Published on September 9th, 2012 | by Daniel Sherman Fernandez
0Used Car review Mercedes Benz S-Class S320 1994 model
A used Mercedes S-Class competes with the BMW and Audi on the price scale, almost doubling in price from the base S280 to the S500 almost 18 years ago however these days they sell for the same value ‘used’ as a new 250cc clutch motorcycle. First owners would have spared no expense on spares and maintenance. A 18 year old company owned S320 will sell for as low as RM22,000. For your money you get an interior, regardless of model covered with leather upholstery as standard for the seats and door trim, glossy wood trim decorating all doors, dashboard and center console made if the finest in car plastic and knobs, buttons and switches with substantial feel and work with unmatched precision even after a dozen years of usage.
Gauges are large analog dials, except for the trip and total odometers, which are digital. Also, the shift lever moves through a notched gate effortless. The large-diameter steering wheel is a Mercedes fixture, adjusted electrically for both rake and reach. Electric motors also control all rearview mirrors. Front seats are adjusted by the seat-shaped switches pioneered so long ago by Mercedes-Benz; a 3-position memory feature allows adjustments made to seats, steering wheel and mirrors to be recalled at the touch of a button. Pure pampering and luxury! The seats themselves are typically Mercedes. Your initial contact says firm, but as the miles melt away the firmness feels more and more comfortable. So by the time the JPJ registration card form bears your name, the comfort levels have in fact increased. The 6-cylinder cars compete against the Jaguar XJ6, the Audi A6 2.8 and the BMW 728i. And yet the Mercedes Benz S-Class is as different from any of its rivals as apples are from oranges. The S320 is equipped with a 228-hp 6-cylinder engine and 5-speed automatic transmission. It sheer size makes it not the easiest of automobiles to guide through traffic or to park. Mercedes-Benz aware of this problem, installed a pair of chrome-plated antennas that rise from the rear fenders to mark the vehicle corners when the gear selector is put in reverse. Any S-Class vehicle will waft along with ease at legal speeds and above, protecting those inside from noise and temperature extremes. You can hear the power plant a little when the accelerator is jabbed, but it is all quiet inside with the double glazing glass all round. Despite their weight, the 6, 8 and 12-cylinder cars are capable of impressive performance. Smooth is too mild a word to describe the S-Class’ silky progress over any kind of road surface in Klang Valley. Running costs is not low but very reasonable for the quality of car you are purchasing. Residual values help ease the pain and interior comfort and road presence helps.