What do you think of 600SEL 1992?

[zcc]

Dear all,

I'm thinking of buying a cheap good 600SEL 1992 car. What do you think about this V12 car? Is it really electrically or mechanically troublesome? I heard that fixing it is too costly. Thank you.

[Ferdman]

zcc, you may have heard that there's nothing more expensive than a cheap MB automobile. There's a huge difference between a well-maintained MB that's being sold for a low price and one that's being sold cheap because it's been neglected. What's the case with the 600SEL you're considering buying? Realize that essentially you're maintaining two straight 6-cylinder engines so maintenance will be more expensive than for a 6-cylinder or an 8-cylinder automobile. Fuel costs will be higher too, but if you enjoy fast cars that may offset the additional expense.

[Peter Guenther]

The early 140s, did have some problems, mainly AC which van set you back at least $5000. The 600 was the top of the line, has every little gadget, and is tough to work on see,this link, this guy does most of his work.
http://v12uberalles.com/

[POS]

Originally Posted by zcc

a cheap good 600SEL 1992 car

That phrase alone would scare the hell out of me. The w140s are well-known, especially in the early years (1992-1994), for having electrical issues and general reliability issues. Toss in the dramatic expense of a V12 and you have a money pit made-to-order. Now, on top of that money pit, get a "cheap good" 600?

[lkchris]

1992 was the worst year for the W140. Lots of problems.

V-12s are dirt cheap for a reason.

[Tomguy]

I wouldnt consider an early V12 unless:

A) It was $6000 or less
B) Had full maintenance records
C) Was maintained with no expense spared

(Note: This is not multiple choice, it is all of the above)

[sixto]

D) Running flawlessly and everything in proper working order.

Some third party warranty companies that will still accept a 99 S500 won't touch a 99 S600.

Sixto
93 300SD

[Tomguy]

Originally Posted by sixto

D) Running flawlessly and everything in proper working order.

You just ruled out 100% of every early 600 on the road.

[zcc]

Originally Posted by Tomguy

A) It was $6000 or less
B) Had full maintenance records
C) Was maintained with no expense spared

Well I saw a 600SEL 1993, Sliver and full options. I have a good experience about the car conditions especially MB ones. I can say that this car meets options C and D (from Mr. sixto).

The car was shipped from Japan to Kuwait (where I live) the essential price is around 11000$. So no records would be found.

Mr. POS mentioned something related to electrical issues and general reliability. Some people here in Kuwait mentioned the same thing.

Guys, the car is in top condition and only 71000KM.

I really thank you for your support and so interested in that car specifically.
In that case, what do you think?

[sixto]

Why is it cheap? Is that what these cars sell for in Kuwait?

In the US a well documented 600SEL/S600 in the condition you describe is worth around $30,000. Could be a lot more depending on the credibility of the seller. When you see one for half that or less, you have to wonder about the seller's motives. Why is it the most profitable option to give up $20,000 of the car's value? Probably because a) it cost $20,000 to keep it running in the last 12 months, b) there is a $20,000 estimate for 'minor' work that it needs, or both.

To keep one in the US, paying $5-10,000 a year to keep it running should not phase you. I don't know what proportion of these cars actually require that much to keep running but the archives document enough direct experience, not heresay from someone's neighbor's accountant's gardener's nanny's podiatrist, to convince me that it's a likelihood.

I don't know the situation in Kuwait. Maybe there are W140 specialists in every gasoline station since these were popular cars in Kuwait. On the other hand maybe everyone is already drifting from the W220 to the W221 and all the W140 knowledge has been forgotten.

I'm no stranger to MBs with bad reps. I had an 87 300SDL known for developing cylinder head cracks, now have a 93 300SD known for bending rods. I bought both displaying signs of the respective maladies. It's a hobby of mine to get them running properly again. Maybe you're a gambler like me

Sixto
93 300SD

[86560SEL]

Yeah and its a shame too, because these cars were like what... $100K+ when new or something like that? These cars should have been flawless for hundreds of thousands of miles. I think even with proper care/maintainence, they would have still had problems, because of the complexity of them.

I have heard tons of issues with the 92-94 S-Class sedans.... bad A/C, bad electrical, etc. My aunt has a 1993 500SEL and I think the only problem she has had, was the A/C compressor went out. Living in South Carolina where the summer heat and humidity is unbearable, it was of the utmost importance to repair. $1500 replacement. However, since the car was FREE, as a gift from her father in law, because he had purchased a NEW (at the time) 2005 S-Class, she could not complain.... especially since he paid the $1500 for repair.

Why not just buy my 85' 380SE (which it appears you had before and was crashed), do little work that it needs and be done with it?

Seriously, good luck.

[Hatterasguy]

Originally Posted by sixto

Why is it cheap? Is that what these cars sell for in Kuwait?

In the US a well documented 600SEL/S600 in the condition you describe is worth around $30,000.

I don't know where you are shopping but S600's are dirt cheap. For $30k US you could probably almost buy a Bi turbo, 03+ model!

Price seems about right, a tad high for the New England market but you are a ways away.

Heck if you can figure out where to get it fixed go for it! I suspect there are a lot of MB's and V12's in that area of the world. So there should be someone who can work on them.