Hi. One Polish here...I have 96 S500 in dark blue color and the way how you described this beauty is absolutely correct and agree with you in 100%. This car gives you increadible piece of mind. In Poland we call this models A BUNKER...cuz It's so quiet and gives you that amazing feeling of safety. After divorce this car literally heal my heart and soul...I felt so lonely and miserable, couldn't find place in the world but my Little Baby :) saved me...HOW?? Instead of drinking and complain about my life just jumping behind the wheel ( very often in the middle of the night) and took looong trip...no matter where just drive...hearing that smooth V8, looking at the star on the hood and just sink into seat and just driiive :)... AND TILL DEATH will always FOLLOW MY OWN STAR
You're fortunate that you got to keep the S500 after the divorce. Here in United States... And your poetic description has me picturing you listening to Chopin Nocturnes as you cruise down the roads. Best wishes.
@@Caocao8888 Actually listening Kingdome come- Twilight Cruiser 😉 best song for me for long trips...check it out. And thank you for your worm words. Best wishes from Warsaw👍
@Moon Fish Just so you'll know if you do ever buy one I have 255/45ZR/18 inch tires now there a really nice look with the MONOBLOCK rims,but your gonna feel the bumps because of the low profile tires,if you want a much more smoother ride stick with the standard 16 inch rims and TOURING tires,all depends what kinda ride you want...
I worked at a car auction years ago where I was required to do lock outs regularly and I remember one of these had the keys locked in at the detail line. It was the most challenging car to break into. Built like a bank vault!!!
The W140 and the previous W126 Mercedes S-Class were the best S-Class models. Compare to today's S-Class models, the W140 and W126 had presence on the road.
I'm 36 years old and I remember seeing these cars when I was a kid. It was sexy back then and its sexy now. My daily is a W220 S430, but if I found a nice W140 like this, I'd buy it no questions asked. So bad ass.
I have a 2000 in brilliant silver myself. Everything except distronic and wood steering wheel. Never liked the facelift because it doesn't stay true to that more elegant Sacco-era design. As if some other designer "edited" an original art piece.
I traded up my 2001 s500 for a 1995 s500. Such a good idea. They are so much better built. I now have a big dislike for the w220 even though it was a great car. Nothing compared to this body
@@petescarport WoooW now I want one. They are better built tho, and that's for sure. If I can find a all black on black in very good or fair condition I'll get it. But I love my black W220 it still looks very brand new thanks to chemical guys and mcguires haha.
"if you're the member of a Czechoslovakian crime syndicate or the French president, that's probably the car of your choice"... nailed it... LOTFLMAO!!! P.S. The French would be offended if their President was mentioned with EE -crime syndicate- "entrepreneurs" in the same sentence. And indeed their presidents always drive French makes (like Citroen, Peugeot or Renault)
Hands down my favorite S-Class, by a long shot. W140 was/is just the absolute the king of the road. I've always wanted to own one but god only knows how many thousands a year it would cost to maintain.
Hi from Holland, Thank you sir for this very nice video. It is more than a description of this flagship Benz. It is like a history lesson :) btw today, I bought a W140 S600 (1991) which came directly from Spain, Barcelona region. So, the car always drove in nice weather, like in Florida! I will use her for weekend trips.. Wish me luck!
Heb je fotos dr van op instagram die ik kan bekijken? Ik ga binnenkort ook een W140 kopen. Een vriend van mijn vader is een mercedes specialist en altijd heeft die een oude mercedes die hij aan het herstellen is. Ik kan niet wachten tot dat die klaar is☺️
.Всем владельцам MERCEDES здравия и благополучия ! Были W201, W140, четыре года на W124, 1985г.(2.0, 4 - ст.ручка, pierburg, самоблок). Я заглянул в Вечность. ...
I have the same year model in dark gray with beije interior that i just love.. My wife owns a 2016 s550 that i think its just a p.o.s compared to these luxury tanks! I wouldnt trade my 1998 w140 for 2 of the new models!! Dam i wish merc benz would go back and make the s class like this!!
I got a 1997 Mercedes s500 (: and bullet proof Windows slowly restoring it people keep saying its expensive not when you can find parts online and have a mechanic as your dad.
Awesome narration, really enjoyed watching the video. I'm picking up my new to me '92 500SEL in two-tone black on grey end of the week, a car I wanted for a long time, cannot wait to get behind the wheel!
Dad drove me around in this car throughout my childhood. I grew up having an obsession towards this car. I cried when it was sold. Became too expensive to maintain.
This is the S-Class generation that I love, my friends snarl and say, "Why do you like that old ass car?" Because they are bad ass tanks that you can get with bullet proof glass (yes i know the double glass isn't bullet proof here, because the bullet proof glass is like an inch thick). My grandma had the same Black S500, and I have no qualms saying that cause she really knew how to drive and exploit that thing. But I've always wanted the V12 coupe for myself. Those double panel staggered glass that gives you that extra seal when the windows are closed are awesome.
Glad that 1 owner woman did take care of such a vehicle, surely because she knew how luxurious and fully equipped it was and how well it drove when new, besides the exclusive price tag.
Really dig how he points out the size/type of weapon and narcotics in interior storage places as well as how many bodies, weapons or small children can get stuffed in the trunk. Nowhere on RU-vid can you get such vital tidbits of useful info. Love it!
Excellent as always Bill! Just to add another fact about the w140 involved in the Princess Diana tragedy, that particular s280 was actually stolen prior to being bought by the second owner (limo hire company) and was written off after the felon lost control and ended up rolling the car countless times. It was not supposed to be re-built after that incident but unfortunately was..... Have a great weekend, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
I had a S600 in this style and absolutely loved it. I also love the way Bill describes each vehicle. Bill you are wonderful. I'm one of the Canadians ( Dutch born ) that you suggested get put in the back seat.... LOL..... I love what you do. Hope you are keeping cool. :)
De S600 is een 12 cilinder,toch? Niet te doen in Nederland(Europa), vanwege de benzine-prijzen en wegenbelasting. Maar in USA/Canada ook niet echt "goedkoop' om te rijden/bezitten, neem ik aan.
I can't believe a 1998 s500 has 115k miles, just WOW. Makes me believe I can find a w210/211 or w202 thathas been maintained well. I really want to own one of these cars even though I am 23 and most people my age call me crazy because of that. Most of them think these cars are morally old.
I think I was 20 when I bought a w140. I quickly moved on to sportier, faster luxury sedans. Now I'm 33 and prices of w140's are still the same. If I were you I would get a w211 e55, classic Benz comfort with modern performance. You can even tune them and get 700hp.
My dentist has one of these and I park my black/ black/black 97 C230 with Monoblock rims next to it as the familial similarity is amazing - soooo mafioso
I have a W140 that I love and drive daily. I also have there Mercedes classics 60's and 70's. I love all of them and reach has its own character but my favorite is the W140, S 320
The W140 was well built in the sense that it was over engineered and was full of innovation, but these vehicles from the S320 all the way up to the big daddy V12 600 had way more design flaws and durability issues than the W126. W140 was the 1st gen of computerization of vital components in these cars, and the results are less than amicable. It also used cheaper materials (wiring harness, paint, etc.) that wear faster and don't "go the extra mile" like the W126 did, and to Mercedes's defense, some of that was due to government regulation. But still, a W140 needs at least 3x the maintenance and care to hold up as well over time as a comparable W126. The W126 is still the best Mercedes ever, bar none. That was Mercedes's TRUE example of "the best or nothing." From the W140 on, each gen has just been about more computers, features, and gizmos that take away from the most admirable ,timeless traits in a car: quality and durability.
The build quality is still there but the W126 was the last old school S-Class (when it comes to dependability, reliability and simplicity) but the W140 was a big step foward in terms of handling, refinement and safety. In those aspects, the W140 still feels as good if not better than most modern luxury cars. It feels superior to the S-Class that replaced it, the infamous W220.
The small compartment on top of the center air vents was not for the phone, it was the display of the on board computer. I had it in my 1998 CL600 (C140).
It’s a Lady Diana special I had a used 1995 c220 in 1998 paint on hood and roof started to peal off, them 1990s models were known for that. I also had a used 1974 450 SLC (anthracite grey)12 mpg city 15 hwy , but it drove smooth and fast on highway.
This guy isn't a salesman. He reccenoiters absolute gems in their wild habitats. He has extensive knowledge and knows how to pick them. When quarantine is over I'm flying to Naples to buy one of these absolute treasures.
Bill you just have a way with words. Your in-depth knowledge on the history of these cars is fantastic! Bill, even if you sold a Yugo, I would pay you 3X as much! I hope the rooster didn't defile your cars!😂
The mirrors had been made retracting to fit the car into a car wash and car train, otherways the car would been oversize. The little compartment above the vents was designed to store sunglasses. A other detail is also that there a no blank switches - the wooden part was made individually for every configuration. As i see - still sold - no wonder with this state of conservation - still a collectors item.
Very nice Bill. If your deal pending falls through give me a ring and I'll fly down to drive it back to Canada! I have one of these (a '95) and they're great cars. Just FYI the speed of impact was 65 mph (about 105 km/h) in the ALMA tunnel in Paris.
What years were the W-140 made and which of those years are considered the best? Want to be smart about which years I should be looking at. Thanks for any suggestions
Saw 1 for sale here in the 3rd world of the Philippines. Hopefully i could have it home in a couple months. Triple black riding on Carlsson 20"s. Looks so gangsta!
I have a 92 w140 Diesel. New motor from Stuttgart, new trans, new 2 leather covers front seats..new everything. Spent $40k on overhaul , ppl say im nuts.....new pse and vacuum pump for doors in trunk. Pse from programma in florida for $250 and vacuum in trunk 4 doors for $500 dealer. Runs well now....
@Samie Malik. .. You're an MB owner after my own heart. .. Our MY94 E-Class 320 Coupe is serviced with an "Open Checkbook" character like your MY92 W140. .. Long-term,, the dollar metrics do work. .. The 90's era Mercedes are engineered like no other. .. A Vintage MB is the only way to roll.
I had one of these Beasts with gangster mags etc. A true workhorse. It had presence and power on the road, a real head turner. I miss it. It’s a pity MB don’t make them like that anymore.
Great review. In 1997 this car was 20 years ahead of everything on the road. Okay... so how does the new S-Class compare today when looking at the current year/era? Meaning, is the new S-Class just as impressive as this car was in 1997?
