S500 advice

[Worcesterman]

Hello all - I've enjoyed my 1998 S280 W140 for the past 3 years and have spent less on servicing than on my first car I had ( a vectra ). I commute only 12 miles a day, so the 20 mpg (urban) I get is not a huge issue. With 6 years NCB insurance is only 350 ( 25yo) , it is not a lot more for the S500 either.

My question is, are V8s that much more in upkeep ?, what should I expect from the 5.0 in urban mpg , considering that a 2.8 lt engine coupled with 1890 kg kerb has too work harder ( or so I hear ).

Perhaps I should just be happy to have a W140 that has been looked after and has had a large amount of money spent on it ( previous owners ) or take the plunge and get what I want ?.

Truth be told I take the route through town on purpose, since the dual track is just a daily reminder of how slow my car is ...I could save for a W220 but am scared of air suspension issues.

 

[d w124]

Hi there and welcome to the forum.The s500 is a lot of car for the money.To find a nice well looked after w140,i`ll cost about the same as an w220.I`d go for the w140 though

 

[Worcesterman]

I was nervous enough buying my car with all the issues of older W140s swirling around in my head, thankfully unfounded - *knock knock * - would keep mine for the meanwhile as a back up, only worth 1400 or so. I believe W220s are at least 9/10 , decent ones anyway, while only around 5 for a W140.

Mpg wise - are they a lot worse than the 280 in normal driving ?

 

[d w124]

Mpg wise - are they a lot worse than the 280 in normal driving ?

Never had a V8 so just wait,as someone will come along

 

[mattc]

You are looking at cars 10 years old or more I guess. As you seem to have one that is sorted and not giving you any walletache why change? You could be buying a money pit so tread carefully. Have a look at Jay Maneks stock perhaps (merclanddotcom) as he always seems to have nice stock. Perhaps he could source a good'un for you? Worth the price of a phone call at least

 

[Worcesterman]

mattc - that was my thought - perhaps the experience of a good W140 has led me to believe all are in good nick - will check the link out.

 

[SL300-24]

I have a V12 W140 and it does about 23mpg on a run and i reckon around 15mpg round town. I would think a 500 would be between your mpg and mine at around 17mpg I suspect.
My 500SL does about 18mpg but is a 1984 so older engine.....

 

[NewMB]

My fathers -99 S600L does about 30mpg on a long run and about 18-20mpg in town.

Not bad for such a heavy and big beast.

 

[Roger Jones]

MB official figures (litres per 100 km, 5-speed box):

500/280
City: 17.2/14.6
90 kph: 10.0/8.8
120 kph: 11.9/10.7

 

[tromppost]

You could go for a S320 (w220) I have had mine for six years with not to much bother!! It's not the same as a S500 but it's OK.
I reckon you should get one for about £4000. There are plenty of W220's to choose from but hold out for a good low owner one thats very original.

 

[James Rothwell]

I've had a W140 500 and a 600L. I loved both cars and miss the 600 terrible but it was doing 21-24mpg on a run which I was happy with but town driving was terrible, £105 fill ups only lasting 260 miles or so with traffic driving. The 500 would do a fair bit better on town driving but on a run it would only do about 25mpg.

I have a w220 500L now and I like it a lot, it's great on fuel for what it is and very comfortable. Although I would rather drive an immaculate very late W140 S600L again, they look so opulent and have this feeling as if they are manufactured out of diamonds and granite, rock solid.

I think the W140 will become a bit of a classic car in years to come where as the w220 is fade away and just be another old Merc. If I could have kept my W140 600 I would but it was drinking fuel and I do about 40k per year so I was filling it up what felt like daily. My current S500L is averaging about 21mpg going to work and back in traffic and on runs getting 25/27mpg. Even cruising at 130mph it still averages 18.9mpg and that included having to slow down and accelerate again now and again due to roadworks on the A3 (That's the German A3 from Koln to Stuttgart before people think I'm doing 130mph in Wimbledon!)

 

[s500colin]

Love my S500L, best car I've ever owned, I only have a 6 mile round trip for work, on average I get 15 to 18 mpg,the main thing is everytime you drive it you just can't help smiling its superb!!
Be warned cheap S500 are plentiful but you get what you pay for it took me 18 month to find a good honest car.

 

[Worcesterman]

Thanks for the replies guys - I am warming to the W220 500 - pass a girl - ( blonde girl , late 20s maybe ) in a S600 through the middle of worcester almost everyday, fair few knocks and dings on it with scrapes along the wheelarches ) that aside, looks superb and would be a nice change from what iv been used too for so long.

Will take time doing it though, autotraders cars for under 8k are still too high mileage....

 

[James Rothwell]

Thanks for the replies guys - I am warming to the W220 500 - pass a girl - ( blonde girl , late 20s maybe ) in a S600 through the middle of worcester almost everyday, fair few knocks and dings on it with scrapes along the wheelarches ) that aside, looks superb and would be a nice change from what iv been used too for so long.

Will take time doing it though, autotraders cars for under 8k are still too high mileage....

My 500 is on pistonheads...
Nowt major wrong with it just a couple of small bits that I'll happily share with you, only want to sell it because I fancy a facelift 600 and need to free up some money to get one of those! Let me know if you are interested.

 

[nullogik]

This popped up on Car & Classic. Low mileage, FSH, two owners - seems to fit the bill:

MERCEDES S CLASS 500 SALOON...... 50K....... FSH.... For Sale (2000) on Car And Classic UK

 

[James Rothwell]

This popped up on Car & Classic. Low mileage, FSH, two owners - seems to fit the bill:

MERCEDES S CLASS 500 SALOON...... 50K....... FSH.... For Sale (2000) on Car And Classic UK

They are the best wheels for the W220 in my opinion. I prefer the dark wood to the light wood in my car.

 

[s500colin]

They are the best wheels for the W220 in my opinion. I prefer the dark wood to the light wood in my car.

Shame its the SWB

 

[LTD]

Will take time doing it though, autotraders cars for under 8k are still too high mileage....

What do you consider high mileage ?

Mine is on 108k now and still runs like a sewing machine.

*** will no doubt be along with his experience of my car ...........

 

[LTD]

They are the best wheels for the W220 in my opinion.

Agreed - the Difda's really set it off. So much so that mine are getting refinished rather than replaced with other rims.

The only other rim I like on the W220 is the Brabus V

 

[alanuk400]

They are the best wheels for the W220 in my opinion. I prefer the dark wood to the light wood in my car.

I have the same on mine, one of the easiest alloys to clean.

Alan