Earlier this evening on my drive home from work I spotted a 1986 Mercedes 560SEL parked downtown for sale for $3500., that I would like add to my driveway full of cars.
I have always liked these cars- ever since they came out in 1986, with $70K+ price stickers.

Not sure of the mileage, as it was too dark to see the miles. Body and interior are in VGC from what I can tell. I think this is a good price, according to others I have seen.
Any thoughts about this price?
Thanks!

__________________
2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4wd
1991 Lincoln Town Car Executive
1991 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1988 Mercedes 300SEL
1972 Chevrolet Caprice Kingswood Estate 9-passenger wagon
1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
(Prior MB's: 1974 240D, 1985 380SE, 1984 190D, 1993 400SEL)

price means nothing.

what is important is what you want to do with the vehicle.

do you want it as a parts car? or do you want to use it?

if you want to use it, then examine it thoroughly. if there is rust in certain areas, you will want to walk away.

these are cars that benefitted from good care. failing to obtain that, these cars can be comets hurtling through your pocketbook.

i like to describe it this way: in december 1986 i purchased a loaded 560sel new.

today, it operates and appears as if brand new. and there is a reason, over 17 years it has been well maintained. and i know what has been done to it. and have the receipts to prove it.

i could go back and add up the numbers, but my guess is that the car has, on average, cost $2,000+ per year to maintain. if the po has not maintained this car at this level, then you know what you will be spending to put it into daily driving shape. the way i view it, if there is no rust[the presence of which i would consider an excuse for a walkaway] if the car has had no routine maintenance for 10 years, then you can expect to spend $20k-$30k within the first 6-18 months to compensate for that neglect.

the real world.

Not sure of the mileage, as it was too dark to see the miles.
____________________________________________________Never make any conclusions about the condition of a car in the dark. Go back during daylight hours and take a really good look. For $3500 I am betting that the car has 175K or more miles and is in need of many repairs and services including paint and some body work. A good '86 560 SEL with service paperwork and lower miles and with the body in good condition will sell for at least $8500, probably 10K$ to 12K$. And well worth the extra cost.

I worked on a 560 the other day that was gorgeous.

After a few minutes under the car and a short drive, I determined that the car was totalled. The car was a good example of what I see quite often.

The car had probably been a one owner well maintained car untill a few years ago. It had probably been sold when the original owner was told that the smoke coming from under the car was from a combination of oil and transmission fluid leaking on the exhaust. The oil leak was the left head gasket and the trans leak was the front pump an easy 4k worth of repairs in my shop, maybe close to 10k in some of the areas I read about here.

From the point of sale a few years ago nothing was done to the car and it had easily a few thou more of incidental repairs that had accumulated: windows that didn't work, air that came out the wrong vents, door locks, etc.

The car actually drove quite well and the repair decision was whether to get a few of the accumulated miseries fixed on a car that was really history.

This car and my guess as to its history, represents the most common senario I see with reguard to 126 cars. They outlive the owners abilities to pay for them and they still do well. The first and second owners do well for the car untill something major comes up and then they off it. The next few owners do nothing but drive the snot out of it.

We call these cars 50 footers. They look great from 50 feet.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

I have been reading your posts for awhile. You sound like you really want a W126. I guess the LS400 didn't do it! I have been looking at W126 prices for awhile $3500 will get you a tired one unless it is one incredible deal. The good ones go for 7k-12K. If you buy this car I would have 4k in reserve to fix problems.

Since no one else mentioned it, I would STRONGLY recommend that you take this or any other car to a shop that you can trust for an inspection before purchasing.

As you can tell from Steves post, he basically put together a quote for what it would take to get the car in proper condition.

Whatever this inspection costs would be money well spent.

Good luck,

LOL Hatteras.
True- I really want a 81-91 S-Class sedan. I am really not in the market for one at this time and have not been looking for one, since I have bought the Lexus, but since this one is there- I was considering it- instead of waiting until spring to buy one. It was like it was saying "buy me". I like the 86-91 S-Class sedans, but really want a diesel 300SDL, or a 81-85 300SD. I have four cars, so I really do not need another car, but rather WANT a Mercedes.

Actually- I am very impressed with the Lexus, as it is a excellent, comfortable and refined automobile, but I really want to find a good, reliable 81-91 S-Class sedan.

When I went to look at the 84 300SD a while back- my father told me that I would not be happy until I bought a Mercedes, because I have looked at so many over the past few months.

I really should have bought the other 86' 560SEL, with 122K, in EC for $3995, but missed out on it.

I was not going to go by the looks in the dark on this car, but it did look fine. I looked at it again today and it is in VGC- inside and out, with NO rust- which is normal- if it is originally a from here (southern car).

$3500. would be a little too much for me to pay for a parts car, so no- I would be buying it to use as a daily driver.

I may go back- drive it- let my mechanics check it out and go from there.

Thanks again.

__________________
2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4wd
1991 Lincoln Town Car Executive
1991 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1988 Mercedes 300SEL
1972 Chevrolet Caprice Kingswood Estate 9-passenger wagon
1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
(Prior MB's: 1974 240D, 1985 380SE, 1984 190D, 1993 400SEL)

I am in the same position that your in. I really want a W126, but want to wait to spring so it is warmer and I can work on the thing without freezing to death! There is a tired 500SEL down the street from me that is screaming save me. The owner wants way to much and I can see about 8k worth of work to get it in the condition I want. When the snow starts to melt I will be in the market for the nicest 420SEL or 300SDL I can find.

Hopefully you will find one this spring. Just wait for the right car. Thats what I have been doing. I phoned about this 86 560SEL I am interested in today and talked to a lady about it. The car is actually a donation to a local Salvation Army Thrift store downtown. She seemed to really know a lot about it. She said it is a 3-owner car and that the original owner sold it when it had 10K (perhaps could not afford it?), then the second owner owned it until 160K and the current owner has put 28K miles on it. It now has 188K and he no longer needs it because he is moving out of the country. She said it had all records with it and it operated perfectly (for its age she kept saying). She said it is priced $200. over loan value. It is priced $3500. I was thinking I would offer $3000. if it ran well. I have about decided to pass on this one and get a 1981 up to around a 1987 300SD/SDL diesel. I may still yet buy that local 84 300SD, if I can talk the owner down enough on the price. Last week on my way into Johnson City I noticed a 300SD for sale in a parking lot off of the highway and I may take a look at that car and there is always that 81 300SD for $1500.

Thanks again and good luck on your search.

__________________
2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4wd
1991 Lincoln Town Car Executive
1991 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1988 Mercedes 300SEL
1972 Chevrolet Caprice Kingswood Estate 9-passenger wagon
1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
(Prior MB's: 1974 240D, 1985 380SE, 1984 190D, 1993 400SEL)

When buying a 20 year old car the cheap ones ARE always the most expensive ones! Penny wise and pound foolish.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Excellent advice stevebfl, these cars can be very expensive to restore. That is why I will be looking for a 1990 to 91, under 100k 420SEL. With full recoreds and one or two owners. Or a sub 150K 300SDL. 86560SEL if it is priced at $3500 than offer $2500 how many people outside of this forum are looking to buy older high mileage MB? Good luck!

I am still considering this car. So, would it be foolish to pay $3000 for this car- even if it is in good working order?

__________________
2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4wd
1991 Lincoln Town Car Executive
1991 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1988 Mercedes 300SEL
1972 Chevrolet Caprice Kingswood Estate 9-passenger wagon
1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
(Prior MB's: 1974 240D, 1985 380SE, 1984 190D, 1993 400SEL)

Have you driven it yet? Service records available? PPI?

At that price, I'd plan on spending another couple grand at least on getting the car up to par. Steve and Larry pretty much said it all. Also, don't let emotion get in the way of sensiblilty.

wait 'till you find out it needs rear shocks and accummulators, timing chain and rails, and a fuel distributor. have SOMEONE who speaks mb look at it. it might be a bargain at a grand, not 3. good luck, chuck.

Thanks for the replies. I am still considering the car. It is still there. I may go look at it and if it seems OK- I will have it checked out and offer her $2500 for it. Who knows- they may take that. I am just not to crazy about the light yellow color. Thanks again.

__________________
2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4wd
1991 Lincoln Town Car Executive
1991 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1988 Mercedes 300SEL
1972 Chevrolet Caprice Kingswood Estate 9-passenger wagon
1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
(Prior MB's: 1974 240D, 1985 380SE, 1984 190D, 1993 400SEL)