1991 420SEL 140k Need Advice

[tobybul]

Will be looking at a 91 420SEL 140k miles. Description says in great shape in and out and drives well. Assuming all true, what issues should I be looking for when chkg it out, test driving and whether to even own it. Is timing chain, tensioner, rails easy to replace on this car? I heard this is one of the common issues. Chkd with dealer and they said they usually get $1000 for this type of work. Chain and parts aren't expensive.

Feedback would be appreciated. Thanks

[Larry Delor]

Besides the chain and rail, listen for ticking.
Check for P/S leak - it can eat up the subframe bushing- you'll see the rubber bushing flopping around like a fat lip.
See if it has a new radiator (neck break problem) or if the neck has been reinforced.
Check the mounts - also see if the engine fan is still centered, if it sits low, the mounts and/or subframe bushing(s) might be going.

I was quoted $800 for chain and rails....that was before the one rail pin wouldnt come out, and pass. side cam and lifters had to be replaced.

Drive it, and see how it "feels" ...relax, and let the car tell you wether it has liked its life so far or not.

[david s poole]

the big question is how much?everything else is relative eg high price -should be perfect. low price-a few defects will be there.you have already mentioned the main one .engine chain and rails.if these have not been done you can do yourself for about 400.00 and start the bonding with your new car.

[tobybul]

Originally Posted by david s poole

the big question is how much.

Asking price is 3995. my comfort level is 2500 or less, considering it may likely need some things replaced. Havent driven it yet. Plan to tomorrow.

[Jim B.]

Quickly, I coauthored the W126 buying advice at www.mbcoupes.com
It's a little dated now (I wrote it back in 1998) but has some of the things to look for covered still true now as then...

See also www.sec-shop.com which is a british shop also with some buyers guide tips for the coupes, but applies to the sedans also.

Don't get a refugee from a freeway pileup, a rusty one, and try to get as much service history as you can, because if there is deferred maintenance on them, they are nasty to keep up. One member bought a W126 420SEL
that needed several thousand put into it, but now SIDURI 19 "Mistress Heather) is pretty much caught up with the issues and she loves her car.

With proper care it will go 500,000 miles or more, and if you are over 100000 miles when you do the timing chain guide rails and tensioner, you might think about the injectors and motor mounts while you are at it, they might need attention by then.

Good luck to you-you'll be happy with a car like that. Price sounds about right if it is in good shape. Get the Carfax, VMI and whatever other info and history you can on the car.

[tobybul]

Drove the car this morning. wasnt too bad but too many issues, I thought.

Engine seemed to idled good and ran ok. Tranny seemed jumpy when it kicks down. No unusual sounds when first started but had to be jumped cuz battery was dead.

Front bumper - some rust-thru on chrome which seems common with these cars. Other rust at trunk lid and atbody trim at rear.

Sunroof not working. Window regulator of drivers door acting up.

Brake grind and pulsation.

AC not wrking but compressoe turnable.

Determined not interested. A bit too big of a car anyway. Might consider if $1000 or less.

[rchase]

Originally Posted by Larry Delor

Besides the chain and rail, listen for ticking.
Check for P/S leak - it can eat up the subframe bushing- you'll see the rubber bushing flopping around like a fat lip.
See if it has a new radiator (neck break problem) or if the neck has been reinforced.
Check the mounts - also see if the engine fan is still centered, if it sits low, the mounts and/or subframe bushing(s) might be going.

I was quoted $800 for chain and rails....that was before the one rail pin wouldnt come out, and pass. side cam and lifters had to be replaced.

Drive it, and see how it "feels" ...relax, and let the car tell you wether it has liked its life so far or not.

My 1982 has its original behr radiator. I would suspect a lot of the plastic breakdown has to do with the type of fluid your using in the radiator and the climate the car is exposed to. The radiators are rather cheap. If your worried about a cheap part like a radiator you should be looking at Hondas and not Mercedes Benz's