Would big 80s Benz financially molest me?
Discussion
I’m after either an SLC or maybe an SE, probably with smallish engine (280-300) to try and keep things sensible. Just wondering if it’ll generally be a nightmare and how they work out to run.
Chiefly it’s a totally pointless purchase. I have no need for a car of this nature as I don’t do that many miles, however I’d love to experience an old school, over engineered proper car for a while
Thanks!
Chiefly it’s a totally pointless purchase. I have no need for a car of this nature as I don’t do that many miles, however I’d love to experience an old school, over engineered proper car for a while
Thanks!
Well there is a world of difference between a w107 SL C and a w126 SE (or SEL or SEC). The former is on the SL chassis, the latter is on the S-Class chassis.
Good SL Cs are expensive to buy;bad SL Cs cost a fortune to put right. There are a few 280 SL Cs with the twin cam M110 straight 6, but they are mainly V8s of 3.5, 3.8, 4.5 and (a very few) 5.0litres. The V8s are quite thirsty, the 380 being the best from an economy point of view. SL Cs also have what is now a rare tyres size (205/70 VR 14) which considerably adds to the expense.
Good w126s can be had very cheaply, from £1,000 upwards. The 300 is available only as a saloon (SE) or limousine (SEL), not as a coupe (SEC). It has a modern m103 sohc 12v motor which is extremely reliable and quite fuel efficient. Trim and electrical components for these cars can be very expensive from the dealer (mechanical parts are very cheap) but can be found from specialists, dismantlers, Ebay and the like very readily and quite cheaply. I get 20mpg out of my 500 SEC. I keep it in good order and it costs me very little to service and maintain (probably no more than £750). However, I have spent a lot on bringing it up to standard, probably another £2,000 a year. But the work I am currently having done should be the last.
These cars are all fundamentally reliable. Too many have been neglected, however. Buy with care.
Good SL Cs are expensive to buy;bad SL Cs cost a fortune to put right. There are a few 280 SL Cs with the twin cam M110 straight 6, but they are mainly V8s of 3.5, 3.8, 4.5 and (a very few) 5.0litres. The V8s are quite thirsty, the 380 being the best from an economy point of view. SL Cs also have what is now a rare tyres size (205/70 VR 14) which considerably adds to the expense.
Good w126s can be had very cheaply, from £1,000 upwards. The 300 is available only as a saloon (SE) or limousine (SEL), not as a coupe (SEC). It has a modern m103 sohc 12v motor which is extremely reliable and quite fuel efficient. Trim and electrical components for these cars can be very expensive from the dealer (mechanical parts are very cheap) but can be found from specialists, dismantlers, Ebay and the like very readily and quite cheaply. I get 20mpg out of my 500 SEC. I keep it in good order and it costs me very little to service and maintain (probably no more than £750). However, I have spent a lot on bringing it up to standard, probably another £2,000 a year. But the work I am currently having done should be the last.
These cars are all fundamentally reliable. Too many have been neglected, however. Buy with care.
My dad had a lovely pale blue 280SE saloon he bought around 1979 for around £8000 (then) from a Mercedes indi.....It was around 3 years old....
He ran it for about two years, it was 100% trouble free, and sold it privately to a guy who came up from London (200mls) for around £5000.......The man had an extended test drive and my dad sold it in confidence.....
We later found out (through a third party) that three weeks after he bought it the auto box needed replacing as it had seized up....at a cost of £2000.....(Probably £8000 in todays's money)
Just sods law, so be careful, and good luck............
He ran it for about two years, it was 100% trouble free, and sold it privately to a guy who came up from London (200mls) for around £5000.......The man had an extended test drive and my dad sold it in confidence.....
We later found out (through a third party) that three weeks after he bought it the auto box needed replacing as it had seized up....at a cost of £2000.....(Probably £8000 in todays's money)
Just sods law, so be careful, and good luck............
Thanks for the long and very, very good responses!
So reading between the lines, is it fair to say that the 300SE can be bought for £1000 anmd up and run for quite reasonable costs (comparible to say a Mondeo?) if you have a good garage, don't skimp on maintainance and treat it properly?
Other than it being monsterous in size, I'm really having trouble finding reasons not to have one for wafting about in
So reading between the lines, is it fair to say that the 300SE can be bought for £1000 anmd up and run for quite reasonable costs (comparible to say a Mondeo?) if you have a good garage, don't skimp on maintainance and treat it properly?
Other than it being monsterous in size, I'm really having trouble finding reasons not to have one for wafting about in
Edited by CampDavid on Thursday 26th November 18:57
I was reading your thread and was wandering if you had found a merc, I ask this because a dear old friend of mine ask me today to sell his two merc's, one is a X reg 1982 280 SE auto in white, blue cloth interior, 2 owners and a C Reg 230TE estate, silver also 2 owners
280SE is MOT'ed till 24th Aug 2010, only has 85K on the clock, has either 2 months or 6 months tax, I say this because he’s also selling his 230 TE auto estate in silver, 98K. Also MOT’ed till Aug 2010.
Any way, just wanted to let you know in case you where still looking, both cars priced at £1000.
Cheers
280SE is MOT'ed till 24th Aug 2010, only has 85K on the clock, has either 2 months or 6 months tax, I say this because he’s also selling his 230 TE auto estate in silver, 98K. Also MOT’ed till Aug 2010.
Any way, just wanted to let you know in case you where still looking, both cars priced at £1000.
Cheers
I have a 450SLC and get about 18/20 mpg, but they are nice to drive. I also have a W123 230E, a W211 E240 and a few 114/5's that are drivers but not on the road at the moment. As much as I like my W123, I still jump in the SLC first just because I love the V8 burble. Of all the old Mercs I've had I can honestly say they never scared me in terms of running and maintenance, well no more so than any of the other older stuff I always drive.
I have had a 420SE and currently run a 300SE. Great cars and parts are really quite cheap as well. I get around 25mpg with the 300. The SECs only came with the V8s, and you'll pay a lot more for an SEC than for an SE or SEL. Personally I prefer the look of the saloons.
Try to get a series 2, the facelift model which was made after '85. I think some models got a bit more power after late '87 too, so very late 80s or early 90s is your best bet.
Many came without alloys and with cloth or velour but try to get leather if you can. They are very well made cars but are all getting old now so try to get one with lots of history.
I think the 300 is easier to work on and runs very smooth. Not very quick though. If you want something with a bit more punch go for a 500 or a 560 but the 560 has hydropneumatic suspension so that could become troublesome with age as well. Be sure to check for leaks in the boot and rusty chrome bumper trims (very expensive to replace!) Also make sure the idle is about 650rpm, high idle is a common problem and can be hard to sort out.
The prices for these cars really are low at the moment. You can't get more car for your money.
Try to get a series 2, the facelift model which was made after '85. I think some models got a bit more power after late '87 too, so very late 80s or early 90s is your best bet.
Many came without alloys and with cloth or velour but try to get leather if you can. They are very well made cars but are all getting old now so try to get one with lots of history.
I think the 300 is easier to work on and runs very smooth. Not very quick though. If you want something with a bit more punch go for a 500 or a 560 but the 560 has hydropneumatic suspension so that could become troublesome with age as well. Be sure to check for leaks in the boot and rusty chrome bumper trims (very expensive to replace!) Also make sure the idle is about 650rpm, high idle is a common problem and can be hard to sort out.
The prices for these cars really are low at the moment. You can't get more car for your money.
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff