Went to look at the car I referenced last week and some of you were kind enough to reply to questions I had, thanks.

1986 500sel, 170K

Plusses

Not a touch of rust anywhere to be seen.
Started up nice, no smoke, no noise.
New exhasust.
Many new front end components.
Ice cold AC
Most of the little things worked.
Rides like you're on a cloud and responsive to gas.

Negs

One of the engine pistons was leaking.
Oil pan seal was leaking.
Car interior was dirty, smoker, but no rips or tears.
No maint records for past year and a half, just verbal. Car was has records prior to this owner.
Two small dings
Sunroof does not open

Seller was asking $2500, I offered $2100. The sellers going to call me tonight, we'll see.

I might budge a little, I don't know.

What do you mean by a leaking engine piston???

That little piston under the engine, passenger side. Not an internal engine piston.

If it was an '86 500SEL, it probably WAS a euro model. 560 engine only available after 1985 my.

I don't know what a leaking oil piston is either.

Cosmetically it ought to cleanup nice.

They are nice SAFE cars for the money. But the sunroof if it's jammed, it probably never got the lube jobs it needed, and so now it's a dealer fix, lots of hours and $$$. (The pop up feature was an inherently weak spot....)

Hopefully the timing chain tensioners and PLASTIC guide rails were done, if not, it's way past time, and you *must*) eat this expense.

(So, theoretically those two things could be over $1500 to get right) which is great negotiating leverage for you...)

One thing not often mentioned here as a general plus, is the overall comfort, build quality, and SAFETY. Worst come to worst, the car could save your life in the mother of all accidents. Value of that = Priceless.

Good luck

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

I may have gotten something wrong somewhere, but I saw cats on the exhaust so that makes it the American version, I think. Also the rear bumper was "large". Maybe I got one of the letters wrong or something, I've been reading on so many of these gas models, my head is spinning.

Sounds pretty good for the price. How is the paint?

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

send me the vin number i will tell you what model, euros can have cats also

The paint is in nice shape, very clean.

Sorry I do not have the VIN. Should have thought of that.

judging from your description it sounds like a nice car...depending on what the "piston" is that is leaking.

tom w

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[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.

Looks like a small shock absorber.

small shock absorber, exactly.