Mercedes 560 SEC?

[beepbeep]

I'm toying with an idea of buying a 1991 Mercedes 560 SEC (coupe). Haven't seen it yet but it's an auction item and a blind shot.

I've done some web reasearch but it would be nice to get some second hand info, preferably from forum with owners who doesn't have as their primary vehicle (and praise them accordingly).

Engine is 5.6L V8 SOHC....299hp. Auto.

Thanx!

[carrera84]

Good idea!

Most of those cars (at least here in Germany) were in hand, ähh.. odd people in the last 20 years. They left the bottom line of value yet and started becoming more expensice.

Hard to find a good and well looked for car. What´s your budget?

[aap1966]

Cheap purchase price does not equal cheap maintainance. (Ask me about my 1989 BMW 635).

But....

Bloody great looking cars.

[silverc4s]

Goran,
Hugely complex gas guzzler with CIS Injection. Great if in great condition, a money pit otherwise, as every system in these is complex and pretty specific to the M-Bs of that era..

[beepbeep]

Thank you for the hints. I hope this car shouldn't bee too expensive as it's sold trough tax agency auction (speaking about "odd owners"). I was thinking of it more as a cheap way of finding out what one of the "best cars in the world" in that period was like.

I'm not a restaurant owner or a shady guy so I hope I wouldn't look too odd in one of those

My internet-findings so far: KE-Jet, 5.6L SOHC, pretty bulletproof engine and transmission (if maintained) , a gas hog, great comfort and pretty good power.

I haven't commited yet but I belive it would be somewhat interesting car to own an maybe a be a classic in ten years or so. Problem is: tax auction means no test drive. So it must be so cheap that I can unload it if damaged w/o incurring too big financial loss.

I must say it's more of curiosity than real need of a 2 ton gas guzzler

Maybe something to convert to Megasquirt? Make a race car out of it? Pimp it out?

[aap1966]

Originally Posted by beepbeep

I belive it would be somewhat interesting car to own an maybe a be a classic in ten years or so......

Already a classic.

Go the whole Koenig look

[ChemMan]

Last of the w126's. Great car, heavy on gas. Parts are not cheap, but not too bad either. Fairly easy to work on. The service manual might be available from MBUSA again. They ran out awhile back. If they do not have it, try Blueridge Mercedes in GA. Ask for Jonathan.

Benzworld has a good w126 community.

[Keith Perry]

Buy one with a PPI or pay very very little. Gas guzzling SEC's are cheaper and cheaper. I saw one at a mall south of Jacksonville a few weeks ago that was beautiful and for sale $4,500. One of my pals has had one or more for the last 20 years. Key West to Beaufort on 95 is effortless and comfortable. And you really can pound one down a secondary road and throw it around, if you don't mind 6-8 mpg, but, without continuing maintenance, those airbags in the suspension are going to make you cry, just like a top end is, and damn, when the tranny starts sledge hammer shifting, well, parts, special tools, and time are not cheaper and cheaper. Just pick 2 and you've spent $5,000 at a shop, maybe $3,000 at home. You should be able to avoid that with a PPI. If you really want to start cheap, I've a 450SL out in the garage you can have for $500. Got a matching hardtop for it a while back. You could buy it sight unseen and take it straight to the crusher, maybe save a couple license plates from the floorboards, and only lose a $1,000 or so.

[beepbeep]

Just one more question: I heard that W117 engine in this car is an all-alloy engine with Nicasil plating. Is that true? In that case it must be one one of first around. Which also means no cheap re-bore if engine is shot and fitting steel liners is too much fuss.

Is it worth to bother with performance stuff or should it be sunday-driven?

Is air-suspension standard on those? It has one of first airbags around, and MB says they should be exchanged after 15 years.

Keith: thank you for your words of wisdom. Yeah, they are getting cheaper and cheaper. If I lived anywhere near you, I would take your 450SL off your hands. unfortunately, there is body of water between us...a rather large one!

One of first things I would do if I get it is to convert it to run on E85. Then I can play with more ignition and with it's moderate C/R, a mild turbocharging isn't a problem.

[carrera84]

Originally Posted by beepbeep

I hope this car shouldn't bee too expensive as it's sold trough tax agency auction (speaking about "odd owners"). I was thinking of it more as a cheap way of finding out what one of the "best cars in the world" in that period was like.

Danger freak ??