hello everyone, let me start by saying that im not a benz enthusiast by any means, i know nothing about them, or cars in general for that matter. but what i do know is that they look really cool.
so heres my predicament, there is one for sale down the road from me, i dont have the specs in front of me, but from what bits of information i can remember its a 1987 300sd, i think, v8 engine, may have been used as a racing car due to the racing decals on the back. the guy wants $2000 obo. canadian for it, my major concern is that its got 242,000 kilometers on it (150,000 miles).
im assuming that this is very little information to give you guys (and girls maybe)
ill update my post when i get more information on it later tonight.
its such a sweet car, i hope for positive feed back, thanks in advance for any feed back i might get from you all.
The car you are looking at is a diesel powered car. SD means SEDAN DIESEL. It is not an 8 cylinder...more like a 5 cylinder. 150,000 miles is not many miles for this type of car--one of the best Mercedes ever built.
If the dude who wants to sell you the car has maintained it, it's probably a good buy.
But if you don't know anything about Mercedes or cars in general, you will have to learn--maybe the hard way.
Best advice I can give you: Get way more detail than you know right now and post in our W126 section instead of FS. They'll tell you what to think about what you know and give you a pointer or two on what to look for.
Look elsewhere if you think you're buying a race car. Folks who buy W126 diesels aren't looking to squeal their tires, just to run through about 10 sets of them . . .
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okay so i messed up the details pretty good, its actually a 1987 500sel, with 284,000 km 176,000 miles, v8 engine, touring suspension, with supposed "upgrades' no details on that, $2000 canadian obo,passed inspection may 08, also my girlfriend was talking to a guy who suggest that if a part breaks down itll cost me alot to maintain.
Location: Alabama Gulf Coast--formerly Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 237
That's a V-8 all right. It's a long wheelbase version of the biggest MB sedan. It is certainly no race car, although it's faster than you might think. Passing inspection means the engine is probably in reasonable condition (if the inspection included emissions check), and the brakes are probably okay. A 500 SEL is a complicated machine--even a 1987 model--and even if you are a great DIY mechanic (which you indicate you aren't) parts can be very expensive even if found used or found somewhere besides the dealer. You won't find parts at the local auto parts store except for some filters and light bulbs and the like. Starter motors, ignition and induction parts are all from specialty suppliers. If you pay a dealership to repair this one, you will be short of breath from the cost. I don't know if this car has pneumatic suspension or not--check the specific forum for that model (it may be a W140, but I think it's earlier--maybe W116; I don't memorize body numbers) to find out all you want to know BEFORE you plunk down $2k. That's not a lot of money, but it can get to be a lot of money in a hurry.
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