1990 SEC as everday car
Discussion
Hi there,
I quite fancy getting a late 80's early 90's SEC as an everyday day car. My past 3 cars have been new MB (2 x SLK & latest is new shape C class) & to be honest I'm tired of the amount of money I loose so thought I'd get a "modern classic" which will at least hold it's money. I only do about 3-4K miles per year so wont be increasing the mileage by that much. Having said that I'll therefore be looking for a car whose main value is not in it's low mileage, but a car in great condition with top history.
My question is in regard to mpg ...... is there any vast difference in mpg between 420, 500 & 560 or do they all return more or less the same?
Cheers Dale
I quite fancy getting a late 80's early 90's SEC as an everyday day car. My past 3 cars have been new MB (2 x SLK & latest is new shape C class) & to be honest I'm tired of the amount of money I loose so thought I'd get a "modern classic" which will at least hold it's money. I only do about 3-4K miles per year so wont be increasing the mileage by that much. Having said that I'll therefore be looking for a car whose main value is not in it's low mileage, but a car in great condition with top history.
My question is in regard to mpg ...... is there any vast difference in mpg between 420, 500 & 560 or do they all return more or less the same?
Cheers Dale
Edited by Dale B on Saturday 2nd January 17:00
The SEC is easily capable of daily duties; those of us here who run older (modern classic / young timer etc etc) will always advise to offset the depreciation you save with a robust preventative maintenance programme.
I've not had an SEC, but those I've spoken with who own them say that a dry boot, particularly the underside of the parcel shelf, is essential.
The difference in fuel between the 420, 500 and 560 will be a few measily pounds over 3000 miles.
A friend owned an early (1982) 380 SEC which he claimed was significantly better on fuel than his r107 300SL.
You'll find lots of forum friends who, like me, loath depreciation.
I've not had an SEC, but those I've spoken with who own them say that a dry boot, particularly the underside of the parcel shelf, is essential.
The difference in fuel between the 420, 500 and 560 will be a few measily pounds over 3000 miles.
A friend owned an early (1982) 380 SEC which he claimed was significantly better on fuel than his r107 300SL.
You'll find lots of forum friends who, like me, loath depreciation.
mickyveloce said:
I've not had an SEC, but those I've spoken with who own them say that a dry boot, particularly the underside of the parcel shelf, is essential.
Thanks for the first reply Micky ..... not having had any experience myself with the SEC's .... where / why does the boot & parcel shelf get wet?I believe its the seals around the rear windows that allows water in. It's costly to fix, and I think rust sets in.
In my own Merc experience, any water ingress leads to mouldy smells and problem electrics (300TE) , as well as hard-to-fix rust.
Buy entirely on condition and history, mileage isn't an issue.
In my own Merc experience, any water ingress leads to mouldy smells and problem electrics (300TE) , as well as hard-to-fix rust.
Buy entirely on condition and history, mileage isn't an issue.
The 560SEC actually features a SHORTER back axle compared to the 500SEC, for improved acceleration. The 560SEC is the stormtrooper, the 500SEC is the cruiser. It is mighty impressive to fiercely accelerate a 500 and have the auto box change into 4th gear only at 200+ km/h because of the long axle.
Therefore, I would expect lower mpg from the 560SEC compared to the 420SEC or 500SEC. All three engines are bulletproof from my experience. Avoid the early 420 with only 204hp or the early 500 with only 223hp. The second-generation engines are generally better.
The 560 is just that little bit more special in terms of power. A friend of mine owns a circa 300hp 560SEC with AMG camshafts and this is a very rapid car. However, expect to be blown into the weeds by diesel SEATs nowadays...
Therefore, I would expect lower mpg from the 560SEC compared to the 420SEC or 500SEC. All three engines are bulletproof from my experience. Avoid the early 420 with only 204hp or the early 500 with only 223hp. The second-generation engines are generally better.
The 560 is just that little bit more special in terms of power. A friend of mine owns a circa 300hp 560SEC with AMG camshafts and this is a very rapid car. However, expect to be blown into the weeds by diesel SEATs nowadays...
Edited by chalda on Saturday 2nd January 18:42
I ran a 1986 500 SEC as a daily driver between 2008 and 2013, during which time I covered about 60,000miles.
The market is high at the moment. The available cars divide into two categories: nice ones and dogs. People are asking crazy money for both.
They are well up to intense use. However, in such use they will not be like a brand new Mercedes-Benz. It will not be a case of purchase car, use, service annually. Rather, you have to take an interest in the maintenance and improvement of the vehicle. You have to make the suffering, diagnosis and resolution of the inevitable faults a part of the pleasure. In many respects, your projected mileage is too low: these cars do better being used for 10,000 to 20,000 miles per annum.
Most all 560s in the UK packed 300bhp and nigh on 300b/ft torque. They are not that heavy compared to modern rubbish. They are still very fast. The reach of third gear is impressive: it will haul rapidly from 50 to 140mph in 3rd. I replaced the 245bhp 5.0litre in my 500 with a 300bhp 5.6litre (actually more like 5.5), and it transformed the car into something that could demolish most all comers.
The market is high at the moment. The available cars divide into two categories: nice ones and dogs. People are asking crazy money for both.
They are well up to intense use. However, in such use they will not be like a brand new Mercedes-Benz. It will not be a case of purchase car, use, service annually. Rather, you have to take an interest in the maintenance and improvement of the vehicle. You have to make the suffering, diagnosis and resolution of the inevitable faults a part of the pleasure. In many respects, your projected mileage is too low: these cars do better being used for 10,000 to 20,000 miles per annum.
Most all 560s in the UK packed 300bhp and nigh on 300b/ft torque. They are not that heavy compared to modern rubbish. They are still very fast. The reach of third gear is impressive: it will haul rapidly from 50 to 140mph in 3rd. I replaced the 245bhp 5.0litre in my 500 with a 300bhp 5.6litre (actually more like 5.5), and it transformed the car into something that could demolish most all comers.
The change from gen 1 (380 and 500 SEC) to gen 2 cars (420, 500 and 560 SEC) took place in 1986. In about 1988, high compression engines were fitted in the 420 and 500 with a significant power uplift.
It is quite frankly stupid to look for or to avoid any particular model. Buy on condition and condition alone. A cherished and maintained 420 will be a far more satisfying purchase than a rotten and neglected 560. A rust free car in light ivory will be much better to own than a blue-black metallic rust bucket. And so on.
Edit: at about the same time as the later engine upgrade, the interior was upgraded, with diagonally stitched leather appearing on the doors and rear quarters and one less pleat in the squab and backrest of each seat than before.
It is quite frankly stupid to look for or to avoid any particular model. Buy on condition and condition alone. A cherished and maintained 420 will be a far more satisfying purchase than a rotten and neglected 560. A rust free car in light ivory will be much better to own than a blue-black metallic rust bucket. And so on.
Edit: at about the same time as the later engine upgrade, the interior was upgraded, with diagonally stitched leather appearing on the doors and rear quarters and one less pleat in the squab and backrest of each seat than before.
Edited by r129sl on Sunday 3rd January 13:28
r129sl said:
It is quite frankly stupid to look for or to avoid any particular model. Buy on condition and condition alone. A cherished and maintained 420 will be a far more satisfying purchase than a rotten and neglected 560. A rust free car in light ivory will be much better to own than a blue-black metallic rust bucket. And so on.
Condition / history will be my priority ... and now that I know what I know (thanks to you guys) a gen 2 car is a must. But if I was to find a 420 and say a 560 of equal standing then I think my choice will be the 560 .... I imagine they would be more desirable in the future (if looked after)Once again thanks for all the information
Cheers D
I ran an '89 560 for a year or two back in 1996 and it was a tremendous drive. In those days it was worth £15,000 or so with 100k miles.
As someone has said water ingress around the rear window can be an issue as it will then drip onto the CD changer, which in my car was mounted to the underside of the rear shelf in the boot.
I had to have a bodyshop repair and respray this rear section as it had rusted.
Make sure the electric windows seal properly against their rubbers as otherwise it will generate a lot of windnoise. The price you pay for pilarless doors I guess.
It can be a fiddly job of adjustment and someone who knows what they're doing should do it. I had to replace a window and it took the bloke ages to get it right as he had tried to fob me off with it leaving a gap I could almost get a finger through......
A thumping gearchange can be the pressure in the autobox. I had a harsher change than I thought was right and once they reduced the pressure on the gearbox the change quality changed dramatically. It should slush through the gears.
They tend to look better in darker colours, but that's a personal thing I guess. I think when you come to sell you'll get rid of a gunmetal grey or dark blue one much more easily than a bright red one.
Otherwise I loved the car. Exceptionally roomy, comfortable, safe, and a pleasure to be in.
I would also have considered a 300CE which I think is the best looking machine they produced in the 80s.
As someone has said water ingress around the rear window can be an issue as it will then drip onto the CD changer, which in my car was mounted to the underside of the rear shelf in the boot.
I had to have a bodyshop repair and respray this rear section as it had rusted.
Make sure the electric windows seal properly against their rubbers as otherwise it will generate a lot of windnoise. The price you pay for pilarless doors I guess.
It can be a fiddly job of adjustment and someone who knows what they're doing should do it. I had to replace a window and it took the bloke ages to get it right as he had tried to fob me off with it leaving a gap I could almost get a finger through......
A thumping gearchange can be the pressure in the autobox. I had a harsher change than I thought was right and once they reduced the pressure on the gearbox the change quality changed dramatically. It should slush through the gears.
They tend to look better in darker colours, but that's a personal thing I guess. I think when you come to sell you'll get rid of a gunmetal grey or dark blue one much more easily than a bright red one.
Otherwise I loved the car. Exceptionally roomy, comfortable, safe, and a pleasure to be in.
I would also have considered a 300CE which I think is the best looking machine they produced in the 80s.
I ran a w126 saloon for a year in 2013, great car with a lovely presence. I did find parts tricky tho in some instances, e.g. there was a leak round the front window which soaked the interior and required the seats and carpet to be stripped. Mercedes no longer make the seal so had to get it remanufactured which cost a bit and was hassle. Great cars but not sure I would daily one again.
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