Thinking of buying an S320

[Lugy]

There's an S320 local to me, 97 plate for not much money. I quite fancy taking a punt as my new tow/roadtrip/daily drive machine.

What are they to live with? What about reliability? Fuel economy?

Cheers

 

[Seamster15]

W140 I guess....

Can you post more details? Pictures?

 

[Lugy]

Erm, it's this type Calder Motor Co : MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS S320 1997

 

[Seamster15]

If thats the car it's had a new front wing... hell of a car for the money though.

 

[reflexboy]

for under £1K it looks good-Check it out thoroughly though

 

[DSLiverpool]

I would spend a little more on this
Mercedes : MERCEDES S500 RARE PILLARLESS COUPE

 

[lynall]

I would be careful potential money pit, but if you can diy maybe worth a punt.
Yep w140



Lynall

 

[Adam230K]

S500 will feel less strangled and underpowered.

Also remember that this car cost 50kish brand new, so just because its under 1k now it doesn't mean it'll cost nothing to run.

 

[Lugy]

I'd love a 500 but I'd rather not have to spend loads on fuel when I keep wanting to hear the V8! Besides, I'm planning on building a Locost car for fun duties.

I'm a confident enough diy mechanic so thats not a problem, obviously I dont want to be constantly working on it and for it to be annoying to work on.

What things should I be looking out for? I believe it uses the older straight 6 and not a V6? Will I see 30 mpg or more on a run?

 

[Seamster15]

I'd be surprised if you saw north of 25mpg

 

[flango]

Thats a cheap car even if both wings are rotten and need replacement, when I was looking at these the 320's I drove were reasonable, not slow by any means but not in V8 territory either. If that car was anything half decent and I was closer I might be taking a punt myself, could do with a winter project, mileage isn't that bad either. I'd just also check out the electrics best you can and make sure everything works could be a money pit as it does look cheap against stuff of similar vintage on Auto Trader

 

[James Rothwell]

I got 27mpg on a run around Europe in my S500 which was 90% motorway, and my E320 averages 33mpg on a run easily and my E320 will do 36mpg on a run so I'd imagine the S320 would manage 30mpg?

How many miles has that car done?

 

[kwakdonut]

110k

 

[James Rothwell]

That is cheap!

I'd buy it myself if it wasn't the other end of the world, try and buy it for £800 and then just dump it on ebay and it will make £1,500 fairly easily as long as it's got some history and an MOT.

 

[Lugy]

Just back from having a look at it, it looks really good, apart from the wings though it's something I could live with.

All the tyres are matching Goodyear Eagles, the interior is immaculate and smells nice, the previous owner was an older boy that kept the service history up to date, everything seems to work as it should, it starts perfectly and it's quiet, it's comfy and it's low miles compared to most others.

I'm pretty confident I'm going to give it a bash

 

[Lugy]

Today's update: The deposit has been paid and I'll be picking it up on Friday. I cannae wait!

 

[LTD]

Good luck !

 

[Lugy]

Cheers, I hope I don't need it though!

 

[SilverSaloon]

just taken a look at the pics - looks nice & looking forward to seeing it in the flesh!

another car i'm going to have to try and resist!!!!

 

[Lugy]

Cheers

Once I get some new wings painted up she should be a beaut!