It may have been billed as the best car in the world when it made its debut in 1991, but the Mercedes-Benz ‘W140’ S-Class was launched at just the wrong time. 

Developed during the economic boom of the late 1980s, the S-Class was packed with incredible new technology but also carried the burden of US $3 billion of investment. 

Alas, by 1991, the world was a very different place economically to where it was during the height of the W140’s development. Western economies were mired in recession, incomes were cut, interest rates were spiralling and the luxury car market was taking a hammering. 

In V8 or V12 flavour, the S-Class was a difficult sell. The sole preserve of fat cats, royalty, business bigwigs and celebrities, the bigger-engined Benzes were in limited demand.

But all was not lost. For those who wanted the decadence of an S-Class without the truck-like fuel consumption, there was a more frugal alternative in the form of the S280, which used either the 2.8-litre or 3.2-litre straight sixes from the smaller E-Class. 

The sixes were a lot more frugal than the V-engined models, while retaining a sense of smoothness and perfectly adequate performance. 

And that means that if you want a luxury liner that doesn’t drink like a rugby fan during the Six Nations, the S320 makes a lot of sense – even more so now than it did back in the day. Affordable luxury? Here it is…

First registered in March 1998, this W140 is from the overlap period in which a facelifted version of the model was introduced, and as such it features a number of styling elements found on later cars such as clear indicator lenses and thicker bumpers.

It was supplied new by a Mercedes dealership in Cheshire but went on to spend most of its time in London, which is where it currently resides. the vendor required it from an owner who'd had it for a number of years and had ensured it was maintained appropriately when needed.

The current mileage stands at just over 116,000, which averages out at less than 5,000 miles per year.

As well as a UK V5C the S-Class has a few receipts documenting servicing and repairs including some fairly substantial works carried out at Mercedes-Benz of Chelsea - a main dealership in an area where manufacturer backed repairs and maintenance certainly don't come cheap.

There are no handbooks or service books provided as these were mislaid by the previous owner, but the relatively recent bills from the London main dealer suggest that this is a car that hasn't been neglected in terms of its maintenance.

The MOT expired in June 2022 and has not been represented for test due to a lack of time.

The W140 is imposing no matter what colour it is, but the brilliant silver of this example is quite an unusual choice compared to the dark hues allocated to many W140s.

It suits it, too. The car looks bright and healthy, the silver paint somehow shrinking it and making it look less cumbersome and bulky than darker S-Classes. 

Overall, it’s in great condition and the paint is in fine order – something that the vendor has attended to himself as, when he bought the car, the lacquer had deteriorated. 

He’s had the answer panels resprayed in their original Platinum Silver and the finish is generally very good, although if you look closely there were some very small areas have overspray that could do with being removed from the window rubbers and there's also a small chip to the paint finish on the roof. None of these jumps out but the vendor wishes to make any potential buyer aware.

According to the MOT history, it never appears to have seen any welding.

The wheels are all in good but not perfect condition, while the plastic trim and lamp lenses are excellent, as is the (double-glazed) glass, although there is some condensation trapped between the two panes of the driver’s window that will hopefully disperse as the car sees more use and the weather gets warmer.

Even in its lower specifications, the W140 S-Class is a wonderful place to be. And while the S320 might not have every single one of the toys found on more upmarket and opulent models, it’s far from left wanting.

Sure, the doors might not close themselves as they do on the higher models, but if you can force yourself to pull them shut you’ll find yourself ensconced in a truly lovely cabin, exquisitely well-trimmed and fitted with high quality, plush black leather. 

Heated seats, climate control, cruise control, electric windows and seat adjustment and even electrically adjustable head restraints are all present, correct and in working order. 

With 228bhp fed through a five-speed auto transmission, progress isn’t delivered as eagerly as it is from the V8-engined W140s, but it’s also not slow and you can certainly make decent progress. 

There’s ample power should you need it, while for cruising around town there really are fewer more appealing ways to travel. Exceptional comfort, effortless steering, great ride quality and enough power to not get left behind make it a very pleasant and relaxing car to drive. 

The vendor reports that it runs very well, changing smoothly through the gears and with the brakes and suspension operating as they should, with no untoward clunks or odd noises.

The W140 is one of many Mercedes models of the 1990s that is starting to attract a proper enthusiast following, with good examples now finding their feet in the market. 

And as decent examples go, this is one. It’s not perfect, but it’s certainly in healthy order and looks shiny and fresh. 

If you want an S-Class with all the luxury and appeal, but with an easy-to-maintain drivetrain that won’t break the bank at the pumps (something that’s more important than ever these days!), you’ve just found it.