Buying old S class 280

Buying old S class 280

Author
Discussion

Bebs

Original Poster:

2,923 posts

288 months

Friday 3rd March 2006
quotequote all
Hi guys and gals,

Anyone give me a hint of what to look out for when buying a 1996/97 280 S ?
Need a run about but want something big and comfy..

Bad choice??

Thanks

gazzab

21,231 posts

289 months

Friday 3rd March 2006
quotequote all
You driven one?
My dad bought a brand new S280 in 98 ish. So the old shape (Diana stylee).
Suprisingly spritely.
Cheap to run as far as I am aware.
Better built than new Mercs
Less to go wrong.
I would say a great car to get.

a11lvj

43 posts

228 months

Friday 3rd March 2006
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MAKE SURE ALL THE ELECTRICS ARE IN WORKING ORDER ,THINGS CAN GET PRICEY ,E.G CENTRAL LOCKING PUMP. BUT ALL IN ALL THE W140 WAS BUILT TO LAST

grimsbychris

21 posts

230 months

Monday 6th March 2006
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Ran a 1998 S280 for about a year (40,000 miles) only sold it because I got bored (mid-life crisis bought a Porsche!). Check electrics, air con. Make sure its post 96 as the early ones had the eco-friendly wiring that self destructs. If you can afford the petrol there is no question it is one of the best cars ever made

GregE240

10,857 posts

274 months

Monday 6th March 2006
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Bebs, speak to Daz. He ran an S500 for several years. Indeed, it was in the family from new.

280? Poverty spec mate - thought you were one of these minted City types?

Good luck mate,
Greg

dazren

22,612 posts

268 months

Monday 6th March 2006
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Bebs. As Greg mentioned I ran a 96 S500L for a number of years. Details of running costs in my profile. Only problem with the car is that cars generally have got smaller, meaning that parking spaces around town have got too small. Have you considered an auto E39 540i for around town?

DAZ

>> Edited by dazren on Monday 6th March 10:21

Bebs

Original Poster:

2,923 posts

288 months

Monday 6th March 2006
quotequote all
Thanks Daz - I'll have a look at BM as well.

Greg - sharrit Don't want V8 fuel bills for commute through London.
Just want something I can sit back in and smoke a Cuban whilst rolling through the streets


Thanks for the tips guys.. I'll start looking

dr.evil

45 posts

241 months

Thursday 16th March 2006
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BEBS - an old Mercedes Benz ???

I guess that explains your title - SENIOR specialist

jamesk

2,124 posts

286 months

Friday 17th March 2006
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Dazren - just checked your profile for the S500 - thats fantastically good value you got there! Other than rear tyres you seem to have had an amazing car for not alot of upkeep. Really pleasantly surprised.

I am considering a 2000/2001 version - no doubt a little dearer to maintain judging from the perceptions here about decreasing build quality...

dazren

22,612 posts

268 months

Friday 17th March 2006
quotequote all
jamesk said:
Dazren - just checked your profile for the S500 - thats fantastically good value you got there! Other than rear tyres you seem to have had an amazing car for not alot of upkeep. Really pleasantly surprised.

I am considering a 2000/2001 version - no doubt a little dearer to maintain judging from the perceptions here about decreasing build quality...

Biggest cost by far was depreciation and whoever bought it got a great car.

The newer series has more elcetronic trickery to it which makes it more expensive to maintain. I know my fathers current 99 S500L, owned from new with 85k on the clock has had to spend significant money in the last 15k miles. Aside from regular servicing/tyres etc, he's spent £333 on a front suspension ball joint, £539 on a stub asle assembly, £230 on a new side mirror mechanism, £1,700 on a new "steering box", £611 on MAF problem and £136 on a new crankshaft pulley. Still drives like new though, even with 85k miles on it.

Also over the long run the hydraulic suspension can need costly repairs.

DAZ

>> Edited by dazren on Friday 17th March 11:25

pentoman

4,818 posts

270 months

Friday 17th March 2006
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The 24 valve 280 straight six (M104) is pretty strong, no problems there at all. If there is one it's either to do with the head gasket or oil leaks from the cam cover, I can't remember which. But it's not major.

Common problems for the body are the door closing pumps. I'm not sure if all models had them but, they suck the doors closed so you don't have to slam them. They fail very regularly and a new pump is very expensive. No big deal you would just have to slam the doors... but if they're working it might be a sign of a looked after car.

The other thing is the A/C evaporator. It's behind the dash and regularly fails (I'm not sure how). The labour to remove the dash and fix it is massive. So I guess check the A/C works.

These are the 2 main issues bandied around the Mercedes forums, and a large contributor to their reputation as being very expensive to run. But they are well made and apparently ride amazingly. Speaking of which, if the rear end is bumpy then I think that's the suspension spheres - another standard one to watch out for.


Russell

Church

165 posts

229 months

Saturday 18th March 2006
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A couple of years ago I ran a 1994 S500, bought it with 164k on the clock with good history for £3k and did about 12k in it then sold it for £3k a year later! Only issue I had was the original alarm system started playing up and immobilised the car a few times. Local Merc specialist wanted fortune to remove it, so for £250 I had a complete new one fitted. Other than that only normal maintenance items. Honestly it was a great vehicle, all original and looked and drived as good as new (looked awesome in Black!), no one could believe the mileage and the fact everything worked - and it had a lot of stuff for its age! So I'd recommend one, as long as you get a good cherished one then it'll last forever.

Big T

1,337 posts

261 months

Saturday 18th March 2006
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B, you can buy my one off me if you want??

What a lot of car for the money!!!

Church, funny you mention the alarm/immobiliser issue, I have problems with mine. It locks and unlocks but you have to keep pressing the key. Changed the batteries so it's not that. Also, when it locks the RED lights in the door and rear view mirror do not flash.

Anyone know a good Merc specialist to take it to in the East/North London area??