1984 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Reviews - Page 2 of 4

Transmission was overhauled at 580K (when I bought it).

Misc. power options have failed (window switches, etc).

Overhauled vacuum pump somewhere around 630K.

No other real problems that I can think of for the last 10 years!

Comfortable on trips, great traveling car with decent legroom.

Engine has never been overhauled, no major engine work since new!

Still has a great ride, despite the miles and age.

Attractive; still looks like a car, not a space-ship.

Easy to work on! Any idiot can do a lot of repairs on these cars; they were built with such simplicity.

Used and/or aftermarket parts are easy to find, and usually have decent prices (on most things)

This car is no exception, it's the rule! Maintain them like they should be maintained, and they'll just keep on going like that Energizer bunny! I've had several of them over the years, and they've just been super cars. Hoping to reach 750K with this one, at least, before any major engine problems.

Left front window regulator broke, one day after purchase at 100,000 miles. This is typical of these cars.

Front tie rods, shocks, brakes misc. front end stuff at purchase at 100,000 miles. ($800).

Air conditioning evaporator, used from mechanic at 100,000 miles ($200).

Radiator and thermostat replaced at 108,000 miles. $500.

Distributor cap and rotor crack, wouldn't start after heavy rain at 109,000 miles. $124.

The poor car was not maintained properly before I rescued it.

The radiator was a faulty used one before I had it. The car was running hot, even in cool weather. Replaced radiator, that fixed problem.

This is just a great car. Deceptively fast for such a big and heavy car.

Fast yet safe for my two children, who love the rear power reclining seat.

Smooth and comfortable ride. The only thing I don't like about the car is that I want to pass my exit on the freeway, just to enjoy it some more. I look for any excuse to drive this car, hence the 10,000 miles in 3 months.

Overall, a great car. A little more expensive than my previous car, (Volvo 240), but a lot more exciting to drive.

Starter solenoid worn.

Ignition switch worn.

Ball Joints replaced.

The materials in the car just aren't available in newer cars, it seems. The leather, although 23 years old, is still supple and smells new. The exterior finish is gorgeous, and it shows that these cars were built with cost being no object.

The structure is second only to a bank vault, and feels safer than many newer air-bag laden vehicles.

You can still balance a quarter on the running engine, and it gets decent mileage for a V8. Although it's not particularly quick around town, it will cruise at whatever speed you like (legal or highly illegal) all day long, and leave you without fatigue, thanks to great seats and an incredibly quiet interior.

Keeping in mind its age and mileage, it's a real treat for an occasional driver.

At the end of its life with us (200,000 miles) - just about everything.

My father bought this car new in 1984 - was a great car for about 8 of the 10 years we had it. By the middle of year 8, everything on the car was breaking, and since we were approaching 200K on the odometer, we had to pay for everything.

At the end, the car could not accelerate with the A/C on. But, it was a very good car for many years, and our family survived being slammed at over 50MPH from behind because of this car.