter goes). The old oil cooler seal went hard, keep an eye on yours. My PS pump has a very slow leak so I am rebuilding it. Also replacing the fan hub (bearing slightly loose) replacing the viscous drive and installing a new MB water pump (was a bit rough to spin by and but not leaking) the idler above the alternator is a bit loose in the bearing so a new one ordered, but the tensioner is fine. While I'm at it replacing with all new MB water hoses and vacuum lines/breathers. The aftermarket expansion tank and cap are both going in the bin with new MB parts ordered. If you havn't already remove the accessory belt and feel how everything is.

I think mine could do with new engine mounts and suspension bushes but will get another couple of years out of what I have. Keep an eye on the above mentioned depending on what your maintenance records say. Your 722.6 gearbox is a lot more reliable but they can still play up. I bought mine knowing about the gearbox problem, oil leaks and the suspension being bit tired. I figured even if I did buy a seemingly perfect one I'd end up doing all this work on it anyway at some stage sooner or later.

[m48pro69]

Thanks for the heads up will check. :dance: