1993 Mercedes 500SEL $3,500 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tivoliman · #1 09-04-2008, 03:11 PM

This is a fine example of why we drive Mercedes cars. The 320 HP engine still has the fun and zip, the air conditioning is cold, and the seat heaters (with all seats) are hot.

VIN WDBGA51E7PA111652
I have owned and driven the car since May 2001
Current mileage: 214,000
Asking: $3,500

Some major milestones:

The car was in an accident - a deer kicked the front radiator - so at 105,000 miles the radiator for engine cooling and the air conditioner radiator were both replaced, along with associated parts. Work performed by a Cherry Hill, NJ Mercedes.
At 110,000 miles the transmission sprang a leak, and was replaced with a Mercedes rebuilt - at Mercedes Benz Greensburg, PA
Regularly maintained
Log book listing all services maintained - and I'll describe all to those that ask.

Things it has:

10 CD - CD player
Reclining rear seats
No deviations from original installations (no after market "enhancements")

Reason to sell:
I purchased the 1995 E420 - and am having a more sporty time.

Car is located in Sewell, NJ

All questions answered. Come at me.

Things needing repair:

Replace rear shock
The two vacuum pumps for door closing and door locks need replaced.
One rust spot by rear tail light. Chassis free of rust.

Benz Mercedes · #2 09-04-2008, 05:30 PM

I'm very interested, how old is the cat and exhaust system and what's wrong with the shock , or does it need two shocks, and what electronics have you replaced ,and what electronic components still need replacing. Also does the front end shimmy at all.

Thanks
Ben

tivoliman · #3 09-05-2008, 10:27 AM

Q - how old is the cat and exhaust system
A - Never replaced - seems solid. In NJ the NO is not tested, so don't know the effectiveness of the CAT (Jersey uses the dynamo's for the air pollution testing, and the Mercedes 500SEL is excused from that test, as the traction control module shakes the car when rear wheels spine and front wheels remain stable.)

Q - what's wrong with the shock
A - Seems the bushings are worn, and that causes a clunk (?) sound. The Blats were replaced, but I chose not to replace the shocks, which were good at the time. The car does not bounce, just makes noise. To resolve the noise permanently, yes both shocks should be replaced. My Indy did do a grease job on the bushings, and the noise was gone for about 2 weeks.

Q - electronics have you replaced
A1 - The ASR light came on and car limped home so the ETA was replaced
A2 - Something else was replaced, but I'm lost at finding my book. Spoke with Independent Mechanic, and he searched his computer, He said that he has not replaced other electronic components on the 500SEL, but that an EZL type component was replaced on my 560SL.

Q - what electronic components still need replacing
A1 - The radio just stopped working, may need to replace head.
A2 - Both vacuum pumps need repair/replaced (door lock & door assist)
A3 - The Air Conditioning is cold, but the fan is stuck on low

Q - does the front end shimmy at all
A - No. There was some front suspension work done by the Indy in 2006 which included a center link.

Other work performed by the Independent:
1 - Door latch assembly replaced in 2005
2 - Rear brake parking brake pads replaced 2005
3 - Mono drive belt and pulley (made noise) 2006
4 - Two fuel pumps in 2006

When cleaning the car, I misplaced the log, which I kept in the center console. Grrrrr I'm disappointed in myself, years of work maintaining that log, and now I can't find it. It's in the house some where!

tivoliman · #4 09-05-2008, 01:03 PM

The details from the log book have been typed into the attached file.

Interesting reading - I forgot much of it.

Benz Mercedes · #5 09-06-2008, 09:38 AM

Thanks for the detailed info, I have a 420 SEL that I've owned for 10 years and I also keep all receipts and a log , I knew the price for parts for the 140 was more than my 126 but I can't believe $1400 for a pair of shocks and [not that it needs one ],but $900 for a CCU , Looking at your repair list I see you really have spent a lot of $$ already, at least you did not have to replace the A/C evaporator .. I feel your pain, I need to think this over ..

Thanks again
Ben

tivoliman · #6 09-07-2008, 09:22 AM

Agreed, there has been much spent on the car. The first step I took was to research and purchase an extended warranty, which I exercised. The warranty company I used provided $10,000+ worth of benefits while my premium was $2,700.

One reason for the higher price (the transmission was $3,500 alone) is that most work was completed by the local Mercedes dealer - hey the warranty company was footing the bill - let them negotiate with the dealer.

Comment: The warranty company I used no longer warranties Mercedes. The gem I found was 12 months or 12,000 miles, bumper to bumper for a car with 92,000 miles.

Suggestion for those members of this forum buying Mercedes - try and find a warranty company for the new purchase. I have not found one recently.

tivoliman · #7 09-09-2008, 07:42 PM

A teenager, who was looking for her first car, suggested I post the Big Benz on CraigsList.org.

Within 18 hours, I had an offer. That same gentleman bought the car, with an adjustment in price. In all I had 5 interested prospects.

All prospects had that common interest - "Oh I want to buy a cheap Mercedes." Those on this forum understand the most expensive thing to buy is a cheap Mercedes.

But he was after looks, and only planned to fix the shocks and the radio. The other things that were driving me crazy, like the tear in the front seat, was of no concern to him.

It was a win win situation - he got a cheap Mercedes, being willing to overlook some things, and I got cash for the car, and removed the car from my insurance.

The 1995 Mercedes E420 and I are best of friends. The Big Benz is gone, the Fun Benz has replaced it.