[mjmutuma]

now that the 560 is back and in "seemingly" great condition again I'm back on the hunt for another garage filler...

I tested that old Slash 8 and wasn't impressed. Great price and great interior but the engine would require a bit too much at present...

So today I went to look at this 93 600 SEC... (a far cry from my search for a fuel efficient classic, haha)

1993 MERCEDES-BENZ CL 600 V12 R 145,000 for sale | Auto Trader

i was on my way back from a meeting for managed to take a few garage snaps and rev the engine. sorry for the quality, you can see better pics on the auto trader link.

body and paint is in near perfect condition and the driver seat is a lil worn. all the buttons and seat adjusters also seem to be working. 45000miles (72000kms)

not in love with the color. and she sits a bit higher but it's a beast of a machine. didn't think i could driver much bigger than the w126.

next up a testdrive on Friday or Saturday to see how she actually drives.

 

[Stryker-1999 S600]

This looks like a well-cared for example.

I would encourage you to step up from the w126.

Good luck!

 

[micosavo]

Do I spy split-rear seats!!!???

 

[bayhas]

Do I spy split-rear seats!!!???

no, that's the regular coupe setup.... kinda sorta semi split...

 

[mjmutuma]

i've been warned of "colossal electrical issues" on these... something i should worry about?

 

[95Scoupe]

Make sure the door locks and soft close work, and check the engine wiring harness (the bare wire to the injectors is a good place to look). That car is awesome, in good shape and if the price is decent, it'll make you smile.

 

[donkshophorse]

this looks like a good example and i have loved having mine for the last couple of years. they are great motors, good luck

 

[nowhereman]

i've been warned of "colossal electrical issues" on these... something i should worry about?

No more than the colossal pneumatic issues, the colossal HVAC issues or the colossal way petrol leaks out through the engine.

Seriously, these are all well documented here. Look for service records that show the engine harness(es) have been replaced. If no records exist, get a quote from a dealership to see what you might be in for and use that as a haggling point.

As for pneumatics, check that the lumbar support, central locking, reversing antennae and boot handle all work. While doing these things you shouldn't hear any undue buzzing noises from the rear seat as the pump that drives all these is under the seat on the right hand side.

Make sure the AC is cold and heater hot and also that when you change the vent controls the air comes out of the right places. The flaps are vacuum controlled too and any issues require a full da$h out job to rectify.

Likewise, the close assist on the doors and trunk/boot should work easily.

Check that the sunroof opens in all positions, they have a weakness that leads to breakage of part of the mechanism and second hand parts are hard to find as they get snapped up quickly.

Make sure that the electric interior rear view mirror works. They get broken by people who don't know they are electric and try and move them by hand. If you let a friend drive it and they reach up to move the mirror, be ready to slap their hand away.

Then play with every button in the car and make sure the gizmos do what they should. Listen for crackles from the stereo, take a couple of CD's and make sure the stacker works, turn the volume up while nothing is playing and listen for crosstalk from the radio. I'm not overly impressed with the receivers on these cars as even my Becker refurbished receiver still has some crosstalk.

If this all satisfies you and nothing alarming happens during the test drive to turn you off, I would feel getting a pre-purchase inspection done wouldn't be a waste of money. There will be issues, there always are, but hopefully no show stoppers once you've covered all the stuff above.

I did a search on other S-Class cars on the same site and this coupe is priced at about the same point W220's begin. Which is very similar to our small market here in Australia, except I've never seen a V12 coupe advertised here. Sure they must exist but are in hiding. Given the mileage and rarity this looks like a reasonable enough price as long as the cleanliness of the car is reflected everywhere else. But of course, don't let the dealer know that. These cars are hard to sell no matter how wonderful they are so play it cool.

Please note that I'm giving this advice on the assumption of you buying as wanting something trouble free to drive and not a restoration project. I did none of the above with my 600SEL. Bought it on eBay without even inspecting it, caught a train to the country town where it lived and drove it home. Only question I asked of the seller was "Will it make the distance?" (It did, and then some.)

 

[mjmutuma]

wow. thanks for all the advice! i'll let you guys know how it goes...

my w126 hasn't been a huge problem but I'd love another good partner to pair her with that also has minimal issues. hopefully this is that!

 

[MBCL]

Yes!

 

[Peter Guenther]

It is a much more impressive car than both my 126s coupe/sedan, I have my 92 500 SEL since 1994, and have spent tons of money A/C, trans, suspension, steering box, lower harness, window regulators, this on top of what MB covered during warranty period, like upper harness rear end and drive shaft and a lot of things to get rid of the vibration. The previous posts should give you an idea. I continue to pour money into it mostly due to incompetent MB diagnostics just to pad their wallets, its a step up, my wife wont let me sell it, but more troublesome than the 126s...

 

[mjmutuma]

So I went to go check the ride out earlier this afternoon.

I test drove for 15 minutes and then proceeded to poke and prod every bell and whistle she has:
Service records show car was ordered in UK and had first service soon after collection. It was then shipped down here to SA and has every other service locally. Service records are through 37,500 miles (60,350kms) about in July 2010. (the car now has 45,000miles/72,000kms)

Was advised to see in engine harnesses had been replaced but couldn't find anything in the logs but regular maintenance and servicing. From the records I can't see any major repairs.

Because of immediate import to SA didn't think rust was a problem but I check in boot, under hood, wheel wells and as far I could view underneath the car and couldn't find any rust. Judging by paint and dashboard doesn't look like it spent much time parked outside.

Seatbelts work well and the arms are still functional. Someone pointed out the extra slack from the photos but once you buckle in there is no slack. It's only on the retract. Might be a easy fix to just pull door frame and tighten spool up?

Stereo & CD shuttle works well but sound like 1 or 2 speakers on passenger side are blown. I would likely replace whole sound system anyways.

AC blows cold and heater blows hot. Not full power but probably 80%. Vents adjust and work well.

Sunroof opens/closes in all directions/positions but moved a bit slow at first. Not sure if that's because they haven't been used in some time or are just slow.

No buzz from the pump below the rear seat.

Central locking works.

Reversing antennae works.

All the windows come up/down. However the rear passenger is a bit slow and sometimes sticks. (same in 560)

Close assist on doors and boot also seem to work fine.

Side mirror adjuster doesn't work for drivers side mirror nor the rear view mirror.

As for the engine bay wires I didn't notice anything abnormal. Seemed in surprisingly good condition. No indication by service books if some work had been done.



Was impressed by amount of space for rear passengers. Def sat more comfortably than in 560.

As far as the drive it was very big and comfy. Got to get used to the sheer size. Heavy as hell but most of that V12 is still pushing pretty damn good!

I still think it's a little over priced but at the same time I can't find any real problems. We'll see what mechanic says next after taking a look through.

Then I can think about permission from the accountant and lady... Likely the two biggest challenges, haha.

 

[nowhereman]

Might be a easy fix to just pull door frame and tighten spool up?

As for the engine bay wires I didn't notice anything abnormal. Seemed in surprisingly good condition. No indication by service books if some work had been done.

I have re-spooled seat belts and managed to get some extra life out of them. Eventually they need to be replaced.

The worst degradation of the wiring occurs down near the injectors where it gets very hot. You can't see it easily except on the I6. The V's need stuff removed to check. I'd talk this up to get the price down.

 

[Ayhan]

So did you buy it?

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