Friends

The 6.9 that I bought on eBay arrived this afternoon. The outside
looks really ugly, scary ugly as a matter of fact.

The engine smokes a bit but the interior is fantastic. Please look at
the images and give me as much advise as you can offer.

http://alabbasi.netfirms.com/www/450SEL_pic.htm

I think my dream car has turned into a nightmare.... and what on
earth is that stuff hanging out of the rocker panels!

http://alabbasi.netfirms.com/www/rocker1.jpg

Regards

Al

firstly i'd be changing all the fluids, filters etc, and getting it running properly. then i'd be worring about if it was smoking etc..

that looks like spac filler, or insulation. i'd say they fill the channels with the stuff for sound insulation. moisture obviously found it's way in there.. treat the rust and remove most of it, then you can think about what colour to go with.

__________________
W114 1969 250CE - M110
W114 1972 280S - M110
W116 1979 450SEL - M117

Thanks for your advice, the colour is the least of my problem, the rust scares me the most, then the engine. Does the body look salvagable? I am sure it can be salvaged, I had a 250CE in the past that I had to have welded up. Pretty much the bottom six inches of the car needed doing. But that was in the UK where welders are common and not that expensive. I have no idea what this work will cost here in the US.

Regards

Al

In your situation the first thing I would do is take the car to a workshop and ask them to check out the chassis and give you an idea of how extensive the problem is. If they say it isnt a death trap then you can treat the panels and replace the foam with waxoyl to stop things getting any worse until you can do a restoration. Then focus on the mechanicals to make sure they are not about to let go !
Alternatively stick it back on e-bay and see if you can cut your losses !

Sorry, and good luck.

Toss it back on eBay and hope to cover your losses.

A cheap 6.9 is the most expensive purchase you can make. Getting that road worthy and reliable will cost more than a 6.9 in mint condition.

Ask Gerry if you don't believe me!

__________________
Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k

body is shot - dont know how much you paid but if it was anything under $2000 then junk the body , pull and keep the following :-

suspension bits
engine and tranny
interior

Look for a mint 450SEL (regular 4.5 v8) that has high miles. toss the motor and do a swap

__________________
1982 300SD (214 k, excellent shape) kidmobile running mostly biodiesel, gets 31 mpg hwy with 2.82 rear from a euro 500SEL



1976 115 body 240D 4-speed (traded for Jeep parts) - Engine lives on in my CJ7

maybe get a post purchase inspection done? (similar to the pre purchase, but more difficult to live with!)

hmm. i'd echo the sentiments of junking it if the body is too far gone, W116 bodies are a dime a dozen here in australia. i'd imagine similar in the US of A.

although if the rust isn't to bad, i'd stand by what i said. Find out the extent of the rust, treat and/or repair it. then work on the mechanicals.

__________________
W114 1969 250CE - M110
W114 1972 280S - M110
W116 1979 450SEL - M117

Al:

I bought a 300sel 6.3 in similar shape, body wise. I actually saw it pre purchase.

Several grand later as I basically gave it away, I felt as if a giant leech was removed from my ass.

Good luck, brother, but run!

Pardon me for asking, but how much did you pay for this car? Was the condition disclosed before the purchase?

This is the thread you want:

1970 300sel 6.3

Also search for user aaron in the vintage section.

__________________
Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

The car cost $1250 delivered. It is a tough one to live with, apart from the rust horror on the sills the car looks pretty good.
The sun roof and headliner and clean.
The interior is like new
everything electrical appears to function. I am having my Mechanic come and look at it and provide his input. If it is too far gone, I will let the car go but would really hate to. I hope that I can work out a deal with him, he is the type that is prepared to work with you provided that the he can take his time (Months).

My dream car is quickly becoming my nightmare. Wish me luck.

Al - Too many cars, not enough sense.

Find another 6.9 for $10K to $15K and you have lots of spare parts.

__________________
Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

Al, words of wisdom are on this board. To add to the parts to save, add the regulators, all electric motors such as window or sunroof motors, and even the glass. On that leech associated with the writer with the 6.3, your lucky to have made the final decision.
I currently know your plans, but at least you know what's , what.
Dan Smith in rust free Oregon. Rain doesnt cause rust. Acid rain, salt, and acidic soils do. Oregon, land of great parts cars.

Al, your profile gives almost no info at all: not even as to where you are located. Recognizing that this is certainly your choice it still makes it a little hard to comment or offer meaningfuladvice.

That does appear to be some serious rust, but these cars quite often have rust problems. I find it interesting that spraying foam in a rusted area is considered by some people to be a cure. One would think that drilling holes to let the water out would be a better solution that filling the area with a foam (to keep the water in?)... What do the footwells look like? The trunk? Carpets?

IMHO, $1250 sounds like a pretty darn good price for a 6.9 motor that runs, an interior in good condition, a suspension system that works(?), etc. The concept of thinking about getting another gas W116 that might have a better body to work with might be sage advice. One can spend twice what you paid for your entire car in parts alone just fixing up one of the above systems! Look at what a used 450 motor costs!

More info from you might help? These W116 cars are just incredible drivers once sorted out! Gas mileage will NEVER truly be good, but ride and performance are still outstanding.

I use mine as my "commute to work car" when I'm working for my buddies: it is the ONLY Mercedes I have ever seen parked on any of the job sites, and I'm talking about construction sites! Never fails that someone will come up to me and ask me "How come you drive a Mercedes to work?"

Answer: What kind of car would you WANT to drive if you could?

Cheers!

Norm

__________________
'91 420 SEL @ 199K, '92 SVX @ 181K, '93 SC400 @ 86K, '93 Kaw ZX-11 @ 30K, '87 F250 @ 181K , 2001 Valkyrie Interstate @ 6K, Y2K Honda NightHawk 250 with 1.5K, '88 420SEL I.@ 179K & the 2nd latest, an '88 420SEL II.@ 210K runnin' parts car, '85 F150 300/NP435

I have updated the profile and added a URL where you can find more information about this car. We are in the middle of a project deadline, but if I can get a saturday off, I will hit a few body shops and get an idea of what the repair costs are going to be. I have just shelled out 600 on rocker panels at the dealer so I am pretty comited to getting this done.

Many thanks, and I'll keep this thread active with updates to what happens next.

__________________
With best regards

Al

...vs. being pretty comitted(sic)!!!!

Just kidding: I'll be following your progress with interest. How does it run?

$600 for new rocker panels: WOW!

Good luck and CHEERS!

Norm

__________________
'91 420 SEL @ 199K, '92 SVX @ 181K, '93 SC400 @ 86K, '93 Kaw ZX-11 @ 30K, '87 F250 @ 181K , 2001 Valkyrie Interstate @ 6K, Y2K Honda NightHawk 250 with 1.5K, '88 420SEL I.@ 179K & the 2nd latest, an '88 420SEL II.@ 210K runnin' parts car, '85 F150 300/NP435