The mighty W140 Mercedes-Benz S-class was the last of the over-engineered Benzes with a reported development cost of $1 billion. The W140 introduced the world to features like double pane window glazing (regularly and erroneously reported as bulletproof) and motorized closing doors/boot latch. When new the S600 could cost in excess of $140k but today costs as much as a used Honda. Find this 1999 Mercedes-Benz S600 V12 W140 for sale in Chandler, AZ for $6,200 via craigslist. Tip from Matthew V. 
It is hard to argue with a 4900 lb sedan powered by a V12 engine for less than 7 grand, even if it will cost you a few grand each time you need to visit a mechanic. This one looks good for 116k miles on the odometer and should last another 100k miles if properly maintained. As a bonus, there is no way you will lose $136k in depreciation like the original owner would have by now.
The S600 is powered by the M120, a 6.0 liter V12 that pumps out 389 horsepower and 420 ft-lbs of torque. DT commenter Peter McL put it perfectly when he commented on a previous S600 feature: "As with all older MB cars, these 600 V12 cars are entirely repairable/maintainable by a competent owner. If you need the dealer or even an indie to do all your wrench spinning, this is not the car for you."
The interior looks a bit stained/worn, but the size of the back seat is crazy and this isn't even the long wheelbase version. You could do worse for a long distance 150 mph cruiser that scoots to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds.
See a bigger better big sedan for less? email us here: tips@dailyturismo.com
I see a car like this, I think, "This would be fun, I could do that." Now, I'm a pretty competent amateur with a garage full of tools and whatnot, and I've spun my share of wrenches on my '60's Porsche, my '70's MBZ, my '90's Land Rovers, etc. But
ReplyDeleteI have to remind myself that this is a car that was designed to be serviced and repaired by factory-trained technicians, backed by people with the means to afford such, and that it is now pushing 15 years old and has passed through God knows how many hands of similar plebs like me. A car like this is like playing Russian Roulette and without the benefit of knowing how many prior owners dropped the hammer on an empty cylinder. My guess is that a single "moderate" malfunction on this beauty could end up easily costing that which I paid, and more. Kind of like the old adage, "there is no such thing as a cheap Ferrari." Tempting though...
A perfect example of over engineered planned obsolescence. Or put another way, a fool and his money are soon parted...at least when it was new. People never learn. There is no bigger waste of money than a new car . OK I fell better now.
ReplyDeleteThat's very beautiful. Magnificent! One of the benefits of double glazing,is this one too.
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