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The Mercedes-Benz S-class series saloons and the coupes latterly known as the CL class have a long and distinguished history. The fifth generation series, announced in 1991, succeeded four other ranges of the same name, the first of which dated back to the Sixties. The 'W140' shape, as Mercedes' engineers call the 1991-1999 S-class model, took the world's motoring press by storm when it was launched. Though it attracted criticism from some quarters for its bulk and for being a 'symbol of excess' it was the yard-stick by which all other luxury cars, including the then-new Lexus LS400, were judged during the 1990s.
The technology it brought kept rival makers' engineers busy stripping examples down to see what made them tick. They even had double glazing to reduce cabin noise and ultra violet light intrusion. In 1991 Stuttgart moved the game on even further, with the launch of the all-new sixth generation S-class, also bristling with technical features that others scramble to copy and which eventually filter down to cheaper models. This S-class design continues today.
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What you get
A car that you could probably drive for the rest of your life. These cars were really built to last and you'll be amazed at the condition most are in, even after almost a decade of use. In fact, the latest examples have a 30-year anti-corrosion warranty, subject to some conditions as you'd expect.
For a car that was first released in fifth generation form back in 1991, the S-class is surprisingly competitive against many new cars on the market today though the earlier rather square-rigged styling has dated compared with the latest more curvaceous cars. The sixth generation cars from 1999 ensure the S remains state-of-the-art with high technology matching the bullet-proof build quality, even if the double-glazing has gone.
Either way, the big Mercedes is a great machine for pampering weary passengers and drivers alike - which is why it's the carriage of choice for wedding parties, diplomats, chauffeured limousines, Eurocrats and Third World dictators.
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What to look for
Being a Mercedes, every S-class generation was designed from a fresh start, to a generous budget, so all components are tested almost to destruction before any prototype is committed to production. The durability of these cars is legendary and it's unlikely that an S-class will cause you lost sleep over the possibility of it wearing out. Mechanically, these cars are all very strong; Mercedes engines are always built soundly, as are the gearboxes.
Equally, you'll find the interiors to be very hard-wearing, though many cars will have leather upholstery and this may be a little discoloured and crinkly if it hasn't been looked after. The handbook is the size of a Jeffrey Archer novel but dig it out and check that all the electrical convenience features work and that there are no signs of corrosion, though you're fairly safe with an S-class unless it's had poor-quality crash repairs.
These cars sell on easiest with the right specification which trade pundits usually define as automatic (the odd rare manual is about), air conditioning, leather and a classy metallic finish so avoid dull solid colours, cloth trim and poverty-spec 280s if you can. A full Mercedes service history is also desirable, especially on recent examples which have very generous warranty and anti-corrosion cover.
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Replacement parts
(Based on a 1992 300SE) A new clutch will be around £225 and a full exhaust system about £530, while front brake pads are around £30 and rears closer to £16. A headlamp is about £200
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On the road
From a driving satisfaction point of view; the S-class always retained its edge when it came to all round passenger comfort. There's a lot of room and the suspension allows a very smooth ride. The fifth generation car kept these attributes and, though larger, belied its size better when hustling along.
The latest S-class is unanimously rated as the finest driver's car in the class. Better handling than a BMW 7 Series. More refined and comfortable than a Lexus LS400. It's faster too. The S500 makes sixty in just 6.2s (faster than a Porsche Boxster) and, like the entire range, cruises comfortably at close to 150mph. Yet it's not unreasonable to expect to see a 25mpg average on the trip computer, even in mixed driving.
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Overall
The standard by which all luxury cars are judged and the older fifth generation still takes some beating for its age. If you want a big, roomy, strong luxury car that will last seemingly forever, an S-class Mercedes demands a close look.
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