I need some opinoins on a 500SE
 

Ok guys [and gals], I need help. I just got back from the show date for my local charity auction. Me being the Mercedes nut, I found a 1984 500SE with exactly 150,000 miles on it. It is a pretty bare-bones s class. Cloth interior, roll down rear windows, etc. It looks like new though.

Some problems: I couldn't get the blower to kick on. Is this going to be a major repair? The passenger side window won't roll down. It makes noise, no movement though. There is a slight whistle on acceleration. Is this something to be concerned about? The radio antenna won't go up all the way.

I am S-Class dumb. Is the 500SE a good car? It started right up, idled nicely, braked strong. There is no visible rust. It does have some ugly generic hubcaps that if I was to buy this sucker tomorrow, would be replaced with at least MB hubcaps. What should I look out for? Please give me as much info as you can before I go to the auction tomorrow. How can I tell if it US-Spec? The bumpers were pretty close to the body and the cruise was in german, but the speedo was mph.

The 500SE wasn't offered in the US so that car wasn't built to US specs. The chassis number will tell you what it is. It's probably part of the VIN which will be something like WDB12603612xxxxxx. If that's the case, you won't be able to check it in Carfax.

The blower problem could be anything from a loose wire to a bad motor and controller. Did it have ACC or rotary controls for the AC?

If the window motor makes noise, it probably just needs a <$10 sliding jaw or a not-so-expensive-because-you-can-get-a-used-one regulator.

There's usually an antenna switch on the dash that controls how high it goes.

I don't know about the whistle. Maybe it has a turbo :)

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

It has ACC controls. Are these cars reliable? If I was to tackle the non-functional blower, such as replacement, how tough would that be? The 240D needs a new one and it seems like the car was built around it, the only way it is accessable is by tearing apart the dash. Is the 500SE the same way? I was able to run Carfax actually, and it came out clear. I do believe it is Euro-spec though as it seems too bare-bones for US models.

Blower motor is a simple DIY repair job. My dad would kill for a Euro 500SE, don't know why, but he would. He's a german, factory trained at MB and lives for these cars. Anyhow, if you need some guidance, ask, I'd be happy to help ya.

So then a 500SE is cherry condition at 150,000 miles is a good car? I only ask because in my family, we have owned 2 Mercedes now, with nothing but luck. 2 great cars, I'd love to make this the third.

It's probably due for a new timing chain, guides and tensioner at 150,000 miles unless you have records to show that it's been done.

The only tool you need to replace the blower motor is a screwdriver. A new motor without cage can be purchased from FastLane for under $110. I wouldn't rush out to buy one without making sure it's not a bad push-button unit or blower resistor pack that's keeping the blower from turning.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

I thought it was only the 380 that needed the timing chain?

The early US 380s had a single row timing chain that was at risk of premature failure. Other M116/7 engines have a more robust double row timing chain but the general thinking is that you're playing with fire beyond 150K miles on any M116/7 chain.

It's also hard to judge the mileage on a gray market car because I'm pretty sure MB didn't sell a car with LHD and MPH speedo anywhere but North America (The UK has RHD). So I'm pretty sure the km/h speedo in this car was replaced as part of federalizing the car. Who knows how many miles disappeared with the km/h speedo? What you want to see if mileage is a concern is how old it was when it entered the US. If it came in in 1985, how many miles could it have racked up in a year? If it came in in 1990, it could have had a heck of a lot of miles before federalization.

At this point, thought, all that matters is the condition.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

I have an 86 Euro 500 SE with a Euro 420 replace ment engine. Mine was ordered at the factory by an airforse General and has leather interior,and all the goodies. It is with out a dought the best driving car I have ever owned or driven.It is geared very high 1800rpm at 60, gets close to 20 mpg all around,and is very stable at speed.I also have an 81 SD witch has a different feel but also a nice car........oh yes my long time insurance co. would not insure it said it was a non car as Euro cars won't show up on carfax, I had to change to another company.......have had no problem getting parts for it at FastLane......
William Rogers.....