I'm going to look at and test drive a 1984 500SEL.
It's supposedly in great mechanical shape, but it has 208,000 mi.
The owner tells me that there are no leaks and no visible damage (rust/dents, etc), and that everything works. The asking price is $2500

What should I look for when I examine the vehicle? How should it handle? Are the 5.0 v8's sturdy enough to last 300k?

Thanks for any suggestions you might have.

-Jason

Well, I have asked these questions before, when I was looking for a W126, so I will help out a bit. I ended up buying a 85' 380SE, which is basically the same car, but has a slightly smaller V8 and shorter wheelbase.

I have been told time and time again to be sure that the timing chains/tensioner/rails and guides have been replaced. If not, they can cause severe engine damage if something snaps. I paid so little for mine, I really have not worried to much about mine, but if you are paying a good price for this car, I would check into this. It can run up to $1000 or more to have all of these replaced. You may can negotiate the price with this.

About the engines- they are great. I have 265K on mine and the last 50K (From the PO) it received little maintenance. I have a low idle knock, bit from what I have been told, its not a big deal. Time will tell.

Handling should be good, but it is a large sedan, so do not expect sports cars handling. Likely there may be some rattles and clunks from the steering at this mileage if not rebuilt from what I am told. As mentioned, I have 265K, but I only have a minor clunk over some bumps from the front suspension.

I live in east Tennessee as well and a while back, there was a 84' 500SEL in the Knoxville area for $2500. It was on E-Bay and if I recall, it was around 205K. I wonder if this is the same car? Is it light blue with newer wheels on it? If so, this is a nice car. I probably would have bought it, but I am 110 miles from Knoxville and had illness in the family at the time, so I never made it down to look at it. I was also questioning about the timing chain, but if I recall, the owner did not know, so that was one reason I did not make an extra effort to view the car, because I was weary paying $2500 and not knowing if the chain/tensioner/rails/guides were changed.

I actually wanted a "SEL", but settled for my "SE". I got mine for $1000. It was in North Carolina - even farther away (about 3 hours), but the owner delivered it to me, so I bought it. There was a local and VERY NICE 85' 500SEL locally that belonged to a friend of my uncles, but he wanted $5500 for it and it had a idling problem.

If I remember, the one in Knoxville was an original southern car, so rust should not be an issue. Just to be sure (Incase it was from the north before), check the jack points, floor pans and especially the front part of the frame (behind the front wheels) for rust. Interior leaks (water) are common on these cars, mainly due to worn out seals and clogged drains. I had water coming in my rear floor. Turned out being caused from a bad antenna seal. Replaced for $3. and all was well.

Also check the H-V-A/C controls. The "modes" are commonly known to not work properly. Also check the dash lights for operation and windows, seats, locks, etc. Transmission shifts should be firm (especially when transmission is cold) from 1-2 and noticeable in other gears. I am not sure, but I think the 500SEL starts out in 2nd? Someone can verify this. No slippage of the transmission should occur. If so, could simply need adjustment, have a air leak, or worn out. Also make sure it does not overheat. Take it on a long drive.

Let us know how it turns out. Good luck!

500 motor has the much stronger double row cam chain from the factory. on these the guides need replacing before the chain. the engine, if well cared for will run 300k easily.

it does take off in second and first is accessible if you floor it on take off or select the lowest gear manually.

one of the biggest expenses is the ac and its controls if they need servicing. but it has the better style of compressor which will run you out with cold if working correctly.

they are excellent cars which in 84 model still are pretty simple to maintain. i have an 84 500sec which i have found in 60k miles to be as cheap or cheaper to maintain as a 617 diesel.

also if well cared for it should have little or no blow by when you take the oil filler cap off while running.

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Yeah - forgot to mention that. Thats the good thing about a 380 as well. They switched to double chains for 1984.

Guys, I ended up buying the car for $2k + my dead '79 240D, and I think it was a good deal. The climate control works pretty well, tranny shifts smoothly and the engine seems nice and strong with no noticable knocks or anything. I checked under the wheel wells, the jack points,the front end and the rear end and saw no rust. The paint is original, and I believe the wheels have been replaced, as they are alloy but not the "bundt cake" style. The car seems to be well maintained, but time will tell.

86560SEL - This may be the same car you were talking about. It's light blue with blue leather interior. The mileaege is 221k, and I believe it was a single owner trade-in that my dealer purchased from a MB dealership.

Here's a photo from the dealer's website.

Thanks for all your help, guys.

those wheels may be original.

cheers

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Yes, that is the same car!!! I really wanted that car, but never could make it down to look at it. I settled for my 85' 380SE, but I like the longer wheelbase.

He had it on E-bay last year, but ended it early, because the bid was not going all that high. He told me he would like to get $2500, but was negotiable. If I recall, he was unsure when/if the timing chains-tensioner was changed, so I was a bit hesitant about that. I remember it was a very nice looking car in the photos on e-bay. In fact, that was one of the photos of it. The interior is like new if I recall. I noticed it also has the airbag option.

Sounds like you got it at a good price! Since it does not have any knocks or anything, I would definitely look into getting the timing chains/rails/tensioner/guides replaced. As mentioned, I have no idea when mine were changed, but I paid a lot less for mine, so if it goes bad, I am not losing much. Also too, my car has a knock at lower RPMS that concerns me and I do not want to put $$$ into this car, if it is something major.

Good luck with it- it is a nice one!