I think I'm pulling the trigger on this 560SEC - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TylerH860 · #1 09-22-2009, 05:07 PM

I was driving down the skid row of Wichita, (South Broadway) and came across this lovely 560SEC. Salesman immediately approached me and explained that this was the lowest mileage SEC for sale in the nation.

After walking around the nice, but moderately weathered exterior, I hop in to the well worn interior and am immediately overwhelmed by smoking odor, with the accompanying burns throughout. I also noticed the air bag cover on the passenger side looked like someone ate it for lunch.

Oh what the heck, I thought. With the incredible low mileage

its worth taking a drive. Started it up, and it promptly died within a second or two. It roared to life with the second fire, and eventually settled down to a bone shaking idle. "Listen to her pur", the salesman said.

This particular SEC had about the same acceleration as my 300D. Not only did it feel ridiculously down on power, but refused to kick down even with me forcing it with the sloppy shifter linkages. The CCU was unresponsive, as well as the stereo and rear sunshade. All 4 windows and sunroof worked at least, loudly though, as well as the adorable town and country horns.

I returned the car back to her roost on the curb, promptly returned the keys, wanting to bolt, but no luck. The salesman wanted to talk. I explained some the issues, and the cost associated with them. He tried to act surprised (poorly) and responded with something like, "well that's why its so cheap. If we fixed everything we'd want 10 grand for it," then cited the source of his appraisal.

Well, he talked me into it. I can't wait to pick this beauty up.

dynalow · #2 09-22-2009, 05:18 PM

I'm not too particular, but for 8,300 I'd want the gas cap door to close flush with the side panel.

If you're serious, good luck with it.

dynalow · #3 09-22-2009, 05:20 PM

I'm not too particular, but for 8,300 I'd want the gas cap door to close flush with the side panel.

If you're serious, good luck with it.

edit: Chrome wheels always give me the impression of young (broke, hot roddin) owners.

TylerH860 · #4 09-22-2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dynalow

I'm not too particular, but for 8,300 I'd want the gas cap door to close flush with the side panel.

If you're serious, good luck with it.

Oh no, they're not that greedy. Its actually only $3299. You might have a nice car if you want to put another $8300 into it.

dynalow · #5 09-22-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Oh no, they're not that greedy. Its actually only $3299. You might have a nice car if you want to put another $8300 into it.

Oh, thought the 3 was an 8. My bad. You know what I'm going to say next?
"There's nothing more expensive..............."

Shouldn't the vacuum guage pointer be to the left when the motor's not running?

mgburg · #6 09-22-2009, 06:57 PM

You didn't park it on the mailbox post, did you?!?!?!!?

Hatterasguy · #7 09-22-2009, 07:38 PM

$8000k he says.

PaulC · #8 09-22-2009, 09:47 PM

Make sure the heater works.

TylerH860 · #9 09-22-2009, 09:50 PM

I think the heater is powered by a furnace in the trunk that accepts only $100 bills.

dynalow · #10 09-22-2009, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

$8000k he says.

Hey, it's Kansas. Lots of hayseeds out there, no?

Hatterasguy · #11 09-22-2009, 10:02 PM

Well like any Mercedes, all you need is a healthy checkbook to bring it back to spec.

SEC's are great, if you want to restore one and don't mind putting all of if not more than $10k into it go for it.

tonkovich · #12 09-22-2009, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Well like any Mercedes, all you need is a healthy checkbook to bring it back to spec.

SEC's are great, if you want to restore one and don't mind putting all of if not more than $10k into it go for it.

yes, my late, great mechanic (ned - independent motors, ventura blvd) would laugh at all the rubes who picked up the used sec's for $5 or $6k ("gee, what a good price for a car that listed new at $85k") and then were suddenly quite surprised when he quoted them the prices for _________ (name something, anything). kind of a rude awakening. kind of the same crowd who picked up..... yes, 6.9's for low dollars.

tyler, i start the bidding (in your honor) at $250

Fulcrum525 · #13 09-22-2009, 11:47 PM

This is just a little bit spooky...I looked at a white 1991 SEC that was almost an exact copy of this one up to and including the annoying lack of power (My 603 could push me back into my seat better then that V8 could)

For a while I thought that it might actually be the same car that I drove until I noticed that is has orthopedic seats, which is nice.

(Seriously....I want to know what happened to that airbag...it looks almost like its been melted....)

TylerH860 · #14 09-22-2009, 11:48 PM

The 6.9 I had needed some love, but not much of it was expensive 6.9 specific stuff. As you can tell, it was running just fine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7otPz_T_ONk

I'm sure some poor dope will fall for the swapped odometer and kill himself trying to keep it going.

pawoSD · #15 09-23-2009, 01:27 AM

Looks physically nice, but I bet it would indeed cost a fortune to make right. I'd run. Those have the self leveling suspension too... Just another thing to fail!