Something mildly interesting bought from a Japan Auction
Discussion
Hello everyone!
Pistonheader from Norway here.
Been looking at some old merc uberwagons the past few months, toying around with a R129 SL perhaps, or W124 500E why dontcha? wasn't really bothered if it was a saloon, cab, or coupe. Just a big lump up front and a rifle bolt auto latched on to it ( a slow rifle perhaps
)
Anyway, 500E prices seem a bit on the up don't they? seem to remember they were 5-6k a few years back - not a snowballs chance in hell of finding anything other than bonafide wallet rapists nowadays for that sort of money anyway...
-
Anyhoo, my search carried on across europe and - after struggling to find value for money ( to my tight eyes anyway) .........across the pond - seen a few rather tasty AMG re-imports from japan and after a pint too many I Stumbled upon japanese auction sites... sweet baby jesus now we`re tolkien!
I don't really have a big income by most of you powerful company directors standards - so my budget was somewhat limited. Being a salesman without a fixed income and not knowing when the next quid is gonna come in - I dislike car loans with a vengeance. So that would be a cash only sir - which did limit me somewhat.
A few rather tasty R129 AMG models popped up , but I had to be realistic here and I weren't getting into these anywhere near my budget.
I got in touch with a bidding agent for a car I reckoned Id at least have a shot at, told him how much I could spend and told him to have a go. He wasn't being very optimistic, the car in question usually went for 30-40% above my max. Told him I had a good feeling about this one! According to an inspector these was some minor surface rust underneath the exhaust, and there was a little oil residue underneath the engine, which was also running a little Rough. Meh, nothing blowing the cobwebs out of it down a few main rows wouldn't sort out... Bork factor : President.
Well, Seems like Fortuna was with me that day - because I Won the car! for 10% below my max to boot!
The car in question? A model which Ive read and heard very little about compared to the haloed E500 W124, E60 models....
Its got a V12 NA. 7 liters. 720 NM of torque. 500 bhp of AMG goodness. A certain Horatio Pagani also seems to rate the engine.
Its an S70 AMG from 1998! Full fat factory delivered in Japan with AMG rims, AMG bespoke interior and a full service history.
75.000 Miles
How much I paid for it? Around 8-9 grand, give or take.. to my layman eyes it seems like better value than a 500E!
[
Pistonheader from Norway here.
Been looking at some old merc uberwagons the past few months, toying around with a R129 SL perhaps, or W124 500E why dontcha? wasn't really bothered if it was a saloon, cab, or coupe. Just a big lump up front and a rifle bolt auto latched on to it ( a slow rifle perhaps
)Anyway, 500E prices seem a bit on the up don't they? seem to remember they were 5-6k a few years back - not a snowballs chance in hell of finding anything other than bonafide wallet rapists nowadays for that sort of money anyway...
-
Anyhoo, my search carried on across europe and - after struggling to find value for money ( to my tight eyes anyway) .........across the pond - seen a few rather tasty AMG re-imports from japan and after a pint too many I Stumbled upon japanese auction sites... sweet baby jesus now we`re tolkien!
I don't really have a big income by most of you powerful company directors standards - so my budget was somewhat limited. Being a salesman without a fixed income and not knowing when the next quid is gonna come in - I dislike car loans with a vengeance. So that would be a cash only sir - which did limit me somewhat.
A few rather tasty R129 AMG models popped up , but I had to be realistic here and I weren't getting into these anywhere near my budget.
I got in touch with a bidding agent for a car I reckoned Id at least have a shot at, told him how much I could spend and told him to have a go. He wasn't being very optimistic, the car in question usually went for 30-40% above my max. Told him I had a good feeling about this one! According to an inspector these was some minor surface rust underneath the exhaust, and there was a little oil residue underneath the engine, which was also running a little Rough. Meh, nothing blowing the cobwebs out of it down a few main rows wouldn't sort out... Bork factor : President.
Well, Seems like Fortuna was with me that day - because I Won the car! for 10% below my max to boot!
The car in question? A model which Ive read and heard very little about compared to the haloed E500 W124, E60 models....
Its got a V12 NA. 7 liters. 720 NM of torque. 500 bhp of AMG goodness. A certain Horatio Pagani also seems to rate the engine.
Its an S70 AMG from 1998! Full fat factory delivered in Japan with AMG rims, AMG bespoke interior and a full service history.
75.000 Miles
How much I paid for it? Around 8-9 grand, give or take.. to my layman eyes it seems like better value than a 500E!
[
Edited by Vacationboy on Wednesday 19th November 15:34
Yiliterate said:
Looks absolutely epic! Just for clarity, did you buy this in an auction in Japan, or at an auction where the auction style was Japanese (in the same way as a Dutch auction more commonly refers to the style than the location)? If the former, how much are the shipping and re-registration costs to get it on the road in Norway?
Anyway, enjoy...!
Tokyo! will probably cost a packet to reg here, no doubt about it. worth it though!Anyway, enjoy...!
Are these notoriously unreliable seeing as people doesn't seem that interested in them? a 500E usually fetches more...
Edited by Vacationboy on Sunday 9th November 01:46
I got on a mailing list from a Bulldog Bros Trading, he picks out interesting cars for those who subscribe.
They can also bid for you and sort out paperwork fees and shipping.
The auctions in Japan are like 1 minute so it makes sense to have someone do it for you with a max you are willing to spend.
I think Bulldog Bros Trading are one of the biggest AMG exporters ..
I got the car cheap so Im not expecting it to be perfect, the fact that it runs a little rough could be a matter of caning it, new oil and plugs - or something more insidious... we`ll see, but whatever it needs it shall get. Even if I have to run on noodles for a few months.
I dont think we will ever see Naturally aspirated 7 liter V12s again due to emissions... worthy of the last drops of fuel on earth!
They can also bid for you and sort out paperwork fees and shipping.
The auctions in Japan are like 1 minute so it makes sense to have someone do it for you with a max you are willing to spend.
I think Bulldog Bros Trading are one of the biggest AMG exporters ..
I got the car cheap so Im not expecting it to be perfect, the fact that it runs a little rough could be a matter of caning it, new oil and plugs - or something more insidious... we`ll see, but whatever it needs it shall get. Even if I have to run on noodles for a few months.
I dont think we will ever see Naturally aspirated 7 liter V12s again due to emissions... worthy of the last drops of fuel on earth!
Stuart70 said:
If this is a 7 litre version of the 6 litre version v12 used in mid 90s mb then apparently
A) their most reliable engine ever (up to mid 2000s)
B) it is the basis of the pagani engine
Worth watching Harry's garage SL600 in the south of France.
Makes the point about the quality levels of Benz then.
Amazing purchase, I salute your bravery, hope it is rewarded and wish you good luck with a great toy/investment.
Seen it, its great! Interesting point Harry makes about the V12 being much faster above 100. A) their most reliable engine ever (up to mid 2000s)
B) it is the basis of the pagani engine
Worth watching Harry's garage SL600 in the south of France.
Makes the point about the quality levels of Benz then.
Amazing purchase, I salute your bravery, hope it is rewarded and wish you good luck with a great toy/investment.
Now I just need to find a M120 specialist Indy who can baby it
duffy78 said:
send it to these guys before it gets shipped over.
http://carbuying.jalopnik.com/how-to-make-a-used-m...
Its 5 grand! ( Im a tight gnat ) http://carbuying.jalopnik.com/how-to-make-a-used-m...
DrDoofenshmirtz said:
...on a 16 year old car with the usual Merc of this vintage rust, an oil leak and a rough running V12?
No, nothing, nothing at all. It'll be fine
No worries I`ll park an Oil barrel on my lawn ( along with frozen sausages hammered into the ground), some home tools and a six pack of gregs why dontcha - No, nothing, nothing at all. It'll be fine
Trexthedinosaur said:
That is an awesome machine, do keep us updated.
Anyone know how many of these were sold in the UK, if at all?
They werent offered in Europe, all Japanese/Arab markets. Anyone know how many of these were sold in the UK, if at all?
Not sure why, but as the cars was ridiculously expensive ( 7.0 option 45.000 Pounds in 1998 ) perhaps Mercedes deemed there was no market for it on these shores...
The car has been paid now, shipping was a sensible 1000 quid Japan-Norway Roll on Roll off.
I bet those 16 year old mercs love spending a month at sea, that SALTY sea air doing wonders for the metalwork!
Been googling for M120 specialists for days to sort the "rough running" out!
Hit me up with spezialisten!
At least Im going in with my eyes wide open, I realise I might have to hoy thousands on it every year.
Still.. you could spend money on worse things than a V12.
A gentleman travels behind no less than 12 cylinders is it? And under no circumstance in front of only 6?? ( slight Porsche dig, forgive me father... I have a 90 964 C2 convertible though, so its allowed)
Hit me up with spezialisten!
At least Im going in with my eyes wide open, I realise I might have to hoy thousands on it every year.
Still.. you could spend money on worse things than a V12.
A gentleman travels behind no less than 12 cylinders is it? And under no circumstance in front of only 6?? ( slight Porsche dig, forgive me father... I have a 90 964 C2 convertible though, so its allowed)
Edited by Vacationboy on Tuesday 11th November 00:41
NRS said:
As someone living in Norway the import costs are going to be pretty eye watering. They are based on C02, weight engine size (higher = higher costs) and age (older = lower costs). I just did a quick calculation and it probably would be around £24 000 all in (and that's with a 90% tax discount due to the age)!! And labour costs are insane here, so if there is problems it is going to become a massive massive moneypit.
Absolute madness to get this, but a good laugh.
Yes, but you can apply for an "alternative import tax" which always pays off with old nuclear-engined barges.. which I intend to do.Absolute madness to get this, but a good laugh.
Spoke with Autoservice Faber in Berlin now, very nice chap - independent specialist.
He told me the M120 engines are magnificent, the only thing is that they have to be driven - they dont like standing around too long. Oh and the ignition is something you should be wary of.
Told him my milage ( 75.000 miles) and he responded " ah it should be no problem then , these engines will go 500.000 KM without any problem with regular service ".
A Big service where everything is checked and replaced, barring any big surprises should be no more than 400-500 euros... Famous last words but a mechanic having so much faith in the M120 is music to my ears.
720 NM of Naturally aspirated torque... here I come !! Probably going to name the car "The Wall" from the Wall of torque that comes on demand
He told me the M120 engines are magnificent, the only thing is that they have to be driven - they dont like standing around too long. Oh and the ignition is something you should be wary of.
Told him my milage ( 75.000 miles) and he responded " ah it should be no problem then , these engines will go 500.000 KM without any problem with regular service ".
A Big service where everything is checked and replaced, barring any big surprises should be no more than 400-500 euros... Famous last words but a mechanic having so much faith in the M120 is music to my ears.
720 NM of Naturally aspirated torque... here I come !! Probably going to name the car "The Wall" from the Wall of torque that comes on demand
NRS said:
I thought they only really allowed that when it benefited them? I know a friend got screwed over an extra £8000 when importing a car from the US as they decided to use the alternative method rather than the normal one? Also surely those prices are not considering Norwegian labour costs, where an oil service is often over £100 for example?
The prices quoted was in Germany, the place to go for a big service anyway. You can choose between regular tax calculation and an alternative individual calculation which will be much more benefitial for this sort of vehicle.Managed to dig out the delivery spec before it went to AMG...
Datacard
Identification number: WDB1400571A403912 1
Chassis
Sales designation: S 600
Order number: 0 8 839 90074
Delivery date: 09 01 1998
Paint code 1: 744U BRILLIANT SILVER METALLIC
Equipment: 511A EXCLUSIVE BLACK LEATHER
Engine no.: 120982 12 010326
Transmission: 722621 00 727501
SA code
224 INDIV.REAR SEAT AND HEAD RESTRAINTS, ELEC.ADJUSTAB
226 FOOTRESTS IN THE REAR
247 SEAT ADJUSTMENT ELEC. ALSO OPERABLE FROM REAR
288 MULTIPLE CONTOUR BACKREST FOR LEFT AND RIGHT REAR
350 COMMUNICATION AND NAVIGATION-SYSTEM (CNS)
404 MULTI-CONTOUR SEAT, FRONT LEFT
405 MULTI-CONTOUR SEAT, FRONT RIGHT
414 ELECTRIC TILT/SLIDE SUNROOF IN GLASS VERSION
498 VERSION FOR JAPAN
511A EXCLUSIVE BLACK LEATHER
524 PAINTWORK - PRESERVATION
540 ROLLER BLIND, ELECTRIC, FOR REAR WINDOW
582 AIR CONDITIONER IN THE REAR
613 LAMP UNIT - ASSYMETRICAL, LH TRAFFIC
668 PACKAGING FOR SHIPPING VEHICLES WITH TIE-DOWN HOOK
744U BRILLIANT SILVER METALLIC
761 No code designation available
808 YOM 17/1
810 SOUND SYSTEM
872 No code designation available
987 BATTERY ISOLATION SWITCH FOR SHIPMENT VEHICLES
Other
Lamps: BOSCH
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff