I sold my BMW i3s for a W140 S600 V12 - you crazy!
Discussion
Yes, this is what I did.
I have always liked these old mercs and the opportunity came up. I sold my electric car and bought it.
The car has been previously mentioned on here and also a previous owner was a PistonHead member.
The car is Obisidian black (1998) with grey two tone leather and has 143,000 miles. The service history is good. Within the last 20,000 miles it has had new shocks at the rear, springs and shocks at the front, disks and pads all round. All the electrics work (well one door is intermittent). Mercedes replaced the gearbox at 100,000 miles. New windscreen (this week), so no delamination. It has been regularly serviced by merc/independent. Wow it is a big car.
It does need a full service and at the same time I will replace the brake pipes as they are corroded, the drop links, and rear springs. The bodywork looks good (some chips and scratches) but when I give it a good clean no doubt I will notice other things. I intend to change the wheels back the 6 hole alloy's(16inch). Currently it has the V12 wheels (17 inch) from the next generation.
The leather is good, but could do with some treatment. Otherwise the interior is good.
This is a big change. I just picked it up this morning and it is in desperate need of a clean. I will try and post some picture once I clean it. My initial thoughts are, it is soft and effortless. Certainly not a car to be hustled.
I will submit a few more posts giving you my view, once the honeymoon period is over. This is going to be an interesting journey. Ohh and the car has a digital trip computer which is a very rear option.
I have always liked these old mercs and the opportunity came up. I sold my electric car and bought it.
The car has been previously mentioned on here and also a previous owner was a PistonHead member.
The car is Obisidian black (1998) with grey two tone leather and has 143,000 miles. The service history is good. Within the last 20,000 miles it has had new shocks at the rear, springs and shocks at the front, disks and pads all round. All the electrics work (well one door is intermittent). Mercedes replaced the gearbox at 100,000 miles. New windscreen (this week), so no delamination. It has been regularly serviced by merc/independent. Wow it is a big car.
It does need a full service and at the same time I will replace the brake pipes as they are corroded, the drop links, and rear springs. The bodywork looks good (some chips and scratches) but when I give it a good clean no doubt I will notice other things. I intend to change the wheels back the 6 hole alloy's(16inch). Currently it has the V12 wheels (17 inch) from the next generation.
The leather is good, but could do with some treatment. Otherwise the interior is good.
This is a big change. I just picked it up this morning and it is in desperate need of a clean. I will try and post some picture once I clean it. My initial thoughts are, it is soft and effortless. Certainly not a car to be hustled.
I will submit a few more posts giving you my view, once the honeymoon period is over. This is going to be an interesting journey. Ohh and the car has a digital trip computer which is a very rear option.
YOLO!
I wouldn’t worry too much about running costs for the Merc. A mate has an I3; left it parked on his drive (gated, out in the middle of nowhere) and came out to find the glass covering the rear had shattered. It seems to be a well known “thing” that I3s can do, perhaps related to temperature change and expansion. BMW shrugged their shoulders all the way up to head office and he ended up with a very chunky bill to foot.
I wouldn’t worry too much about running costs for the Merc. A mate has an I3; left it parked on his drive (gated, out in the middle of nowhere) and came out to find the glass covering the rear had shattered. It seems to be a well known “thing” that I3s can do, perhaps related to temperature change and expansion. BMW shrugged their shoulders all the way up to head office and he ended up with a very chunky bill to foot.
Hi Andrew,
Many congratulations on your new W140. It's a really cool looking W140 saloon in Black. You're definitely going to enjoy it. Be prepared for other folks to turn heads when you drive past, yes, its that good! Believe me, I know as I've got two of these saloons in Black.
If your looking for a good indy to do the servicing and the other jobs, then two come to mind, Brian Nair at Nair Autos and George Fraser based in Uxbridge (he actually is based literally a 5min drive from where I live in Uxbridge). There are just so few of these cars on the roads today, so please stay in touch. It's just so nice to come across another W140 enthusiast. If ever you bring the car down to George Fraser in Uxbridge then please drop me a line and it would be great to meet you in person...
All the very best!
Many congratulations on your new W140. It's a really cool looking W140 saloon in Black. You're definitely going to enjoy it. Be prepared for other folks to turn heads when you drive past, yes, its that good! Believe me, I know as I've got two of these saloons in Black.
If your looking for a good indy to do the servicing and the other jobs, then two come to mind, Brian Nair at Nair Autos and George Fraser based in Uxbridge (he actually is based literally a 5min drive from where I live in Uxbridge). There are just so few of these cars on the roads today, so please stay in touch. It's just so nice to come across another W140 enthusiast. If ever you bring the car down to George Fraser in Uxbridge then please drop me a line and it would be great to meet you in person...
All the very best!
BlackWidow13 said:
YOLO!
I wouldn’t worry too much about running costs for the Merc. A mate has an I3; left it parked on his drive (gated, out in the middle of nowhere) and came out to find the glass covering the rear had shattered. It seems to be a well known “thing” that I3s can do, perhaps related to temperature change and expansion. BMW shrugged their shoulders all the way up to head office and he ended up with a very chunky bill to foot.
Well when I had my i3, I reversed and just touch the wall. The rear tail shattered as well, covered by the insurance though.I wouldn’t worry too much about running costs for the Merc. A mate has an I3; left it parked on his drive (gated, out in the middle of nowhere) and came out to find the glass covering the rear had shattered. It seems to be a well known “thing” that I3s can do, perhaps related to temperature change and expansion. BMW shrugged their shoulders all the way up to head office and he ended up with a very chunky bill to foot.
MrMerc said:
Hi Andrew,
Many congratulations on your new W140. It's a really cool looking W140 saloon in Black. You're definitely going to enjoy it. Be prepared for other folks to turn heads when you drive past, yes, its that good! Believe me, I know as I've got two of these saloons in Black.
If your looking for a good indy to do the servicing and the other jobs, then two come to mind, Brian Nair at Nair Autos and George Fraser based in Uxbridge (he actually is based literally a 5min drive from where I live in Uxbridge). There are just so few of these cars on the roads today, so please stay in touch. It's just so nice to come across another W140 enthusiast. If ever you bring the car down to George Fraser in Uxbridge then please drop me a line and it would be great to meet you in person...
All the very best!
Thanks. I have some experience of both garages, despite being based in South East London. I intend to book my car in with George Fraser. I already spoke to him last week and will call him on Monday to book the car in.
Yeah we can catch up.
Many congratulations on your new W140. It's a really cool looking W140 saloon in Black. You're definitely going to enjoy it. Be prepared for other folks to turn heads when you drive past, yes, its that good! Believe me, I know as I've got two of these saloons in Black.
If your looking for a good indy to do the servicing and the other jobs, then two come to mind, Brian Nair at Nair Autos and George Fraser based in Uxbridge (he actually is based literally a 5min drive from where I live in Uxbridge). There are just so few of these cars on the roads today, so please stay in touch. It's just so nice to come across another W140 enthusiast. If ever you bring the car down to George Fraser in Uxbridge then please drop me a line and it would be great to meet you in person...
All the very best!
Thanks. I have some experience of both garages, despite being based in South East London. I intend to book my car in with George Fraser. I already spoke to him last week and will call him on Monday to book the car in.
Yeah we can catch up.
You have to get a Technical Garage Sasaki exhaust for it, it sounds epic. Expensive though, sadly.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a29324953/merced...
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a29324953/merced...
Hereward said:
Does it still have the ADS hydraulic suspension or has that been ripped out? I have reasonable ADS knowledge and a spare ADS ECU if you ever need to troubleshoot.
I believe it still does have the hydraulic suspension. I'm not sure why one would replace the suspension. Surely the ride is better with hydraulics?Good to hear.
Some owners rip it out and replace with standard suspension components if there is a leak or a sensor fails. There is very little knowledge or willingness to learn and diagnosis can be hit and miss. The ride on 16-inch high profile tyres and hydraulic suspension is fabulous.
I suggest you renew the hydraulic fluid as a matter of course unless you know it's been done. You can use a turkey baster to siphon it out of the reservoir.
Some owners rip it out and replace with standard suspension components if there is a leak or a sensor fails. There is very little knowledge or willingness to learn and diagnosis can be hit and miss. The ride on 16-inch high profile tyres and hydraulic suspension is fabulous.
I suggest you renew the hydraulic fluid as a matter of course unless you know it's been done. You can use a turkey baster to siphon it out of the reservoir.
Hereward said:
Good to hear.
Some owners rip it out and replace with standard suspension components if there is a leak or a sensor fails. There is very little knowledge or willingness to learn and diagnosis can be hit and miss. The ride on 16-inch high profile tyres and hydraulic suspension is fabulous.
I suggest you renew the hydraulic fluid as a matter of course unless you know it's been done. You can use a turkey baster to siphon it out of the reservoir.
Out of interest do you know if Mercedes changed the placing of the V12 badge on the later models. I am getting a few owners saying that it is in the wrong place. It is positioned too high.Some owners rip it out and replace with standard suspension components if there is a leak or a sensor fails. There is very little knowledge or willingness to learn and diagnosis can be hit and miss. The ride on 16-inch high profile tyres and hydraulic suspension is fabulous.
I suggest you renew the hydraulic fluid as a matter of course unless you know it's been done. You can use a turkey baster to siphon it out of the reservoir.
Selmer Mk6 said:
Out of interest do you know if Mercedes changed the placing of the V12 badge on the later models. I am getting a few owners saying that it is in the wrong place. It is positioned too high.
I think they are correct the V12 badge should be a bit lower down, in line with the bottom of the rear window... I have seen some S600's where they put the V12 higher up. So, it could just be a personal choice thing. It's your car buddy, so choice is yours....I believe there were three different suspension specs for thee cars:
(1) Standard springs & struts (mainly the earlier cars up to the '94 facelift);
(2) Self-Leveling Suspension (hydraulic rear struts);
(3) ADS - which includes SLS.
Moving to the period correct Eltanin 18" wheels is another option (255/45/18 tyres).
(1) Standard springs & struts (mainly the earlier cars up to the '94 facelift);
(2) Self-Leveling Suspension (hydraulic rear struts);
(3) ADS - which includes SLS.
Moving to the period correct Eltanin 18" wheels is another option (255/45/18 tyres).
Selmer Mk6 said:
The computer has three functions, Speed limit notification, start function and destination function.
Hi. Still new to pistonheads but have to say i love the new motor. I have one in silver. Got a few jobs to do on it still. But getting there. Enjoy the drive. Yeah they guzzle gas. But a hell of car. Proper built benzJust a quick update.
I have had the drop links replaced. I can't say I notice any difference, but the previous service said one was beginning to rattle. I see this as preventative maintenance.
The parking sensors have failed. I have ordered a diagnostic tool, which claims it can identify the faulty sensor(s). That should arrive tomorrow. The glove box needs to be pulled down to open. One ashtray in the rear door doesn't open. The drivers door mirror is sagging, but still works. The top part of the driver's seat is hesitant when it moves back and forward. Soft close doors work for a while (when you take the fuse out) then fail. I have spare pump. The interior mirror doesn't seem to auto dim. Finally, the rear tail lights have moisture in them. I think that's it!
The above are small jobs, but they all add up. I will try and fix them myself, before I take it to the garage.
I have bought some original 6 hole alloys, which I will get refurbished. I will need to find the best tyre for them. Continental seem to be the ones. The wheels on the car will be sold.
Onto the drive. It is so effortless it is unreal, you simply waft along. I have not taken it on a long run yet, but you feel it is ready to shift. Two things though, it is very heavy, so judging when to brake is taking a while to get use to. Also the steering is very light. It is fine when parking, but i find myself over steering going round some corners.
I have had the drop links replaced. I can't say I notice any difference, but the previous service said one was beginning to rattle. I see this as preventative maintenance.
The parking sensors have failed. I have ordered a diagnostic tool, which claims it can identify the faulty sensor(s). That should arrive tomorrow. The glove box needs to be pulled down to open. One ashtray in the rear door doesn't open. The drivers door mirror is sagging, but still works. The top part of the driver's seat is hesitant when it moves back and forward. Soft close doors work for a while (when you take the fuse out) then fail. I have spare pump. The interior mirror doesn't seem to auto dim. Finally, the rear tail lights have moisture in them. I think that's it!
The above are small jobs, but they all add up. I will try and fix them myself, before I take it to the garage.
I have bought some original 6 hole alloys, which I will get refurbished. I will need to find the best tyre for them. Continental seem to be the ones. The wheels on the car will be sold.
Onto the drive. It is so effortless it is unreal, you simply waft along. I have not taken it on a long run yet, but you feel it is ready to shift. Two things though, it is very heavy, so judging when to brake is taking a while to get use to. Also the steering is very light. It is fine when parking, but i find myself over steering going round some corners.
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