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  #1  
Old 04-11-2007, 11:25 PM
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420sel any good?

Hi everyone,
Just recently had my 1989 300se destroyed by a woman in a civic. Now I have to replace the car. I have an opportunity to buy an 1988 420sel or a 1995 Volvo 850 turbo. I know the Volvo would get better mileage, but from what I've seen the 420 doesn't get much worse mileage than the 300se and I loved that car(RIP). Any thoughts? Any problems with the 420's?

300se: 177000 miles-16-20 mpg
420sel: 150000 miles- ? mpg
850 turbo: 220000 miles- ? mpg

Thanks in advance!

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  #2  
Old 04-11-2007, 11:30 PM
ForcedInduction
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420's sell cheap for a reason.

I'd avoid them and go for a 380SEL or a 560SEL.
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  #3  
Old 04-11-2007, 11:44 PM
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420's sell cheap 'cause there's the more powerful 560. Of course most people want the one with the extra 30 or so HP.

The 420 i hear gets about 18 mpg on the highway, so not nearly as bad as the 560.
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  #4  
Old 04-11-2007, 11:47 PM
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Thanks for the input guys. I guess what I'm really asking is if there is any problems with the 420's that would make it a bad choice for a daily driver. I don't drive much.
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  #5  
Old 04-11-2007, 11:47 PM
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Besides needing to keep your eye on the rails, they eat cams when they're older. You wanna V8? go for a 400E - a vast difference.
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  #6  
Old 04-11-2007, 11:58 PM
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Trust me, I'd love to have a 400e. What do you mean by "rails"? I'm not familiar.

Unfortunately I have to buy a car by this weekend. These two are really my only options. Is there any way to know if the cams are in bad shape prepurchase?

Thanks!
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  #7  
Old 04-12-2007, 12:18 AM
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They are great cars, its the same thing as your 300SE just with a V8.

The timing chains need to be done at 100k miles, if their is no record of this do it! Other then that the M116 is a great engine and well suited to the W126.

They get better mileage then the 560SEL and lack the SLS suspension.

At $3 a gallon I'll trade off a few HP for more mileage.
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  #8  
Old 04-12-2007, 12:21 AM
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Well if you enjoyed the '89 300SE, you should be all right with the '88 420SEL

Both of them are basically long legged highway cruisers, and presumably you know what to look for in them. The 420 is just a bored out 380 engine, so accelleration will be better than the 300SE, and gas mileage will be worse.

The longer chassis gives a bigger rear door, and about four rear inches extra rear passenger legroom. Other than that, the LWB 420 is just a little less nippy in corners and a little bit harder to park than its brethren the 300SE, so other than that, it will be OK.

These are not really economy cars, there is no steep demand for them, and a modest price should be attached to them. You can likely get an attractive deal if you approach the seller as though it's merely a piece of transportation you are looking for, and not something you really need or want

The 420SEL sits in the middle of the second generation US spec S class 126ers, between the 300SE/SEL and the 560SEL. Not as fast as the 560, nor as thirsty. Faster than the 300SE/SEL but thirstier. The 420SEL will have Zebrano wood trim like the 300, not the 560 Burlwood. The 420SEL will have the the simple shock absorbers in the rear, like the 300SE/SEL, and not the 560's more complex and costly to repair self leveling.

It is all pretty straightforward. Just check out the car for the things you know, to look out for, with an eye to hoping the overall cost to run per mile will be modest. The timing chain, tensioner and plastic guide rails should be changed out after each 100,000 miles, and the injectors too if they are shot. Does the car have service records?

There's a reasonably comprehensive buyer's guide for the 560SEC available
to peruse at www.mbcoupes.com that I co-authored back in 1999 that is still fairly comprehensive and could be applied to the four door 420 sedans, as well, and it's worth a look.

As to the Volvo 850, well if it's a turbo model: Welcome to torque steer.
They have proven to be good, reliable cars, but the FWD defines them, and I preferred the RWD Volvos myself, and had a long lasting affair with a '91 740, a very nice little runner that was easy on gas, and ran to a good distance (odometer broke at 120k) and I'm guessing it had about 150k when engine and transmission isssues surfaced, and it was donated away by my ex wife overf my protests... But whoever bought it had a good basic car, they took care of everything, and it is still on the road down in San Jose today.

Volvos have VERY comfortable seats, tight turning radii, and are a good compromise for city/highway driving, and reasonably economical with regular gas. For one with 200k on it, it should be obtainable at a reasonable price.
Sign up with IPD for parts and upgrades if you get one. Brickboard and Sweedspeed are internet forums for them. The 850 is a really safe car, also.
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  #9  
Old 04-12-2007, 12:39 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ForcedInduction View Post
420's sell cheap for a reason.

I'd avoid them and go for a 380SEL or a 560SEL.
Have you ever owned a 420SEL?

That's a ridiculous, blanket statement to make.

I owned a 1991 420SEL and after 250k miles I finally sold it.

The woman who bought it, a few years back, is still driving it and enjoying it.

I would not hesitate to buy another one.
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  #10  
Old 04-12-2007, 09:43 AM
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My 420 got about 22-23 on the highway, about 17-19 in town (better in Denver, worse down here in NO). The only reason I could think why 420s would "sell cheap" is because people *think* they need the bigger, thirstier 560, and as gas skims past 3 bucks/gallon, you'll be glad you got the smaller engine.

The owner of the dealership who sold mine to me commented that the 420 was one of the most civilized engines MB had ever made, and I have to agree.
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  #11  
Old 04-12-2007, 10:02 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by preban View Post
Thanks for the input guys. I guess what I'm really asking is if there is any problems with the 420's that would make it a bad choice for a daily driver. I don't drive much.
I have one and love it and with all old cars there are some things that need to be replaced. Check the timing chain, guides and rails have a compression test done. Belts, hoses and motor mounts need to be replaced. Good luck.
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  #12  
Old 04-12-2007, 10:08 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mistress View Post
...and with all old cars there are some things that need to be replaced. ..
Sage advice indeed!
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  #13  
Old 04-12-2007, 10:28 AM
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I have a 420SEL and I have no complaints, she's treated me very well and I have done the same for her!
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  #14  
Old 04-12-2007, 12:05 PM
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Well I just saw the 420 and unfortunately it is junk! Beat down and left out in the rain. Oh well, the Volvo it is. Thanks for all the responses, if I ever get another chance to buy a 126 I'm going to buy two!
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  #15  
Old 04-12-2007, 01:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by preban View Post
Well I just saw the 420 and unfortunately it is junk! Beat down and left out in the rain. Oh well, the Volvo it is. Thanks for all the responses, if I ever get another chance to buy a 126 I'm going to buy two!
Now is a great time to buy a gas W126. Their resale value is nothing, you can buy a nice example for $3k-$4k, throw $1k or so worth of parts at it and drive the thing for real cheap for the next 3-4 years.

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