Description
For anyone looking for a well-preserved example of 1990s Mercedes-Benz engineering, this 1997 S500 (W140) is an excellent choice. This model was built during an era when the company focused entirely on mechanical quality, and having covered just 77, 750 miles from new, this particular car has clearly been looked after. It is fully registered on Irish plates and taxed until March 2027 at which time Motor Tax will become €56. It offers a great balance of classic, understated luxury and everyday usability for its next owner.
The car has a strong maintenance history with main dealers and specialist garages, including recent attention from Terry Jackson in County Dublin and Custodian Classics in County Kildare. It has recently had some important preventative work completed to keep it in top health, including a new gearbox electronic control board, fresh plug seals, engine oil guides, and a new brake assist (BAS) sensor. It sits on a matching set of fresh Michelin tyres, and the underbody has been thoroughly cleaned, sealed, and treated with Waxoyl to protect it for the future.
Finished in its original factory colour of Smoke Silver Metallic, the exterior presents in excellent condition. The bodywork is straight and clean, showing off the classic lines of the W140 chassis without any of the typical wear you might expect from a car of this age. All the original details are correct, including the halogen headlamps with their factory washing system, and the panel gaps remain tightly aligned, reflecting how carefully the car has been stored over the years.
Inside, the cabin is finished in Mushroom beige leather which remains clean and supple. It is a very well-specified car, featuring rich Burr Walnut wood trim, dual electrically adjustable front seats, and an electric steel sunroof that lets plenty of light into the space. A particularly nice touch is that the pneumatic soft-closing doors and boot lid still work perfectly, which tells you a lot about how well the car's interior components have been treated.
Out on the road, it drives exactly as a proper V8 Mercedes-Benz should. The 5. 0-litre engine feels smooth and effortless, and the automatic gearbox changes gear without any fuss. The ride is quiet, solid, and incredibly comfortable, easily handling long cross-country journeys or simple weekend trips. It has a reassuringly heavy, planted feel on the tarmac that makes every drive a relaxing experience, and it is completely ready to be driven and enjoyed straight away.
