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I have a '97 S90. It's funny, it has a limited slip diff. but I don't consider it a good cold weather car (other than traction). The heater takes longer to warm up than in my 244. Same for the heated seats. But the A/C is too chilly in the Summer, I usually keep the temp. selector at 76 and I stay cool enough. BUT, I've spent about $2000 over the past 2 years to fix the HVAC system.
I bought the '97 in 2000 at 36K, and it now has 159K. I replaced the tires three times. Replaced intake manifold gasket, brakes, one ignition coil, brakes, breather box oil seal(if I recall correctly), and brakes (did I mention brakes?).
I don't like the brakes and suspension combo. too much nose dive. Very smooth and quiet though.
However, it is a nice freeway cruiser and feels like a "sleeper" Mercedes. Solid and strong feeling vehicle. Good acceleration when you need it. Make sure you have good tires with stiff sidewalls, this is a rather squishy car, somewhat like a Swedish Oldsmobile. I started with "OE" (new from the seller) Firestone Firehawks - too mushy, and recalled for "cosmetic cracking"; replaced with Pirelli P6000 SportVeloce - excellent handling, deeply irritating motorboat whining noise at 35mph and 63 mph, excellent in the rain though at speed, a bit slippery on railroad thresholds.
Currently: ContiTouringContact CH95 (not the German made ones unfortunately) - nice and *quiet*, middling in the rain, OK in the snow, handling's down a notch from the Pirellis but still solid. Actually a good match for the car considering all the other conflicting demands on the car and the compromises resulting therefrom.
Things I haven't fixed: Trunk supports have caused trunk lid banged my head a couple of times now, the sunroof is creaky, various plastic parts have fallen off, and so it's staying closed for now, armrest/cupholder has become detached, an occasional flicker in one of the dash lights (illumination, not warning lights). The A/C automatic temperature control loses its setting after about 1/2 hour in the Winter, so that's deferred until next Winter. This seems to be linked to the blank reading on the outside temperature display. Starting to burn(consume?) oil between changes but still not enough to be worried judging by the dipstick. Regular 10w30 oil.
Good luck.
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