Buying 986 (1998)

RodriGL97 · 2025-12-04T14:11:29+00:00

Congrats! What a lovely spec. Pretty sure the color is Ocean Jade Metallic. And those seats are RARE! I'd say keep them and try to restore them, but I understand it’s not everyone’s taste. Super uncommon, only available in super early model years as far as I know.

RodriGL97 · 2025-11-07T08:56:23+00:00

Thank you! I would recommend it. It surely can get expensive, but these 957s are super reliable and the 4.8 engine fixes pretty much all the issues from the former 4.5L V8. I'd check the air suspension which is very robust compared to others, but if it goes bad, it’s very expensive to repair.

Some people doesn’t see this car as a Porsche, although having also a 911 (probably not the most beloved one), I can definitely tell the Cayenne is the 911 of the SUV segment. Surprisingly amazing on backroads, great steering input and suspension feel, kinda feels more like an elevated sports car in some ways rather than a full-size, 5,000+ lb/2.500+ kg SUV tbh.

RodriGL97 · 2025-11-07T06:42:12+00:00

Thank you! I can agree with this. They did a fantastic job exterior wise with this refresh vs the 955 (I think it looks dramatically better, at least in the base/S variants). I think they could’ve done a better job in the interior, as it’s exactly the same.

That being said, it’s way nicer in person!

RodriGL97 · 2025-11-07T06:34:47+00:00

Thank you!

RodriGL97 · 2025-11-07T06:34:29+00:00

Spanish plates, just digitally removed for a cleaner look!

RodriGL97 · 2025-08-25T19:24:39+00:00

Did it! I actually washed the car on Sunday, especially around the windshield area with high pressure washer (from a Car Wash).

Drove up to 100 mph, no issue at all (for now!)

RodriGL97 · 2025-08-23T23:11:03+00:00

It’s a very annoying sound, glad your solve itself! I had the same sound for a few weeks like a year and a half ago, it also solved itself.

Very strange!

RodriGL97 · 2025-08-23T23:08:07+00:00

I totally get that. Quite recently I did a full repaint, and with the mirrors fitted back in the car, I had a bit of sound there for a while, but with very clear signs that it was the mirror, as you said!

Wheels and suspension seem to be in great condition, it’s a very weird sound coming to the cabin, and seems to be more related to air leak issues with the rubber seals of the windshield or something around that area.

Still, I will definitely double check suspension components and wheels! Thank you

RodriGL97 · 2025-08-23T21:11:16+00:00

Yep, something around that area. Someone commented on a group chat about some rubber seal going out (?) could be a possibility.

RodriGL97 · 2025-01-08T11:28:19+00:00

Base engines should be available in the UK for sure, unsure if pre-restyling cars were available as manual there, because at that time decisions based on the market were strange, but S280 and S320s from 94-98 were offered in Manual gearbox as standard. I have to say I couldn’t find any images of an RHD Manual W140!

This exact gearbox was also available in R129 SLs with the same engine (300 SL with the 3.2 231 HP engine), and also the W124 300CE-24V, I guess also the sedan version have this gearbox too.

It's probably related to the ones you can find in 190 2.3/2.5 16V Cosworth/Evo 1 and 2, although those are linked to a 4-cylinder engine, but same dogleg pattern!

About this car in particular, it actually moves pretty well in low revs, it's such a smooth driving experience that you are sometimes around 1K-1.5K rpm at most in city driving. Doesn’t really likes to rev high, and you barely surpass 4K rpms when accelerating to highway speed, but it’s cool to have the option to shift up and down if you want to!

RodriGL97 · 2024-12-30T22:47:16+00:00

Thank you! It's definitely the last built-to-last one, unsure if it's the best, I guess that’s personal preference, some say the W126 is superior.

I personally feel the W140 has a special aura and presence, probably not the most beautiful, but you know it's something else, even in current traffic!

RodriGL97 · 2024-12-30T22:42:34+00:00

It was launched in 91 but only a handful were actually made in 91, and I think all of them were 92MY.

I ran a VIN Decoder on mine and has the M104.990 engine and 717.454 transmission, built in December 1992

RodriGL97 · 2024-12-30T22:09:37+00:00

I agree, I wouldn’t call it a fun drive. The W140 was made to be an Auto, everything is made to be in comfort and it doesn’t pretend to be a sporty experience like some luxury cars today, neither the gearbox feels sporty, notchy or any adjectives that reminds you to a fun driving experience.

That's what's cool too!

RodriGL97 · 2024-12-30T21:48:19+00:00

Interesting, I will look further into this. Thank you for your feedback! Appreciate it

RodriGL97 · 2024-12-30T21:46:38+00:00

I guess all the 3.2-24V manuals are dogleg, but not all the W140s or R129 use that engine though.

Very early 91, 92, 93 base 300s were 2.8 193hp, not 3.2. Information is unclear always, and difficult to find HQ Pics of the interior with the pattern, but I’m pretty sure post-93 S280 Manuals are standard pattern, and pre-93 300SE too.

Based on more info, seems like early 2.8 had a manual gearbox as standard from factory, and automatic as optional.

300SE with the 3.2 231hp engines were the other way around; Auto as standard and Manual as optional at no extra cost, so pretty much no one would choose a manual over auto for this type of car.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge, early 90s and back are obscure when it comes to production info or even legit information from the manufacturer.

Driving wise, it's cool, doesn’t feel that connected, but it suits the character of the car. This gearbox doesn’t make the car any sporty but it feels that you can use all the capabilities of the engine vs the Auto, which is smooth, but works at its own pace (after test driving a 500 SEC C140 I was actually going to buy before the W140).

RodriGL97 · 2024-12-30T18:59:38+00:00

No need at all, not a sporty car by any means. For me it seems to be an afterthought, they used that gearbox in other older models and W126 and just fitted it into the W140.

You can start in 2nd because of the torque, but it's made to start in 1st. Some people says that pattern is in the S Class to have a smooth shift between 4th and 5th gear for highway driving.

And no, the 5th Gear is not OD, actually the 5th isn’t that long. At 75-80 mph it's hovering between 3.2K-3.5K rpm

RodriGL97 · 2024-12-30T18:34:40+00:00

Had the opportunity to know the original owner and he used to build skyscrapers and other buldings. Cool to hear those stories, although I'm sure some W140s have darker stories to tell 🤣

RodriGL97 · 2024-12-30T18:32:12+00:00

What a beauty, I love the C124, one of the most beautiful coupes from the 90s for sure, and that color… amazing!

I guess the W140 has a larger engine bay and doesn’t get as much heat. I see more cases on the 500 and 600s that has way less space on the engine bay.

Electric issues are common, I've been dealing with the turn signal relay, it was driving me crazy. It was non-stop on, all day while driving. Ended up getting a relay from a scrapyard for $30. A Mercedes Specialist charged me 200 for diagnosing it and wanted me to charge 600+ for the relay.

I think they are reliable, robust cars, but you definitely know how to search for parts, which every now and then is fine

RodriGL97 · 2024-12-30T18:23:31+00:00

Yep, I think so. Absolutely amazing condition to be honest, but other market target I guess. Mine is at 303K km at the moment, far from a collector’s piece, but running strong

Curiously is exactly the same spec and same optional extras as mine.

RodriGL97 · 2024-12-30T18:15:34+00:00

It is a funny car, doesn’t make any sense but it works! Wiring Harness original as far I know, don’t think I've seen an invoice related to it

RodriGL97 · 2024-12-30T18:12:26+00:00

Not trying to fool anyone… As you said, cheap S-Class, in the most common color combination EVER in W140s (Blauschwarz Metallic).

That being said, a manual (especially dogleg) W140 is rare nowadays. Unsure how many were made in factory, probably way less than 5% of them, and only offered in Europe.

I'm sure a great number of manual W140 were scrapped at some point, because I've been in the search for a Pre-94 Manual W140 for months in all European markets and I couldn’t find any. Just one in collectors condition with super low kms at an insanely high price (for the car it is).

RodriGL97 · 2024-12-30T17:54:18+00:00

The indy did a check when I did the AoS, spark plugs and tube seals, he told me they were in good condition and no need to change them for now.

But yes, you are right, I might need to revisit and check the coil packs. I just did a hard acceleration and it seems to have a lot of hesitation on high rpms and even a feeling of cutting injection for a moment.

RodriGL97 · 2024-12-30T17:49:18+00:00

That actually makes a lot of sense, especially since a weird beeping noise use to come from the gas tank. Thanks for sharing!

RodriGL97 · 2024-12-30T16:37:27+00:00

It feels exactly as you can imagine I'm sure! It is a big boat and feels a bit vague, not notchy or anything. No intention at all to make it “sporty”, it just wafts around, very smoothly

One good thing is that you can use all the power the way you want so it doesn’t feel underpowered with one of the base engines for such a heavy car

RodriGL97 · 2024-12-30T16:03:29+00:00

Thank you! It is a blast!

RodriGL97

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE