shopping for M120

[bgalakazam]

I've been looking for a S600 or CL600 (or even 600SEL / 600SEC). I tried posts in Benzworld, Peachparts, Mercedes club of USA, cars.com, autotrader, craigslist. It seems I am out of luck. Those cars were all over in CA. Since I moved, I can't find anything (the right price and condition) in a 300mi radius from SC. There is only 1 1997 S600 in FL that I may look at.

I knew I should have looked for those while in CA. Any idea where to look for one besides the places above? I want to get my hands on one before they are completely gone. I MAY consider a SL600, but only if 1996+. Otherwise I want a 1992-1999 S600/CL600. I am looking under $10000, but SL's are more than that.

Any ideas?

 

[Roma_500E]

For $10K you should be able to find PRESTINE S600 W140 (third face lift (middle of 1994)+, most likely that will be 97/98) with 70 000 - 110 000 miles on it.

C140 should not be a problem to find for 10K but will be little harder to find than W140.

R129 PRESTINE one will be something around 15 000 - 22 000 (reasonable price range) I would go with the 98 with AMG package those are really sweet looking cars.

I would try some less fancy states like Indiana, Wisconsin, North Carolina etc, cuz people who drive cars like that in those states most likely very wealthy and are senior families. They do appreciate cars like that. Thus car will be with low mileage and not abused , neither by driver nor by sun/heat. Also those cars are not driven in the winter so rust should not be an issue.

While people in CA drive S-class like camry or accord so they do not really appreciate and do not value it, thats why most of the vehicle in OK condition because of the daily use, otuside parking and heat.

Otherwise, I guess you should try Texas.

P.S.
I would try to look for GRAND EDITION W140 S-class if there were any S600. I saw S500 only.

I also would not go with >1994 because of the tranny , 4 speed tranny is not the smartest one. The 5 speed is MUCH better.

 

[Roma_500E]

S500 not 600 but still nice to see

 

[gsxr]

Since I moved, I can't find anything (the right price and condition) in a 300mi radius from SC.

I have the same problem in Spudland. Mercedes are nonexistent here compared to major metro areas like Seattle, Portland, and all of CA.

Bottom line - you'll likely need to buy from Far, Far Away and have the vehicle transported. If you have the time and $$$, you could fly out and drive it home, which is a bit safer as you can see the car before paying. Be careful buying sight unseen, get a PPI, etc.

I'm guessing you may find something in FL which is just down the street (I-95) from you.

 

[sheward]

I can't speak about the condition but those cars appear regularly for sale here in Atlanta within your price range. Most of them seem to have between 100,000 and 130,000 miles.

drew

drew

 

[bgalakazam]

I'll keep an eye in Atlanta. There are plenty in Maryland and up, but I don't wanna do more than a day's drive.

 

[Trae]

How do maintenance costs compare for a W140 vs. W124? Does anyone have both?
A little comparison please.

 

[gsxr]

I'd expect W140 to be slightly higher due to the increased complexity. The M120 in general is known to be more spendy than the M119.

 

[195910]

How do maintenance costs compare for a W140 vs. W124? Does anyone have both?
A little comparison please.

German Tuners swear by the strength of M120 block...mechanically as with the M119 its over engineered.

Some have reported oil leak issues from seals and gaskets, though they do well with the heat over here..But the major issue is the electronic components which are basically two of everything : e.g. 2X ETA, 2X MAF.. as well as more complex Wiring harness and ECU/EZL.

Not an economy car.. but you will not find a smooother engine than this.. I balanced a coin on a 94 S600 with 150,000km, block was full of sludge and poorly maintained.. yet put your hand on that engine block you can hardly feel it running.

 

[quicksilver500]

W140 repairs are way higher than w124. The 120 is a great engine, its just everything else. Get 97+ these have ME control unit and .6 transmission. Anything below that will need a harness, 2x TBA, 2x MAF, etc etc. The AC is very complicated and expensive to repair due to the new gen electronics. I looked at w140's and got scared reading through the forums. I worked on a S600 coupe at the dealer constantly, the guy had an emotional attachment and spent ~45k on the car, rebuilding engine, transmission, replacing engine electronics, wore out interior pieces, all kinds of things. The best thing about the car is the suspension which is stout as hell and doesn't really wear out rubber bushing wise.

-Mike

 

[Jelmer]

but you will not find a smooother engine than this.. I balanced a coin on a 94 S600 with 150,000km, block was full of sludge and poorly maintained.. yet put your hand on that engine block you can hardly feel it running.

This made me want one, thanks

 

[195910]

This made me want one, thanks

Sometimes I want a 600 too, the acceleration of an S600L is like butter..no sound and no effort. But you must have long distance travel in order to justify the associated costs.

 

[Cannoli]

Keep an eye on Texas and Illinois for MBs ... states with $$$. I've bought two cars of my cars from Texas (500E and Ruf Cayenne).

 

[Bondavi]

I'm not one for suggesting cheap Mercedes, but this one seems original/unmolested enough to consider. Miles a bit up there but the body condition says a lot.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1995...6432113?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item58a21560f1

 

[bgalakazam]

I'm not one for suggesting cheap Mercedes, but this one seems original/unmolested enough to consider. Miles a bit up there but the body condition says a lot.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1995...6432113?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item58a21560f1

From ad:

This comes from a local Indian Estate and is being sold for parts or repair

 

[gerryvz]

Keep an eye on Texas and Illinois for MBs ... states with $$$. I've bought two cars of my cars from Texas (500E and Ruf Cayenne).

Indeed ... lots of oil money here in Houston and both Houston & Dallas are among the biggest MB markets in the country outside of SoCal. Even Austin and San Antonio are pretty large. Houston itself has 5 MB dealers in the Metro Area. I don't know how many are in the DFW Metroplex but I bet just as many as Houston.

If anyone is looking for a PRISTINE 040 black S600 (W140), let me know. The owner of my mechanic shop here in Houston has one for sale. It is the nicest S600 I've ever seen.

 

[gerryvz]

I'm not one for suggesting cheap Mercedes, but this one seems original/unmolested enough to consider. Miles a bit up there but the body condition says a lot.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1995...6432113?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item58a21560f1

Looks like it's riding a bit low in the rear......

 

[gsxr]

This 1994 SL600 looks pretty decent... love the AMG 3-pc wheels ($$$$).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AMG-/161064750862

 

[KarlC]

1996 Mercedes-Benz S600 Coupe 30,952 miles $13,995

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?&listingId=348996126

 

[KarlC]

Used 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC 2 door coupe 48,256 miles $9,995

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?&listingId=326321812

 

[gerryvz]

Compared to its predecessor, the C140 is just so .... INELEGANT.

 

[jhodg5ck]

1996 Mercedes-Benz S600 Coupe 30,952 miles $13,995

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?&listingId=348996126

Hmm..I may be interested in that one as a replacement for mom and dad's S600 that just got totaled w/ 40K on the clock.. We like the look of the sedan better but if this car has been maintained well it should be OK, plus I should be able to fix it..;-)

jono

 

[195910]

Hmm..I may be interested in that one as a replacement for mom and dad's S600 that just got totaled w/ 40K on the clock.. We like the look of the sedan better but if this car has been maintained well it should be OK, plus I should be able to fix it..;-)

jono

$hit , what a loss, but what can total a W140 ?!

 

[jhodg5ck]

a drunk lady in a ford exploder..

Pushed us fwd about 12 feet into a BMW.

Doors still open & close @ all 4. Starts, AC still works.

..

 

[Jelmer]

Jesus. One of those "I'm glad they were sitting in a tank" moments. At least, I assume everyone got out OK?

I read a lot on this forum about cars being totalled by drunk drivers. Very sad.

 

[jhodg5ck]

yup...everyone was fine, just a bit sore for a few days.

'merica can be a little bit daft when it comes to the driving drunk..this case especially so as the lady had her 2 year old in the car and two other people who were Not drunk riding as passengers.. Genius.

 

[195910]

a drunk lady in a ford exploder..

Pushed us fwd about 12 feet into a BMW.

Doors still open & close @ all 4. Starts, AC still works.

View attachment 19589View attachment 19590..

Looks like no brakes, ~60mi/h ?

Our W220 was totalled in a head on collision, combined speed of at least 150-160km/h with no brakes... pick-up truck landed on the hood.. But the S-class saved the day.

 

[gerryvz]

That's a hard hit on the rear, wow.

The main thing is that the car did its job .... what it was designed to do, which is to protect the occupants and allow them to escape alive. And Jono's family was OK.

This, folks, is why I originally made the decision to put my family exclusively in Benzes back in the mid-1990s, and have never wavered from that decision. There is no safer car out there.

The driver of the Exploder is going to get some major consequences above and beyond just misdemeanor "betrunkfahren" (drunk driving) on account of a) getting in an accident with innocent people involved; and b) having a child in the car. The driver is in some deep doo-doo.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gsxr]

My wife's 1995 E420 looked almost identical when the idiot behind her failed to stop... approx 60mph rear impact.

The driver of the Exploder will likely get a slap on the wrist and maybe a short license suspension, plus increased insurance rates. But don't worry, she'll be driving again, just without a license or insurance, and probably still drinking. US laws won't put these people in jail for very long (if at ALL) so they continue to be a menace on the roads. No consequences = no deterrent.

 

[Jelmer]

Driving drunk with a child in the back... No words.

People at work keep making fun of me when I'm on my "I never want a small car, and I never will allow my wife to sit in / transport my kids in a Volkswagen Up!"-rampages, but this is the example of why it pays of to have a bigger car. The trunk absorbed SO much of the impact damage! Sure, the tiny cars will also stay intact, but would probably have been launched OVER that BMW.

 

[gsxr]

Same with our E420. Don't try this in a Kia.

 

[195910]

Have seen a number of .036 rear ended at speed; these cars can take a hit from a Suburban or Silverado with no brakes and the driver walks without a scratch.


Won't trust any other car brand..

 

[szvook]

yup...everyone was fine, just a bit sore for a few days.

Excelent news.

the lady had her 2 year old in the car

What a f'ing bitch...(F that, the C word come to mind) and to be so ignorant with a 2 year old is just blasphemy. How can anyone do that and live with themselves, I hope someone threw the book at her. A .45 caliber hollow point to the face at point blank range would be my choice and save the court fees in the process.

 

[Trae]

Here's one for $4,700 in 1936.

 

[Trae]

Compared to its predecessor, the C140 is just so .... INELEGANT.

This is true, but I have really enjoyed driving the 1999 CL600 M120 over the years.

Indeed, external elegance died after the C126, but internal elagance is over the top in the C140.

1991_Mercedes_560_SEC.MP4

drive.google.com

 

[jhodg5ck]

C140 and m120 is hard to beat!!

 

[Trae]

This V12 held seven passengers.
Mine only holds four.