1987 420 Sel - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Keefer · #1 03-24-2007, 10:06 PM

Hello, the above mentioned car is at a small dealership. I saw the ad for it online, so I went to look. The lot was closed so I was unable to hear it run, but the doors were open so I helped myself to a look around.

Very straight body (black paint), interior very nice as well (grey leather). I believe it has a 4.2 (or is it 4.6L) engine which had been pressure cleaned, so it didn't look bad at all.

I didn't see any puddles under it and the bottom of the engine looked fairly dry.

The odometer shows 129,000 are there anything inherent issues a person should be aware of for this model?

The ad states $2250.00 for the car, seems reasonable to me.
I will try to hear it run Monday if it is still there.

Thanks for any opinions.
Keefer

Rockman59 · #2 03-25-2007, 01:42 AM

If the car runs as good as it looks.....the price is right. You should take it to a qualified MB mechanic and have it inspected to make sure there are no surprises with the engine, transmission, etc. If everything checks out, buy it.

Keefer · #3 03-25-2007, 10:21 AM

Hey thanks for the reply and advice, yes I hope it runs as good as it looks because it looks great!
I'm driving a 1984 300SD right now and I really enjoy it but I've never had the opportunity to drive one of the gasoline models yet.
I noticed the 420 has an airbag, when did those first become available?

Hatterasguy · #4 03-25-2007, 10:49 AM

If the timing chain has not been done its over due.

Drivers side airbag became standard in 1986 on all W126's.

Keefer · #5 03-25-2007, 11:22 AM

Good to know thanks! When you say if the timing chain hasn't been done, does that mean an adjustment or replacement? Is this a costly procedure?

Rockman59 · #6 03-25-2007, 11:33 AM

I think the accepted time frame for timing chain and guide replacement is
100K miles or 10 years. Seems to me that the chain itself seldom fails but the associated parts which are plastic get very brittle after time and when they break they drop into the chain, the chain jumps time and that is when the damage to the valve train occurs. At an indie MB shop you are probably looking at about $800 to $1000 for the update.