dhallworth wrote:

Nothing will make you appreciate how good your 5.0 SC is like driving a P38 for 6 months

I hear the interior heater is better on the P38?

Fair play

David. 2002 4.6 Vogue SE - Alveston Red with Lightstone Leather
2007 Range Rover Supercharged in Java Black with Ivory Leather
2012 Range Rover 5.0 SC Autobiography in Indus Silver with Jet/Ivory Interior
2012 Range Rover 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography in Baltic Blue with Sand Interior

Priceless, dlallworth.

And I'm sure, in Malaysia, nothing is worrying Eugene more than whether the heater is up to snuff .

In all seriousness, a sorted P38 is quite a nice car to drive. It doesn't have the refinement of the L322, however you can quite happily leave it anywhere without worrying about anyone running a key down it.

It's also a very capable car for little money these days.

A bad P38 is pretty horrible. Play in the steering is one thing that they seem to suffer from. I had one that was awful however some new bushes and track rods sorted that out pretty quickly.

David. 2002 4.6 Vogue SE - Alveston Red with Lightstone Leather
2007 Range Rover Supercharged in Java Black with Ivory Leather
2012 Range Rover 5.0 SC Autobiography in Indus Silver with Jet/Ivory Interior
2012 Range Rover 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography in Baltic Blue with Sand Interior

I think the problem is finding a well sorted one is a bit of an issue and finding a well sorted S-class is a hell of a lot easier. There are no P38s near where I live so no chance of finding one easily and there are quite some S-class Mercs close to here.

I did see a P38 with L322 head and tail lights plus sport grilles on the front fenders that is in Johor Not going anywhere near that apart from the fact it is way too expensive for my liking/needs.

So S-class it will be unless I cannot find a decent one

Heater wise, I will take the risk, AC is a different matter because it does tend to get a bit warmish in this part of the world  MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

I imported my Citroen XM into the UK from Malaysia. The elderly chap I bought it from lived in Melaka beside the Tiara Melaka Country Club.

His house was called Cooltek and is apparently quite well known throughout Malaysia for being green. One of the benefits of importing it from there was the AC was in perfect working order and the car has absolutely no corrosion on it. It lived in a dehumidified garage.

David. 2002 4.6 Vogue SE - Alveston Red with Lightstone Leather
2007 Range Rover Supercharged in Java Black with Ivory Leather
2012 Range Rover 5.0 SC Autobiography in Indus Silver with Jet/Ivory Interior
2012 Range Rover 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography in Baltic Blue with Sand Interior

hahahaha I read an article about that house in a magazine here a few months ago !! AC is a must here although I see a lot of cars with their windows open.

I just received my dry cooling vest for the motorbike because sitting still on the bike is somewhat "sauna-ish" MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

OK the current options are :

A Merc 420 SL (1996 so shouldn't have the engine wiring loom problem), I can probably get the price down to some 15k MYR but road tax per annum is 7k plus. I plan to keep the car for some 6 months, maybe lose 20% on the purchase price as the 5.0 SC should be here.
http://www.mudah.my/Mercedes+Benz+S+Class+A+-28525937.htm

A Merc 320 SL (1998) high km's but that shouldn't matter again only for 6 months. Road tax 3k MYR per annum so a lot less than a 420 but price is 30k (probably can get it a bit down say 27/2.
http://www.carlist.my/used-cars/1637461/19...a-3-2.html

A BMW 328i, looks the best kept of them all but won't be as comfy and quiet at the Mercs and that is a big thing for me on these roads. I love a car to be very quiet (and that is why I love my 5.0 SC so much) and comfortable. Still the Beamer does look really good and I am friends with the BMW parts manager for Asia, who have their warehouse close to us, so should be able to get the right parts quickly if needed . Road tax 1.6k MYR price would probably be 24k). The second (black one) is too expensive I think for only 3 years younger.
http://www.mudah.my/BMW+328i+A+-26037557.htm
http://www.mudah.my/BMW+328i+A+-28115235.htm

In principle all the cars will only stay for 6 months, although if it is a really nice one, we may ditch the X-trail (well that is not up to me but up to SWMBO). Even then we plan to stay another year and then probably move to New Zealand for a long time (where we can import these cars tax free if owned for more than 1 year).

Suggestions please  MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

420S. It's not an SL.

That's ordinarily, but the 320 looks better. Si. <This is my name.

I eat rat poison.

A man ain't truly been insulted until he stands buck naked in front of a woman and she didn't even notice. Or care.

Hahahahaha I expected you to say that and you are right it is a S420L

By the way, thanks for the tip the other day, I contacted them and they indeed only do the UK. I will keep their details in case I do get a UK based job one day. MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

Hmm. I never liked the "look" of those S types. I always thought the contemporary BMW7-series was a prettier car. However, the S from that era were built VERY well and a well sorted example should stay well sorted.

Double the $ for the 98 with a smaller engine and high mileage doesn't seem worth it. Yes, the tax savings are good, but it think I'd need some more compelling reasons to pick it over the 96.

When used, it's all about condition. That makes the BMW3 attractive, especially when only for six months. However, it's a LOT smaller than an S and the ride would definitely be much firmer.

I guess it also depends on what the local market likes as you'll soon be selling it on. Is there a Merc vs BMW preference? Big car vs small preference?

Of the three, my vote is between the 96 and the Bimmer, if the later will suit your needs.

But, it only YOUR vote that counts. Let us know what you decide.

Without having seen the 420 yet, it has my preference. I like the idea of a big engine as they don't have to work hard although the gearbox has to work a lot harder due to the extra torque and horsepower if it is driven hard.

Anyway first need to see it and check if the engine wiring loom issue is not present (should be up to 1995 models).

Now I don't like the looks of the as much either but that is not important, having a quiet and comfortable car is.

The extra road tax is easily offset by the low price, I mean we're talking at least 2 years worth of road tax. These cars do seem to move and I don't think there is a big difference between the S-class and BMWs but then I haven't been around for long enough to really gauge the market well enough.

If the 420 is a good one, it makes sense, I like the big V8, the price is low so the depreciation is low, the road tax is not an issue due to the low price and "short duration".

Will keep you guys posted but keep "challenging" the choice of course, the more viewpoint the more fun  MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!