Purchase advice on 93 W140 600SEL - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Douge · #1 05-21-2009, 05:44 PM

I found a deal on the car. Lots of recent mechanical updates, 130K miles, new radiator, water pump, thermostat, 02 sensors, plugs. Recent compression check was good. New brakes and rubber.

The bad, AC inop. Hasn't been used in several years. Dash instruments inop. Valve cover leaking oil.

TIA

engatwork · #2 05-21-2009, 05:47 PM

I'd run from it unless you need a place to put your money

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Douge · #3 05-21-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engatwork

I'd run from it unless you need a place to put your money

.

LOL I know but the draw of the V12 is strong.

johnathan1 · #4 05-21-2009, 06:15 PM

What's the asking price? I wouldn't give over $3-4k to be honest...

Douge · #5 05-21-2009, 07:00 PM

3500

ehopkins · #6 05-21-2009, 07:17 PM

I'd rally check to see if that valve cover leak is really a valve cover and not something bigger than that. I wouldn't go over 2,000.00. Before I'd pay that I would find out how much it would cost to get everything fixed, because there is always something else.

engatwork · #7 05-21-2009, 09:12 PM

There is a reason the radiator, water pump and thermostat were replaced. Wonder what other damage $$$ was done?

Hit Man X · #8 05-21-2009, 11:50 PM

The bottom ends of MBs just don't seem to wear out, at least from what I've seen. It's all the ancillary crap that does.

$3500 is too high. It runs and drives, without AC in the upcoming summer in AZ? lol

I'd MAYBE pay $1500 for it, certainly no more than that.

REMEMBER all early V12 W140s are like E32 V12s, all crap is dual... computers, harnesses, fuel systems, etc, etc. 140s have evap cores that fail, harnesses that fall apart, etc. Unless this car has more records for more work, just laugh and walk off... or send me your money and I'll spend it on a weekday night of hookers, blow, and booze at the local "gentleman's club"

david s poole · #9 05-22-2009, 10:06 AM

DON'T DO IT.

Douge · #10 05-22-2009, 11:34 AM

To answer some questions, the car did overheat and the mechanic who went through the cooling system and replaced the pump, t-stat and radiator (had a small leak) also checked the head gasket as he thought that was a likely problem and eliminated that as an issue and performed a compression test to verify that.

On the valve covers, I can't even see them under the intake, so even if that is the only leak, they will be a PITA unlike a V8 or 6cyl car. Also we all know the PITA the AC can be. I could get lucky but if not, could be trouble.

Lastly, the instrument cluster is inop and the only solution I can find is replacement. It sounds like the cluster problems are a poltergeist and hard if not impossible to isolate.

So, I agree, still like to have it, but would def. have to get under the 3500, probably 2500 to get the money out of my hands.

Thanks for all the input so far!

Peter Guenther · #11 05-22-2009, 02:43 PM

The intakes need to come off to do the valve covers, if the heads came off why do the covers leak? The AC job is $5500 the dash needs to come out, if it needs a trans at least $5000, you can send your speedo out its $350 or so to have rebuilt with a 2 year warranty a working car is only worth 6/7K if spending is a hobby continue on!
http://www.programainc.com/default.php

Douge · #12 05-22-2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Guenther

The intakes need to come off to do the valve covers, if the heads came off why do the covers leak? The AC job is $5500 the dash needs to come out, if it needs a trans at least $5000, you can send your speedo out its $350 or so to have rebuilt with a 2 year warranty a working car is only worth 6/7K if spending is a hobby continue on!
http://www.programainc.com/default.php

You guys are killing me!

The heads never came off as far as I know, I don't know if he visually inspected the heads or did a leak down but he did do a compression test and the radiator was leaking and since the cooling system repairs it is no longer overheating. It should also be noted that PO stated he pulled over when it started overheating and had it towed.

The instrument cluster is working sporadically, it is not just the speedo, the tach stops working as well. It is shorting. I did some searches on this and the only success guys were having was replacing the pod.

And yeah if the AC issue is behind the dash, Lord have mercy. I forwarded an offer for 2500 but even that seems generous.

Hit Man X · #13 05-22-2009, 07:33 PM

$2500? Wow. Not worth it, you must not like your money.

Pete Geither · #14 05-22-2009, 07:41 PM

They need to pay you to take it.

Ivanerrol · #15 05-22-2009, 07:43 PM

The W140 600's when new were a rich man's car.

They still are rich men's cars.