Should I consider a low spec but good condition w140?

[Mike210]

Hey guys,

I've recently been offered a very well kept but low end w140 for sale and am considering taking the plunge here. I've had older mercs before so I know what I'm getting myself into in terms of running costs etc but I'm not sure is a low spec w140 is a smart buy. The car is a 1995 model, s280, pre facelift with 40k miles and 4 owners offered in pearl white. As far as s class go it's poorly furnished; black cloth, smallest engine (s280) no electric memory seats etc. It's a swb and offered for sub 5k. The issues are; it's white (not exactly desirable colour tho I don't hate it myself), the engine is on the small size for the car and the lack of toys. Seems like all this would make it hard to resell the vehicle as most people looking to buy a w140 seem to want well specced s500 or at least the s320'. You guys think it's worth buying more on condition than spec and engine size? Also, will I rue not having the toys on a daily basis?

I must add I'd be buying to hold onto it for a good while and I would happily get a 320/500 one in good condition if one come up close to home for under 5k. Tho I think these days sub 5k w140 with the more desirable engine and spec combo sell for more than that. Anyone on this forum have any experience running a low spec s280 w140 daily driver that could shed some light on how it feels?

Mike.

 

[MWCLS]

There is a green S320 W140 on autotrader for 3k looks decent spec but I spy the dreaded rot!

 

[Mike210]

There is a green S320 W140 on autotrader for 3k looks decent spec but I spy the dreaded rot!

Yeah and it's also 30min away from me but if you look up it's MOT history on the DVLA website it has a host of advisories on rust and suspension issues, you can even see some of the rust on the arches. I rang bout it a few weeks ago and although it has a good service history it's not detailed enough and I doubt the garage will do 2k worth of work on a 3k car. Being 100k plus and given the size of the car it's no surprise the suspension will need doing.

 

[MWCLS]

In fairness the white one with 40k sounds a good investment.

 

[SW18]

In fairness the white one with 40k sounds a good investment.

I thought that: maybe a base spec example might have future novelty value and a clean low-mileage example could be of interest to future purchasers?

 

[Stratman]

White? Wedding car

 

[Mike210]

I thought that: maybe a base spec example might have future novelty value and a clean low-mileage example could be of interest to future purchasers?

The lack of options surely won't help selling it further down the line but the low miles and condition is always a big selling point.

 

[Doodle]

a clean low-mileage example

daily driver

Unfortunately these 2 statements are usually mutually exclusive. Given sub 2k a year average thus far, daily use will quickly eat into the mileage advantage and thus the perceived value.

It also seems that parts supply is often overlooked, or at least not mentioned as a consideration. For cars of this vintage, it's no longer a case of being able to pick up parts same/next day from your larger local dealerships. More often than not they have to be ordered from Germany, and that could mean several days off the road waiting. Worse still is back order/NLA, in which case you're looking around for alternatives.

Is that something that is compatible with your usage/requirements?

 

[Mike210]

White? Wedding car

Unfortunately these 2 statements are usually mutually exclusive.

It also seems that parts supply is often overlooked, or at least not mentioned as a consideration. For cars of this vintage, it's no longer a case of being able to pick up parts same/next day from your larger local dealerships. More often than not they have to be ordered from Germany, and that could mean several days off the road waiting. Worse still is back order/NLA, in which case you're looking around for alternatives.

Is that something that is compatible with your usage/requirements?

I used to run 190e' and never had problems with parts although obviously these were a bit more common than the w140. I have no issue having to deal with the part supply, I have a good, very local, mercedes specialist and know a few Mercedes specific breakers. As for alternatives, cut me and I bleed Mercedes so alternatives would be w124/6 or a 2.6ltr 190e. The car will be my daily but my daily is a 5.5 mile commute to work and Saturday shopping trip to the local supermarket. I have a w210 that my partner uses daily so the w140 would be my baby. Having said that, I could be tempted is the right E38 came up..

 

[219]

Hey guys,

I've recently been offered a very well kept but low end w140 for sale and am considering taking the plunge here. I've had older mercs before so I know what I'm getting myself into in terms of running costs etc but I'm not sure is a low spec w140 is a smart buy. The car is a 1995 model, s280, pre facelift with 40k miles and 4 owners offered in pearl white. As far as s class go it's poorly furnished; black cloth, smallest engine (s280) no electric memory seats etc. It's a swb and offered for sub 5k. The issues are; it's white (not exactly desirable colour tho I don't hate it myself), the engine is on the small size for the car and the lack of toys. Seems like all this would make it hard to resell the vehicle as most people looking to buy a w140 seem to want well specced s500 or at least the s320'. You guys think it's worth buying more on condition than spec and engine size? Also, will I rue not having the toys on a daily basis?

I must add I'd be buying to hold onto it for a good while and I would happily get a 320/500 one in good condition if one come up close to home for under 5k. Tho I think these days sub 5k w140 with the more desirable engine and spec combo sell for more than that. Anyone on this forum have any experience running a low spec s280 w140 daily driver that could shed some light on how it feels?

Mike.

Perfect for a wedding car

 

[219]

The only caveat I would offer is that the W140 , like my R129 , has a lot of electronics on board , and they can be troublesome , also the 2.8 and 3.2 versions of the M104 can suffer from the biodegradable engine wiring loom issue .

They are also very large cars , not ideal for the supermarket car park if you want it to remain dent free .

Carl Burgess would be your friend W140.co.uk

 

[Mike210]

The only caveat I would offer is that the W140 , like my R129 , has a lot of electronics on board , and they can be troublesome , also the 2.8 and 3.2 versions of the M104 can suffer from the biodegradable engine wiring loom issue .

They are also very large cars , not ideal for the supermarket car park if you want it to remain dent free .

Carl Burgess would be your friend W140.co.uk

The loom has been replaced for a proper one, the electronics is there but there is a lot less of it than in modern cars and I have a child so I get to park in the big spots without fear of dents

 

[grober]

40K over 23 years averages out at 1,739miles per year !! so either its had a "haircut " or its been off the road for a period of time. The 280 will be lower geared to make resonable progress in a two ton motor car. 1995 puts it straight into the dodgy wiring insulation bracket but as mentioned already body condition is paramount. It might have some resale value as a transplant donor car for someone with a rotten 500 . Clean sound examples of this vintage of Mercedes , despite spec, will always find a buyer at the right price- this might be one of them-- if there's a rational reason for that low mileage .

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

I understand your temptation, I really do. Big cars offer crazy value for money - if that was a C or E sized car on that mileage, it would have been sold by now.

Engine size isn't an issue if you're not going to be "working it."

But wouldn't the beautiful, elegant, W220 would be a better buy for the same kind of money.

You'll be able to pick up an S320 or S280 for similar money, in glorious condition, and better colours. 8-10 years younger, with much fresher tech, and so elegant.

Here's an example at £3,800 (call it £3,250) - but there are many around.

You'll be able to knock 20% off the asking price. Large cars don't sell in days or weeks - they take months or years to sell. Just take your time and buy a good one that doesn't need immediate servicing, tyres or repairs.

(Personally, I'd buy a 2005 low mileage, 2 owner, high spec car with main dealer history for £5k, but each to their own)

2001 Silver MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS 3.2 S320 4dr for sale for £3790

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

One (or two) owner, late model S320 CDI with will MB main dealer history and all the desirable extras and just 65k. Probably yours for £5k.

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[219]

My pal recently bought a high spec W220 S320 petrol in very nice condition ........ for £750

Comand ( Sat nav & TV ) heated electric mushroom leather , air con , air suspension , can't remember what else ...

Yes , under a grand .

 

[Mike210]

40K over 23 years averages out at 1,739miles per year !! so either its had a "haircut " or its been off the road for a period of time. The 280 will be lower geared to make resonable progress in a two ton motor car. 1995 puts it straight into the dodgy wiring insulation bracket but as mentioned already body condition is paramount. It might have some resale value as a transplant donor car for someone with a rotten 500 . Clean sound examples of this vintage of Mercedes , despite spec, will always find a buyer at the right price- this might be one of them-- if there's a rational reason for that low mileage .

I understand your suspicion on the milage front but the DVLA MOT check confirms low miles driven on a yearly basis.

 

[Mike210]

One (or two) owner, late model S320 CDI with will MB main dealer history and all the desirable extras and just 65k. Probably yours for £5k.

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Lovely car, hate diesel

 

[Mike210]

My pal recently bought a high spec W220 S320 petrol in very nice condition ........ for £750

Comand ( Sat nav & TV ) heated electric mushroom leather , air con , air suspension , can't remember what else ...

Yes , under a grand .

Yeah I see them around but realistically as they say: "there is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes". I'm competent enough in pre-phrchase checks but no mechanic by any stretch so buying a sub 1k car would be a massive gamble in my mind. Probably great if you want a big shed to swan around until the MOT runs out. What I'm after is a car I can treat and pamper with maybe some occasional local mercedes meets in mind.

 

[Deletedmember130310]

fewer toys = less to go wrong = cheaper motoring...