Should I buy this Benz? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

The Clk Man · #1 09-16-2010, 11:57 AM

it was a drug repo.

Jim B. · #2 09-16-2010, 12:10 PM

A buyers guide for you. (W126 issues specifically to check)

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Yes, it could be worth that but doubtfully no moremore. Probably needs 5-10 times that to bring it up to speed. Proper paint job alone is $5,000 to $8,000 unles YOU prep it. The US models from '81 -'85, generally have no airbags or ABS (this one is an "85).

But a good one kept up well can really last...

Figure about 400,000 to 500,000 miles or beyond, EAsILY, if you take care of the engine with regular oil changes... and the filters are changed as needed.

For a LIFETIME car, that is safe, hard to beat one of these, IF, and it's a BIG if, it was well kept up. Look for books and records.

You may wish to change ALL fluids, ie, radiator, motor oil, PS pump, brake, rear end diff, transmission, etc. all of them. Check rubber bits (25 yearsa old they can perish or shrink), all hoses, even the little ones like bypass ones, and belts; remove battery and check for rust on the battery tray; repaint/POR 15 the tray, after the r/r of battery, if you buy the car. Check compression, AT flaring ect. Look at suspension for slop, bad bushings

Run it through a local car wash then check for water leaks into the trunk and interior.

That one looks like a neglected one (drug dillers are NOTORIOUSLY bad for taking care of their cars) Car like this never come with books and records.

BIGGEST concern be prior accident repairs, (if any) and rust anywhere, around the jack holes, bumpers, under the horrible chromed wheel arches, air and water leaks into the interior.

Parts easily available at jy, dealer or classic center. Euro lights a must have, for better looks, illumination and beam pattern.

For more, look at the buyers guide I wrote with Satish Tummala MD back in 1998. Old now, and never updated, but still good and well received the past 12 years..

Written for gasser coupes and not sedans, but good w126 information nonetheless.

Read it.

http://www.mbcoupes.com/buyersguide/buyersguide.htm

Or just buy it, drive it and do nothing for a year until it dies, walk away having had your fun. They can stand a heap of abuse before they die.

cscmc1 · #3 09-16-2010, 12:10 PM

Swap your nasty hot tub for it!

PaulC · #4 09-16-2010, 12:13 PM

'84 - '85 nameplate with '86 - '91 rims and lights. What year?

tbomachines · #5 09-16-2010, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

'84 - '85 nameplate with '86 - '91 rims and lights. What year?

it is a euro, which would explain the lights.

The Clk Man · #6 09-16-2010, 12:24 PM

would it be worth parting out? also he has the title but local Benz place won't make him a key. I don't even know if it runs.

Jim B. · #7 09-16-2010, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Clk Man

would it be worth parting out?

If you can stand the hassle of repeated no-shows, possible bad checks, creepy or dangerous people coming around, whilst enduring an automotive eye sore for years, and finally having it hauled to the crusher, and you can get your hands dirty and greasy removing parts off of it, and attendant possible anger from your wife, then the answer is yes.

MAYBE.

But the customer base is VERY narrow for this car, but the Euro headlights, if not cracked, and all hardware is there with them, could be worth $250 $300.

The euro headlight wipers, wiper motors, thumbwheel dash switch and wiring are VERY covetable to the right audience, as above.

Best bet is to post them on the www.benzworld.com W126 "for sale": section. If pricd reasonably they will sell quickly on there.

I paid a guy about $700 on ebay Germany just to get the headlight wipers, and motors. The valance is different, too and I had to get it painted.

I had to buy the Euro headlights and euro corners by mail, but it's the best upgrade there is for these. Cost m about $570 dollars for all of that, so for the valance I had to buynew from the Mercedes Benz classic center down in the Los angles area (bcause the holes in the Euro versions for the headlight motors are different than the US spec versions) and to then o have the body shop paint the new euro valance, figure $300 + at least, on top of that.

Total I paid was probably $1,500, for all the above, ( which is a LOT, I admit that, but then again, I don't have pets, babys, or a wife any more to say no, or drink any beer, which to me is just plebian swill) but - look what I *got*.

closer pic's:

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Quote:

Originally Posted by The Clk Man

also he has the title but local Benz place won't make him a key. I don't even know if it runs.

Upon presenting proof of ownership and filling out a form the dealer has, regarding no theft issues pending, a Mercedes Benz dealer - After clearing things with Mercedes Benz headquarters in Stuttgart, will order a key for you.

It will take about three days for shipping, approval and to cut the key.

It is a very strict, involved and long and time consuming process, which I just went through this year, for my OWN W126, so I know.

The price varies widely from one Mercedes Benz dealer (the ONLY source for a key) and just now they reun about $26 to $50 a key.

Cheap hardware store $3.00 keys are a WONDERFUL way to ruin the ignition tumblers.

I like these kinds of questions. Got more?

Jim B. · #8 09-16-2010, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

it is a euro, which would explain the lights.

True. Good catch.

And the euro headlight wipers too.

These things were usually discarded by the Registered Importers when the US spec bumpers, headlights, mph speedometers, side door beams and oher crap were put into them.

This one evidently survived the process of conversion and importation on he gray market W12 euro conversion with its euro headlights and headlight wipers and euro valance totally intact.. VERY few such gray market cars did.

One way to IMMEDIATELY discern a gray market W126 is to examine the markings on the cruise control stalk in front of the steering wheel ..

THE WHITE LETTERING will immediately give away the game:

German language = gray market car.

English language = US spec car.

Looking at the bumpers, headlights, front blinker corners, and headlight wipers, and tail lights is *not* a foolproof way to tell if it's a gray market w126 car.

The Clk Man · #9 09-16-2010, 02:54 PM

The Drug cops had it in storage since 1999. I bet some hoses and stuff are dried out. If I get this car, it will be almost free to me.

MBeige · #10 09-16-2010, 03:38 PM

If this is something you want to take on, go for it. Then clean it inside out to make sure there's no more "evidence" that you might be held accountable for if or when they pull you over.

Or if you find any "evidence"... you know what to do

cscmc1 · #11 09-16-2010, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

Or if you find any "evidence"... you know what to do

Yeah, sell it on Craigslist -- at no cost to you!

tbomachines · #12 09-16-2010, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

True. Good catch.

And the euro headlight wipers too.

These things were usually discarded by the Registered Importers when the US spec bumpers, headlights, mph speedometers, side door beams and oher crap were put into them.

This one evidently survived the process of conversion and importation on he gray market W12 euro conversion with its euro headlights and headlight wipers and euro valance totally intact.. VERY few such gray market cars did.

One way to IMMEDIATELY discern a gray market W126 is to examine the markings on the cruise control stalk in front of the steering wheel ..

THE WHITE LETTERING will immediately give away the game:

German language = gray market car.

English language = US spec car.

Looking at the bumpers, headlights, front blinker corners, and headlight wipers, and tail lights is *not* a foolproof way to tell if it's a gray market w126 car.

Being a 500SEL though, that is not one we see here in the states. I'd probably be a customer for the euro headlights if I could afford it - problem is I can't afford any of the real ones on Ebay

tbomachines · #13 09-16-2010, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cscmc1

Yeah, sell it on Craigslist -- at no cost to you!

If you do go this route Robert be sure to mention how it has had years and years of people farting into the seats

PaulC · #14 09-16-2010, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

Being a 500SEL though, that is not one we see here in the states. I'd probably be a customer for the euro headlights if I could afford it - problem is I can't afford any of the real ones on Ebay

The W126 was available as a U.S. spec 500SEL for the 1984 and 1985 model years.