The Perfect S500 - Restoring a Modern Classic (W140 Mercedes)

Visit www.starpeople.world
Directed, shot and edited by Abey Shimeles. This is a story of a son who searches to find the perfect gift for his father. He settles on a 1996 S500 W140 Mercedes-Benz that needs a major transformation to bring it to it's past glory as an Autobahn cruiser. He reaches out to Restoration Barn to complete the process of getting the car finished in time for his father's birthday.
Check us out on Facebook:
starpeopleworld
restorationbarn

[@overflodkonge7605]

Over 1 billion USD spent to develop this car, and that was back in 1991. Most said it was over-engineered, I say it's the best car to drive this planet.

[@Vontharau47]

***** Yeah, sure ^^

[@DominicMadbull90]

+M600 GLL LOOOOOOOOOOOL you never ever been sitting in a mercedes

[@PuppetMaster-kb9sx]

+M600 GLL I had a 92 500SEL, a 97 S420 and a 98 S500. I agree that while they are nice, my 98 Lexus LS400 was superior in practically every way. The Benzes may have felt a little more firmly planted but the build quality just couldn't hold a candle to the 98 LS400. The gap widened when comparing the 2001 Lexus LS430 to the same year Mercedes-Benz S500. The Lexus was even further ahead. It does look like there is a bit of reversal of fortune going on currently though. I guess I have to wait for Lexus to issue a proper response to the current S class to know for sure!

[@PuppetMaster-kb9sx]

***** See? You are a great example of blind ignorance. As others can see here, Mercedes-Benz has become the car for low-brow, insipid clowns who wouldn't know quality if it bit them. They'd prefer to rely on four words and no punctuation in an attempt to make a quarter-baked point.

[@PuppetMaster-kb9sx]

***** What does that make you? I'm assuming you are trying your hand at a point here…?

[@francisau8003]

Not only this W140 is a beautifully restored car, but this is also one hell of a test drive video!! 10 years ago I first saw this video I wowed myself, 10 years later today I still think this is one of the best test drive video ever, the vibe, camera angles, music, tip top!!!!

[@MarkGolf]

Love these cars for some weird reason.. But I cried a little when I saw it in the auto wash, fresh black paint too, crazy!

[@mergimmuchacho6109]

***** wtf is wrong with this guy this is the best car ever made with a fresh new black paintjon that is on point and the first thing this dudes do is to ruin it in the automatic carwashbox. not so smart.

[@StarPeopleWorld]

MergimMuchacho I know, I know, we heard this before... The black paint work was done months before it came to Restoration Barn.. We did the car auto wash shot before the touch up re-spray that we did. Everything was shot in a non-linear way.. Hopefully this resolves the confusion.. Thanks.

[@ismayilzeynalov3380]

Dude same!

[@chimachinda]

The best looking S-class of all-time. It's presence is mighty.

[@jundialhaqiqa9907]

The 140 is an incredibly good looking car. It is one of my most favorite Mercedes of all time. There is nothing like sitting behind the wheel of one, and looking down the hood at the star on the end.

[@marioiacolucci]

M H my friend has one its white still looks great this car was everything back in the 90s

[@Ivan_2666]

The BEST CAR ever made!!! Thank you Bruno Sacco. This car will never die....

[@yourmothersbarber1810]

You are a good son. My dad died in 88. Would have loved to give him a trophy like that. W140 S Class is the best ever. Nice work.

[@zyomanemiroff2922]

Beautiful car. I got 99 S500 black on black. One of the best cars built to this day.

[@winstonl3571]

I would love a '99 w140, but a '98 will do just fine. I've heard the best years are '97-'99, which seems to be true. Is yours a grand edition?

[@mercedesbenzs600bash]

zyoma nemiroff Have you ever had any major problems with your car???

[@lolarani]

Omg this just made my day! I have a wonderful S500 but I bought it that way, just imagine this young man's pride - he made it!

[@emacemacii]

Beautiful car, beautiful video. Just driving this beauty through an automatic car wash bugged me a bit.

[@mikeyujuico4102]

The w140 is definitely one of the most beautiful benzes ever made.

[@40rty7even4]

Shame we don't get to see the dad's reaction when he receives the car as his birthday present.

[@StarPeopleWorld]

I know, unfortunately he did not want to be on camera.

[@40rty7even4]

+StarPeopleMovie . Is he happy with his present ?

[@getrealson2135]

Maybe he got a heart att and they dont wanna see us that on camera

[@Donkeyfart21]

GetRealSon stupid

[@brunojoey5876]

instablaster

[@benblanco3743]

To do this for your father is really a beautiful thing. If my Dad was still here, I'd do this for his 1969 BMW 2800. I'm a BMW guy but I've had alot of experience with Mercedes-Benz. This car is just too pretty. One of, if not "THE best" car ever made. I had a 1992 400SE. It was the only "short-body" V8 S-Class at the time in the US. Hope Dad liked it. Salud!

[@Dr.TJ_Eckleburg]

Great job! I hope more people start restoring the 140, they're real classics now.

[@1995RangeRover]

Still one of the best W140 vids on the internet! Makes me want another one!!! 🤪

[@opb7749]

well done! had owned 2 of them in the past, best looking benz even these days! will never regret you did this for your dad. Great job!

[@halflifemasta]

5:42, how I feel right after a car wash, rolling like a big shot

[@xboxcrazee]

W140 was something to aspire to. A modern classic..

[@bobibest89]

W140 is the best Mercedes ever made.

[@manuardzenadze1216]

that's right. legendary BRUNO SACCO's insane design

[@HPGruener]

Hands down

[@victorfu5979]

German cars are boring end of story not that the car isn’t good or anything but reasons

[@HPGruener]

@@victorfu5979 What are interesting cars for you?

[@victorfu5979]

Well firstly anything European is mostly boring not all of them but this comment was not directed at the car featured in this video.

[@nihonkokusai]

Black with grey skirts looks so badass on the W140

[@alibh7938]

Whoever bought this car brand new at that time and still has it is really lucky !

[@TheMonsterbenz]

the perfect movie. W140 S500 is best of the best car.

[@rosssmith9941]

Well done this is the best S-class mercedes made. Nice restoration

[@MBCarter1983]

WHAT A TRANSFORMATION!!! I currently own a 95 S320 with only 107,000 miles on it and beautifully kept. I will definitely be sending my Ivanka (thats her name) to you when cosmetic issues begin to creep up.

[@vivekram8422]

Sweet car! One of the best Mercs of all time.

[@MrAydyn]

.....E38....and....w140...BEST EVER.....

[@fa6151]

True.. Even E39

[@nicolaokmen9849]

The coolest car in the world ever You just get scared when you see it behind i love it

[@kareemissa4936]

The King of S class 👑

[@anthonyl3369]

Your car was in really good condition. I have a 92 w140 and I've been working on it for 7 years now. I found it abandoned in Lake Los Angeles with a broken window and it sat there for 6 years. I tracked down the owner and got the car for free. Literally, every single part on the car is now new, interior, exterior, electrical, and mechanical. I love this car and I get compliments every day. Mercedes over Lexus any day but I do like the ls

[@mercedesbenzs600bash]

Anthony Liguori What yr and model W140 do you have and has it given you any major problems since you had it??? Oh yeah how long have you had it???

[@old72mac]

I've got a 93 300SE...and I floss in it like it's a 500! Great car!

[@mercedesw140]

You couldn't have given your father a better gift for his birthday! Beautiful car! Personally, i'd put the 15-spoke wheels under that where available in the later years of the W140 instead of the AMG wheels. I'm hoping to own such a fine car some day!

[@JapellB]

I have a 02 S430 that the Restoration Barn will Deff be servicing in a year from now. BEAUTIFUL s500. Yes once you drive a Mercedes it's really hard to drive anything else. Got to love em lol.

[@mercedesbenzs600bash]

Japell Brooks Is the ride really that awesome????

[@michobebemckawi]

I'm so smiling right now, you cannot comprehend what I feel and felt around 5:40 ... Finally someone did something right to the w140 !!

[@butercup1991]

I'm glad I saw this video!... I was just about to sell mine now I'm going to put the time, effort and money into restoring it. Thank you!

[@butercup1991]

@*STERLING* for the moment but I will need to get rid of it soon (living/financial troubles)

[@MMWA-DAVE]

It's never too late to start. I'm about to get started on a w124 that's already pretty decent and original.

[@ellabella3273]

What a beast... you can't beat a classic.

[@alanaliyev456GT]

Black color is best choice !all my w126/w140/w220 was in black !!!!(or very dark grey)

[@ZiyanJunaideen]

I had a w140 I guess, with a blue/purple (deep dark) color which was nice. I think black is not such a nice color, but that is just me. But I have to agree, a merc is best with dark colors. Light colors are good for Japanese.

[@alanaliyev456GT]

Ziyan Junaideen for big cars all dark colors are nice ..for me.. i love black..but a deep dark blue is ten time better !!! My w220 is black but with touch of pearly... red dark/purple.i like.... but japanase car...i dislike..excepted Rx7/8. And NSX and few other models

[@mercedesbenzs600bash]

I totally agree,BLACK ON BLACK just has that RICH,POWERFUL look to it...

[@alanaliyev456GT]

Ziyan Junaideen a LS400 is beaitiful only in deep color

[@mercedesbenzs600bash]

+alan levy True,most BIG,LUXURY cars gotta have a dark color...

[@bertorodriguez1075]

I want to restore one of these with my son and give it to him as a present. I had a 1992 420SE when I was young. The only year they made a short body V8 in America. I loved that car.

[@juliorodriguez1721]

i owned a 94 sel 500 have had much newer and more expensive cars but never one i loved so much. the feeling this car gave me was indescribable

[@mercedesbenzs600bash]

Julio Rodriguez So it was really a BEAST huh,i bet the ride was crazy,cant wait to get my 92-99 S CLASS next yr...

[@FabienTeulieres93]

Guys, I saw the same questions remaining unanswered over and over, so I'll try to save you a scroll down the comments' rabbit hole. Q: "How much did the restoration job cost?" A: $9,500 Q: "What is the music playing at 5:40?" A: "Open Up My World" by Bonez Productions (found it on ReverbNation)

[@yellowjoe.2000]

love it. Even today nearly year 2023, this w140 S500 still looks amazing and would turn heads even in Miami next to other big sedans. Car has aged well and more than a classic.

[@kevintheawkward]

Amazing. Best w140 I've seen!

[@rosssmith9941]

I have a 95 SL500 with the M119 V8 and it sounds better than a lot of these new cars on the road! Great engine!

[@92superamerica]

Great work man. Its such a great car. Black is the perfect color for a S Class ;)

[@mercedesbenzs600bash]

GREAT GREAT vehicle,inside and out,AWESOME...

[@Sanpedranoazul]

Excellent job! The Car looks stunning! Proud dad!

[@joserodriquez6619]

I HAVE AN S. CLASS 320 BLACK AND IT'S A BEAUTY

[@nikosingh8549]

Great Video!! My first car for my 18th birthday my dad gave me a1999 Mercedes S500 Grand Edition...One of the sexiest car ever built.

[@guadour]

I have a grey 1997 S 300 TD I would die to have such a great repainting in black...!!!! There's no word to describe how beautiful is the w140 model however it's an old one...I think it will last for years and years again... great video guys Iand what a gift to your dad...

[@Okan195]

This is truly the best looking S class I ever saw, dont get me wrong the new models are so fine but the looks on this is so charming so shaped and so classic!

[@jeromep3182]

im just blown away W140;s is a special mercedes benz fro tech wise to the billion dollars they put in pre development process its pride all the way and an awesome piece of machinery I cant wait to get mine

[@tlbue32]

Has to be one of the best w140 vids on the tube! Nice work!

[@vanwandererx852]

Music is reminds me of the 90s.tastefully done.

[@winteriscoming4407]

majestic piece 😍

[@tibchy144]

this was simply beautiful, SWB is the way to go because it makes the car look more driver oriented and it corners better

[@IKhanNot]

The best luxury sedan ever made period!

[@DIYDanCars]

Oh that's beautiful!

[@tennspeed]

I love it, I must do my car like this, I'm working on my paint next

[@hpwan2]

love the w124, 126 and especially the mighty 140!

[@Vetal83]

best 9 minutes i spent this week!maybe thats because i spent too much time on GTA 5

[@pizzapingvin]

A wonderful car in every aspect. And It just has that presence. Great choice.

[@aa2398a]

beautiful cars...love the 140s!

[@christianjames1843]

And in the end you had to take this lovely beast to a fucking automatic car wash ? I mean cmon dude ....

[@sonnyman2000]

Chris James the car wash clip was shot before the respray

[@voogru]

+Christian james yeah, never take a car to autowash

[@StarPeopleWorld]

We get this a lot. Those shots were done before the final paint touch ups. It was more for a visual look.

[@alicioroker9114]

StarPeopleMovie where is the location for the restoration barn an phone number please

[@marioiacolucci]

Christian james I know right

[@jwatwater]

The S500 in "Enemy of the State" really made me fall in love with them. Don't know why.

[@marklaw4435]

Absolutely love this car!!!!!! There is nothing like a deep dark Black on a big S Class Benz. It is almost as if Black, was Especially created by the Car God for the S Class Mercedes Benz. You can see the Love and attention to detail, that was put into this cars restoration! Honestly this car Aces It!.........This young man obviously loves his father, there is no doubt. I have done a few complete restorations, and man, you kill anything I have Ever Done.....This Benz is a Labour of love, without a Doubt. Congratulations on a superb Restore, and on the Very Best Birthday Present any Dad could ever dream of. You my friend are "The Man!" Sincerely, M.

[@911sareforever]

William your a smart man, choose a car with one problem ether body, mechanical or interior.

[@THEKACHMANMEDIA]

Nice Reply to that Jerk.. I got the 1998 S 500. Wish I had the dollars.. Restoration Barn would be seeing me right about Now.. What a Great Job.. These guys are Darn Geniuses. Great work Guys, Great work.

[@1995RangeRover]

beautiful work on a beautiful Mercedes...great job folks!

[@Mattdude411]

Lol back in 2001 my parents had a 1999 S500 and a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee, in the same two colors you see in the first movie you showed. Brings back memories. It was leased but I don't remember having trouble with it, although I couldn't drive back in 2001.

[@peterlai7702]

Beautiful car! Your dad is a lucky man!

[@sokhoms]

Nice, I have a 98 black on black also and I love it.

[@winstonl3571]

Ditto!

[@mercedesbenzs600bash]

sokhoms Any major problems with your car????

[@petescarport]

Restoring 2 from 1995 now and one is black on black

[@1995RangeRover]

He's a good son to have it and share with his family!

[@johntechwriter]

Let me start with: I am not a Mercedes guy, I'm a Jaguar guy. But that said, I pay tribute to this as one of the great cars of its time. And it's SO cool a guy with $$$ understands that and commits himself to restoring a Euro-spec model for his dad. The values of his dad's generation have obviously percolated down to the son, and the result is something that every gearhead on the planet will embrace as just too cool for school.

[@DaytonCarCare]

W140, great car, though I'd get the V12 S600. ☺

[@Western.Confrence]

I have a 97 c280 S500s are my fav model!!! Beautiful

[@Bountyville424]

I don't have an S500 but I like this one. I have a 97 E420 and it's a great car! I love it, Kind of gives me nostalgia

[@dadelives1]

Seen this car on us1 while I was driving the bus, Very beautiful!

[@star500e]

Wow! 4 place multi contour seating, parktronic. Super rare feature set. Added the 5 spoke wheels from the R129 sportline. Lovely in what appears to be 040 black

[@reidb18]

Feels envious with my little S320 in midnight blue lol I want a black S500 now....

[@iskrentsekov104]

Wish I have a son like you one day good job!

[@loh1110]

How much does it cost to do this?

[@snoopyrizzle1]

Something about the w140 seems so elegant, timeless & sexy...I still want one.

[@kurtdwilliams]

If only we had a W140 restoration station like that in Australia :P

[@19tuureluur86]

Mercedes isn't just a car, it's fucking perfect art in every way! I own a 1996 w202 c220 and a 1984 w201 190e, wish I got more money to fix them.

[@aman_s47]

The merc w140 looks like classic design for the world

[@nikelife6126]

Love this car great gesture. Blessings for making your dad happy.Why 🤦🏻 car wash a newly painted car. The perfect luxury car.

[@gertrud3506]

Love this car like a human

[@aboubacardoumbouya7403]

wow wow wow!!! I have a 95 S420. this is my dream, just don't know if it will ever come true. Nicely done.

[@schwanzelstock1071]

Respect........... That car has more wiring than most modern luxury cars really great! It looks modern even today years flew by that's for sure we had one ( my parents ) in 1995. You did something to it I can't figure out what a stunning looking Benz!!!!! The video made me a-bit emotional. Sorry for the grammar it's not that easy for a German. Grtz.

[@wzzzz6627]

Great job ❤❤i love it!! ❤❤

[@franchi123]

best S class ever. i will have one, one day.

[@RahzAlGhul]

franchi123 did u get one?

[@sebfriday5114]

Unbeliveable cool car... It can't be easier to you to look cool when you're driving this car

[@ipadstan]

after all that work and you take it through an automatic car wash?

[@DrunkPuto]

+Stanley Ho IKR

[@StarPeopleWorld]

We get this a lot. Those shots were done before the final paint touch ups. It was more for a visual look.

[@toyotacorolla4268]

@@StarPeopleWorld if you "get this alot" maybe then stop doing it?

[@Hayk357]

The best car ever

[@user-bq9qj2go7g]

you killed me with that automatic washer

[@Ninawpb1]

Congrats ! I live in Brazil, and recently, after the economic boom, I see some very cute cars as Mercedes abandoned in the streets. In the street I live there is one C280 ... the problem is cars are more accessible now, and people in general use the cars and after 10, 15 years, when the repair cost becomes higher than the market price, or non-paid taxes are higher than the market value, they simply abandon their cars ... It is nice to see people not in what I call 'culture of waste' ...

[@raycroal]

you are so correct if we just kept fixing things the planet would be so much healthier

[@Chpimpas]

Great car! And good job!

[@hoodscoop454]

I remember when W140 wasn't just the body style it was also the price tag. great restoration one of the issues was the wiring harnesses and some of the other computer parts were meant to biodegrade but the parts started to biodegrade while the cars were still on the road. I always wanted one with 20' D93 Lorenzo rims good job folks and Florida as usual looks nice,,,,,most parts some not so much.

[@ballinoutdoors]

great production of a great story! thanks

[@yourmothersbarber1810]

No other car commands respect on the street like a Mercedes W140 big-body beast. 20 year old classic german tank.