my 450SE euro has landed... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

davestlouis · #1 04-22-2006, 09:33 PM

The 1979 450SE arrived this AM.
-apple green, tan velour, good seats except bolster on the right front seat has a hole the size of a softball in the corduroy/velour.
-bundt's(4) on 225-70r14 Firestone Wilderness truck tires...this size fits Ford Rangers
-Euro bumpers with lamp washer nozzles
-US-style lamps
-Euro HVAC controls, German insructions on levers in the car(Cruise,etc)
-cheesy aftermarket stereo
-rusty rt fender, rusty rockers, rusty quarters around the wheel openings, but not bad behind the wheels where they meet the trunk floor
-floors are good
-front valance under the bumper is gone
-grille housing is rusty
-fuel pump and filter are in the trunk, loose
the whole car is dusty...was reportedly stored in a carport for several years, with the nose sticking out, hence the rusty grille.

suginami · #2 04-22-2006, 09:49 PM

Does it run?

davestlouis · #3 04-22-2006, 10:25 PM

not yet...I have several fuel pumps and filters in the garage that I'll plug in and see what happens. I paid so little for it that either it will be a parts car for my 280SE or vice versa, or I suppose I could try to resurrect both of them. I don't have a burning need for either of them to actually be reliable transportation, they are just toys.

t walgamuth · #4 04-23-2006, 05:04 AM

sounds like a project for sure.

but if running correctly, it should be pretty quick, i would think.

very interesting car.

tom w

Tomguy · #5 04-23-2006, 10:58 AM

There's another euro 450SE on eBay now. It's in Berwick PA (Fairly close to me) and is probably gonna go within SOMEONE'S price range. The front bumper looks like it has a dent and I REALLY dont have room for it, otherwise I'd be willing to spend more on it. I was going to go up to $200 but it's already past that. If I still lived in Bear Creek with my huge driveway and on 10 acres, I'd bid up to $500 for it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4631975358

davestlouis · #6 04-23-2006, 11:12 AM

Shame it's so far away...the seats look sort of tired too. To be fair, mine isn't a whole lot better, and judging from the images, mine may be rustier. I think for the moment I'm going to stop buying additional cars and concentrate on the ones I have.

Tomguy · #7 04-23-2006, 11:33 AM

It doesnt look that bad, I was hoping the rear would clean right up. And it's so close to running it would have been a very easy and fun project! A shame.

davestlouis · #8 04-24-2006, 10:40 PM

Unbelievable...I work at a Mbz dealer and they won't sell me any parts on this VIN...I have to improvise and try to figure out which parts interchange with the US market 450SEL and pretend I'm buying parts for a US car. Is it safe to assume that the fuel filter and pump interchange with the US market car? On a larger scale, what parts are different beside bumpers and the climate control?

Tomguy · #9 04-24-2006, 11:02 PM

Aside from bumpers, headlights (if still euro) and AC/Heater controls, the engine probably has hotter cams and higher-compression heads. Otherwise, everything else is probably the same. It MIGHT have a different rear gear or exhaust system.

t walgamuth · #10 04-25-2006, 09:12 AM

yeah, i agree with tomguy.

my 280e euro uses mostly the same filters and such. different pistons, prob cams, exhaust, and a few minor trim and switch differences other than the obvious lights and bumpers.

when in doubt you can use the part number and order thru someone like phil if the dealer is still playing those silly games.

tom w

davestlouis · #11 04-25-2006, 09:34 PM

I guess I could also buy a US market 450SEL and buy parts under that VIN...

suginami · #12 04-25-2006, 09:59 PM

Why buy one?

Just find a guy, perhaps on this forum, who has the same year 450 SEL, and use his VIN #.

davestlouis · #13 04-25-2006, 10:34 PM

A customer of mine came in today wanting a quote on a complete repaint on a 1989 euro 500SE (W126) and mentioned in passing that he has 2 6.9's, one black one brown, both with over 300xxx miles...doesn't want to sell though. He has cancer and doesn't want to sell any of his toys.

t walgamuth · #14 04-25-2006, 11:06 PM

i can understand one but two? with 300k ea.?

sounds wild.

he must be a wild man!

or single.

tom w

davestlouis · #15 04-25-2006, 11:30 PM

He's a retired Mbz mechanic from the dealership...old German guy. He's an opinionated, crusty old guy but I get a kick out of him. He's very proud of the 6.9's, says he has done valve jobs on both, has never had the bottom ends apart and the transmissions are original too, although one has a leak from the torque converter, but it's not bad enough to bother taking it apart yet. One of apparently rusty, the other is not. I can't fathom where he has driven these cars to run up that kind of mileage.