Quote:
Originally Posted by rchase
The Pullmans of the 1960's and 1970's and the 300d Adenauer (not the 123 and not a diesel) are great examples of cars that surpassed Rolls Royce quality.
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"Virtually every part on the 600 was built solely for this car, and in small (meaning hugely expensive) numbers....
It takes a true specialist, with first hand knowledge and experience, to service and repair or restore these machines. For example, the hydraulic system requires a lightweight special-purpose oil, Mercedes Benz part number 100 890 00 11. While this looks like typical ATF fluid, if ATF fluid is innocently dumped in the hydraulic reservoir--the system that powers the seats, windows, ventilation flaps, sunroof, trunk lid, shocks, and, on the early models, the door assists---you 've just committed a $30,000 faux pas. Typical rebuild costs are: brake system overhaul, $25,000, front or rear axle assemblies, $12,000 each plus $6,000 for the rest of the air
suspension system, driveshaft $7,000. Fully restoring a 600, if you begin with a complete, $20,000 "builder", will set you back at least $150,000.
Prices for the more common SWB 600 have been stable and predictable.
Most used up cars bought by an unsuspecting buyer, run $15,000-$25,000.
These almost certainly need $30,000 in mechanical repairs just to be reliable drivers; after that, you might be able to sell your $50,000 car for $30,000, a near dot-com special.
Obviously, if you must have a 600, you are better off spending at least $70,000 for a good car with 40,000-50,000 miles that has been maintained, with a thick folder full of documentation. Top condition 600 swb 600s will bring well over $100k from savvy buyers who are aware of what it takes to make one right.
If the car runs out okay, and the owner drives it for a year and then sells it without doing anything, he will probably get his money back and have had a good time. But if he comes out one morning and notices the car has adopted a kneeling position at one corner due to the collapse of the the air suspension, he should be aware the good times have ended and the fiscal future is bleak".
~~~Scott Featherman, German Car Profile, "Sports Car Market" 5/2003