tommorow i will be looking at an 86 sel and would like to know if there are things i should look for in that year or model. I know that the full size w126 is a well thought out car but would like to know how i should approach it. I asked if i could take it on the highway to really feel the engine and the tranny and hes not to hip on that. How can you buy a car without driving it on the highway. Anyways he says everything works and hes asking 2900 firm. This seems like a deal. Thanks.


Bedros

No way in hell would I buy a car without at least a through test drive! I would have a mechanic check it over If this guy smells like snake.

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Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

Check everything. Windows, climate control, ac, sunroof, radio. First thing you do when you get there is start it, then look it over outside and in.

After about 5-10 minutes, back the car up a few feet and look for fresh fluids on the ground where you parked it.

Take the car for a drive, see how it shifts under light thottle and heavy throttle. This 560SEL should run like a raped ape. Look for any hesitation, black/blue/white smoke. After your hard test run, come to a stop with the car still in drive, you should barely be able to feel the motor run. If you feel it, your looking at motor mounts, if you feel it alot, probably more.

Ask him if it goes thru any oil, if he says "a little" that means check it every time you fill up. If it went thru only a little, he would say "no".

Check the tranny fluid with it running, is it full? Does it smell burnt? Any metal shavings or black specs on your rag?

Good luck.

turbo diesel ,

Thanks for that great advice. I just looked at a 300e. It was preety bad but nothing that cant be fixed. The car is not to big but feels like a big car when accelerating and drives pretty good. Also has great pickup but leaks tranny and engine oil. THe car also did not start and i thad a new battery so i suspect electrical problems. He claims it has been sitting for a month. But to me thats bs.
New batteries do not die just from sitting for one month only. Ive had many cars that sat for one month and the batteries never died. He was pushing it to see how much he could get away with. I also found a bill for many parts that were just replaced 5 months ago like including the aribag. Seemed very fishy because he did not want to comment on it. Well hes asking 3800. I might offer 2k and see if he grabs.
Sorry for the long post.

Bedros

You said a 86 500SEL is it a euro? Check the transmission the power seats AND THE SUSPENSION! Without a test drive I would pay very little for the car or at least have it looked at.
my 2 cents