Thanks for the replies. As much as I like the 500SEL, from what I have read, I guess I will pass on it and perhaps buy another 90s-2000s Toyota or Honda.

Braverichard- thanks for the info on the (Euro vs. USA mode) I understand:
Yes, then it is a USA model, as the VIN is:
WDBCA37D8FA169754 (letters after WDB)

Yes, I was thinking that the price was high to begin with- as well as many here and after speaking to my uncle (who ironically sold BRAND NEW Mercedes, BMW's, Jaguars and Porsches from 1983-1987) said that $5500 was way too much, I know for sure now. He said that $3000 was a good price for a 85' 500 SEL.

It is not as simple as finding another, because for some reason, the mid 80s Mercedes S-Class sedans are not that popular here. There are a lot of 190s, 300s, E-Class, and a few of the later 80s S-Class etc however. The population in the metro area is about 160,000 and rust is NOT an issue, so I have no idea why they are rare. I guess they were probably more rare initially. Seems like most are in cities with populations over 300,000- which is rational. The closest two I have found (on traderonline) are in Memphis ($2900) and Richmond ($3995). My uncle lives in Richmond (one I was asking about the car), so I may go up there and take a look. There are several at the local Mercedes specialists, as well as the Mercedes dealer, but they too are priced outrageous.

Actually, a local 87' 420 SEL just came available for $2995 OBO, so I may check it out. Would a timing chain replacement on this car be about the same as the 500 SEL? Also- the local "Benz Haus" has a 90' 420 SEL I am going to phone about tomorrow- it has 105K, but is in excellent shape (really excellent on this one), but unsure of the price, but may be worth the extra cost for a good one. This one is stated to have all records too. Also, just found a 88' 560 SEL for $3000- it is about 300 miles away - should consider that one too, but I am weary of the rear suspension on these. Another local dealer that specializes in older foreign luxury cars, also has a 1993 300E 2.8, for $4900, but I noticed it has a small oil leak dripping under it.

You are right- the 85' 500 SEL has no records. I may have been wrong when I said "excellent" - perhaps body and interior wise it is excellent, especially for a 1985 model.

Well, thanks again for helping me make a decision- you may have just prevented me from making a $5500 mistake. I would have been really upsey if I had of paid $5500 for this car, only to have to put $3000+ more into it.

I may be wrong though - I guess it is possible that all of the things that Hattaras mentioned could be wrong on a car this old, may have already been addressed, but even if so, I think that $5500 is more than I want to go for a gas model. If I go $5500- I would rather go for a diesel. There was a local 84' 300SD a while back for $4200, but with 220K, I thought this was too much as well. Now I really wish I had of reconsidered that one too.

So, if I do not soon find a fairly local, nice and reasonably priced Mercedes, or the 87 420 or 88 560, I may just go ahead and buy a Honda or Toyota now and perhaps consider a Mercedes later on- keep on searching.

Would you consider a 1988 560 SEL a typically better car than a 1985 500 SEL? I know that the 560 has the rear air suspension, so....

Read a lot of posts about timing chain snaps on the 420, is this also well known on the 560?

Thanks again!

Yes. Timing chain problems are just as common on the 560 as the 420. They are both V-8s. There is not a lot of problems with the chains breaking, but with the guides (plastic) becoming brittle and snapping off. The piece then gets lodged between the chain and sprocket and causes the engine to "jump time" which causes the valves to come into contact with the piston(s).

I would seriously consider the '90 420. Not only are the miles lower but it has a complete service history. Most people who bother with keeping the service history take very good care of their cars. You can also see what was done to the vehicle ie: timing chain. If it was done already you have an extra $1500 in which you didn't have to spend on that job. Also, the 420 does not have the hydraulic rear suspension to deal with. On a recent trip to Georgia I got 23 mpg with mine with 4 adults and luggage - going 70-75. Around town is not so good but I average about 17-18 mpg.

The post 85 W126's are an improvment over the pre 85 ones. Then newer engines have more power and parts are seem to be a little cheaper and more common.

Try looking for a W126 like this:
Private party, avoid used car dealers.
Full service hsitory
no rust or accidents
overall the car is in very nice shape with eveidence that the owner has been putting money into it updating stuff.

Nice W126's in my area seem to go for $5k-$10k.

Mint ones can fetch mid teens to even close to twenty.

Anything is going to need work but under $5k cars at used car lots will probably need more.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I looked at a sad '86 560SEL the other day. The interior was in bad shape - seats cracked, wood trim missing on the dash and some doors (laminate had seperated leaving only aluminum exposed), filthy inside, etc.
the paint was in bad shape for the year and mileage (180,000). Green coolant and there was a vacuum when I took the cap off the tank. Oil leaks gallore - so bad that it slung it on the hood pad, which was satturated. Wheels were flaking or the paint completely gone on some...
Guy said, "Yeah, she runs real good!" You should have seen how fast I ran...

He wanted $3500 for it. I told him it would make a good parts car. I didn't even start it it looked so sad.

Wow- after reading that - does not make the 85' 500 sound so bad of a deal.

The 88' 560SEL I was considering on E-Bay appeared to be a very nice car. It had 151K miles. It was a "no reserve" auction and it sold for only $2550. No records either, but sounded OK, but I was weary about buying another car unseen.

The 87 420SEL I was mentioning is a private owned car- I think he would take $2500 for it if I offered it. It has 178K if I recall. Slight transmission leak according to the owner. New A/C recently converted to 134. Everything works save for the left rear window.

Benzboy also mentioned $1500 for a timing chain replacement - does it vary that much by location/shop? One of our local Benz repair specialists quoted me a price of $493 to replace the chain and tensioner (parts and labor) on the 85' 500SEL. Or is it About $1000 more to have it changed on a 87 420 vs. a 85 500?

I may also check on that 90 420, if the price is right.

I think you will find the '90 420 nicer ... The seats and doorpanels have different stitching (more up to date), and the radio will be also vastly improved as they have a 10 speaker set up. In general I find that the newer 126's are much more refined than you would expect in 5 years. (ie 85 vs. 90)

I'm looking forward to hear about the 90 SEL...

(Good luck!)

-Larry

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Thanks. This 1990 appears to be a fine automobile. I will know more when I find out the price.

I actually like the 1984-1985 500SEL better than the 86-91 S-Class sedans - why? I do not know exactly, but for one thing the front styling on the 81-85 models appeal to me a bit more.

Here are some photos of the 1990 420SEL, as well as a photo of the 1987 420SEL following.

Attached Thumbnails

         

And here is the 1987 420SEL that I can get for around $2500.

Also, the 1993 300E 2.8 (172K) for $4995, but it has that oil leak. I looked at it again tonight and while no drips under it, there is a cover under the engine compartment that was hanging down a bit. I was able to see parts of the top of it and it was very oily. Looked like "over the years dirt covered" oil if you will. Other than that- it is stated to have all records. It is in excellent conditions throughout. Photo of it to follow later

Why don't you buy that 420SEL? That looks like a nice clean car from the pics. The engine is clean that means a lot, the battery is an OE another good sign. PPI it and pull the trigger that looks like a good one.

Nice color combo too!

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Yes, it appears to be a nice car. The dealer calls it "black pearl". I personally have never seen this color on them before.

Strange, this was the only Mercedes they had listed that did not mention a price. They had a 1995 300 wagon for $10,000, that was in excellent shape, so I would like to think they want $6-7K for this car, but knowing this dealer, I would not be suprised if they are asking $10K for it. I will phone them tomorrow to find out.

I was just scanning the ads in the local paper and spotted a LOW mile, 1-owner, w/all records 1985 190E for $3300 OBO. I really prefer the S-Class over the 190, but if it is a good car.....
Will phone about that one tomorrow as well.

I have seen an SDL in the color, it is a neat color.

I would have no problem paying $6k-$8k for that car if:
1. It looks as good in person as in the pics
2. their is a maintaince history
3. A PPI turns nothing major up.

Use the PPI to work on the price a bit, thats one of the reasons you want one.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Thanks. I will definitely consider it- if it checks out OK- up to about $6500-$7000.

BTW- here is a photo of a 1985 500SEL identical to the one I am/was considering here locally- except the one here locally is silver.

Attached Thumbnails

 

I agree with Hatterasguy. It looks even nicer in the photos than I imagined.

Only question now, it the price...

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Have not been here in a while, grandbaby, kids ect., but am trying to figure out what everyone expects from a 2 decades old mercedes!! Since my last post almost a month ago "Faded Glory" has done Mardi Gras in full dress,(6 parades in 5 days), school car pool, daily errands to the nearest major town 20 miles away, a 2 goat "pick-up", and for all of her "shabbiness" still exzudes class!! The styling of these years are classic to me. Don't have to see the hood ornament to know what it is! It must be in her genes!!

Anyway, seems to me that 86560SEL should just get off of the "fence" and make a move. Most 20 year old cars are going to have "leaks" and "record issues". Just picture how many that age of any make that are "not" still rolling. Buried a few myself! You want garauntees of not spending money above the purchase price, buy a "new car"! Just pray it will take you 275,000+ miles(mine is not a deisel) without a major break-down no matter what maintence you do. Don't think there are many that fill that bill.

I comment not to encourage the abuse of a top class car, but to state that they are not known as top class cars because of their "finickiness". These are the most common "cabs" where my husband is from, the middle-east. What cab company would use high overhead, short life expectancy, "finicky" vehicles for it's fleet? Considering what they make as "cabbies", they need "warhorses" and that is what Mercedes are. The reputation of lasting forever is not ill-earned. Mine has been running on store brand fluids and the ever ominous non-MB coolant for over 3 years now. Yet I know it will start and run tomorrow better than than I know the 2001 Buick will.

Get over the idea that when you buy a MB you are buying a "sensitive thoroughbred". If you can treat it as such, by all means do so but if you can't, know that it is the proverbial "mule" that will not quit. Mules are much better at heavy work than thoroughbreds. Don't know about newer models like the ones without a dip-stick(is this an attempt to make us dealer dependant?) but can tell you the older ones are "no frills" and "common sense" friendly. Have had 2 of them. If you have to spend 2,500 over purchase to bring one of these up to expectation, you have still beat a new-used car purchase and will probably get as many miles out of it.

Just tired of reading posts that imply these are "picky" cars that require immaculant records for their 20 years of life when almost no other make that year is still running.Give them the respect that is due from their engineering that has given them the reputation for longevity. They have their faults like window control switches on shift consoles where everyone parks their much needed coffee because of no cup holders. (Ever had a window that rolled down and then would not roll-up? Check on cleaning the switch!) Overall, they meet their reputation for long life and dependability.

86560SEL, take the plunge and quit sitting the fence! Once you get one, even an old one, you will not want to drive anything else! Mine still rides better than the 2001 Buick and would kick it's back bumper on demand!!

I too think 86560SEL should make a move as this has gone on for a very long time. However, I have to sort of disagree with you on the fact that we shouldn't be too picky on these cars. Some of them command stratopheric prices and when faced with such, you just have to be picky! There are many components to a car and other than using records to see how well the car has been taken care of, the records kind of tell you what stage those components are at. I remember, since I didn't know any service details of my now sold Mazda 929, I decided to change the timing belt as it was at the mileage for that maintenance job and since the engine is an interference type, I didn't want to take chances. However, upon performing that task, I noticed that the belt was brand new and had just been changed prior to my purchasing the car! What a waste of time and money that was.

__________________
1999 Mercedes-Benz S600, 103K miles - garage queen
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL, 89K miles - daily driver
2007 Hyundai Sonata Limited, 31K - daily driver