'92 400SE - good cars?
 

Hey guys. I am thinking of getting a local '92 420SE off of dads friend. I know the general issues that usually plague the W140, but wondering how good this model is? Its a SWB V8 model, which I dont see many of. Something happened to the engine, some guy paid some money "down" on it, put the new part on, started to put together and then never came back and its been months. He said he is likely going to sell it, because its went beyond the time the guy had to pay for it. Otherwise its in great shape, everything works. He said he would take $1500 for it. Body and interior are in fine shape. No rust, nice paint, etc. Is it worth it? I know that evap cores and wiring harness issues are problems on these cars, think dad said all of this had already been addressed.

Buy it or pass?

Thanks!

Maybe it's just the way I think, but I would buy it and drop another engine in it, preferably in your case an early 5.0L M119. I always found the 4.2L W140 a bit under powered, but at $1500 bucks for a decent example body and interior wise, I don't see how you could go wrong with it. Just be reminded tune ups on the early W140s are twice as much as on the W126s... Two rotors and caps :eek:

Buy it for $1,500 and drive it for a year and DON'T put anything into it.

If it lasts that long, walk away whn it messes up, you had a good time.

Thanks. The car is actually a 1992 400SE not a 420SE. From what I have been told, the 92 400SE was the ONLY SWB V8 W140 sold in the states, so I am guessing a rare car?

Anyway, found out more info... he (owner) said he was driving the car one day on the freeway and noticed it steaming and coolant was coming from the exhaust, which signals to me a blown headgasket. He didnt overheat the car though. He said the guy working on it said it wasnt the headgasket causing it, but he put a new one on it anyway. He said the engine is still currently "tore" down to the heads. Maybe the guy seen more extensive damage or something, which is why he bailed on the deal?

Oh well, it was nice dreaming about owning a W140 for a few days anyway. Before I put that much effort and money into a W140, I would rather wait for a LWB model, as I prefer the long wheelbase models.

Been wanting to trade my 95 Town Car for one, but no one interested, hard to even find a W140 around here, but ironically there is a car lot next to the store that belongs to the guy with the W140 I am referring to, they often get W140's on the lot, but very $$$$.

To update on this '92 400SE, he still has the car and told me he would take $1000 cash for it. Its beautiful in and out, but I imagine that it would cost a fortune to get it running again. :(

I have my eye on a nice 92 300SD, which I am about to start a new thread about.