'86 420 SEL,Good Road Car?

[Mr. BILL]

I'm changing and going back to being a factory representative again. I'll e travelling Texas and Louisiana, driving about 35,000 mile a year.

The last time I did this (for 20 years), I'd buy a new or nearly new car. Problem was, after two or three years, I'd have a worn out car I still owed money on, alot more money than it was worth. Usually $4-6K less.

Since then, I've found an older Merecedes to e a perfect solution. You can buy a nice one between $6-9K and drive them for a year or two and they are still worth close to what you paid originally.

I have found an'86 420 SEL with 125K on it that has had everything done to it, including new radiator,timing chain, valve trane,a/c,tranny seal,front brakes and a new paint job. It needs about $500.00 worth of interior work to make it really nice. (this is the one I talked about several weeks ago).

My question is, would you be afraid to drive a completely rebuilt '86 420 SEL as much as I will have to?



[Edited by Mr. BILL on 04-08-2001 at 05:00 PM]

[ymsin]

I wouldn't have any reservations at all.

These 86 420SELs are considered the pinacle of German marque engineering, and has a remarkable history of endurance and reliability. If you say its completely rebuilt, it ought to be as good as new, give and take a few degrees of tolerance of imperfection.

I would gladly travel with it.

This particular model caught my eye in the 80s, but to afford it then was beyond me. Such beauty.

Best wishes.

[420SEL]

I have been driving one for several years now, with close to 200,000 miles on the odometer. I have had several pricey repairs, but the car has never left me on the side of the road, and I have never ever felt unsafe in it. Last summer I drove 21 hours straight from Halifax, NS to Hamilton, ON, including stops for meals and gassing up, averaging 70 mph and had absolutely no problems. That's 1250 miles in one day. I am planning a trip from Toronto to Orlando to Halifax and back to Toronto this summer (about 5000 miles I estimate)and I am looking forward to letting my 420SEL stretch it's legs. I can't imagine a car I'd rather drive, in fact I would love to have occassion to drive my car as much as you will be driving yours. Have it inspected at a Mercedes Dealership and if they say it is in good shape you'll be great!

If you have any other questions feel free to ask or email.