|
Upgrade 83 Mer 500 SEC from 88 Volvo GLE?
Hi everyone...
Nice forum Just looking around trying to find some answers Been tinkering w thought of a Mercedes Coupe forever. Don't know where to start I want to look at a 83 500 SEC but I wonder if it might be a car hard to maintain? I don't even know if this year still has a carbuerator? It should be a 5 L 8 cylinder so guess it will get drunk on gas but I don;t drive much. This car has 196K miles is a one owner CA local car. I may be crazy but my 4 cyl 88 Volvo with 125K has started becoming a fix it sink hole I fear & I'm probably right that a older Mercedes with more mileage wouldn't be any better. Guess my main problem is $ I only can spend about $3000.... Any comments...? Where can I go to get specs on the car & learn more. I like the coupes A SLC would be even nicer but then again there goes the $$$$ Thanks :book: |
Spoke to my Mercedes/Volvo repair shop.
He says its too old. A car like that takes a while to get parts & to own one you can't be worried about $. Arrrgh... 88 volvo parts are not cheap either! That's for sure... This was his advice Go for a BMW 5 series or 943 Volvo... :( |
look...i love my mercedes.... i don't like volvos. but don't buy an 83 SEC
Wait until you can buy a 89 or 90 SEC. |
Thanks
Guess I got caught up in the car being local one owner CA car but the mileage of 196K is reason for concern A car w that miles & age is probably asking for trouble but I like the idea of having a good strong Mercedes This one was brown...ugh not my favorite color! :eek: but can't hurt to look a learning experience... Oooh I hated Volvo's too before I got talked into the [practicality of one but when you drive them you learn to like them I mean it could be a whole lot worse! :) |
Take a look.
I had an 84 500sec. It was the best mercedes I have had probably. (I have had 30 or so) and ddn't require much in the way of repairs. Pretty quick but ran on regular unleaded and got in the high teens on the highway. If you don't go over 65 you could get 19 and once in a while 20 highway. 13 or 14 around town. Very stylish. A lot better built than a volvo imho. I had a 76 volvo and my dad had five volvos, probably, 144, 144 and 245. mine was a 265. If it has been taken care of a 500sec with that mileage should be a nice car. But if you are on a budget, don't consider it unless you can do basic repairs yourself. Tom W |
2 Attachment(s)
I think I'll look
what the heck its only a few minutes away Engine comp looks normal not clean or made up Just a driver Boots have heavy soil or soot on them that concerns me guess to me it looks like minimal care not someone meticulous.. least they haven't detailed the engine the car looks clean & well taken care of Guess, its a good learning experience I however am very petite under 5 foot A big car with seats that don't adjust won't work The Volvo os the first car I could drive wo baby seats Well most of my cars were pre 80's huge american & they were not built for a petitie lady... I know a bit about cars but I don't do repairs Thanks Again |
2 Attachment(s)
engine pic
Car is in nice shape How do I tell from vin if its a Euro or USA model Vin has the 126... Ohhh...decisions? Still, I'd rather have another color & one with half the miles... Will take a look tomorrow Says everything is fine Timing chain was replaced at 150K Ohhh I shouldn't but I am excited to look not yet thinking about insurance & things more problems but sometimes you like something different Still I can keep my eye out sure the right one will come along Thanks everyone :( |
Quote:
Labor is labor. Parts are naother thing but other than that Costs just as much to maintain & do routine to a low end car as does a quality car. Still, I have to think saving $2000 on a older model might mean spending more in the end to fix it up. Thanks PS I am getting 14 city on my Volvo 17 tops HW maybe 25 that was 8 yrs ago mileage stinks on the car esp for a 4 cylinder it really is a lush :eek: |
Go look at the car.
Well may I say something because I have a 1991 560SEC and also until a few years ago also drove a 1991 Volvo 740.
There is a lot to like about both of them, and I think either one is a good choice. The Volvo was especially useful in the tight quarters and difficult areas of San Francisco. The turning radius was very tight (34 feet) so it was perfect for parking in tight spots, U turns, and quick handling. The volvo with the 4 cylinder engine was very sturdy, pretty easy on regular gas, and parts weren't too expensive. They are very sturdy, very long lasting, very safe, roomy, and have wonderfully comfortable front seats. The environmentally friendly plastics used around the door handles and below the seats, and in the headliner glue does deteriorate over time. I almost wept when the flat bed towtruck hauled if off to be donated. It was auctioned, and still runs, I think, as the new owner called me later about it. The 1983 Mercedes 500SEC euro you are looking at is the euro model, you can tell by the thin bumpers on it. The fact the timing chain was replaced at 150k seems to suggest that the owner(s) knew how to maintain the car and looked after it, so if it checks out it would be worth $3,000 easily, if in good condition. It would give nearly the same performance of the US version 560SEC, and it is a good car. You are looking at the flagship car of the Mercedes line for 1983, they are heavy, fast, very high speed cruisers that are capable of going 140 mph all day long. They were engineered as GT cruisers for the autobahn. The best website for them is the one at www.mbcoupes.com There is a comprehensive buyers guide for the car there, which I co-wrote back in 1999, with things to watch out for, and a check list you could print out. these cars are unbelievablly safe, sturdy, long lived, (one 380SEC has over 800,000 miles on it that I know of) beautiful, well engineered, easy for mechanics to work on (very easy to change brake pads) because they were designed to be mechanic friendly. If it has books and records proving it is a lifelong California car it is very likely to be rust free, but run it through a carwash to make sure it has no water leaks. If you mentioned the license plate number here, sometimes that could tell how long it was in Calif. They take premium gas, and the EPA window sticker for mine reports the highway mileage could be from about 14-17 mpg on mine (the 560SEC), but buyers of these cars when new weren't worried about gasoline mileage much. I think the car you are looking at might have the Centra or Ronal wheels, which were very popular to put on those cars when they were new to make them look nicer, and from your pictures it might be a nice one. Make sure it has California plates on it, and an EPA compliance sticker on the doorjamb, or there could be headaches if it hasn't got a California smog sticker on it. In any case, the seller is supposed to supply the buyer with the smog certificate. The car may be worth a look, and while the gas mileage isn't the best, on them, for looks, prestige, performance, safety, longevity, durability, build quality, and comfort, they are really hard to beat. They are so safe they could save you in a HUGE accident, and that alone to me is a good reason to think about owning one. Not only would it save you hospital bills, but your life too. |
Good eye. It is a euro. abs. premium fuel, 224 rear end. It should do better on gas than the 560, but it is no economy car.
Good comments. Tom W |
Wow, Thank You
I never would put down a Volvo anymore they are safe & reliable & mine is almost like new with 125K Love the turning radius & can make a full turn around on most streets My volvo take premium need the 81 octane & its really not good on mileage which is odd. Has a new O2 sensor & has been checked but its not great with the stop n gp short drives Thank you for the details on the SEC 500 I will look He says its one owner yet he said he had it since 87 I thhink it was inthe family. Reportedly it was just CA smogged so it must have CA registration The party is in the neghborhood but I don't know them. Thats alot of car foe me but I always liked to have power even if I didn't use it I sold my 70 Trans AM a few years ago My only question would be what abotu the differential gears & cam If she was built to run at high speeds she may not like being run by the lil lady from pasadena Do they have overheating problems? LOL I'll check that site out Thank you so much I'll check for the EPA sticker I have to think the man is telling the truth about the car being a CA car but I will try to see if he has paperwork or do a carfax search. Personally prefer the look of the SLC they are really cute but I was thinking if I could get a good car esp around $3000 $3500 I'd be happy Hey its WDB126044 so your site doesn't list it as 83 126.044 1984-1985 500SEC M117.963 engine If it has this vin could it then be a US model It really doesn't matter to me either way just curious Cool I love getting into engine codes & things Thanks Again Everyone this is very helpful |
Quote:
That would make for higher top end speed but slower acceleration but all around better performance than say a higher gear ratio. Gears I am familar with were about 323 to 3 83 \ Oooh this is exciting Safe is what I need I'm a chicken driver I like to know in case of contact with another car that I would be as safe as I can be Has a fire extinguisher under the driver seat cool speedomwter is in miles not km Thanks! :cool: |
You have a euro car for sure you are looking at.
A WDB Vin# is a euro car. It would be a US spec. car if its Vin# began with WDBCA.
The fire extinguisher and bracket was ONLY an option on Euro cars, because the DOT did not approve them. Anyone who buys a Euro SEC with a factory fire extinguisher is pretty lucky, most euro SECs did not even come with them. If you buy that car and don't want the fire extinguisher and bracket, I would be interested in buying it off you. They don't have carbs. They have a Bosch KE-Jetronic electromechanical fuel injection system, that is reliable. They should idle at 600-700rpm, check the tach. Impala Brown isn't my favorite color either, for them; I would guess it was not a woman who ordered that color in Germany for that car. A 500SEC is fine around town, though it gives no clue of its ultra high performance. It runs like just some other car with a very big steering wheel. However, if you floor it at about 90 mph, and hold you will understand what all the fuss is about. It is engineered to cruise comfortably at its top speed all day, and it will. You can enjoy it at 120 mph for hours on end if you can find a place to do it without risk to your driving license. They are not known to overheat, but of course like any car, need the hoses, thermostat and radiator to be in good shape with good coolant. |
the 224 gear is a tall one but with the power available from a low rpm you will not notice it. just floor it and you will get a first gear start and hold on!
Tom W |
Interesting
I do try to keep things original though I'm getting excited about the car even though it's brown & not as stunning as if it were silver or black I guess whats meant to be is meant to be Thanks for the idle info that would seem low to me & if I didn't know might have been concerned. I'll check for that Thanks for the gear info Can't wait to test one but sure there will be no flooring... Well, let me look first No sense getting my hopes up Thanks Again |
|
Since the original 15" rims have been replaced with larger onces I assume that the car's transmission and differential in "game over status". You can add the engine and some miscellaneous parts as well.
|
Quote:
They can take a 16" or a 17" wheel with no problems. They won't even really mess up the steering geometry. Over 18" and they could scrub the wheel wells, but the only problem really is inaccurate speedometers with oversize wheels on the car. Nothing to worry about if you keep it within reason. |
Here is an excellent resource for 700 and 900 Volvos.
http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/ I have some write-ups in there, from when I owned my 740 Turbo. |
Quote:
Didn't notice they were bigger So if its the case mileage would actually be higher? as one revolution was actually travelling a greater distance than a 15 in wheel? say 1 or 2 inches extrra per mile How many inches to a mile?...63360 inches to a mile so in actuality it was 63362 in per mile 63362 X 200000 =12672400000 in + 12 + 10560333000 feet + 5280= 200,006 :eek: so on 200 K its 3 extra miles per inch Well, not much.... all approx of course Really... Can a larger tire adversely affect the long term life of the car? Thanks |
It is the outside diameter of the tire that matters. If the od of the tire is the same as original all the speedo and odo will read correctly. This is probably your situation.
No affect on logivity or anything else. Tom W |
Quote:
Its an old car. They burn a lot of fuel and cost a few grand a year at least to maintain. I wouldn't buy a car like this if you can't do a lot of the work yourself. When were the timing chain and rails last done? If no records exist budget $1,200 for that right away. At 200k miles its going to need some front end work, $1,500, and probably a transmission soon, $1,500. Probably some head work as well, so might as well yank the heads while your doing the chain. $2,000. Throw in another $2k for all the defered maintaince, and you are probably in the ball park. For $3k you really are shopping the bottom of the barrel in regards to C126's. You need to spend 2-3 times that to really get into the decent cars. If you want a cheap coupe buy a Prelude. |
All good points
Will have to get a 2nd job to afford a car... ouch tc was done at 150 have to check if they did the rails Thing is I've already spent over $3000 on the Volvo in past 3 yrs timing chain big service front end cat converter & its still worth only about $2000 It's depreciating faster than in worth but its usable & I can't afford a $10K car Least I know my Volvo had it about 10 years all in all a good car I thought about front end mine went at 125K at almost 200K its coming up on the biggies :behead: Thanks for all the input Guess it all comes down to is how much I can sqeeze out of my pocket for the big toy... :sultan: Now armed with all of this I shall go see Its his day off so it's time to go look at the cocoa machine Thanks :cool: |
2 Attachment(s)
:cool:just found a local 87 560 sec w 127K for twice as much in black!
has older CA plates approx early 90's as it start with 2 like my Volvo Think its worth taking a peak but that spends my repair budget but the lower mileage is nice! its a US car he had it 9 yrs put on 60K said sunroof leaked at one time so perhaps problems w headliner & have to check upolstery he hasn't done much to it but brakes & he's anxious to make a deal...as it's extra insurance hmmm? he knew nothing bout tining chain..is that ok if he had it from 70 Kmi to 127K mi? just saw a 88 560 sec silver 127K sold last night $4000 orig :( but then again this guy scours for them gets them in alot says they are orig paint no accidents but could have had some real hidden problems Arrrgh That one for the price sounded too good to be true uncertain history could have been a rollback... Arrrgh how disappointing but they r out there :cool: |
Quote:
Between 100k-150k you need to have the timing chain, tensoner, and rails done. Sunroof shouldn't leak, he didn't keep the drains clean. |
All part of trying to find a gem in a barrel of hay.
I might look at that one still just for the heck. I guess you really never know they can say anything The one ownwe Euro looks like a nice solid car rust free looks like everything works yet car sat 6 mo battery needed a jump no license plates says father in law took them the car was titled since 87 to someone he says is his mother in law. The car is on 90 smog one day transport if its transferred soon its ok The title is not in his name itsupposedly is his father in law car. It was signed for sale on 7/9/07 as a donation from cause4 cars or etc & had someone's signature wasn't the owners signature wasn't his signature so was it given to the charity or did he get it from the charity & is selling? The title he showed me already has a signature on the back so it would seem he really isn't entitled to transfer it?????? The title was an old pink one dated 87 to 88 The transfer on the back was dated 7/9/07 same day as smog check. Is this a big problem he seems to think its nothing???? He will take $3K for it I has a brown painted front bumper nice looking car Engine took a few times to start second time it idled fine oil pressure & temp was fine idles at about 900 & with AC on it dropped to what 600 700 which is what someone quoted was normal tires are 55 profile 16 inch can't remember the first number could have been 255/55/16 the wheel have SMD on them if I recall body is clean of rust rubber gaskets around door jam are starting to harden & crack. All in all I guess for someone who doen't mind sinking money into it its a good start point at $3k but I am concerned about title & the engine milage All the wires & boots look pretty old When I look under my hood there is a big difference mine looks like new He says he never would clean engine as sometimes things go wrong with water etc. Curiously he was selling a E 190 MB that was his sons? He had a guy drop by to see that He could be just selling. The guy said don't you sell cars all the time? He didn't answer The guy wanted to trade his car then he wanted to pay him in diamonds He let the guy take the car out for a test drive by himself Wasn't worried about him stealing it He left his olf Ford Mustang in the driveway the same one he wanted to trade. Hmmmmm then the guy saw the SEC hidden in the back He said oh you are hiding the goodies! His story is he's buying the car for his son & he doesn't get off work til 6pm. He even said maybe he'll like the better MB. Guy said again its tied up he can't sell it right now. I wonder if it could be set up Have a guy come over & show interest in the car I was looking at LOL Boy it was better than a soap opera. He seemed genuine took alot of time with me though unfortunatley the records to the car were at his place of business & he was home from work that day. So that's the story I bet everytime I look at a car there will be another story He seems like a decent guy but I just don't know what to believe. The car also had a emission stink you know the big engine kind of give you a headache smell? Is that reason for concern. Supposedly it passed smog w flying colors but I think those things can be arranged for a few extra $. At first I thought I heard a slight tapping clicking sound from top heads thing is upon listening to my Volvo I have the same sound but worse so perhaps its just nomal operation I guess an engine can;t be totally silent this wasn't noise but it was sort of a distinct tap or click if you really got your ear at a certain spot All numbers match also has origianl tool kit & spare Just wonder who changed the wheels & they did look a bit close as in high compared to my Volvo 14 wheels which has more fender well. I'm really nerw to this model & titles & things Its just a bit scary He said if I came back later he'd take it out as it has no plates & it was hot & he thought less noticed at night???? OOOH welllll.... Whew :grim: |
Boy after reading that I can think one thing -This sounds really Sketchy. My advice to you is:
. 1) Throw away the phone number of that guy and never go back. 2) If you can only afford 3k for a car and are hoping for a GTO type of car (gas, tires, oil) look for a Jap car such as a Maxima. Rule of thumb is to expect to spend a thousand a year to keep a benz on the road. . I'm not sure where you live but in some areas its possible to take a vin number down to the Motor Vehicle branch and get the history of the car such as the previous owners name. If you're really interested in the car and you can do that I would find out the previous owners name, contact him, and get the scoop on the car. It's possible that the car is in decent shape and the guy just didn't have the room for the car at his place. Usually though donation cars are cars that are either on one step from the boneyard or they need something done to them. . You can find buys if you look around. I bought a 1988 420sel last fall for $3500 with 130,000 miles on it. I ended up spending another $1500 putting a new exhaust system on and having some small stuff done it. The difference between it and your car is the stack of invoices that came with my car. I even had the original sales invoice of the car (a demo car bought for $72,000 in March 1988). I was able to see that the car was well maintained by its three previous owners and one evening I totalled up all of the invoices that I had - $29,000 and change! Yikes. . Love the car though. I'm now facing the dilemma that a lot of owners face - sink money into the car and try to keep it as perfect as possible or treat it like any other car and put money in as needed and let it slowly fall apart. |
You got a good deal on yours
I was expecting a one owner CA car but I just don't know Perhaps I am just hypersensative I can ask the neighbors across the street if I see one maybe they would know if he;s always selling cars. Maybe the car was donated & he bought it cheap & is reselling It would still almost be a one owner car except for the 6 weeks he's had it. But why the grand story. Still the 10 days has lapsed I don't see anything with his name How can he transfer something in someone elses name??? I want to think its ok but why have a charitable organization on back of pink slip? Odd thing when I checked Cars 4cause site for sale I saw a truck an unusuall truck just like the one inthis mans front yard I;m tempted to go back just to see If his story is a flat out lie then who knows what about the car & everything he said is suspect... I'm thinking about contacting this agency something as they say smells rotten in hamburg OOOH no one has ever smoked in car yet he smokes... why make a point of it? CA law states you have 10 days buyer & seller to trasfer & release liability.. just looked that up I just can't understand why if its his father inlaws car that he's used for 20 years & is selling..I can't unnderstand why it has a charity donation on back unless of course its a way for his fasther inlaw to take a big deduction but then again how did he get the car back again to resell it if he donates OOOH boy sounding worse Good thing is I can get a 2nd car like it on my insurance for $140 a 1/2 year extra... |
Wow that car has a story, I run away from cars like that.:D
Tapping sound from an M117, can you say head work and cam shafts.:D |
I would be very careful with that guy and IF AND ONLY IF he comes up with the history and maintenance records and if the DMV can give you any info on it...IF it is in good shape cosmetically and it runs well, it is worth $3000-$3500. The eruo model is more desireable and the milage is not a concern on that car, it will go lots further. Maintenance is not bad at all on it, but if you pay a shop to do all the work, well, you will be paying shop prices for easy to do work. German engineering was made to be accessable and easy to work on. The euro is typically what someone who is "looking" for a SEC would like to find, the bumpers look better, the engine outpu is typically better, and the fire extinguisher is a favorite with all of us MB dorks. I looked forever for one for my MB that isnt even a real Euro. If you like the car and the Brown grows on you, the Wheels are a great find and look very clean. If you like it and want it, buy it. For that cost, it should be an easy resale if things get bad for some reason.
|
Help
I am torn though say its not really his to sell? I hear the same noise inmy engine & worse It might just be nothing or they both are clunkers It's the first I've seen & I have a few in $3000 range to check The engine was so big cluttered so many thngs in it looks like a nightmare to work on well compared to my empty Volvo compartment simple lots of room It went reverse foward ok I just was able to drive foward & back in his driveway seemed smooth does have a gas type exhaust stink I had him depress gas I checked exhaust it was clean without smoke gauges said oil pressure & temp was fine Oil looked good How much can you tell about an engine from oil pressure? can heads still be worn? One thing I didn;t like was rust on the hubs of the front parts that have the belts the housing was rusted very odd as the rest of the car was really clean Ooooh Help it won't last long Brown wasn't so bad has the red fire extinguisher too do you mean the wheels are ok the smd? or the car in general? I think the $3K was todays deal & he can't get records but do I take a chance? I'd like to find a really clean one silver lower miles I just can't trust what he says seems like things don't match up arrrghh Thanks everyone there was a womans name on the title guess brown was ok |
He admits he bought it from Cars4 cause
he has bill of sale Arrrgh I don't like him sating it was his father in laws Suppose soemthing is not right w transfer? He'll do $3K I can give him a dep tonight He swears the info about the maintenance is correct & the car was in one family from 87 so they donated Now what? |
only records found start 2001
at 196,000 miles & apparently the car was used less than 300 miles from 2003 to now It also failed emissions last 2 times 2003 failed then passed 2005 failed then passed day later mileage was only 100 miles or so in 2 years guess the car sat & it didn't pass it did smell a bit don;t know if it passed legally this time I bet this guy knows where to go to get a certificate LOL well paid $15 for report which bascially says the car is 6 years old a glitch the vin is an old vin its on the car inmany places So.... arrgh current miles 196,293 last mileage check in 2005 was 196,126 so only 150 miles in last 2 years Car hasn't seen much driving in past 4 or more years could have hidden problems but as he says I could resell it for what I paid yikes |
You have a decision to make that most of us with MB have had to make at some time. EIther pass it up and save more money or take the chance and not be angry later. I still think you could resell it while being honest about its past for $3000 as is. I dont think the guy is being honest, but I doubt he is really hiding anything, I have yet to meet an honest car salesman and he sounds like he wants to make a buck. Offer him $2800 cash, tell him it will need a tune up and new hoses to be sure it is highway safe and you will need the money to do it. If he wont take the $2800 walk away and feel good about it, if he does, buy it and feel good about it. Either way, buying older cars is always a trial by fire. Good luck, it looks nice in the photos and everyone loves the EUor car over the US version. The wheels are a great touch and dont worry about what size they are, 14,15 or 16 inch work well on the SEC cars and wont hurt anything. A good paint job in Brown aint so bad...
|
Quote:
http://www.consumerhelpweb.com/auto/acurbston.htm A few years ago I assisted a lady from Chicago who bought a Mercedes '80 Diesel 300SD off an ebay auction where the car was near the San Francisco airport which was not far from where I lived. The car had been donated to a Jewish charity, who put it up on the ebay auction. The California title was signed off on the front by the original owner, whose name matched the name on the original title. The Jewish charity was registered as a California dealer, to be legal. On the reverse side of the title the "Dealer Transactions Only" part that said "sold through auction" would have been filled out by the charity, which would have filled out it's name, address, date of auction, and signed by an authorised selling agent of the auction, the correct mileage, releasing its interest in the car, which is given to the purchaser. In this case, the auction buyer obviously bought it cheap at the auction, maybe for $1500, who knows, and wants to resell it for a quick profit. So, without seeing the title myself, my guess is that so long as the title you saw had the ORIGINAL owner's name on the title, and the signature on the front of it matched the owner's name, and the signature on the back was that of the cause4cars auction was correctly filled out, in the right place, the chain of title probably wasn't broken. It could be that the auction buyer, the curbstoner, had the car smogged on07/09/07 and hoped to resell the car for a profit right away without registering it in his name. The smog certificate is valid for 90 days so he is covered there. There needs to be a "Bill of Sale" though (in this case). The caus4cars place would have provided one, to the curbstoner (now your seller) and if you saw it you would know how much he got it for at the auction. Probably LOTS less than $3000.00!!!! YOU would need a bill of sale too! Unless the cause4cars place left the buyers name blank on the bill of sale to the curbstoner, you would need one from the curbstoner. Complicated, hunh? The other part of the story doesn't ring true to me though. If the car was originally his father in law's car why then how come it was donated to charity (for a tax deduction) then he got it as a buyer, and a month later is selling it? The father in law could have given the curbstoner a power of attorney to sell the car directly (to you or other) and cut out the charity entirely. Either the FIL could have gotten the $3,000 for himself or wanted a tax deduction for himself rather than the cash money. Who knows? I don't much like the idea of going for a test drive at night so the car with no licence plates can't be seen but maybe that is just me. The license plates gone could have been personalized plates (look on the title to see) but I wouldn't like it if they were were regular ones and just gone. I would get a bit suspicious... Some of those auctions cars are real junkers, on their last legs; the one I helped the lady get wasn't, but it was cheap, and it did have its share of problems to be sure. Did you get the license number off the pink slip (title)? What was it? He will take $3K for it I has a brown painted front bumper nice looking car Engine took a few times to start second time it idled fine oil pressure & temp was fine idles at about 900 & with AC on it dropped to what 600 700 which is what someone quoted was normal tires are 55 profile 16 inch can't remember the first number could have been 255/55/16 the wheel have SMD on them if I recall body is clean of rust rubber gaskets around door jam are starting to harden & crack. All in all I guess for someone who doen't mind sinking money into it its a good start point at $3k but I am concerned about title & the engine milage All the wires & boots look pretty old When I look under my hood there is a big difference mine looks like new He says he never would clean engine as sometimes things go wrong with water etc. Curiously he was selling a E 190 MB that was his sons? He had a guy drop by to see that He could be just selling. The guy said don't you sell cars all the time? He didn't answer The guy wanted to trade his car then he wanted to pay him in diamonds :laugh3::laugh3: PLEEEEEEASE explain to me how this guy could NOT be a curbstoner (unlicensed dealer!!) Quote:
LOL:scream: So that's the story I bet everytime I look at a car there will be another story He seems like a decent guy but I just don't know what to believe. The car also had a emission stink you know the big engine kind of give you a headache smell? Is that reason for concern.[/QUOTE] Umm. Yes. Quote:
[QUOTE] At first I thought I heard a slight tapping clicking sound from top heads thing is upon listening to my Volvo I have the same sound but worse so perhaps its just nomal operation I guess an engine can;t be totally silent this wasn't noise but it was sort of a distinct tap or click if you really got your ear at a certain spot All numbers match also has origianl tool kit & spare Just wonder who changed the wheels & they did look a bit close as in high compared to my Volvo 14 wheels which has more fender well. 16" wheels do fill up the wheel wells better on a 500SEC than 15" wheels. That was even mentioned in the road test magazine articles when they first came out with those cars. Quote:
Don't worry, there are lots of other fish in the sea. Sincerely, Jacques Costeau!!!!:P:freak::scream: [/COLOR] |
Just a quick reply on the mileage. I have an 85 500SEL that consistently gets between 19 and 21mpg on the highway with Regular unleaded and averaging over 75mpg. I've gotten as high as 21.68 mpg on a 300 mile leg of a road trip. I just keep the tires filled up to recommended pressure and the air conditioning does not currently work on mine. Not bad for a 23 year old car.
|
Yep
Drowning over here Guess you never know when you buy buy this guy did lie about the car vbeing his father in laws what the heck why lie & show me a title it would become apparent at the sale I suppose it will transfer fine its nice for $3000 but I suspect has had little care or use in 4 years or more Title had agoura hills CA Saw the womans name Last name Douglas can't find a listing but that was 20 years ago don't recall plate # but he did say his father in law was using it boy he can spill it... Help well maybe he wants to make a quick $1500 I don't care if the car is good Yikes this is eating at me Still it would be a glorious car in silver its ok in brown & the lie & unsure mantainance ouch right now just afraid of a big 8 cyl its daunting 2 heads to build LOL still I would just love to take it out on the road & go somewhere If it needed more than I could then pass it along to someone else |
Quote:
Did you run the Vin# on the free Russian Website? Put it in here and see what happens. http://www.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng If the paperwork is OK, (specifically, the sign offs on the title are correct) and the bill of sale to you is forthcoming, the car could still be all right. They were top of the line cars when they are new. You are an intelligent buyer if you are on a budget and are holding back some of your money for possible future repairs. If you put a deposit on it, with a fellow like this, be sure to get a clearly spelt out bill of sale, and having one in clear with his statement in clear language that either he is the titleholder or authorized to sell it would help. Or at least a signed receipt for the bill of sale. While it's not good the car didn't go far in the last few year, it is not fatal either. Good luck whatever you do |
cool
year is still weird w this vin but has oprions Model500 SEC Engine117963 12 009640 Transmission722311 02 204027Order0 - 227 67179 Approx. year1990 LightsBOSCH Cab01044 DealerNuernberg branch (227) Interiorleather saffron+java (234) Paint480Unknown code Options228auxiliary heater auxiliary heater (с 01.11.1974) auxiliary heater (only provision for installation in w 210) 256rear axle with limited-slip differential (с 01.11.1965 по 30.11.1991) 410Unknown code430headrests in the rear (с 01.01.1977) 444tempomat (cruise control) and airbag (с 01.02.1980 по 31.10.1993) 452two-tone horn (с 01.01.1963 по 28.02.1993) 470anti-lock braking system (abs) (с 01.06.1978 по 31.10.1993) 504outside rear view mirror, right, electrically adjustable (l.h.d.) taxi version, f.r.g, and outside rear view mirror on the right 532automatic antenna without radio set (с 01.01.1963) 543sun visor with vanity mirror, illuminated, left and right (с 01.11.1978) 551anti-theft warning system (с 01.11.1978 по 31.03.1998) 570folding armrest front w202/210 stowage box front with armrest (с 01.04.1970) front folding armrest w202 - housing at front with armrest 580air conditioner/Tempmatic (с 01.11.1982) 590heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (laminated glass), Germany green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, laminated safety glass - Germany (с 01.01.1972) 600headlamp wiper/washer (с 01.08.1971) 611courtesy lamps for front and rear doors, with W124 also for central doors/W202 front doors only (с 01.11.1978) 64015-hole light alloy rims (с 01.01.1990) 682fire extinguisher (с 01.04.1970) 812rear-mounted loudspeaker (с 01.11.1974) 870Unknown code871Unknown code |
Quote:
There undercover inspectors too. But who knows? Money talks. Hell, Bob Dylan said: "money SWEARS" These cars will suffer a LOT of abuse and still run. It is not good for them to just sit around. But it could be brought back. You would need to establish a baseline. That might include ALL new fluids: Oil change, new (Mercedes Benz only) coolant, a brake fluid change (required every 2 years anyhow), possible inspection of the air filter, spark plugs and wires, and of course, belts and hoses, and the power steering pump fluid. Maybe a couple of hundred or so at least. I would definately try and get that off the $3,000 as was said... Silver ones look nice. But it is hard to find them now in colors you like. I looked around for over a year for my favorite color: cabernet red, but could never find one. And, that was over 10 years ago, too, when more were around than now. |
figure about $1000 to get it stable
well hope? I suppose if he truns these cars over he knows a guy so no undercover problems who knows can't you just hook up another car not like these things have computer bar codes but brown is not that attractive to me engine needs hoses & spark plug wires etc they all look dated to me but thats not in itself going to hurt anything sitiing but best they be changed OOOh this is frustrating thanks for the help |
Misc.
Paint code for the car on that report #480 = Manganese Brown.
see:http://www.landiss.com/paintcodes.htm The fire extinguisher is mentioned also, and those are pretty rare, so it sounds like the vin# correctly mentions the car you are looking at. It is evidently a Euro car. Probably the notation of model year 1990 is a mistake, especially if it has a California title issued in the 1980's. The Russian free website has inaccuracies sometimes. By the way, if you buy a used Mercedes, any one at all, you get a free service: Mercedes Roadside assistance. Totally free, even if you are the 10th owner and the car is 50 years old. Did you know that? Call 1-800-FORMERCEDES and they will send out a tow truck from the dealer (or a contract tow company if you are in the boonies) and you will get a flat tire changed, a battery jump, or a couple of gallons of gas if you ran out. All for free. I have used it, it is great. Like getting AAA service for free. Once, I had them come out to where I lived (SF) and they put in a new battery for free, right there at the house. IN THE RAIN! A new MB battery. Only $130 and labor was free. (Some years ago). Saved a trip to the dealer or a shop. Wonderful. If you buy a car with 196,000 miles on it, you are also entitled to a free HIGH MILEAGE BADGE (250,000kms=155,000 miles) so long as you send in the form with proof of ownership verified by a dealer. Comes with a nice certificate also. It is a beautiful grille badge for the car to wear. But we are getting ahead of ourselves, you did not buy the car or anything. |
Wow
thanks its the car ooooh decisions ac worked great volvos died oooh |
it had exhaust smell though
needs a good cleaning? not been used in very long? oooh |
A big plus also: Timing chain done at 150,000 miles. Bigger plus: proof of that, with repair receipt.
It should include the plastic guide rails (which can crack and crumble, and old ones look root beer brown; new ones look white) and tensioner, along with the new chain. If you are curious, you could remove the left hand side valve cover and look. With luck the injectors are still good, and won't need to be replaced. I did it at 100,000 just as preventative maintenance. Just put Chevron Supreme fuel exclusively in the car. The Techron additive in it really does work, as advertised. It keeps the injectors clean and with a proper spray pattern. The automatic transmissions are VERY reliable, and if the fluid is changed every 30,000 miles or so, they can last 250,000 miles with out a rebuild. If it smells burnt, or looks brown and there is no record of a change, I would do it. Inspect the rear diff. fluid too. It is a special kind for Mercedes Benz and if the car went over 60,000 miles without a change, I would change it also. I do hope the aircon. works. It is the achilles heel of these cars. Mine finally quit, it was last renewed in 1999. I wish I was in LA so that MR.MB in Tarzana could fix it. He is supposed to be the best MB mechanic there, no BS, reasonable price and the best reputation. |
Volvo
Quote:
The Volvo AC is pretty reliable, I am surprised. Replace the fuse for the Volvo's airconditioner, and see what happens. If you are very very lucky, that is all that is would need to get the blower going again. The heaters on those things are incredible, they will force you right out of the car. For Swedish winters I guess! Not needed much at Calif. coast. The one thing I did not like on the Volvo was the "donut" spare it had. I bought a set of Borbet type "E" wheels for the car which looked good. Kept one of the wheels and tire off the car, and guess what? If you jammed it in really hard, it would fit (just barely) into the cavity in the trunk where the donut spare tire was. This worked good for the Volvo 740. You didn't mention if yours is a 760 or 740, but it probably would work for your car if it is an '88. I would go to an Import car wreckers if I were you, and buy a wheel and tire of a wrecked 740/760 that fit your car, probably for $10-$20. You would be glad you did when you first had your next flat, you wouldn't have to use the donut spare which only go 50 miles anyway. (Mercedes 500/560spares are full sized spares.) The Volvo mechanic told me that as a rule of thumb, to avoid any Volvo with a "6" in its title: The 760, 164, 262, 265, etc. Those were the French engine ones, which had more problems. Their diesels were not that good either. The "4" ones - 140, 240, 740, 940 were the best ones. I didn't know that at the time, so I was lucky to get the 1991 Volvo 740, just an uninformed customer I do not know what motor a 1988 GLE would have in it. But, the Volvos lasted a long time. They have high mileage badges for them too. You get the first one at 100,000 miles. I mounted mine beside the rear license plate on the car. If yours has 125,000 miles you can get one for your car now. Just send in for it. If you replaced the timing belt on your Volvo, you should be good for along time. On the 740 you are supposed to do it every 60,000 miles if you take care of the car. They are sturdy, safe, long lasting, nippy, wonderful little cars, even if they look like the box they came in. With or without the turbo, they are good, in my opinion. There is even an active club in Northern California for them though I was never in it. |
Quote:
The fact that the 1983 500SEC euro has ANTI LOCK BRAKES (ABS) makes a huge difference. Even the US '83 cars didn't get that, so it is a wonderful advantage of the Euro cars. If you ever had to use them even once, to avoid a wild, lurid, skid on locked up brakes, it is worth it. The oil pressure should be at 3 bar when the car is warmed up. Sometimes in heavy slow traffic can drop to 2 bar sometimes but should go right back up to 3 when running fast again. What the big Mercedes cars really love is to be out on the open road. Good chance that once the poor car is on the highway for a 50 mile trip, even after virtually no use for two years, that everything will be fine with it again. I don't think I would pressure wash or steam clean under the hood, on the off chance the water could mess up the electronics under there and cause mischief. You could just wipe it down with an old sock or T shirt instead. I used to do it with the Volvo and Mercedes and they looked good always. |
I drove it
I like it Whhooooo it was fun rides well Well, its mine now :eek: Well at least tomorrow when I pay balance then the seller & myself go to AAA to do the registration... which he needs to do as he has his bill of sale & things I took a chance if it needs more work than I can afford I suppose there will be someone who will buy it from me Really nice car Windows like new just nice hope everything is right under the hood Wish me luck Thanks everyone I'm now a 500SEC owner oooh boy :D |
Quote:
Thank You Makes me feel better I just got back made a last minute decision to take him up on the offer before someoen got to him Seems the firetinguisher & origianl shiny mercedes tool kit would fetch a good price Seems car was loaded Airbag in 83 everything electric seems to work seats AC heat sunroof antenna I can also see a car sitting needing a good fluid change & drive even the headlights are great I could see the road all that extra gas can't compare to being in a safe car OOOOH I'm excitied Tomorrow she will be home next to the Volvo Hope they get along :D Night everyone SWeet MB Dreams :cool: PS oil pressure was 3 even sitting idling oooh thats good!!! |
5 Attachment(s)
Quote:
Its just on the corner..lol AC blew real cold Didn't keep it on forever but figured if it was cold it was working Undercarriage looked clean I tried to look etc for oil or things the car is very low though not a high off the gorund car but things looked solid & clean underneath Wheel wells fine trunk like new the rubber gaskets are getting old & hardening but I suppose it just the age I can't help that all in all the car almost looks like new well not headlight wipers I see the boots but they are empty no big deal I could never figure out the need to wipe the headlights LOL I even like the feel of the turn signal man they are beefy machines not wimpy like the Volvo It even hands you the seat belt! Wow I'm so excited I didn't even eat dinner yet :eek: I guess I'll be seeing Enrique The seller said he has a geat MB uy near reseda name Arni or something only does benz will also have to get that number you never know |
| All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:03 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website