good deal or a great deal? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jstreeter · #1 10-24-2004, 12:16 AM

hi everybody, looking for a little advice..
One of my co - workers ( who was hired from the netherlands) is selling his 1962 220s, 4 speed.
The car was repainted ( a dark red) in europe, and was originally from switzerland.
hes looking to sell, and I wonder if I might be getting a good deal from him at $1400.
he replaced the headlight reflectors in the euro headlights, and replaced all of the weatherstripping as well. he put 14" pirellis on mecedes rims from a later model year, and got rid of the original 13's.
interior wise, the wood and dash look great..its got a becker am/fm that looks period. the door panels and seats look good as well (just cloth, though) the headliners pretty tatty. the paint and body look great, except one of the overrider bumpers is rusty, and the rocker paner needs some patch work on the drivers side. It runs and drives smooth....
any opinions? trouble or good buy?

WANT '71 280SEL · #2 10-24-2004, 01:19 AM

That seems to be the average that one of those goes for. The detriment to it is the rust, and the pro is the Euro lights, paint, and weatherstripping. When was it repainted? They may have done some sort of bondo work to it, or painted over rust so the body damage may extend further. I've been looking for a fintail in the similar price range. If you don't buy it, where are you located at?
Thanks
David

300SDog · #3 10-24-2004, 03:12 AM

Any smoke at starting up? And is there any clunk or play in the kingpin suspension?

I962 was a very good year for the 220Sb. It should have disc brakes, spring loaded door pockets, signal lights included in headlight clusters and fender mounted side view mirror. Btw, those fabric seats are worsted wool and most people find them more comfortable then vinyl.

Why is he selling it.... possibly moving back to the Netherlands? Anybody who puts 14" Pirellis on the finbody and replaces weatherstripping probably took very good overall care of the car and knew what they were doing.

It sounds like a good deal to me...... it's a great deal if you can truly appreciate the old finbody Benz, drive it everyday and get lots of use out of what's probably the finest MB built in the last 40 yrs.

__________________
'80 300SD/ w116
'79 240D 4-spd
'71 750cc Guzzi

previously owned:

'83 240D 4-spd
'77 280SEL 4-spd
'74 280/8
'72 250/8
'65 220Sb 4-spd
'63 220Sb 4-spd
'63 190c 4-spd
'61 220Sb 4-spd
'60 190b 4-spd

Last edited by 300SDog; 10-24-2004 at 03:31 AM.

jstreeter · #4 10-24-2004, 04:24 PM

Im in fort collins colorado, about 18 hours@80 mph thru chicago from fort wayne...my parents still live in fort wayne, so Ive made the drive a couple of times.
It doesnt smoke, and it runs smooth. I didnt feel any clunking in the front suspension, it doesnt have power steering, so you would think it would be easy to feel.
it actually rides pretty nice.
Well, the hesitation is down to one word: parts.
I just got rid of a '90 audi 200 turbo quattro, so the prices dont scare me, but the availability does. I havent found any place to buy the usuals: plugs, wires,cap, brake pads, bearings, carb rebuild kit, etc.
once i know i can keep it running, id be more comfortable with owning it......

j9fd3s · #5 10-24-2004, 06:17 PM

the cool thing about an old benz is that if you cant find it anywhere else the dealer can! www.partsamerica.com lists a buch of stuff, i dont know how good they are. also check locally, its harder to find people with a book that goes to 62 than the actual parts

WANT '71 280SEL · #6 10-24-2004, 06:32 PM

Where abouts are your parents located in the Fort? Next time you come to town, I'd love to see the finnie if you buy it. Give me a holler.
Thanks
David

jstreeter · #7 10-24-2004, 07:34 PM

the parents live in roanoke now, altho I went to paul harding, back in the day.
Im not really sure the internet parts supply is cutting it, so its off to buy a hemmings and see whats out there....

300SDog · #8 10-24-2004, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jstreeter

I havent found any place to buy the usuals: plugs, wires,cap, brake pads, bearings, carb rebuild kit, etc.

Worried about spark plugs and ignition wires and brake pads, huh? Dont forget about fan belts too...... these parts are reeeaaaalllly scarce and nobody carries them.

WANT '71 280SEL · #9 10-25-2004, 01:36 PM

NAPA wouldn't have at least plugs for it? They should be able to get belts, since they're not MB specifc, just size.
Thanks
David

jstreeter · #10 10-25-2004, 02:46 PM

my point is not that I cant find a fanbelt, or a spark plug. both are easy to find. an air filter or a carb kit? not so much.
can I find a brake drum? the answer is no, unless its from a mercedes dealer.$$$$
headliner? no
speedometer? guess what... no.
hood? yes...from germany.$$$$
fender, sure...from germany. it would cost half the purchase price of the car.....$700.
although with what ive found out in hemmings, I think ill be alright.

WANT '71 280SEL · #11 10-25-2004, 05:58 PM

adsitco.com has body parts. Many times they even have used parts. I know they carry used hoods, doors, and trunks. I don't think they'd have used fenders though.
Thanks
David

cscmc1 · #12 05-31-2005, 10:30 AM

There are several MB-only wrecking yards in CA with tons of vintage cars for parts. I would think you'd be able to track down whatever it is you're looking for. Sounds like a cool car! Good luck...

Mark DiSilvestro · #13 05-31-2005, 08:55 PM

If it's not going to be your only car and it runs and drives well and the rust isn't terminal, I wouldn't lose alot of sleep over parts availibility. Parts are still far more widely availible for that car than for many other vintage imports and even some American cars. And, if you're patient, parts do turn up at bargain prices on Ebay. A couple years back, I bought a complete set of nice California bumpers for my '60 220S, for $170, including shipping to the east coast!

Supposedly, much is still availible from Mercedes for $$$, but lately, I do get the impression that some dealers don't want to be bothered with the old cars anymore. Some common service parts such as belts, filters and plugs, I can get locally.
For more difficult items, I highly recommend Phil, here at MercedesShop/Fastlane. He's been very helpfull to me. I've heard good things about Randy Steele in California but never bought from him. Adsit keeps sending me their catalogs but I've never ordered from them as they don't have alot for the Fintails.

Happy Motoring, Mark