Thinking of getting a fintail - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

wagonboy · #1 06-22-2006, 01:07 AM

Here is the link to the one I saw. http://www.craigslist.org/pen/car/173677195.html
Can you guys tell me what to look for as trouble areas on this car.
TIA for any help.

snp8990 · #2 06-22-2006, 02:04 AM

Well first off,seems as if the floors are very rusty.I would say none of the electronics work judging by the state of the car.It seems as if it is just a restoration.If you looking for a fintail that you can drive from day one,this is not the one.I know of a wonderful 230S if your interested.

cth350 · #3 06-22-2006, 08:00 AM

underside rust is the biggest problem you could face. Everything else pales in comparison.

I like the lady's confidence that it will run after 3 years. I'd prove it first. The mechanical fuel injection requires some mechanical skills and patience to maintain, unless you're going to be paying somebody else, in which case, you don't want that car (get one with carbs).

You're facing a learning curve here. As long as you are doing the work, go for it (subject to the rust cautions, above).

-CTH

Jim B. · #4 06-22-2006, 09:06 AM

I would be careful, it needs to be restored, as said above, rust can hurt them a lot. From the pictures, the back bumper looks crinkled, and the car might have a "G" area San Francisco residential parking permit on it, which meant it lived in the exclusive, rich, Pacific Heights neighborhood after 1980, for one year at least....

I would verify it ran, too, before I bought it. But they are cool cars, it might be worth it if you can afford to sink some money into it. It would be a nice driver but NEVER a collectible.

Rashakor · #5 06-22-2006, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

I would verify it ran, too, before I bought it. But they are cool cars, it might be worth it if you can afford to sink some money into it. It would be a nice driver but NEVER a collectible.

Just curious... Why it would never be a collectible?

Jim B. · #6 06-22-2006, 10:18 AM

Because it was a four door Heckflosse, they were not generally considered as collector's cars. While a mint original low mileage example might be a "special interest" car, all in all the 4 door sedans are basically a normal four door bodied fintail, used as taxis and *very* good transportation but you would never be likely to find them in a museum collection.

The 220SEb convertibles, and the coupes, that is another matter, those were considered collectible.

wagonboy · #7 06-22-2006, 01:16 PM

Thanks for the replies. Will be a car that my Dad and I will mess with. Don't want a collector just want a cool car to drive around with. Plus I always like those batman tails as they were called back home.

Will check out the underside for rust. Any other problem areas? Can I swap it out to carbs if I find one from the yards?
The lady kinda got mad that I wanted to bring a battery to get her started and replied that she doesn't even know if it has gas. That she posted that it needed to be towed.
Lastly, how much do you guys think I should offer if we decide to get her?
Thanks again for your time fellas.

300SDog · #8 06-22-2006, 01:37 PM

Hell, I'd be more worried about replacing the missing carpets and headlight chrome instead of rust. You can see the floorboards from here and they are fine. Probly cost you a couple hundred for tailoring new carpets though and then another half hundr for the headlight surround..... add another $300 for the scarce and hard to match 1962 master cylinder plus $150 for towing and another $50 just to get the engine started and you've got a $1400 220SEb - probly market value considering mechanicals are a complete unknown and the car cannot even be test driven.

wagonboy · #9 06-22-2006, 01:51 PM

Hi Dieseldog, thanks for verifying the rust is not much of a problem, carpets are no problem. The headlight surround is a problem, didn't even see that in the photos.

Is there a rebuild kit for the brake master? What kind of injectors did this system use? Do you guys have a better engine bay pic of this type car?
Thanks again

300SDog · #10 06-22-2006, 02:23 PM

Snowball's chance in hell of finding an MC rebuild kit. Rear brake drum callipres too - notorious for being incredibly scarce - figure at least $250 each *if* you can find em. Good news is the reliable bosch mechanical fuel injection probly shares injector tips with 10 yrs of fuelies running all the way to 108's circa 1972. Other goodies like timing chain and valve seals, bilsteins and motor mounts, suspension rubbers are readily available too.

findude · #11 06-22-2006, 02:57 PM

If you're going to buy a fintail (heckflosse), sedan, the 220SE is the way to go if you cannot find/afford a 300SE(L). Sure, it won't be "collectable" soon, but that's what people said about ponton sedans 10 years ago--they have probably doubled in value in the last two years.

However, you have to get the right one in the right configuration. You want either a W112 300SE(L) or a 220SE. If you go for a 220SE it should have some of the rarer options like a sunroof, factory two-tone paint, and a manual transmission. Factory leather and factory (or dealer installed) air conditioning will also make a difference.

I've owned a bunch of fintail sedans over the years. The next time I buy one, it will have to have most or all the options I mentioned above or I won't bother. It will also have to be in remarkably good condition (say a #2 or better).

Fintails are a lot of fun, but you will lose money on one you need to restore.

Motorhead · #12 06-22-2006, 04:50 PM

Best advice that I have given people is you are ALWAYS better off spending a little more money for a GOOD, SOLID car than thinking "I will buy a cheaper one to fix up". At todays dollars to repair a "fixxer upper", you can get upside down in the deal real fast! I will ALWAYS lean toward a NICER body that may need some mechanical than to think of repairing rusty cars. LOSING BATTLE!!!

wagonboy · #13 06-22-2006, 08:16 PM

Very good suggestions everyone. I'll pass on this one. Thanks

300SDog · #14 06-28-2006, 05:27 AM

And now the same car - this 220SEb has gone from Craigslist to E-bay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CLASSIC-1962-MERCEDES-BENZ-220s-RARE-220-SE-HECKFLOSSE_W0QQitemZ300000782930QQihZ020QQcategoryZ6329QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Sad to see a vehicle like this sliding into decay taken off the road. Parts car? Probly the best year for fintail interior appointments, two-tone door panels with closable map pockets, door panel wood strip. SNP8990, you could easily swap the entire interior into that fully operative 230S for retro-upgrade. As I remember it, the 230S didnt even have wood trim around the windows.