1989 Mercedes 420 SEL - Possible Acquisition

[Torsten2001]

I'm off to see a 420 tomorrow, the guy wants £600 for it with a whiff of legality. 165k on the clock and no service history, not sure if it's a bit of me or not but i don't know much about them, anyone know what to look for?

[warren t claim]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1989-MERCEDES-420 ... 35ae9531df

 

This one?

[Negative Creep]

Is posting a picture of the car kicking out white smoke (even though it's most likely condensation) a good idea for an ebay picture?

[Pete-M]

Beware of chassis rot. My ol' 500 SEL was pretty shagged around the front anti-roll bar mounts.

 

Classic car mags will tell you that the best indicator of the general condition of a W126 is the state of the metal just below the rear window, but as that was mint on my rusty one, I wouldn't believe 'em.

 

That's about it really. Fuel pump relays cost a bloody fortune and the injection metering heads can play up if shite has got into the system, otherwise there ain't much. Oh, M-B 4 speed autos don't tend to change that smoothly when they're old, sometimes it's just the vacuum pack, other times all the clutch packs are fucked. They will, however, run for ages even when they're tired. Just beware if it doesn't want to engage reverse from cold.

[Torsten2001]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1989-MERCEDES-420-SEL-LOOKS-STUNNING-NO-MOT-NO-RESERVE-/230562279903?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item35ae9531df

 

This one?

 

Noooo! It's a word of mouth thing. I spoke to the owner tonight, a greek cafe owner and when I asked about the history he delighted in telling me that he's not spent a penny on maintenance in 10 years, I have seen the car before and it seems clean enough and it has done 350 miles since February (MOT).

Good info cheers Pete, though I have heard horror stories about the timing chains?

[Pete-M]

Good info cheers Pete, though I have heard horror stories about the timing chains?

 

Timing chains don't seem to throw up too many problems to be honest. Yeah, walk away if they're rattling, but I've not heard any rattly ones so can't comment on that. Chap I know ran a 350k mile Merc V8 from new and he never did the chains on it.

[Torsten2001]

That's good to hear!

[pogweasel]

Get right on it. gr8 4 tinpot dictators.

[Torsten2001]

are you call in me a 'tin pot' dictator?

 

I'll have you know I'm fairly ruthless and sadistic and I keep my little empire in order!

[Torsten2001]

Owned!

 

[Mr_Bo11ox]

GREAT STUFF, its amazing how little these can be bought for in reasnable nick. I bet you can get almost 30mpg on a staedy run as well.

[Cavcraft]

Ace! Leather, MB Tex or the usual minging cloth interior?

 

To be honest most manafacturers have/had their faults but these seem about the best big car you can get for that sort of money.

[Cheggers]

Nice...the classic Greek Cafe owners motor. Does it smell vaguely of kebabs

 

Another stonking purchase (tips hat)

[fotorabia]

great..our prices are starting to bottom out now as well..i like them..whydafucknot... just need a bombproof one

[pogweasel]

GREAT STUFF, its amazing how little these can be bought for in reasnable nick. I bet you can get almost 30mpg on a staedy run as well.

 

I think you answer your own question there Bo11.

With pez at what, £6 a gallon or whatever, and even exec fodder now driven by ultra-frugal diesels giving 60mpg, an old boat that struggles to even get close to half of that is going to have a street value of about 76p.

[Torsten2001]

I did pay a little more than 76p

[pogweasel]

Bet you didn't spend much more than a day's wages on it though...

[Torsten2001]

For a days wages I could buy this site and sack you all!

[pogweasel]

Hmm, this merc is making you despotic already.

[Peter C]

Earlier this year I had a 1991 W126 300SE, in silver with black leather. I swapped it for a Lexus LS400, which seemed like a good idea at the time.The Merc felt more special and considering how old the design was, it was still perfect for daily use in the 21st century. I got 25MPG on a commute and more on a run (that was a straight six though). I will have another W126, but bearing in mind what has already been said about fuel consumption issues, I hope it will be another 300.

[Magnificent Rustbucket]

Very nice! I love the W126.