Need some feedback on 1992 300SEL Buy? or Not? - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

magicbigdaddy · 11-19-2009, 01:40 AM

I am a long time Benz guy. Over 12 in the last 20 years. I have run into a 1992 300SEL with 21K original miles. Low mileage older cars sometimes can become a money pit and I am looking for a little support whether to go for it or pass. This car is a one owner, always garage kept, and without any doubt is true to description. Original owner passed and his son's have the car. Owner even put new tires on a couple of years ago just because he was concerned about the age of the original tires. All service records although only for check ups etc. Car is smoke silver with palamino interior. This car is absolutely like new. I had a 94 S500 for 7 years and loved it. Just got a little beat up and 150K when I sold it. Nothing at all funny about this car. It is all there and about as perfect as you could imagine. The son's have done a bit of research and feel the car is worth about $9200 OBO. Has been inspected by original dealer with a perfect score. My gutt feeling is the car is worth something in the $7K range. It is an 18 year old car. Before I make an offer I would have it inspected by an indie. Any advise or words of wisdom? Thanks in advance for your response.

MBs600v121998 · 11-19-2009, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magicbigdaddy

I am a long time Benz guy. Over 12 in the last 20 years. I have run into a 1992 300SEL with 21K original miles. Low mileage older cars sometimes can become a money pit and I am looking for a little support whether to go for it or pass. This car is a one owner, always garage kept, and without any doubt is true to description. Original owner passed and his son's have the car. Owner even put new tires on a couple of years ago just because he was concerned about the age of the original tires. All service records although only for check ups etc. Car is smoke silver with palamino interior. This car is absolutely like new. I had a 94 S500 for 7 years and loved it. Just got a little beat up and 150K when I sold it. Nothing at all funny about this car. It is all there and about as perfect as you could imagine. The son's have done a bit of research and feel the car is worth about $9200 OBO. Has been inspected by original dealer with a perfect score. My gutt feeling is the car is worth something in the $7K range. It is an 18 year old car. Before I make an offer I would have it inspected by an indie. Any advise or words of wisdom? Thanks in advance for your response.

First of All Welcome to the Forum, There is alot of good people here to help, just you need patient.

My friend,.. I know how does the Low Milage Magic make to us when we see the W140, but because of the known common problems, i would prefer (Alot of W140 Owners here sugested that too) that you go for a 1996 to 1998,
You will be away from alot of Headaches, (Rotor Caps, Wiring Harness, 2 Fuel Pumps... ETC).
But, if you are a rich guy, and you said the dealer gave it a high score, then go for it, (Knowing that i dont prefer 6 cylinder, (In my opinion its very weak Engine for that Heavy Beautifull body)), and dont forget to get the Car inspected by a real MB Indy

And you mentioned you had a S500, so this will be like driving a Bicycle.

By The Way, have you ttried driving a S600

Hope i helped

Good Luck in your Purchasing

**merc s500** · 11-19-2009, 02:29 AM

Hi
I cant realy advise you on the 300 Series as i'm into only V8 Mercedes , but it is an exellent Effort to just change Tyres due to its Age ,that really tells me that the Owner has lookt after this Car verry Well and the Way you describe it ,i dont thing you can go wrong here , If i had to buy a 6 cylinder Version i probably would look at the few main things ,Headgasket Condition , Transmission ,Air con & Suspension .
As you know the W140 is a heavy Car ,keep it in mind .

Wiring harness Replacement ,i count that as just a day without the Car ,still good to look at .
Ciao ,all the Best & good Luck
Note : If you had an S500 Before be carefull as you may be upset by the 300's Performance ....etc etc...lol.

**merc s500** · 11-19-2009, 02:32 AM

[quote=MBs600v121998;3828107]First of All Welcome to the Forum, There is alot of good people here to help, just you need patient.

Lol,MBs600v121998
You & i where writting at the same Time and almost written the same things & Posted the same Moment too. Lol Lol .What a Classic .
Ciao
I wanted to say Get an S600 too but that is your Job , lol.

MBs600v121998 · 11-19-2009, 05:10 AM

[quote=merc s500;3828113]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBs600v121998

First of All Welcome to the Forum, There is alot of good people here to help, just you need patient.

Lol,MBs600v121998
You & i where writting at the same Time and almost written the same things & Posted the same Moment too. Lol Lol .What a Classic .
Ciao
I wanted to say Get an S600 too but that is your Job , lol.

loooooooooooooooooool so we have a 4th thing in common too looooooooooooool
atlast you adviced for a S600

deanyel · 11-19-2009, 06:21 AM

That sounds to me like a fine car, the sort of thing you shouldn't pass up. There is no such thing as a 92 300SEL in the US however, would have to be either a 300SE or a gray market, which might cast some doubts on the odometer reading.

magicbigdaddy · 11-19-2009, 06:38 PM

Thanks guys for the info. My mistake on the model. Yes it is 300se. In the last year I have gone thru a 1986 560 SEC, 1994 SL600, 97 SL320, 94 S500, 91 500SL. Now I have an 86 190 16V. It is really fun but miss the big body. Just think I'm getting a little old. All of you are correct. Go with the V8 if not the V12. When I had the SL600 most of the guys on the 129 forum talked down the SL320 and trashed the SL600. I still dream about the SL600. There is no substitute for crusing about 50 and nailing a Mercedes V12. The torque and best of all the sound! Maybe I should hold out for 98 or 99 S600 and be done with it. Thanks again! I will be changing my profille now that I am driving a 16V.