6.3 or 6.9?? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ckbenz · #1 10-17-2003, 07:43 AM

hi guys,

ever since i sold my 220, i havent been on the forum much. i am now residind in uk and i saw a 300sel 6.3 for 5 grand (british pounds) and a 450sel 6.9 for 3 grand. i am very interested in both these cars. can any of the mercedes guru tell me the pro and cons about this cars? what to loo for when inspecting them. i always wanted one of these beast....
as a students, i do have a limited budget, hope that it would not cost a burn in my wallet. for ppl who have any idea in uk, whats about the average road, tax and insurance for such cars??
any form of help are much appreciated

pj67coll · #2 10-17-2003, 09:31 PM

If you're in England the first thing you have to look for is rust, on both of them. Depending on condition I'd be more tempted to go for the 6.9. I have heard they have a slightly less problematic suspension but there are others here on this forum who are better qualified to guide you on that.

- Peter.

Mark DiSilvestro · #3 10-18-2003, 09:06 AM

These can be very expensive cars to maintain. (Items like $2800 for a waterpump, etc...) Not for someone on a limited budget. And they're thirsty. Even if you find a perfect one, how much is premium gas in the UK now?
If you must have a V8 in your Mercedes, a good choice would be the late '60s 280SE with the 3.5, especially if you could find one with the 4 speed manual trans option!

Happy Motoring, Mark

#4 10-18-2003, 02:07 PM

Super Unleaded Petrol costs £0.89 ($1.49) per litre

here are some figures for a 6.3 ....

tank capacity = 31.4 gal (118.86 litres) inc reserve

To fill the car up will cost you £106.00 ($177.00)

you're going to use 1 gal (3.79 litres) every 15 miles

Tax will be free, insurance depends on your age and the policy you take out, classic car insurance will only cost about £200, but will be limited to a low mileage and you will need off street parking or a garage to keep the car in overnight.

Road tax for the 6.9 will be about £188 per year.

What colour is the 6.3, is it green with a black roof?

Aaron · #5 10-18-2003, 05:07 PM

I've had both a 6.3 and two 6.9s (still have one 6.9, just sold my 6.3) and they are completely different animals. The 6.3 is the "raw" muscle car and the 6.9 is a more refined "banker's hotrod". Both are blistering fast but the 6.9 disguises the speed better than the 6.3. You use the 6.9 for long distance high speed cruising and take the 6.3 to the drag strip. Basically, if your wallet is heavy, buy a 6.3, if your wallet is heavy buy a 6.9 but MAKE SURE your wallet is heavy! For me its different because I do all my own work but for the average MB customer, these cars are very demanding to own and maintain. Watch for rust on both cars, the 6.9 being the bigger rust trap actually. Also watch for cars that are on their fourth or fifth owner and have received less than perfect care. You'll see quite a few ragged out 6.3s and 6.9s because people buy them thinking they "aren't really THAT expensive" to own but soon find out they're completely wrong.

Engines are tough, watch the trannies on 6.9s (they eat them for dinner) and make sure that the suspension of a car in question has been looked after properly (draining the moisture tank in the 6.3 and changing the fluid and filter on the 6.9). The 6.9s climate control is troublesome and the 6.3's heater blower can fail, leading to a 17+ hour job to replace it.

Good luck!

ckbenz · #6 10-19-2003, 11:48 AM

yes, i saw the ad in mercedes enthusiats this month. very nice looking car. i cant find either of these beast back home in malaysia. cars are expensive back home, a used 97 merc c200 elegance would round up around 20k pounds. so i think both cars are relatively cheap... i been driving a c200 and a w115 220 back home. i ve been here for a month or so and wish to get a car. knowing the tax and insurance are expensive here, i do have a limited budget which is around 8 to 9 thousands pounds. i do not wish to use my dad money and planning to get a car by my own savings. i will be turning 21 this december and i guess i will still fall into the high risk group...
guys, do u think a old merc suitable for me or a relatively modern one better?
how about 80s model like a w123 coupe? w126 s class( preferbly 300se) or even getting a 90s w124 e class or c class?

theres too many choice around and limited milelage would be fine if the insurance policy could be cheaper.

in a middle of confusion whether to get my dream car or a more practical merc commuter.

guydewdney · #7 10-19-2003, 01:10 PM

21

you cant get classic insurance until you are 25 in most places - think SERIOUSLY about the insurance it could well be thousands.. literaly.

get some quotes first, then watch us giggle cos we are old gits

fahrgewehr2 · #8 10-19-2003, 04:44 PM

I'll put this bluntly: from what information I have gathered from your posts, you cannot afford to own an m100 car. Take a look at the cost of parts and you will see what I mean. Neither car can be driven in the snow without rusting out, so a second car will be needed if you cannot rely on public transportation.

If you buy a dream car you cannot afford to properly maintain (repair), it will never perform as it should and you will never be happy with it. As a student, these cars just aren't appropriate or affordable. With that said, unless you are handy with a wrench, all Mercedes are expensive to own.

Allow me to recommend a small displacement diesel. Perhaps a 250D?

Mike

pj67coll · #9 10-20-2003, 01:31 AM

I have to agree with the last post. M100's are my dream cars too. But I'll likely never own one. As a student I believe you are far better off looking for a diesel. Just as I'm attempting to do myself right now.

- Peter.

#10 10-20-2003, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fahrgewehr2

As a student, these cars just aren't appropriate or affordable. With that said, unless you are handy with a wrench, all Mercedes are expensive to own.

Oy! I am a student and I can afford my 6.9. Basically, you've got to be prepared to get your hands dirty and buy a car that in as good a condition as possible.

W116 cars can be picked up for £25 in UK . So unless the parts are 6.9 specific you are going to be ok. The engines and transmissions are very strong. Things like the aircon should be working when you buy the car. There should be no serious rust (minor rust spots are inevitable quite often).

I am proof that a 6.9 can be run on a budget. I will be up ***** creak without a paddle if something as serious as the gearbox or the timing chain snap though! But then, repair of such items will be more than the value of the car in any case.

What I'd say is: work out all costs before delving in.

Adam
6.9 in UK

#11 10-20-2003, 10:33 AM

I'm trying to imagine what M-100 parts availability is like in Malaysia. Probably not good. I definitely would do a little homework on what the most common drivetrain is on w109's and w116's in Malaysia and base my purchasing decision on my findings.

An additional bonus to selecting a more modest w116 or a w108 is a steel-sprung suspension, with more mode$t maintenance requirements.

ckbenz · #12 10-20-2003, 02:12 PM

i saw the ad in the latest mercedes enthusiast mag, it has 105,000 miles and owned by the same owner for 20 years. but had been kept dried storage since 1990. the owner was asking for 3 grand and i was hoping to cut it down to around 2,400 pounds but theres too many negative feedback.
petrol price in uk no doubt is espensive but i would not drive the car frequently, so thats should not be a problem to me. my concern are the insurance and road tax. as i am not 21 yet, i think i wont be able to get the classic insurance.
hey adam, how much u are paying per annum for ur road tax and insurance?
i am considering other model as well. maybe a w126 300se, w124 e class..
anyway, good to have a positive feedback

#13 10-20-2003, 03:09 PM

This is how much a 20 year old student would pay for insuring the following...

1971 300SEL 3.5 - £4707.22 Per year

1978 450SEL 6.9 - £5511.83 per year

1977 230 (w123) - £3810.02 per year

You may want to try another type of car. Most young people in England have to drive small cars, with small engines. Or they get cover on there parents insurance.

#14 10-20-2003, 03:12 PM

I agree with fahrgewehr2. Stay away from these cars unless you have a large trust fund to dip into. Otherwise you'll blow all your tuition money "nickel and diming" a #3-4 car.

If you like the longer wheelbase Mercs, go for the 126 and you can't beat the looks. If tighter handling is more your style look at the W124s.

Edit: I re-read your last post, stating that you could afford a 6.9. I guess if the costs of upkeep and the time involved doesn't crowd out a successful college career, by all mean go for it-- but I still think it would be better to wait.