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  #1  
Old 08-19-2017, 04:58 PM
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Your opinion please-1992 500 SEL

What is your opinion of 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500 SEL with 175 K miles and $4000 price tag. and what about 1994 S420

I ownd a 1994 S350 and loved it but this are gas
thanks

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1994 S420, 1999 Ford ClubWagen
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Old 08-19-2017, 09:25 PM
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The 92 500SEL probably still has CIS "mechanical" fuel injection with electronic control. This is big $$ to repair and used parts don't age well ( RE fuel distributor )

The 94 S420 should have full electronic. This is one of the years that suffers from "bio degradable insulation" engine wiring harness failure. The harness is easy to change and some updated used ones are floating around the classified on this list so don't let that put you off.

Do some research on timing chain guides and oil tubes for the cylinder head / lifters. From what I recall these were common repairs. ( Any car regardless of brand will have weak points. )

Past that I don't have any other detailed info.
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  #3  
Old 08-20-2017, 02:17 PM
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As a former owner of three W140 cars ranging from 1994 through 1998, I would never, ever buy a first generation/pre-facelift (1995 and earlier) W140 again. They have too many issues relative to the later models, which also have more refinements.

Both of your cars are prone to AC evaporator failures as well. If they haven't been changed, you're looking at a $2k-$3k repair bill to fix them.

Dan
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Old 08-21-2017, 11:22 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 97 SL320 View Post
The 92 500SEL probably still has CIS "mechanical" fuel injection with electronic control. This is big $$ to repair and used parts don't age well ( RE fuel distributor )

The 94 S420 should have full electronic. This is one of the years that suffers from "bio degradable insulation" engine wiring harness failure. The harness is easy to change and some updated used ones are floating around the classified on this list so don't let that put you off.

Do some research on timing chain guides and oil tubes for the cylinder head / lifters. From what I recall these were common repairs. ( Any car regardless of brand will have weak points. )

Past that I don't have any other detailed info.
Thanks very good info
BTW the S420 have 80,000 k and the VIN shows 1993 manufacturing date I don't know if this considered 94 model?
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1994 ~ S420


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1998 Monaco Dynasty 40'
1994 S420, 1999 Ford ClubWagen
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  #5  
Old 08-21-2017, 01:35 PM
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The vin will show the model year regardless of production date. There are model year vin charts floating around the net.

The sticker on the door / body will show either " Conforms to standards in effect on Month / Year "< build date or " conforms to model Year standards. " < model year

The under hood emissions sticker would show " conforms to model Year emission standards. "

From what I recall, the wirinng issue stretched into early 96
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Old 08-21-2017, 08:42 PM
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If it still has distributors, the caps and rotors can get pricy; and they don't last as long as you think they should.
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Old 08-21-2017, 09:59 PM
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The question really is? for some one who is not afraid to get his hands on an engine and work on it is this car worth to own? only 80.000K
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1994 ~ S420


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1998 Monaco Dynasty 40'
1994 S420, 1999 Ford ClubWagen
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  #8  
Old 08-21-2017, 11:51 PM
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"Worth" is a variable question.

For general use I tend to buy sub $ 500 / 125 K mile domestic cars that have decent bodies but bad engine / trans then do a full recondition. I'll put $ 2 or 3 K into a car spending more than it is "worth" but I then effectively have a 35,000 mile car that will go another 125 K miles without much trouble. In the general market the car isn't worth what I have in it but to me the car is pennies on the dollar.

Being able to fix the car by yourself puts you ahead of the game. Sometimes having an interesting car means more than lowest cost. Still, I'd stay away from CIS cars due to parts difficulty / pricing. ( the 94 should be EFI by then )
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  #9  
Old 08-22-2017, 12:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by inventor View Post
The question really is? for some one who is not afraid to get his hands on an engine and work on it is this car worth to own? only 80.000K

I owned a 98 S500 for a couple of years.

As long as it was working correctly, it was a fantastic car.
But... the complexity is amazing, and when you have lots of stuff, lots of stuff can go wrong.

I did all my own work, and have access to MB clone diagnostic computer.
If not for the computer, the car would have been daunting.

Go with the advice, I'd further state that I would only get the last two years, 98 and 99.

Jim
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  #10  
Old 08-23-2017, 07:17 AM
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inventor, pay for a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) by a MB-trained tech who is familiar with that vintage vehicle and its problem areas. That way you will be aware of any pending major repairs. You need to find out why a 1992 vehicle only has 80,000 miles on the odometer. Extended periods of non-use can cause problems, or perhaps this vehicle went unused due to serious issues and procrastination. Lots of short trips, which don't allow systems to reach full operating temperature, can also cause problems. Buyer beware.

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