Newbie! Mercedes 500SEL Help!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

haris500 · #1 01-22-2006, 07:13 PM

Im very close to buying a black w/ maroon interior 1984 500sel US model. It has 93k miles and is in very good condition. Everything stock, including original full size spare and original mercedes extra wheel. Inspected and new tires. It has records stamped from mercedes dealerships up till 80k and has routine oil changes recorded afterwards. Only has had two owners etc. Im buying it for 4k. Drives great etc. Is this a reasonable price??? Ive seen other s-classes, like 420/560 with no records and no inspection sell for like around 6-7k with similar or less miles on ebay and local. Wondering if the 1984 500sel is a good model vs. the other s-classes. Any issues with a purchase like this that I should be aware of???
Please Help!!!

stevebfl · #2 01-22-2006, 08:06 PM

The problem with that car is that it can look and drive great and have life treatening problems that easily can cost more than you are paying for it.

The worse common one is a leaking left side head gasket. A couple strategic leaks from the trans would suggest a rebuild on a car with that age (never mind miles).

We have a 560SEL that we got for next to nothing (had a bad compressor I think) and we put near 5k worth of retail repairs into it to make a nice car out of it. Done DIY it would have been a good deal, as a business or retail purchase not so. The real answer is to have the car looked over by a professional.

t walgamuth · #3 01-22-2006, 09:24 PM

it prob is worth the money. or a little less.

tom w

86560SEL · #4 01-22-2006, 09:30 PM

Well, it sounds like a nice automobile, but like Steve said, they are costly to maintain. I never would have purchased my 85' if I had not of bought it so cheaply. I am trying to do as many "DIY" maintainence items as I can to save $.

@ that mileage, it is likely that the timing chains / tensioner have not yet been replaced - which in some cases can be a $1000 repair. I have had them quoted as low as $550, but then more $$$ to have the guides and upper rails replaced. Not sure exactly what they are, but something to do with the timing chain system and it is supposed to be vital to these cars, because if they break, it can bend the valves and ruin the engine - which is a $$$$ repair!

Mine has 264K and I have no idea when they were changed, (@ this mileage, I know it had to have been done at least once) but since I paid so little, I probably will not change them. Now if I had of paid $3,000+ for it, I would have. I once almost purchased a like new 1985 Mercedes 500SEL for $5500, with 150K, but realized it was too much money, especially considering I could spend a LOT in repairs later on. I get ill thinking about it now - thinking if I had of paid $5500 and then had major problems or something. This kindof happened to me when I bought my 90' Lexus LS400. I bought it in October of 2003 for $4000. I paid too much to begin with - it had 224K on it. I really never had any problems, but I ended up selling it for $3000 only a few months later. It then had 236K on it.

These cars can have other concerns too - check for interior leaks (from rear window) and trunk leaks. If the car was garage kept and has these low miles, it should be OK for a while anyway. Also check the climate controls - does the air blow out of the proper vents (based on the setting)?

Not sure where the car is from, but if it is from up north - check for rust- especially on the undercarriage and rocker panels @ the jack point areas. If it is a southern car, then you likely have nothing to worry about.

I would offer them $3500 - or maybe even $3000 and see what happens.

Good luck!