W140 S600 anything to look for ?

[mercmush]

Evening All

I'm currently working out in Doha, Qatar where petrol is cheaper than water at 17 pence/litre and labour is also cheap. Happily car loans are also cheap.

I've seen a 1998 S600 for sale with 62k miles on the clock. I'd like to ask anyone who knows about these cars to tell me what problems these cars suffered from. I've owned about six w126s and I know that a w140 is a superior car in almost every way but what are the pitfalls and what could the next owner look forward to?

All help gratefully received.

 

[Stratman]

Coil pack failure is quite popular on these, and I vaguely recall something about cracked manifolds.

 

[guydewdney]

crumbling engine looms - peel back some of the wiring, especially nearer hotter bits, and check for cracking / crumbling insulation

worn front suspension bushes due to weight - in fact any 140 check springs as they all snap eventually.

 

[Howard]

Two of everything to go wrong (will )

 

[Terry_]

The engines are very good unless they have been overheated. Check for oil leaks from the engine as these can be expensive to rectify!!!!!
As with all w140's the electrical goodies should work, as even today parts are expensive!
We have a very good w140 breaker in Kent by the name of Carl burgess should you go ahead with the purchase and need anything in the future
I would carry on with weak spots for corrosion but I doubt that would be an issue out there!

 

[SL300-24]

Coil packs are only about £20 each and there is one per plug so easy to replace, 1998 should be free from the loom problems. I had 2 go on mine within a month but no more in the last 3 years.
I loved my one should never have sold it (my mate still has it).
It was probably the best built Mercedes ever and that engine is sublime.

 

[IanS320]

Hi

Not sure about Qatar but I've just spent years in Oman and Dubai. I had a few recent model cars (at the time)

The 'mot' was a tyre kick so it's all about whether the car is safe and if it's going to keep running.

Forget the toys. My sl500 was owned by a royal and outstanding...but when the massage chair went Merc wanted 5000gbp.

After a 19komr (approx 30k gbp) quote to have my car 'as new' as new ran it through the back street garages for repair and the main dealer for service (set at about £200).

It either works...or it won't work....in the latter case there are people who can resuscitate an s500 for 200 quid. There are a huge number of spares.

The s600 is much more rare. I can see them needing to order from Germany. In 4 years I came across one s600. Everyone wanted it, no one bought it.

I was part of a group of enthusiasts that included Arabian dealers. Without them I would be in a very vulnerable place.

Best of luck. Do get a merc with a monstrous engine, the gulf is the place to do it.

 

[jaymanek]

Head Gaskets are an issue with this engine.... Ask Olly how long it takes to do them properly!

 

[BlackC55]

About 5million hours....

I worked in Qatar for a bit. There is a great MB specialist in the industrial area that we used to borrow tools from. Ask his advice as it likely that he has worked on it.

 

[guydewdney]

does the 'oil-in-loom leaking up from the gearbox into the gearbox ecu' problem affect the V12?