I know everyone means well (although some have a rude way of showing it) and probably getting tired of my posts, as I am sure they get tired of others, because I have seen it here too often- sad, because on the Lexus boards, they never complain or bicker. So no one will get upset, I will stop posting about getting a Mercedes on this topic. I am a forgiving person and do not hold grudges.

Whatever I buy, I buy. Not a big deal right? Its only money.....

Its a gamble when you buy any car- new or used.

Thanks again for all of the helpful replies- there are many of the long time members here that are very helpful- you know who you are.

let's keep our fingers crossed

__________________
1989 300TE

86560SEL, disregard their posts. If you have any other questions you'd like to ask that's what the place is there for. If you feel uncomfortable PM or email me any questions.

Thanks
David

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_____________________________________________

2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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Thanks David, I appreciate that.

88 560SEL, you're having a tough time on this thread. Don't sweat the naysayers. You're on this board to gain knowledge.

IMHO - the best thing would be for you to do a search for "automobile inspection service" on Google, hire one of the nationwide services with local affiliates and have the car inspected before you buy. It's not foolproof, but it's better than buying blind. Some even test for cylinder compression.

I bought a 1991 560SEL on EBAY without an inspection because I could not get one done in time before the auction closed (takes at least 48 hours). I spoke with the seller beforehand and he reiterated the very detailed glowing description of the car, and the pictures looked great, so I took the gamble. I figured that I might need to put about $1K into the car at most! You probably know where this is going. The car had been in a wreck and the repairs could not be seen from the pictures but they could be seen in the open trunk. The car runs rough and the transmission shifts sporadically(probably related issues). I'm out $5100 including shipping with anticipated repairs exceeding $4K if I have an authorized service center do them.

Do as I say, not as I do! If the car is right, there are very few new cars that rival the performance of a 126 Benz, the 5.6 liter gas Benzes in particular! BTW, I dragged the seller into small claims court for fraudulent misrepresentation. I'm going to rescind the contract and make him buy back the car. The hearing is in June. He's in Florida and I'm in Md. I can participate by phone! I wish I could've seen his face when the sheriff showed up at his door with the summons. If I lose and I must keep the car, I'll work on it gradually over the next year and make it right.

Whatever Benz you buy, however, don't spend your last dollar on the purchase. That's just the entry fee! If reliability is your most important issue and you don't require a car with soul and personality, buy a late model Camry! If you want a big, solid "carved from granite" car that can dance like a sportscar, get the 560SEL! Whichever way you decide - good luck!

__________________
1991 560SEL (254K miles)
1980 Lincoln Mark VI - Givenchy
1979 Lincoln Mark V Collector's Series
1979 Lincoln Town Car Collector's Series
1979 Ford "Effie" Pickup (in gradual transformation to a show/street truck)
1969 Lincoln Mark III (waiting for "Overhaulin" to call)
1989 Lincoln Towncar
2001 Lexus GS300 (spousal unit's daily driver)

Thanks Flixbiz for the helpful advice. A lot of good points there. Sorry to hear about your misfortune with your 91' 560SEL.

The owner of the 86' 560SEL I was considering was saying to expect to put in $1000-$1500 in repairs in the future, but he was referring to the non-operating seats, A/C and rear windows I assume. Also had a PS hose leak.

I really regret not getting the 91' 300SE for $2700, but my situation with ill family members would not allow that. I have family in Richmond that would have been able to look at it, or store it there, but they are out of town on vacation all week. I think he has already sold it anyway.

There are other cars I am considering beside the Mercedes I have mentioned- which are probably great cars. I just did not mention them here. One actually is a Camry- which I have owned about 3 of in the past. They are great, well built cars. I drove all of mine past 200K and never any issues to speak of, except one of 87s had developed a major oil leak. I really like these cars, but have always wanted the S-Class Mercedes. My uncle has a 1994 Mercedes S-Class (long wheelbase) sedan that he may want to sell soon, so there may be a possibility there in the future.

The other is a 1993 Lincoln Town car with 71K actual miles in EC for only $2500. I am supposed to look at it tomorrow.

Thanks again- good luck with your car- hopefully you can get your money back and that crook that sold you the car learns his lesson.

taker22 shut up and but out.

86560SEL pics always make cars look better and in the pics that 560 looked really beat. I am not kidding my parts 420SEL that I got for close to free had a better interior then that car. Body wasn't far behind either except for some massive rust underneath.


$2k is only the entry fee for any W126. You have recevied some of the best W126 buying advice availible, take what you need and do whats best for you.


I understand having a sick family member that relies on you makes things very hard.

If you want any more advice please feel free to pm or email me, I will help as best as I can.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Thanks Hattaras- I have always appreciated your input.

In fact, if not for your advice and others (including my friends and family) that advised against the 560, I would have bought it and probably have made a $$$$ mistake. I guess I was wanting this car so much (because it was easy to get- fairly local and the owner was willing to deliver), that I was "blinded" by this cars actual condition and was wanting to give the owner the benefit of the doubt. After I paid him $2000 for the car, $250 for delivery and then had the A/C repaired, power seats repaired and the chain replaced- that could have quickly went to $4000 invested and it would still need the dents repaired and the interior would still be an issue- and you are right- I could have had a lot invested in it.

Another thing I went back and noticed is that the left rear of the car seems to be setting lower that the right side.... beginnings of a failing rear suspension? Also- I had e-mailed him again last evening, asking if it was still for sale and if any more smoke from the exhaust was noticed. I was told it was still for sale, but no answer to my other question. I sent another and no reply. Something there was not adding up.

Yeah- about the 300SE, if not for the distance issue, for $2700- I would have bought that car. I was ready to make the deal, when he had replied and stated that he could not make the trip. It was a e-bay car and the auction ended and someone else won it, but he said that if she did not get the car, that he would try everything in his power to help get the car to me if I still wanted it.

I think the best thing for me to do- is if I want a Mercedes that bad, I should take my time and wait for the right car to come along. I am thinking that a "S-Class" diesel would be the way for me to go. Something like a 81-85 300SD. I am hoping a decent one can be found in my area for what I am looking to spend. Even thinking I should pass on a Mercedes for now, until I find the right one. I should not be in a hurry- I have three other cars, but they are "classics" and I do not want to use them as my daily drivers.

I started looking locally again and I called yesterday about a local 1985 190E (as a lot of people suggested I get a "lesser" model). I was suprised that they said they wanted $5995 for it. Then he said it was "on sale" for $3995. I had also inquired about a 1990 Lincoln Town Car they they had. It too was way overpriced ($3995), but he said he had a great deal on a 1993 Lincoln Town Car with low miles (one owner). I went by and took a look at it this evening and I was suprised- it is a very, very nice car- in fact, it looks almost like new. The reason this one is so much cheaper is that it has been on the lot for a while and they have recently marked down all of the cars that have been there a while. I am guessing the high gas prices have the big car sales on hold. My grandfather is old friends with the salesman and I think I can get it even cheaper if I wanted it. I will be the first to say that I am not a Ford fan at all, but for some reason, I have always liked the styling of the 1990-1997 Lincoln Town Cars. Perhaps for now, this car would be a good choice for me? Also, still thinking of the 92' Camry too- those cars I am very familiar with. (thankfully) May test them both out tomorrow and see what happens.

I went ahead and looked at the 190E there on the lot and it was in less than average shape. It is a terrible color, fading hood, cracks on the dash starting, dents and dings galore and it has 152K miles. I seriously doubt they would get anywhere near $3995 for it. It was 100% rust free though, which is a good thing about buying cars here- rust is not an issue.
Here is a photo of the little 190E. Really too small for me.
http://www.tpost.com/pictures/13EAAM10.jpg

Here is the Town Car:
http://www.tpost.com/pictures/34EAAM12.jpg

There is a red 85' Mercedes 4dr in the local trading post for $750, but stated to need engine work. No details on what model it is.
Here is a list of the Mercedes for sale in our local trading post- as you can see- not much selection:
http://www.tpost.com/Nautos.asp?vwPg=3&Calc=0&cboSClass=14790&txtLow=&txtHigh=9999999&txtSearch=&cboOpt=1&cboSort=2&chkAll=1
http://www.tpost.com/Nautos.asp?vwPg=2&Calc=0&cboSClass=14790&txtLow=&txtHigh=9999999&txtSearch=&cboOpt=1&cboSort=2&chkAll=1
http://www.tpost.com/Nautos.asp?vwPg=1&Calc=0&cboSClass=14790&txtLow=&txtHigh=9999999&txtSearch=&cboOpt=1&cboSort=2&chkAll=1

I guess I will just look around and see what happens.

Thanks again for the advice and the offer on the help!

Having two cars isn't a bad thing! I am looking forward to getting a more reliable Toyota, Subaru, Honda ect in a couple of months.

If I don't drive my SDL as much less will break and then I can restore it to just beyond prefection.

If you have say a reliable Town car to get you around then you can get a car such as that 560 and spend a couple of years making it into something nice. You will have way to much time and money into it and never get any of that money back but it would be a lot of fun.


Spend it while you can becuase you can't take it with you!

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

let's wrap it up guys-- can't wait to hear about the next bunch of MB's you end up not buying.

__________________
1989 300TE

Taker22- Just cannot stop can you? I am not mad at you for your smart remarks- I feel sorry for you. You must be miserable, or mad at the world.
You have 13 posts and over 1/2 of them are complaining about this thread. ????

Go work on your car or something - do something useful- stop complaining- go out and eat, go wash your car, go have a cook out, go do some volunteer work, go to the lake, go sailing, go white water rafting, go hiking, go skiing, go surfing, go fishing, go shopping, go horseback riding, go climb a tree, go fly an airplane, go on a cruise, go on a trip around the world, go dig a hole, go plant a tree, go patch a pot hole, go fly a kite, go ride a bike, go run a marathon, or go find me a Mercedes- anything- just stop complaining. It makes everyone feel bad.

Chin up!
Have a good day!
Tomorrow looks like it is going to be nice! Sunny and in the upper 70s.

Yeah Hattarasguy, it really helps if you have more than one car, because if one breaks down, you have another, unless it breaks too, then you have problems.
Not to mention bad luck.

I have also owned a few Honda Accords and they were all very reliable cars, but parts for them are expensive too. I owned an 84' Accord, 2 86' Accords and a 91' Accord. I was checking prices online in advance incase I ever needed any parts. The three best cars I think I have ever owned were a 93' Camry LE V6, my dark blue 87' Camry base sedan and my 91' Honda Accord LX.

My aunt had a 1991 Accord that she and her husband bought new in December of 1990. They drove it until June of 1995 when they traded it in on a brand new Mercury Villager (Nissan Quest). The Honda had racked up 80K miles and only had the oil changed about 5 times. Still had the original spark plugs too- not to mention it had endured 4 different accidents. That was a tough car. NEVER any problems except the cassette stopped working in 1992 and it was replaced under warranty. I remember going with her to the dealer. The "all new" 92' Preludes had just went on sale a few months before (in late 1991) and I remember wanting one so bad- especially since I was 16 years old and was ready for a new car. Still like those cars, even after all of these years. I have also liked the 90-93 Toyota Celicas, but too small for me.

I have never owned a Subaru, but I have heard that they are tough cars. My uncles wife had one back in the late 1980s that the oil pump went out on. She was on the freeway and was afraid to stop. Charging on she went- she drove on for 25-30 miles, with very low to no oil pressure, with the oil warning light illuminated. Car still made it home, but by then, it had destroyed the engine.

My dad has a friend that will only drive Subarus. He is a Subaru nut.

I hope that if I do get the Town Car, that it will be reliable and soon I will find a MB- preferrably a S-Class diesel.

You are right- you cant take it with you, so spend it.

86560, I think you'll really like A 560SEL, not that one however. Some things to check are timing guide rails, and last but not least, if as soon as it starts it stumbles then smoothes out it needs injectors. I just thought of that off my head as many of the V8's of that era are in need of them.

Thanks
David

__________________
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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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this certainly has been entertaining. Taker22 is pretty funny. And while he may be irritating some of you, he does have some valid points. I understand 560 that you want to buy one of these cars. Just like me, you wanted a $2000 MB that makes you look like a pimp when you drive around, and they do that very well. These cars are great automobiles. You don't even have to tell anyone you paid $2 grand for it, just tell them it was $65 grand new. anyway, I do have to agree with some of the naysayers though. If you have to put this much thought into it, and are so overly concerned with the price of having someone install a spark plug, then maybe this isn't the car for you. in their day, these were some pretty high tech cars, in their day being the key. they are no longer in their day, so of course, like all high tech stuff, they start not working the way they should, and of course will require repair. please don't take offense, but you don't sound like the kind of guy that can pop off the door panel when the power seat switch stops working (and it will), or perhaps take the console apart to replace that broken window switch (which will break), or how about pulling the valve covers to check the timing chain guides. etc. This is what these cars, or any 20 year old car will need, period. if you can't do it yourself, you'll have to pay, pay, and pay more to have someone fix it for you. I've been really lucky with my 420SEL, and it's given me very few problems, other than a bad window switch and heater issues. but if i had to pay to have these items fixed, i would have spent more in repairs than i paid for the car. But i do look like a pimp in my $2800 S series. have you considered those new MB's that you can lease for like $300 a month? if you do decide to embark on this journey, plan on buying some tools, a manual, and the best way to learn is by jumping in and doing it. you'll make mistakes, sure, but you'll learn the right way to do things. this of course will require patience, but you'll save some money doing it yourself, as opposed to running to the dealer to fix it.

hey, mine does that. i always wondered why. doesn't really bother me, it starts, shakes for a few seconds, i usually slap the throttle, and it smooths right out. how much are injectors each?