amcelfresh

Hi All,

I have the opportunity to buy a EURO 500 SEL 1989. It has 190k on the clock and they are asking $3400. I'm not familiar with MB, but I'm pretty handy and not scared to learn. Thanks in advance for any andvice.

I need another car while I fix my 5spd 735i... DAMN DEER!

Any help or advice is most appreciated!

Thanks in Advance,
-Andrew
70MPH + 5000lbs of German Engineering and 1 unlucky deer =

amcelfresh

Anyone? It seems like a pretty nice car, but I'd love to hear some opinions from a couple MB owners before I become one.

braverichard

The W126 MB chassis is a great car, perhaps one of the best MB chassis ever made in terms of comfort, reliability and the fact that most things are easy to repair/service in the chassis. I am not very knowledgeable about the Euro versions of these cars, particularly the one you're seeking. But it should be a good car is it was well maintained, something you should verify by means of service records.

As much as I'd say you can go ahead and buy the car if all checks out well, I'd have to advise you to get a 560SEL if you can. It has much more power than the 500SEL and should cost just about as much as any 500SEL.

Den.

I'd have to agree about the 560 but if the 500 that you mention is in REAL good shape go for it.

McBear

That 500SEL should be a very good fast car. The euro cars, if they were converted corrected to come to the US are everybit as quick as the 560's. My mechanic is getting ready to put his up for sale and I am just waiting for the day he does. Then I get to explain another car in the driveway.

Chi500

If it is in very good condition get it. I don't know what blue book value is, but I wouldn't pay more than $2000 for a w126 car. There's going to be plenty of stuff to fix.

Hattaresguy

Then your not going to be getting a very nice W126.

As long as its in good shape it will be a good buy. Read and learn about them a bit so you can determine if it is in good shape. Or have a shope that knows them go through it.

McBear

I don't know where you get your info but a good W126 brings more than 2K. In fact, 2K will get you a project car only. Good cars are available, with reasonable milage, requiring no motor rebuilds in the $4K range. Really good examples are even more.

When you are looking at 126s and 124 cars, they are built from the ground up to a different level than the newer benz so there are not as many surprises as say a CLK or newer E (I have had both) and the costs to repair are much less.

yakuza560

That is so true - my mechanics (though very knowledgeable in newer benzes as well) have echoed that same sentiment... straight-forward with sound placement of things throughout.