420SEL Potential Purchase; talk me out of it

[TylerH860]

or encourage me/ agree with my conclusions

So, I've read the W126 Buyer's guide multiple times, and know very, very well that there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes-Benz, but I think I have a potential diamond in the rough here.

This is a 1989 420SEL with 149k on her. Excellent condition inside and out. Glossy paint, good interior surfaces, etc. I drove the car, which had been sitting for 4 weeks, and noticed two issues.

1: The climate control was completely unresponsive. He claims it was working last time he drove it and he used the AC for his daily commute. (He has since updated to a W210 E320)

2. I noticed a very slight shudder for the first second of acceleration. I had this issue with the SL, though much worse, the culprit being the fuel distributer. A thorough cleaning of the whole system took care of it.

I plan on returning tomorrow morning with a fuse tester to see if the CC problems can be solved easily. Any other areas to look for that may cause this problem? This issue will likely be the deal breaker for me. The car performed fantastically otherwise, turning, bumps, etc. I've driven many W126s (all 1985s or older) and this one seemed the most well sorted.

No air leaks at highway speeds, the interior and trunk seemed incredibly dry. All the rubber under the hood, and seals looks great.

...and of course, the most important thing on these old Benzes is the maintenance records, which it has... until 2000. The first owner was unbelievably fastidious caring for this car, repairing a litany of issues including the climate control. Every page of the book is dealer stamped until 75,000, with a few receipts following. NO MENTION OF THE TIMING CHAIN BEING SERVICED.

So, my friends, should I pay $2,000 for this car? At the very least it would need a $1,000 worth of work for the timing chain and a new base line to start over on the fluids. If I can get the CC working and it proves fully functional, I will probably pull the trigger on it, unless you guys talk me out of it.

[TylerH860]

Pictures:

[JimmyL]

Isn't one gasser enough!
I just never had you pegged for a W126 guy. Just doesn't seem "you".......

[TylerH860]

Originally Posted by JimmyL

Isn't one gasser enough!
I just never had you pegged for a W126 guy. Just doesn't seem "you".......

Well, the window tint on the top third windshield sure isn't me. Being 6'2", driving at night would not be fun with a tint blocking most of my vision.

It was a blast to drive, but I'm not sure if I will follow through on this one. He let me take the records home to look at overnight, so I will have to return in the AM to at least give them back. I will take higher quality pictures as well.

[Jim B.]

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Well, the window tint on the top third windshield sure isn't me. Being 6'2", driving at night would not be fun with a tint blocking most of my vision.

That little 3 piece switch shaped like a little seat on your driver's door is an eight way adjustable power seat switch.


You do know that ----- don't you?

[iwrock]

Oh, the surging. My 420SEL did that, and replacing the fuel pump relay solved my problem...



Our 420 180k miles on it when we sold it. My dads friend drove it to 250k. Gave it to his son, and the last I heard it was pushing 340k miles, being driven all over oregon.

[TylerH860]

Originally Posted by Jim B.

That little 3 piece switch shaped like a little seat on your driver's door is an eight way adjustable power seat switch.


You do know that ----- don't you?

All this new fangled technology... Yes I did adjust the seat, even the headrests were power operated. The window tinting goes down about 1/3 of the windshield and is probably not street legal.

[tyl604]

Pass. Never deal with folks like this; chances are there are other things wrong with this car. If you sleep with dogs, you'll get fleas.

[Chadahar]

I think that is relative low mileage for a 126 gasser and it look great in the pictures. CCU units are available on ebay for not too much and every now and then there is a rebuilt one on there. May be just a bad temperature control module. they're fairly cheap on Ebay too. But winter is upon us and you'll need a heater/defroster in Wichita (I used to live in Bellaire).

Shudder may just be from setting for awhile too.

Looks like a good price to me. It'll be a good Ride on the toll road to K.C.. That road just begs for a large luxury car driven at some excess.....I used to do it Mondays and Fridays every week for about 6 months in a 1979 Lincoln Town Coupe in FUJIMO gear really early in the mornings.

[Oracle12345]

looks good, although this time year is kinda of bad time to not have a working climate control. if you do get the car I do have documents I can send you to help in diagnosis. I just diagnosed a non operational w126 climate control problem. 2000 is about right. keep in mind the 126 climate control is much more involved than the w123 chassis.

[pawoSD]

Originally Posted by Oracle12345

looks good, although this time year is kinda of bad time to not have a working climate control. if you do get the car I do have documents I can send you to help in diagnosis. I just diagnosed a non operational w126 climate control problem. 2000 is about right. keep in mind the 126 climate control is much more involved than the w123 chassis.

The W126 climate control is easy to fix, you re-solder the one you have, or find a used one, or pay the full price for a re-man. Either way, they're very reliable. Mine's been working great this winter. I set it to 22C about 6-7 weeks ago and my car stays at the perfect temp without issue. (only thing I've ever done to it is replace the mono valve diaphragm)

If I found a car like that at that price I'd probably go for it.

[TylerH860]

So much for you guys talking me out of it.

[Oracle12345]

Originally Posted by pawoSD

The W126 climate control is easy to fix, you re-solder the one you have, or find a used one, or pay the full price for a re-man. Either way, they're very reliable. Mine's been working great this winter. I set it to 22C about 6-7 weeks ago and my car stays at the perfect temp without issue. (only thing I've ever done to it is replace the mono valve diaphragm)

If I found a car like that at that price I'd probably go for it.

w126 climate control is much harder to diagnosis than the w123 for the simple fact theres more components to it and more electronic especilly in the later w126s.

[pawoSD]

Originally Posted by Oracle12345

w126 climate control is much harder to diagnosis than the w123 for the simple fact theres more components to it and more electronic especilly in the later w126s.

Out of all our cars the only issues we've had was a needed re-solder job on the W123 klima unit, and all of them have needed a monovalve diaphragm. Thats it. Mine likes to cut out the blower when its real hot in the car but clicking the switches starts it up again. (probably a solder issue as well, but I don't feel like pulling it out just for that, it works perfectly when its not super hot out)

[pawoSD]

Nope. Go for it! Looks like a beautiful car! Then you can be a member of the W126 club.