Hey guys I will soon be looking for a 560SEL (couple of months, maybe more) but am wondering whether to get a euro spec one or not. I understand the euro's are grey market and sell for less but what else is a disadvantage of having that type of car. I already know the advantages.
Also one more quick question: Did all the 560SEL's come with hydraulic suspension in the rear? If so would it just be better to look for a 420SEL. Thanks for all your help

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1985 500SEL 124k miles
2001 Honda Civic EX

Disadvantages include reduced value/resale and some difficulty in obtaining certain kinds of parts (some engine parts, exhaust system hassles, different bumpers, to name a few). I wouldn't swear to this, but I believe that all 560 sedans came with the hydraulic rear suspension.

Ron
German Star

Thanks for your help.

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1985 500SEL 124k miles
2001 Honda Civic EX

I have a grey market 280se. I would not hesitate getting one that had a similar model sold here in the US. The only parts I have had any problem getting have been related to the manual transmission and manual windows, as they were not available here in the US. A 560sel should be no problem as far as parts go as the only difference would be the emissions and stuff like that.

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Currently
1991 Mazda Miata 174000
1991 Subaru 189,000 Winter beater

got rid of:
1984 VW Vanagon 195,000
1976 350SE Euro 185,000 KM
1973 280SE 4.5 (boy do I regret that)
1980 280SE European W126 4 speed manual (miss it)
1989 BMW 735iL 119000 (good riddance)

Silver Boat brings up the key issue. If you select a car that had no equivalent model (engine series in particular) available over here, you will suffer finding parts. Otherwise there are next to no arbitrarily different features that make interchangeability of parts from a US equivalent model or engine a problem. I have imported a number of grey market cars, mostly for family members, and they have all worked out fine (mostly W123 models with the 2.3 liter in-line 4 that was installed in the early 190E's for the US). All the cars have lasted in excess of 200,000 miles and only one has been retired, and that was due to an encounter with a pickup truck that rendered the car useless. No injuries. And the family still talks and meets. Good luck, and if the car is post 1986, you might be able to find one with a factory "Euro" emissions system which is identical to the US system in most regards. So even most of the emissions control stuff is the same. Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)