1990 420SEL Purchase Pros and Cons?
 

I considering purchasing a 420SEL so that I have more room in the back seat when I take clients out versus my current 1990 300E. I'm fine with the more dated look. I also imagine the additional cylinders will help the car's performance with 4-5 adults in the car. I did a search but couldn't find the info even after viewing 8 of the 15 pages of results.

Relative to my current 1990 300E which I have always been very pleased with but need more room, what do I need to know about purchasing the same vintage 420SEL?

Thanks,
AL

People LOVE the large back seat area and smooth drive. You may want to get the seat-back tray tables...

APSIS-Mercedes Wood Trims.......!

Pro - One of the nicest cars MB ever produced IMHO

Con - It's twenty-six years old so have a PPI done by someone familiar with the 126.......

Benz Mondi, since the 420SEL has an 8-cylinder engine maintenance will be more expensive and gas mileage will be less than the 6-cylinder engine you are accustomed to. Handling and acceleration may be slightly less than your 300E because it's a larger, heavier vehicle. Expect a luxurious ride on the highway. A PPI by MB-trained tech, who knows that model, is a must so you know what you are buying and how much it will cost to make the car right. Very few owners sell cars that are in excellent shape and need no immediate repairs. Unless you are a DIY'er that car could be a "money pit". Even then, it could be costly to bring it up to snuff.

As a friend of mine said on his first ride in a 420SEL...

"It is a BOAT!"

Pros: it has headlight wipers
Cons: it doesn't have Bluetooth

Thanks!
 

Thanks for all the replies. I'll follow up when I find one I like. Now on to the next project, replacing my SL...

It's 17 feet of car. 201HP if memory serves correct. I would think the M117 is cheaper to maintain than the later M119. 126's usually have the same predictable gremlins... worn out ball joints, rust around the bottom of the rear window, worn out vacuum pods in the climate control. Don't rest your arm on the windows if they aren't all the way down - the repair is cheap, just inconvenient (but not nearly as inconvenient as those A/C pods).

......be sitting down when you get the price:eek: