1974 450se purchase info

[danonly55]

Does anybody have some specifics to look for when buying one. Anything will be helpful

[BWhitmore]

Go to the Mercedes Benz Club of America (MBCA) website and look at past issues of the Star magazine. Quite often they have articles noting the pros and cons/cautions of buying a particular classic Mercedes vehicle.

[97 SL320]

Don't rely on Car Fax or other services that extort car lots for much beyond a sort of accurate mileage check. Nothing beats a in person inspection by a good mechanic.

Be aware that it is an old car with old technology so don't expect it to drive like a modern car.

[BWhitmore]

Ask for car maintenance documentation. Check for rust and check the door gaps, hood gaps, trunk gaps. If they are uneven, there is a chance the car has been in an accident. Find a good independent mechanic who knows Mercedes and pay for a pre-purchase inspection. If you happen to be in Florida, I would recommend Pierre Hedary in Florida.

[Tony H]

That's going to be a D-Jet car. Insure the FI is dialed in. Check to see if the oil is black-often they run rich and contaminate the oil. I guess it depends on the price. Is it a 450SEL not a SE?

[danonly55]

Originally Posted by Tony H

That's going to be a D-Jet car. Insure the FI is dialed in. Check to see if the oil is black-often they run rich and contaminate the oil. I guess it depends on the price. Is it a 450SEL not a SE?

It's just the SE. sedan. Looks to be in fine shape and runs well. NO rust. What does it take to dial in the FI, skill level wise ? All around a solid car. Inherited from his uncle that just passed. some maint records. Price 2000

[Tomguy]

D-Jet requires a CO meter to set the mixture, but you don't want to play with that before ensuring all the fuel and vacuum lines are new. Also the injector seals and plenum seals.

[97 SL320]

Originally Posted by danonly55

Inherited from his uncle that just passed.

This is a common ploy of car flippers. Find out whose name is on the title / name of person selling the car and look for a obituary online.

[danonly55]

Will defiantly check all legality's prior to purchase, How does that price sound though ?

[Tomguy]

No rust, 450SE for $2k? Buy it. That's my two cents. Don't even think about starting it until you're sure those rubber EFI hoses are good. That's the #1 killer of D-Jet cars.

* If it actually has no rust. Get a PPI from someone who knows older MBs if at all possible. 116s, like all older MBs, are famous for rust, and these are unibody cars, meaning rusty rockers or floorpans will lead to very reduced crash safety.

[mabbonizio]

I had a 77 450SEL (4.5 K-jet)

Wonderful driving cars and I believe very reliable for what they are when well sorted.

Excellent brakes, excellent handling, excellent everything.

That being said, I bought mine as a "fixer upper". I did not find the w116 V8 to be a DIY friendly vehicle. I thought since my experience with the diesels had been so DIY-friendly that this car would be the same. Boy was I WRONG.

Adjusting the steering box on my W123 diesel took me maybe all of 25 mins start to finish. Adjusting the steering box on the V8 w116 -> you have to lift up the motor or remove the exhaust manifold! Tis quite a project, and this is what I found most jobs I considered simple on the W123 to be highly complex on the W116.

[Benz Dr.]

Yeah, except the car he is looking at isn't a 116. It also has D jet fuel injection.

[Benz Dr.]

Originally Posted by BWhitmore

Ask for car maintenance documentation. Check for rust and check the door gaps, hood gaps, trunk gaps. If they are uneven, there is a chance the car has been in an accident. Find a good independent mechanic who knows Mercedes and pay for a pre-purchase inspection. If you happen to be in Florida, I would recommend Pierre Hedary in Florida.

I've met Pierre and know him a bit. He's pretty handy working on this old stuff.