possible 500sel purchase offer - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

junker68 · #1 05-13-2006, 05:39 PM

Went to look at the car I referenced last week and some of you were kind enough to reply to questions I had, thanks.

1986 500sel, 170K

Plusses

Not a touch of rust anywhere to be seen.
Started up nice, no smoke, no noise.
New exhasust.
Many new front end components.
Ice cold AC
Most of the little things worked.
Rides like you're on a cloud and responsive to gas.

Negs

One of the engine pistons was leaking.
Oil pan seal was leaking.
Car interior was dirty, smoker, but no rips or tears.
No maint records for past year and a half, just verbal. Car was has records prior to this owner.
Two small dings
Sunroof does not open

Seller was asking $2500, I offered $2100. The sellers going to call me tonight, we'll see.

I might budge a little, I don't know.

atikovi · #2 05-13-2006, 05:48 PM

What do you mean by a leaking engine piston???

junker68 · #3 05-13-2006, 06:01 PM

That little piston under the engine, passenger side. Not an internal engine piston.

Jim B. · #4 05-13-2006, 06:07 PM

If it was an '86 500SEL, it probably WAS a euro model. 560 engine only available after 1985 my.

I don't know what a leaking oil piston is either.

Cosmetically it ought to cleanup nice.

They are nice SAFE cars for the money. But the sunroof if it's jammed, it probably never got the lube jobs it needed, and so now it's a dealer fix, lots of hours and $$$. (The pop up feature was an inherently weak spot....)

Hopefully the timing chain tensioners and PLASTIC guide rails were done, if not, it's way past time, and you *must*) eat this expense.

(So, theoretically those two things could be over $1500 to get right) which is great negotiating leverage for you...)

One thing not often mentioned here as a general plus, is the overall comfort, build quality, and SAFETY. Worst come to worst, the car could save your life in the mother of all accidents. Value of that = Priceless.

Good luck

junker68 · #5 05-13-2006, 06:26 PM

I may have gotten something wrong somewhere, but I saw cats on the exhaust so that makes it the American version, I think. Also the rear bumper was "large". Maybe I got one of the letters wrong or something, I've been reading on so many of these gas models, my head is spinning.

Hatterasguy · #6 05-13-2006, 06:51 PM

Sounds pretty good for the price. How is the paint?

#7 05-13-2006, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junker68

Went to look at the car I referenced last week and some of you were kind enough to reply to questions I had, thanks.

1986 500sel, 170K

Plusses

Not a touch of rust anywhere to be seen.
Started up nice, no smoke, no noise.
New exhasust.
Many new front end components.
Ice cold AC
Most of the little things worked.
Rides like you're on a cloud and responsive to gas.

Negs

One of the engine pistons was leaking.
Oil pan seal was leaking.
Car interior was dirty, smoker, but no rips or tears.
No maint records for past year and a half, just verbal. Car was has records prior to this owner.
Two small dings
Sunroof does not open

Seller was asking $2500, I offered $2100. The sellers going to call me tonight, we'll see.

I might budge a little, I don't know.

send me the vin number i will tell you what model, euros can have cats also

junker68 · #8 05-13-2006, 07:24 PM

The paint is in nice shape, very clean.

Sorry I do not have the VIN. Should have thought of that.

t walgamuth · #9 05-13-2006, 07:37 PM

judging from your description it sounds like a nice car...depending on what the "piston" is that is leaking.

tom w

rickpark · #10 05-13-2006, 07:46 PM

Looks like a small shock absorber.

junker68 · #11 05-13-2006, 07:48 PM

small shock absorber, exactly.

t walgamuth · #12 05-13-2006, 08:23 PM

i should mention that my 84 500sec has been cheaper to maintain than my diesels, except perhaps a good 240. pretty trouble free.

tom w

junker68 · #13 05-13-2006, 09:04 PM

I finally got one for my price!

It's nice to shop for a car when you do not need one, there's no pressure to buy.

If the offer is accepted great, if not, oh well.

I am one happy camper.

Thanks for everyone's help. I'll post a photo when I get it home.

Dwayne

t walgamuth · #14 05-13-2006, 11:04 PM

good for you.

sounds like a good sound car. i hope it is a euro for you.

the only real shortcoming on it is it will use some fuel.

tom w

Jim B. · #15 05-13-2006, 11:05 PM

If you come across with the attitude that you could care less, that really helps, doesn't it?

After you get it home, disclose the VIN#, show pictures, it can be determined whether it was a gray market car.

Actually, one thing you can check, right now, is the cruise control stalk at the left side of the steering wheel, if the writing is in German, you have a euro car. Gray market conversion shops varied widely in what they did and how good they were, in 1985 there were good and bad shops who did it, so you never know what you would got. Some cars got certified and the Euro parts got put back on afterwards, so you might see some with euro bumpers, and lights, and some with US lights and bumpers, that were euro cars.

A 500SEL could be either, because they were so expensive when new, that they were a good candidate for Euroconversion. Almost all US '85 500 SEL cars had leather seats, bundt cake wheels, air cond., tinted windshield, power windows, and headlight wipers that pointed outwards.

Lots of the Euro cars had no headlight wipers, or if they did, pointed inwards.
None of them had US lights either. Some had velour seats, dark plastic sunroof deflectors, and the unique euro style trailer hitch and "Warndreich" removeable trunk triangle reflector.

I think the Euros would have centigrade markings on the heat/ac switch the thumbwheel dashboard switch, I mean.

Do you have any owner's manual, warranty or service books? In English, probably it was a US model, if German, or none, could be a gray market car.

After you have the title, you can call 1-800-formercedes and request a copy of the original window sticker (a free service) and if it was a US sold car, they will give you the accounting copy of the sticker. It will show the port where the car was shopped to.

If you write the historical dept. in Germany, Stuttgart, they will give you a copy in English, a copy of the build sheet. If it was a U.S. spec car, it will show you which items were deleted (such as the warning triangle, for export to America.)

The W126 was engineered for easy maintenance in many areas, so surprises may await you that you'll like. For instance, brake pad replacement is easy.

I believe there has been a maintenance CD out on the W126 for several years, and there could be online access also by now.

If the paint isn't too trashed, it should polish out beautifully.

Use some Arm and Hammer baking soda mixed with water, and an old toothbrush, to clean out the ashtray, that should help. Then line the ashtray with aluminum foil. I have heard smells can be sometimes gotten rid of by putting used coffee grounds in a tray on the floorboards for a day or two.

Don't forget to check the windshield wiper inserts before you turn on the wipers. I learnt the hard way. Only use BOSCH, not trico, replacement rubbers. I have heard the plastic upper hose necks to the radiator can deteriorate over time, and the later Behr radiators don't have this problem, so if you see fit, you could replace the radiator to be safe. If a tight budget, you can jury rig your own reinforcement over the hose neck if its not crumbling.

And if you are thinking far ahead, an aftermarket set of '86 up or W140 wheels and a 3rd brake light will make it look like a '90 or '91 model if you don't look at the ribbed lower panels.

You may not have a new car smell now, but bringing up an older car is highly satisfying when it works out....

You are off to a good start.....