1996 S350 Turbo Diesel w/23K on Ebay

Check out this MB S350 Turbo Diesel on ebay, its amazing. It only has 23K.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4521319003

Grey market special!

Those big S class cars and their electricals scare the bejeebers outta me. They have a real weak spot too - the A/C evaporator is positively buried up under the dash...and they crack. Book time is 40 hours to dig the thing out and replace it. Yow!

As well as the evaporator and electrical issues, the 3.5 litre is known as the "rod-bender", as a fair percentage of them develop bent rods, leading to ovaling of the cylinders and massive oil consumption, usually without too many miles on the clock. Of course, you can always replace the engine for $12k .

Other than that, they're beautiful cars.

Ok, while Mercedes diesels are legendary, this model is ill advised. Here's why:

1st: What Thom says is entirely correct. The 3 liter engines are great. The 3.5 liter engines were simply bored out and failed more often than any other MB diesel I know of. Definitely NOT of typical quality and a scary gamble.

2nd: The W140 chassis are electrically complicated -- moreso than you want unless you (a) have a fat wallet or (b) enjoy electronics personally. Beyond that, they were susceptible to front end issues due to size and weight.

3. Importation. Nothing mechanically wrong here, but depending on your state/DMV...

4. For the collector, this is an uncommon vehicle, but not especially desirable. The W140 chassis' were considered very poorly styled and unless it's a 600SEC / 600SEL, buy it and keep it. Don't expect to turn it for profit.

DSLPWR

I don't think I've ever seen a Mercedes without leather!?!

^ cloth interiors are common in MBZ's overseas

^ cloth interiors are common in MBZ's overseas

Click to expand...

MBTex is more widely seen in most older MB cars.