420 sel buying - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Cervan · #1 12-02-2007, 03:49 PM

Im thinking about buying this car off craigslist, http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/car/496429321.html What do you guys think, any information on this car? what about proformance wise? comfort? durability? chassis number? anything and everything you can think of

thanks!

hodag · #2 12-02-2007, 04:11 PM

I have a friend (German native) who owns five MB vehicles, including two of the model you mentioned. He thinks this is the best MB had to offer in the 1980's in the gasoline models. I have helped him do a bit of work on one of them, and they seem like fine cars.

Check under the wheel wells, especially the forward wells, for corrosion. He had a bit of cancer that needed to be taken care of. Also one part of the undercarriage had some deterioration that had to be restored.

Most of the problems he dealt with were due to electrical problems cause by the previous owner over fusing a circuit (replaced a 10A fuse with a 20A) and melting a portion of the wiring harness. However, the electrical systems in the 1980's were not nearly as complicated as later models so it was not that difficult to fix.

Jim B. · #3 12-02-2007, 04:40 PM

Even if it needed a couple of grand worth of work, and with the bodywork you are well on the way to that number, if it runs out good, it probably is worth it, even keeping in mind the axiom that the cheapest Benz is always the most important, if you don't mind a gamble, I would go over with 6 bills in my pocket and check it out.

Check out the buyers guide, print it the check list, and take it with you.

www.mbcoupes.com (buyers guide)

Check for rust everywhere you can, especially in the trunk, under the back window.

Good luck.

(It is worth way over $600 in parts, if you bought it and it did not work out.)

Yes it is comfortable, durable, the 420 is a good engine, long lasting, not great mpg, fairly easy for you and your mechanic to work on, premium quality, very safe, it cost new over $50,000!!!

I would not waste time, though, it may be a bargain and at that price, $600, don't bargain, just get it, but get all the service records you can on it.

Cervan · #4 12-02-2007, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hodag

I have a friend (German native) who owns five MB vehicles, including two of the model you mentioned. He thinks this is the best MB had to offer in the 1980's in the gasoline models. I have helped him do a bit of work on one of them, and they seem like fine cars.

Check under the wheel wells, especially the forward wells, for corrosion. He had a bit of cancer that needed to be taken care of. Also one part of the undercarriage had some deterioration that had to be restored.

Most of the problems he dealt with were due to electrical problems cause by the previous owner over fusing a circuit (replaced a 10A fuse with a 20A) and melting a portion of the wiring harness. However, the electrical systems in the 1980's were not nearly as complicated as later models so it was not that difficult to fix.

what proformance mods do you think could be done to this engine? what about MPG? the interiors, anything like the acc horror stories?

Jim B. · #5 12-02-2007, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cervan

what proformance mods do you think could be done to this engine? what about MPG? the interiors, anything like the acc horror stories?

This was never meant to be a "performance" engine. the car you are looking at is meant to be a long distance highway hauler, and it will cruise effortlessly at 125 mph all day long.

You could eke out a little more performance by installing a second snorkel on the air intake and maybe a little more (2 hp) by putting on a Remus exhaust box on it, and if you don't mind running illegally, remove the cat & precat (but save it in your garage if you ever need to put it on to resell the car, etc.) but keep the O2 sensor in place.

If you feel like just throwing money at it, you could also put euro-spec tri-Y exhaust headers on it, bigger crossovers, a stainless steel mandrel bent exhaust and downpipe set up, 2:82 or 3:07 ltd. slip Gleason-Torsen rear end, etc. etc. but the gas mileage, (while nothing to especially write home about in the first place), would likely go to hell.

Sometimes the leather will crack with age, the seat springs can collapse, over time, dashboard cracks, gauge needles fade to yellow, etc. but nothing to worry about. I would run it through a carwash to see if there are any leaks into the interior and trunk.

The Airconditioner is the weakest point, it should blow hot and cold, but for $600 you haven't much right to insist on that, so it could be, if it doesn't, anything from a fuse, to a regassing, to an entire evaporator needed. Who knows?

I'd think first about body intregity, body damage and rust, and how well it runs out, and the suspension condition, state of all the fluids, etc.

You can't expect the world for $600, and it is on a well built car, that with care, should last 300,000 to 500,000 miles, if in good shape, and remember that that cost over 50 grand when it was new in 1986..

Go take a look, but it sounds like it may be a super bargain, so if you fool around too much, before going to look at it, it will probably be gone.

I'd been emailed a deal like that this summer on a 1979 all original 240 D manual, Calif. car from new, that was a theft recovery, with only a damaged ignition, and the quarter window broken, and one hubcap gone, that the guy got back after he had already replaced it with another car.

He just wanted it gone, so he put it on Craigslist for just $400.
It was only 35 miles from me. I would have gone right out then and there, to buy it immediately, but when I got the email about it, it had sold just 2 hours before that.

Homeline · #6 12-03-2007, 01:03 AM

I'll chime in. I bought an '89 420SEL almost 6 months ago and put nearly 12K on it. Paid a lot more than $600, and probaly way more than the car was worth. I don't regret it a bit. A new job required a 50 mile commute, mostly highway. Very comfortable and roomy ( I'm 6'3). Mines lowered with 17" wheels , rides very good and handles well for such a big beast. Don't expect more than 22mpg, and thats keeping it at 65-70mph. The 4.2 is enough engine for both power and economy. Forget about mods. Jim summed it up; it's a cruiser not a rocket.

For $600, you got little to loose. But I'm assuming here that you can turn your own wrench. If you start paying a shop $50-80 an hour + parts, you'll spend $600 on your first visit. Expect a complete fluid change of ALL fluids. New belts and hoses. Obvisouly a fuel system service, filter, pump. All this and more is just to bring it up to running status. And thats assuming the eninge & tranny are good, and buy that I mean functional. This car is a high-end machine that requires regular maintainence. Timing chain, rails, tensioner, water pump, brakes, power steering, suspension...all this can add up quick if any of these things mentioned have slipped past their usable service life.

Now having said all that, if it were me, I'd pay close attention to the body and interior. If they passed my requirements, then I'd go for it. Heck, you already know it don't run, so you can expect the worst.

Cliff

E150GT · #7 12-03-2007, 08:44 AM

I have one and I love my car. It has been relativly cheap, but I still need new leather, axles, all the engine gaskets, a new side view mirror and wheels. The fuel economy is tolerable. The motor sounds good though.Just inspect the timing chain when and if you buy it.

A. Rosich · #8 12-03-2007, 09:22 AM

Just remember: a cheap Mercedes will definitely become the most expensive car you'll ever buy!

Benz Mercedes · #9 12-03-2007, 10:36 AM

as the owner of a 1987 420 sel since 1999 , i can tell you these are great cars , very reliable and still easy to maintain for the average mechanicaly inclined person, in 8 years i've done the needed repairs myself , timing chain,rails and tensioner , brakes ,front and rear , wheel bearings , engine mounts , engine shocks ,exhaust system ,[center and rear ], distributor cap, rotor, plug wires and plugs ,ICV , alternator, CCU, window lift jaws, monovalve ,and most important of all , changing the oil and filter every 3 to 4 thousand miles,,,, because i've paid no labor costs , i can't complain about the cost of parts ,many of which i've purchased right here from Phil, I also own a 1982 euro 500 sel that i've owned since 1988 , and it has also been a pleasure to own ,, BUT i wouldn't purchase a 20 plus year old 420 sel unless i could start it and drive it first , to evaluate it's worth, and my advice is ,,,DON"T buy it ,

BRIAN

Hit Man X · #10 12-03-2007, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cervan

what proformance mods do you think could be done to this engine? what about MPG? the interiors, anything like the acc horror stories?

Euro true duals and make the throttle open 100% is about it. Typicaly W126 ACC.

$600 is a steal if can prove it has a new trans and motor. Just know, it could have a jumped chain and a dead motor.

redkx · #11 12-03-2007, 05:59 PM

I agree with other people's responses. You really have to look at the car first.
I do not know your intention whether you just try to get something that run or try to turn it into something that you can proud of. Unless you are real lucky guy, I doubt that 600 will buy you a good condition 420sel that requires only a fuel pump that will cost almost as much as the car.
The current market price in Los Angeles for a 420 is between 2000 - 5000. I think this price range is not too far off in where you live. If your plan is to restore the car into decent shape, I think you will be happier to buy a mint condition car for 5000 than sinking 4400 into a $600 car.

Benzadmiral · #12 12-04-2007, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macdoe

. . . Now, have found and purchased a 1988 420 sel with 292 000 kms. on it. . . .
Was thinking that the ford motor may be underpowered compared to the Mercedes, Does anyone know? The mustang is supposed to be 215 horsepower, fuelie, roller cam. Not sure how that is measured. What does the 420 sel put out for horsepower compared?
Maybe I should make this into a sleeper drag car in order not to offend the Mercedes die hard. Thank you in advance for the reply.

Macdoe,

The 420 in US trim (and I'm sure your '88 would be that) makes 201 horsepower, so it's a bit lower than the Mustang motor. On the other hand, the M116 motor (or is it M117? I can never remember) is stout, poor on gas by today's standards, easy to work on, including 8-quart oil changes, and less electronically whizzed up than more modern cars. My late lamented 420SEL was at almost 200K on its original engine and tranny when it was totalled while parked three years ago. A great cruiser.
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