Just bought '87 420SEL to pair with '86 560SL

[roberthead]

So I took the plunge and bought another MB long distance. The 560 has turned out okay, and the 420SEL was [I think] a bargain, so worth the chance.

Now to find a transporter to take it from Troy Missouri to Ogdensberg New York

The car was off eBay, and the description is:

1987 Mercedes Benz 420 SEL - this has been our family car for the last 28 years. It has been garaged and pampered, but is not perfect. High miles, but the engine has been rebuilt as well as the transmission. The car boasts a newer paint job and absoloutly NO RUST. The car also has chrome Mercedes wheels on Continental tires.
PROS
New brakes and rotors (front and rear)
New plugs, distributor cap, ignition rotor
New injector seals
New front hub seals, and new calipers
Throttle linkage repaired and serviced
New front wheel bearings
Charged AC
New Battery
Oil changed and new air filter
(3) leather panels replaced on back seat - front seats are power and they work
Original Mercedes Benz tool kit, Original Mercedes Benz first aid kit
All original manuals and tags
Clock works - radio works - power antenna works
No engine lights on
No rips or tears - dash is covered with a replacement dash cover, driver seat on side is showing signs of wear - orginal carpeting still looks good, interior looks very good

CONS
Rear windows are non-functioning (think it's the motors)
Cruise control doesn't work (has not worked since engine rebuild)
AC works off and on
Circulating fan squeaks when car is first started (probably needs replaced)
Idle adjustment is still not right - does not affect cars performance, but when at idle seems a bit rough (however it doesn't stall)

Transmission rebuild cost $3100 - engine rebuild cost $7100 - paint $2000

I am trying to downsize - have another Mercedes that is newer so don't need two.....only drove this car 250 miles last summer - don't drive in rain or winter (always garaged)
This car has never let me down - never stranded me on side of road - plenty of power - and looks awesome.

Price reflects certainly not what I have put into the car - but the year and mileage which is excessive - it can be insured now as a classic which is a huge savings. The SEL model was the largest model for the year for the Mercedes - the back seat area is expansive (we have always called it our airport car) - plenty of room to stretch out. Trunk is fabulous and also very large.

Clear title.

Engine was rebuilt by KRS Machining of Erie, PA in 2005 - only 15,050 miles on new engine


Transmission w/ new starter was rebuilt by AAMCO in Erie PA in 2012 !

I figure, if it is a turd at the price I paid, I can part it out. Otherwise, a good driver with lotsa miles left on a rebuilt engine (hoping)...

[roberthead]

more pics

[roberthead]

a few more pics

[roberthead]

Condition: Used Year: 1987
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): WDBCA35D2HA35xxxx
Mileage: 232,000
Make: Mercedes-Benz
Number of Cylinders: 8
Model: 500-Series
Transmission: Automatic
Vehicle Title: Clear
Trim: SEL
Options: Cassette Player, Leather Seats, Sunroof
Engine: 8 cyl
Safety Features: Anti-Lock Brakes, Driver Airbag, Passenger Airbag
Drive Type: auto
Power Options: Air Conditioning, Power Locks, Power Windows, Power Seats
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Exterior Color: Black
For Sale By: Private Seller
Interior Color: Black

[meltedpanda]

very nice, that tranny place is in my old hometown, always had a pretty good reputation if I recall

Good luck , black on black and an SEL - does not get much better than that. Fly down , drive it home!

[roberthead]

Recd title and receipts in mail.

Recent windshield, brakes, transmission, mounts, steering seals, engine rebuild include rebore shaved deck crank valves rings rod timing cam etc, hoses, wheel bearings and wheels rotors seals Injectors vacuum lines a.c. recharge ignition and a paint job. Leather seat repair. New battery. Newer tires.

I now feel confident to fly n drive 1000 miles home.

Told starts with slightly rough idle. Smooths out and drives great. Guessing idle valve adjust or repair needed.

Crap shoot to buy and drive but using airmiles beats shipping costs. Be a fun trip.

Just need to prep auto travel kit.

Robert

[meltedpanda]

I would without hesitation. Good luck!

[Graham]

Originally Posted by meltedpanda

very nice, that tranny place is in my old hometown, always had a pretty good reputation if I recall

Good luck , black on black and an SEL - does not get much better than that. Fly down , drive it home!

Love those W126s. One of MBs best, just before the new era kicked in!

We winter in SC and so does a couple from NY. They have a 91 500SEL in black - very smart. The husband is in poor health, so they have their son drive them down and back each year. Don't seem to have any problems. Low mileage though - probably still under 100k.

Good Luck with the car

Ps: Ogdensburg's not far from us in Kingston, Ont.

[roberthead]

Drove the 420SEL home this past week. After using various online sites to invite bids from haulers, thinking of fly n drive scenario, I bit the bullet and we drove 1,000 miles from Ottawa to Missouri to pick up the 420SEL. This meant a chase car would follow me home - a reassuring prospect.

So what did I end up with, once I saw the car in person (bought on eBay)? The car presented as well as the pic posted, largely.

-The PS rear bumper has a scrape that will need repainting.
-The plastic grill insert has a broken bit - I'll refresh that.
-A some point, the car was driven by a smoker... ashtrays never used, but car will need a good steam clean - inside mirror and windows were nicotine dusted.
-The A/C and Heat are weak. Advice?
-Problem with the alarm going off when unlocking car (disconnected for now). Advice?
-LED for in-dash temp display is only 2/3 visible - easy to replace? Ignore?
-Idles a bit fast on cold start up (am aware of possibilities here)
-Cruise control stalls car if activated (engine removed, rebuilt then reinstalled - which is when this started). Will not use cruise....not my thing anyway.
-Radio display goes wonky, radio works/stops working (Decker).
-Some of zebrawood trim is showing cracks. Wondering if better off to remove, fill cracks, and simply paint an attractive color?
-Drivers seat bottom - must carried a heavy load a lot of miles - the springs about give up when you sit., on one side. Maybe replace foam and have springs checked out?
-Minor damage to black leather on Drivers seat cushion (from seatbelt strap), and a couple scratches in rear seat leather (send out for prof repair)
-pwr mirror switch inop. Will replace.
-PO painted on rubber seal of sunroof - looks crappy and hard/cracked. Easy to replace or leave well enough alone if not problematic?
-seat nets will need new elastic. Saw a how to somewhere on how to repair.
-burned out dash bulb around gas gauge. Replace.
-dash cap made annoying ticking. Will remove, inspect dash, and leave off if able or reinstall with a length of fenderwelting between cap and windshield to address vibration noise


Fuel consumption was excellent. Cruised along at 65-75 mph like I was sitting on a sofa watching other traffic.

Many thumbs up.

I had forgotten how huge the rear passenger space is!

Car is absolutely RUST FREE.

How do I know if headlight wipers are on?

Some detailing, a few bits, and this will be an outstanding grocery getter.

[meltedpanda]

sounds great ! AC and Heat, is fan working , check for clogs ducts ,are vents opening as they should , could be vacuum issue or vacuum pod. Heat could be mono valve. Tackle one thing at a time

[roberthead]

Well, the 420 has been sold, and the 560SL is in for body and paint. Downsizing to reduced parking space available....

[tyl604]

How did you end up liking the 420?

[okyoureabeast]

The 420SEL name always made me chuckle. God only knows the level of hooliganism that would have ensued if I drove that through college.

[roberthead]

I liked it, and was a reluctant sale. The new family will love it. And they know their MB cars. so my great buy continues to bring joy elsewhere. I sold it at break-even, so no complaints either way.