Some of you may have read some of my posts of where I have been considering a silver 1985 Mercedes 500SEL. First of all- I think the car is way overpriced at $5,500. Equipped with the driver airbag option- it has 152K miles and is in good condition, but it is far from pristine. It has a small dent on the lower "C" pillar and rear side of the the trunk panel (above the taillamps) seems to be pressed in more than the passenger side- which is actually flush with the quarter panel. Carfax report is good. Shows all it well- no major accidents- car had 99K in 1993. Being a southern car- it is 100% rust free and the paint appears to be original. The car has a very nice passenger cabin- and everything looks to be in near perfect condition. Upon inspection of the under carriage- it too is rust free, but noted some oil seepage. The rear differential had some slight seepage- no drips, but it was damp. There was also some sort of a "vent" hose draped down by the rear axle- it looked like it had been damp at the opening- is this supposed to be there and what is it? Under the engine- around the oil pan gasket- it is a little dark looking, as if that gasket is seeping as well. My main concern is that up from the oil pan- on the driver side- there appears to be a heavier leak- but not yet dripping. Now, the car has been setting for about a year. This car lot (specializes in European cars) does not move a lot of cars- mainly because they are overpriced, but they build track cars as well- so that is where they get most of their business. Another negative, is that there are no service records with the car and the last date of timing chain change is unknown.

Now if I do decide I really may purchase this car, I will definitely have it inspected by a reputable mechanic. Seller seems firm on the price. I just hate to pay $5500 for this car, only to have problems down the road....

Has anyone else ever paid more for a Mercedes that you thought it was worth in the beginning?

I do not know whether or not to forget about this car and keep searching, or go ahead and pay the $5500, if the PPI is O.K.

There is the 87 420SEL, but the owner is shady on the details. For some reason, it has been setting for a while, but stated to still run good- perhaps has a lot of cars.

What did 84-85 500SEL owners pay for their 500SEL's when they bought them?

Thanks folks!

You are right...It is overpriced.
I have a '88 420SEL for sale with fewer miles, and I am asking for less.
Not only is mine newer, but it has more HP (184 vs. 201) also. Yeah...mine needs the roof and trunk lid painted...but still....compared to the 500SEL you're looking at, mine would be a bargain.
Let me know if you end up buying it anyway... I will have to re-evaluate my asking price if you do.

-Larry

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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.

Does anyone have any knowledge about the hose down by the rear axle that I was alluding to?

I will probably have it checked out by a reputable mechanic if I decide I am serious about the purchase, but want to gather as much information as possible before doing so. I guess my main concern is that minor oil seepage/leakage up by the oil pan, but my old 1990 Lexus LS400 also had this appearance and it NEVER dropped below the "full" line on the oil stick between changes, so this may not be a big deal.

He keep assuring me not to fret about the timing chain on the 500, because it has a "dual" chain and he has never heard of one breaking on these, unlike the 380, but I am not familiar with Mercedes cars.

Thanks again for the advice.

I would guess it is the hose that leads from the gas tank fill compartment. It is a drain hose that drains overfill onto the ground instead of down the side of the car (I am sure it is really to drain water away from that compartment when it rains or when the car is washed).

Guess that is possible. Thanks.

Well, I am pretty sure I will at least go and drive the car and have it inspected at a local shop.

I just am very hesitant about paying $5500 for a 20 year old Mercedes, even if it is in very good shape with 152K.

Still looking around, so will have to wait and see.

I'm pretty sure it's a gray market car. You may want to take that into consideration as well.

Other more knowledgeable folks will know more about this than I do.

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Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.