[tbOwnage]

Hello 126'ers!
I normally lurk around the R107 forums but today I'm asking for your advice. Recently a red with tan leather 1989 560SEC came up for sale in my town that I'm interested in purchasing. 247,000 miles. I've just gone to take pictures and look at the car for myself but haven't talked to the owner or taken it for a test drive. It appears the current owner is the 2nd owner as there was an info sheet stating that he has owned the car for the past 16 years.

The interior appears to be in good condition, except for the headliner that's just starting to fall down in the rear. There is an aftermarket stereo installed.

Issues:
As pictured below there are a few rust bubbles on the car, the rear windshield has started to delaminate on the bottom left corner, and the left rear wheel is missing the center cap. Not pictured is the rear bumper's left corner has some very light cracking.

Right door

Front bumper

Driver's side A-pillar

Upper driver's side A-pillar

Missing one center-cap

Rear windshield delamination

The car is advertised for $3995. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance,
TB

 

[Aussiemerc]

That bumper chrome piece is $$$. Too much rust showing- wonder what's under the paint.

 

[mjmutuma]

same color as my 88! rare color and turns a lot of heads...

worth fixing the bubbles and respraying? I don't know much about rust or paint.

take it for a drive and see how you feel!

good luck!

 

[Fatboy1]

Worry less about the rust than the mechanicals. Drive it. Check EVERYTHING on the car; brakes, AC, suspension, do instruments all work? Lift carpet and see what you find. You can deal with a reasonable amount of rust but I am suspicious about the rust in the photos and its strange locations. To me, as a layman, it looks like a cheap paint job gone bad.
How does engine compartment look? Underbody? How does wiring look in engine compartment?
Caution. Patience.

 

[MacGyver85]

I'm from central Indiana so I'm familiar with rust. I agree with lifting the carpets and checking the pans. Get it on a lift if you can and check the underside. The small rust spots in the photos can be easily repaired. Mechanics are the real issue and the vacuum lines will cause no end to grief if you don't check them out thoroughly. Finally, I personally would say that considering the miles, he's high on price. Just my opinion. You have to do what you're comfortable with and as long as you check it out over, under and inside, then you should be able to make an offer you're comfortable with.

Good luck.

 

[ianrandom]

Those rust spots are normal here in the rainy UK. I'd be more concerned about the parcel shelf area, and suspension turrets/wheel wells. if those bits check out then cool. Is the interior sun bleached much?

I really like the colour combo, very attractive. Have to say it seems a bit high on price though.

 

[V12StealthHunter]

There are better cars for $4000 even in Canada.

 

[tbOwnage]

Thanks for the advice everyone. My initial thought was to make this my DD, but given the miles I don't think that's a good idea. If I were to purchase (waiting on a funding update...) I would make this a fair-weather car.

TB

 

[cascade]

Grab a nice one in Southern California with no rust.

Fly in, drive home.

Lots of them down there, the larger supply hammers down prices, and provides a better selection of colors and overall choices, -- LA and adjacent Orange County is ground zero for the world's car culture, so most are beautifully maintained, and the sunny but mild year round climate clinches it.

Generally the best advice is at the beginning, pay the higher price for the best condition one you can get.

Getting one with evidence of rust is probably the WORST thing you could do.

 

[roadhouse]

you can find better ones. this one is 1500-2000 too expensive

 

[Josh]

As Cascade said, if you can manage it, get down to SOCAL and you'll find a much better selection of what you're looking for, in much better condition too.

 

[jhodg5ck]

245K on the clock...walk away.

 

[bondavi]

If a Signal Red/palomino 560SEC is what you're after, here's a nice one in SoCal:

Trade Both Mercedes 560 SEC & 2009 Chevy Silverado Pick Up

 

[ianrandom]

^ looks gorgeous.

 

[tbOwnage]

Again, thanks all for the advice. That's why I come to Benzworld :thumbsup: I thought about it last night and have decided to walk away. Even if I was able to get it for cheap and get the rust fixed for a reasonable price, the car still has 247,000 miles. That's just not something I'd want to spend my money on.

TB

 

[graftdesign]

I would personally RUN away from this. Any small sign of rust means a much bigger problem once you dive into it.

Great advice for getting one in sunny Cal. That's exactly what I would do....
Why pay $4k with rust when you can pay $4k without rust? A full body paint is very expensive.

 

[garysalas]

that can be your parts car. now, go look for a sec with alot lower miles and better condition. plus remember 17 to 20 miles per gallon for these cars. right now i'm paying 5 bucks per gallon for my sec.

 

[mjmutuma]

If a Signal Red/palomino 560SEC is what you're after, here's a nice one in SoCal:

Trade Both Mercedes 560 SEC & 2009 Chevy Silverado Pick Up

very nice! wasn't aware my headlight wipers should be red too! they are faded grey. Been wanting to restore them as well as the grill.

 

[Chadahar]

Headlight Wipers have been body color coded as well as the bumpers, mirror backs, and side molding.

 

[mjmutuma]

yea i'm all square except for headlight wipers... don't think they work either so need to figure that out! looks like i've got a fun weekend ahead though!