Buying Advice '93 W140 S500 SE

[BlueMR2]

Hi everyone, i have been searching for a car for my Dad for that last week As his '99 Omega has given up and is sat outside the house. We saw a 93' 500 SEL on saturday that looked like it had been washed with sandpaper had a broken rear window and held the leaves from a tree in it before the window was covered up.

(You can skip the next two paragraphs to get straight to the point.)

We left that one, but my Dad was happy with the look of the car and its size etc, about the same as the Omega. I was looking at a similar car a few months ago for me but just couldnt find a decent one worth the trip to check out bar one(i'd sold my last car at the time so would have had to go on the train) but it was apparently not running well and going rusty so we turned round before we got there and came home.

I have in general found the quality of cars in dealers to be very poor unless you are spending 5 figures. The Mr2 i got was nice however it was slightly over book price.

I have found a '93 500SE. It has 143,000 miles on the clock and has apparently been serviced 24+ times. It sounds like a genuine car thats been well cared for so hopefully it will still be for sale tomorrow and i can arrange a viewing.

So i was looking for advice of what it should have and how it should work. It is one of the first W140's as i think they came out in '93? or late 92? So i was wondering if there is anything that i should check at all, im not a mechanic so i wont be rolling under the car at all. However i believe that the central locking is by vacuum pump and is a regular thing to fail, would this car have vacuum soft close doors and boot or was that an option at that time. If anyone knows anywhere that has a list of things that can be checked by the less mechanically minded a liink would be great.

Also are there any common problems that i should be aware of. The car will be my Dads only car so will consist of doing 200+ mile motorway runs on the way to work and back, as well as shorter journeys to get shopping on weekends. I understand that economy will suffer on short journeys but the majority of miles will be motorway so it shouldnt be too bad.

Also what kind of interval should the water pump tensioners and chain be replaced and i will check the history if there are bills to find when it was last done.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

I forgot to add the price is a few ££ under £2,900 is that about right?

Edited by BlueMR2 on Sunday 15th July 18:19

[Mustard]

STOP!!!

YOU NEED....




http://www.the80semporium.co.uk/workinprogress/

I know its a fair way (and a little more money, think he wants £3500 for it) but this guy only deals in really nice stuff, so I sure it would be well worth the trip

Edited by Mustard on Sunday 15th July 18:58

[BlueMR2]

That seems like a nice car, but unfortunately the budget was £1500 and i was told maybe £2500 was possible if it doesnt need a service anytime soon and nothing needs doing, but unfotunatly £3500 is just too much, The absoloute max really is possibly about £3000, if it is a very nice example and well serviced.

[Mustard]

Well buying W140 for £1500-£2500 is like playing russan roulette with a loaded revolver IMHO unless your exremely lucky

Paying for a well maintained minter reduces your risks to a certain extent BUT it should be rememeber these were £60k+ cars and parts prices will reflect this

[BlueMR2]

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.js...

Thats the one i will go and look at if its not been sold yet.

[CHURCH]

Agree with Mustard, very very big risk buying at that level and would suggest unless your lucky enough to find a good one chances are it'l be a pup and give you some huge bills so don't bother unless your happy to spend £1000's putting it right. They are an excellent car though if you get a good one.

I had a 1993 W140 500 and sold it a few years ago, funnily enough I just did an autotrader seach and a local (to me) garage has it for sale! Its £2500, listed as been blue but its actually metallic graphite black (best colour I reckon):

http://www.holywellmotors.co.uk/flash/index.html

If you want I'll tell you more specific details about it, and if its in the same condition as when I owned it (immaculate and everything worked) it could be a good buy.

[Mustard]

Just the opposite side of town to me!..... you local to?

[BlueMR2]

The one i linked above has been serviced on average every 6k ish miles.

We just need to get a car as the other one is stuffed now and it was going to be replaced next year but will obviously not last now so there are no savings for the new car at all, but one is needed asap. I would go LS400 but i cant find a well serviced one. A 7 series is a possibility.

Just need something big and reliable for motorway journeys without costing too much to buy.

Your old one sounds good but its about 2 and a half hours + each way to go have a look and then go back again to pick it up if its bought.

[Mustard]

I'd sooner take an LS400 (positivey Bomb Proof .... I worked for a Lexus Dealer for 6yrs!) than a W140

You need to read through 'Bargain Barges'

[BlueMR2]

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.js...

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.js...

Youd go for something like that then?

I had a very similar toyota and it cost me thousands in a year to keep working which is what makes me a bit apprehensive about one.

[Mustard]

BlueMR2 said:

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.js...

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.js...

Youd go for something like that then?

I had a very similar toyota and it cost me thousands in a year to keep working which is what makes me a bit apprehensive about one.

Too Right!

Far better prospects.... If you dont mind gold that 2 owner 67k miler looks a very attractive prospect

A very similar toyota For any toyota to cost thousands in a year must have been a right wrong 'un.... unless it was a late 80's Supra

Edited by Mustard on Sunday 15th July 22:18

[BlueMR2]

The Omega is the top gold colour so thats no problem.

I imagine it should be having a cambelt change right about now. Made that mistake with the Omega :doh:. Shame they only left a mobile number and i cant find a shop with that name on google i just know they are 118 miles away, as the crow flies i imagine. I may give them a call tomorrow.

[BlueMR2]

Yeah it was quite rare so you dont get much choice, perhaps not the best one its the only one i have driven and pretty much the only one i could find.

I would have bought an LS instead but i didnt really need 4 doors at the time(dont really now either i suppose so i have an MR2). Just got too get my Dad used to driving an auto if i we buy one.

[Mustard]

On A MKIII LS400 (95-98) things to watch out for

1. Failed LCD Display on A/Con / Radio
2. Expired Front Seat Heaters
4. Pitted Alloy Wheels
5. Worn Suspension Ball Joints

'Big' Service is every 60k/6yrs 120k/12yrs which is Cam Belt & Spark Plugs which gets a bit pricey but I believe on a MkI,II or III LS400 cam belt failure rarely causes damage (never heard of it happening either)

And a big Bonus is 25mpg!!! try getting that out the Merc!

http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...


Funs here! .... one someones just bought

Edited by Mustard on Sunday 15th July 22:38

[BlueMR2]

Thanks for that and is there a way to check for worn ball joints without getting underneath the car?

Was there meant to be a number 3 in there. Not enough money for a mk4 with its fancy lights and sat nav. I might look into getting hid lights for the MK3 as the omega has them and it can be quite a step down to not have them.

I think the mk3 is worth getting over the mk2 for its lighter weight and all the other improvements it offers.

[Mustard]

Yep at your Budget a Good MkIII is the way to go, (MkII is very wallowly)

Re Ball Joints look out for an MOT advisery and a fresh MOT

[BlueMR2]

I'll keep that in mind thanks.

I best get searching again if the W140 is that likely to brake - expensively and frequently .

Hmm the search continues, i hope i find one soon getting up for 4 to go to the train station can be tiring although there roads are quite peaceful. Thanks for your help.

[Pentoman]

I believe the W140 is a typically solid Merc BUT with some non-fatal flaws to it (apart from being a bit big and ungainly). The most commonly complained about are the A/C evaporators, which when they fail need dash removal to repair, and the vacuum door closing mechanism which just fails for fun. This I believe isn't a problem as you can just slam the doors yourself. Also the (rear?) air suspension can be very firm, meaning the accumulators or spheres are gone, apparently this is a bit expensive to fix too.

Servicing/running costs could be lowered greatly by going for a 320 or 280 model - the six cylinder engines shared with E and C classes would therefore be cheaper to run. Not as powerful as the 500 with its variable cam timing, but the W140 is no sports car anyway.

[BlueMR2]

Thanks for that, a car with air con that works is a must as the ear ache that we would both recieve from my Mum if it doesnt have it/work isnt worth the hastle so if that failed it would be a problem. The other things are not too bad if they dont cause a real problem, but would lower its value in the future if they needed repairs.

I think the LS is possibly a better bet.

[Egbert Nobacon]

This months Mercedes Enthusiast (Aug) has a buyers guide on these.

Apart from what has already been mentioned above they advise to look for the following which are becoming more common as vehicles get old/high mileage:

Broken front road springs - need special tools to change - apprx £356 a pair inc labour. Look for lower ride height (fully broken) or knocking noise (partially broken at base)

Oscillating Screen Wiper Mechanism - breaks without warning and cannot be repaired, £600 plus 2 hrs labour

Wiring Looms - Both sixes, V8's and V12's. Loom goes over engine, gets brittle with age and breaks as has to be taken off to change spark plugs.

Timing Chain Guide - Can break on V8's as its plastic. Rattle from top left cylinder bank could indicate imminent failure

Oil Leaks - 2.8 and 3.2 from head gasket at back of engine, and cam cover seals at front.

Much as I love these old girls I would personally choose a Lexus if looking for a barge of this age

Edited by Egbert Nobacon on Friday 20th July 07:50