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Going to look at a 1992 500SEL this week - couple of questions
I may be looking at a 1992 500SEL this week and have a couple of questions. I dont think that the engine wiring harness has been replaced on this car (at least the owner doesnt think so, he is the 2nd owner). The car has 159K and he said he has not had any issues with it and I am not even really sure how to check it. I am wondering if it hasnt been changed, about how much does a project like this run at a typical Mercedes shop (not a dealer), just an independent shop? I guess I could call a couple of ours this week and get a couple of price quotes. I dont even know if the 1992 models had the issue, I thought someone once told me that the EARLY 1992 models (made in late 1991) didnt have the "bio" wiring harness, but I dont know. I know that my uncle has a 1992 300SE (that his dad bought new) and he has never had any issues and he has never had his wiring harness replaced and he has about 180K now.
He said the car is in excellent condition (and has been stored in a heated garage since new), but I think the price is a little steep, but I have had NO LUCK at all in finding another locally. He is asking $5000, but I think/hope I can get it less than that, how much lower (if at all), I have no idea. The said the A/C has been already replaced as well as the rear suspension. It may be later in the week before I can get to see it, but still looking at others in the meantime. A long-wheelbase 92-96 S-Class is what I am looking for, but its not like they are on every car lot on the corner around here. I dont think he will go any lower than $4K, but even that may be too much. I dont know. KBB only shows the value around $3600 and NADA has a high retail of $5300, but we all know a wise man never pays high retail. Thanks in advance. |
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... but I have a history of NOT being wise. LOL.
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#3
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The early 140s not only had upper engine harness issues but also lower, the evaporator was a known issue (the dash needs to come out 8hrs+for labor). The rest is normall issues, Bose Amp, speedo flickering,
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Now I've been out of the business for almost 10 yrs, but "back in MY day", it was the M104s that had this problem, and even that wasn't until HFM-SFI management. I would have to look to see if the M119s of this era were even SFI engines, they may have had it before the M104 engines.
At any rate you can just remove the air cleaner assembly and if this is a SFI car, just look where the injector wiring exits the plastic conduit channels. Just look at any other sensor wiring, etc for exposed bare wire and cracked outer shielding. Agreed on 140's having evap failures, so find out when/if the evap was replaced, more financially devastating than the engine harness.
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Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold) |
#5
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I'd be safe and buy 1996 thru 99.
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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran |
#6
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Yeah, he said the A/C evap had already been replaced, as well as the rear suspension, but was unsure about the engine wire harness.
I would go for a 1996-99, but the 92-95 is more in my price range and I also heard that the wiring harness issue lingered into 1996, but I am not sure. Also I just seem to like the looks of the 1992-94 better, I know the changes are minor... maybe its the wheels. Maybe I will shop around more. Thanks again! |
#7
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I'm stunned! With the W126 Series implied in your handle you are now attracted to an early W140 car?
The term "closeted glutton for punishment" comes to mind. Good luck! Here's hoping you regain consciousness before you do something rash. Cheers! p.s. Only kidding.
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'91 420 SEL @ 199K, '92 SVX @ 181K, '93 SC400 @ 86K, '93 Kaw ZX-11 @ 30K, '87 F250 @ 181K , 2001 Valkyrie Interstate @ 6K, Y2K Honda NightHawk 250 with 1.5K, '88 420SEL I.@ 179K & the 2nd latest, an '88 420SEL II.@ 210K runnin' parts car, '85 F150 300/NP435 |
#8
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Even if you get one for $5,000 it will need $2000 in items to get it to daily driver status. Then once you do that prepare for $3000 - $5,000 worth of work yearly to keep it on the road.
Ask any 140 owner and he will tell you, trust me I know from experience.
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2001 G500 (45k and counting) 1991 350SDL (211 and counting) 1998 C43 (50k) Silver/Black (sold) 1995 E500 (40k and counting) Pearl Black/Anthracite (sold) 1991 300CE (50k and counting) Silver/Black Cloth (sold) 1983 300D - 79k Classic White/Blue Leather 2002 E55 Obsidian Black/Black 1996 S600 Coupe - 75k Black/Black (traded) 1984 300D -145k (sold) Silver Blue Metallic/ Blue Leather 1985 300D - 87k (sold) Manganese Brown/ Palomino Leather 2005 E55, 50k(sold) Flint Gray/Black |
#9
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Quote:
Quote:
Funny that since they are such "junk" that they still command such high prices. You would think there would be no demand for them and people would be giving them away. Strange. My uncle has a 1992 300SE that he inherited from his dad (10 years ago) that bought the car new in spring of 1992. He has never had to spend that kind of money on his. The only issues he had had were headgaskets and the A/C evap, which his local Mercedes guy done for like $3000 that that was all that he has had to do in the last 10 years. |
#10
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Well top update, I passed on the '92 500SEL and have since found a local '93 400SEL. The good news on this one is that the engine wiring harness AND the A/C evaporator have both been replaced (by Mercedes tech) and it has service records to prove it. Its in excellent condition, garage kept, service records (serviced at a local Mercedes shop) and in perfect running order. Its not cheap, but I think it will be better in the long run. Going to check it out this week.
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I don't understand how you think they still command high prices? They are practically given away in my book.
Case point, our 1998 S500 which we got new and paid over $100k for after taxes was sold for $6,500. In my book that is giving it away. Even after everything was in working order/ fixed and replaced things still came up that needed to be fixed. It's a 100k car, it will always always always need something. $5,000 in maintenance a year on any w140 is a conservative estimate, no one said the cars are "junk" they are exactly what I stated, a six figure car which was expensive to build and maintain when they were new and even more so now that they are old.
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2001 G500 (45k and counting) 1991 350SDL (211 and counting) 1998 C43 (50k) Silver/Black (sold) 1995 E500 (40k and counting) Pearl Black/Anthracite (sold) 1991 300CE (50k and counting) Silver/Black Cloth (sold) 1983 300D - 79k Classic White/Blue Leather 2002 E55 Obsidian Black/Black 1996 S600 Coupe - 75k Black/Black (traded) 1984 300D -145k (sold) Silver Blue Metallic/ Blue Leather 1985 300D - 87k (sold) Manganese Brown/ Palomino Leather 2005 E55, 50k(sold) Flint Gray/Black |
#12
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My 92500Sl was "perfect" when I bought it about a year and a half ago, 2-owner garaged car, original paint, all records, and I've still spent about $4k getting it "perfect" over the past year. I still have about $2k of work to bring it to OE spec.
But I agree the 92 is the most desirable year of the m119 cars; more HP, that "original" look on the S and SL. They're complex cars. I'm happy to put money into mine because it gets comments every time I take it out. It looks better than any 20yo car on the road IMO. If you've got money, time and patience, the original vintages are highly rewarding. The 94+ cars just seem more bland and "generic" (IMO). Monotone paint, 3-valve V8s, etc.
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former: 83 300D, 97 C230, 93 400E current: 08 C300 Luxury , 92 500SL |
#13
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And I don't subscribe to the argument that, "... but the car will never be worth that much." A car's worth what it costs to replace, not what someone else will pay for it. In my opinion, it would cost loads to replace mine if it had just had 15K spent on it. RayH PS: I also laugh when I hear adverts saying, "... including free gift 'worth' 500". Hogwash! The gift may be priced at 500 but what it's worth is another thing entirely. Shall I carry on rambling? |
#14
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To add to the mix,
I own two w140s, for reliability like oldsinner said 96-99. I'd up the anti, get one with 722.6 transmission-not sure the 96 will have it, but the 97-99 will have 722.6. All 722.3-722.5 transmissions will fail on reverse as the result of small o-ring. Martin |
#15
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Well I met the gentlemen today with the '93 400SEL and took it for a spin. What a car! Its a beautiful machine and rides and drives like new. I didnt know at the time, but its a 1-owner car, he bought it brand new and its been garaged since it was new. The interior is like new. Exterior has a few blemishes, but very nice for a '93. The car has tons of service records and the same Mercedes mechanic has serviced the car since 1996 and he is here local.
The two big things, the A/C evaporator was replaced in 2005 and the engine wiring harness was replaced in 2003 by the Mercedes mechanic. I am going to make an offer on the car and go from there. I am going to post pics here in a bit. I think it will make a great work car. |
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