1993 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Reviews - Page 3 of 3

3rd Jun 2006, 07:42

Not many people who drive Japanese cars have to put up with vinyl seats and wind-up windows, unless you are talking about cars built in the sixties and seventies.

These cars are lovely, the high fuel consumption being a major downside.

Mechanical repair costs can be kept low by being vigilant on maintenance and using a specialist for repairs. Avoid main dealers.

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1993 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S420L 4.2 V8 from Australia and New Zealand

Model year	1993
Year of manufacture	1993
First year of ownership	2005
Most recent year of ownership	2005
Engine and transmission	4.2 V8 Manual
Performance marks	10 / 10
Reliability marks	8 / 10
Comfort marks	10 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	7 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	8.8 / 10
Distance when acquired	119000 kilometres
Most recent distance	129000 kilometres
Previous car	Volkswagen Vento

Summary:

Bargain second hand buy

Faults:

Seatbelt tensioners failed on both front seats.

Gel filled engine mounts collapsed.

Steering strut failed.

ABS delay had to be replaced.

General Comments:

Fantastic family car, smooth powerfull cruiser with excellent economy for the size and weight of the car.

Compared very well with the Volkswagen Vento VR6 I had previously for performance, handling and economy, but WAY BIGGER.

This car had to be used and did not like sitting around. Excellent safe long distance commuter.

Above faults are understandable for age of vehicle. Vehicle was $230,000 new now worth around $12,000.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th November, 2005

1993 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 400SEL 4.2 Gasoline from North America

Year of manufacture	1993
First year of ownership	2000
Most recent year of ownership	2002
Engine and transmission	4.2 Gasoline Automatic
Performance marks	8 / 10
Reliability marks	3 / 10
Comfort marks	10 / 10
Dealer Service marks	8 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	3 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	6.4 / 10
Distance when acquired	25000 miles
Most recent distance	73000 miles
Previous car	Lincoln Continental

Summary:

A sink-hole

Faults:

Motor Mounts collapsed twice--$800 to fix each time.

Air Conditioner lost coolant twice--No leaks found by dealers or independent shops.

Electric rear windows failed to roll up twice. Costs $300 to fix each time.

Trunk closer failed twice. Costs $200 to fix.

Automatic door locks fail to open remotely. Costs $400 to fix.

Seat belt tensioner on both front seats failed. Costs $400 per seat to fix.

General Comments:

This car is over-designed with poor quality. There are too many useless features that break down and are expensive to fix. The list above is not comprehensive--but gives the idea of what is going on.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 11th December, 2002

18th Nov 2005, 18:31

Had some of the exact same problems, engine mounts and seat belt tensioners.

8th Mar 2009, 10:04

I feel your pain. I had a 1992 W140, and at 101K miles, I sold it. Never been so happy to get rid of a car. Overall quality is just poor. Interior trim coming loose, transmission acting up, long list of little things. Spent more time in the shop than on the road. Never again.

Had I realized that MB lost a class-action lawsuit over these cars, I wouldn't have bought one in the first place!

1993 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 300SE from North America

Year of manufacture	1993
First year of ownership	1991
Most recent year of ownership	2002
Engine and transmission	Don't Know
Performance marks	9 / 10
Reliability marks	3 / 10
Comfort marks	9 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	3 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	6.0 / 10
Distance when acquired	90000 miles
Most recent distance	114000 miles
Previous car	Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Faults:

Wiring harness had to be replaced because insulation on wires simply cracked and fell off exposing bare wires. New harness cost over $750 to replace!!

Transmission failed at 114K miles!! I've driven Mercedes all my adult life, over 35 years, and this is the first transmission failure, but what a hassle/expense! Have yet to get it fixed. Four very intelligent shops have tried to fix it and its still kaput... It has become apparent to me that they are simply building cars too complex today. The dealers fix of replacing the transmission is now the only option. I've never been able to deal with any of Mercedes dealers down thru the years because of the outrageous cost. Just about decided to give up Mercedes altogether and get something simple and easy to repair... Something virtually any mechanic can understand and fix, including myself.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 23rd June, 2002

25th Jun 2002, 21:05

Buy a 1980's (pampered) W126 series MB - and start smiling again!

29th Nov 2002, 08:01

I have experienced transmission failure with my 380se, just after a transmission fluid change at 143K miles. The best deal I could find was with the local M B dealer, the price for factory rebuilt transmission was only $1,770. and with a two year warranty. The labor was almost another $1,000 but what a car! Don't become discouraged, more people would drive the Mercedes S class if they ever got to experience driving one!

29th May 2004, 22:24

I purchased my 1989 420SEL about 6 months ago and it is a wonderfully made car. It is my first Benz and although it has 135K miles, I have just experienced transmission failure. Well not a complete failure, more like reverse failure. I am currently looking for a 1993 S300 or S400 but I have had no success. I am going to fix the trans because the car is a pampered gem and just needs to be lovingly caressed back to health, but the MB dealer cost is prohibitive. I am looking for a reasonable alternative. Notice I did not say cheap, after all it is a Mercedes.