izombie73

I'm going to look at a 86 560 SEL 4 door maroon on maroon MB with 169K on Monday. I have never purchased a MB before and was wondering if I could get some advice as to wether this is a good purchase. The asking price is $4000. OBO. The gentleman on the phone said that the car runs like new and that the condition of the car is good inside and out. Also the cars mechanics are in good working order. 1) What is the life expectancy of this car? 2) Should I offer less? 3) Are there any specific things I should be concerened about, or questions I should ask? He said the MB gets 21-26 MPg. 4) Is that average MPg? 5) I can take the car to a local mechanic is that necessary? Thank You for any assistance. I am hoping to be a fellow MB owner soon.

izombie73

Just got off the phone with the seller and the car only has 69,000 miles. Is this a good deal?

Jer

The price sounds great, but I wonder if the car is as good as he says. I am also concerned about his estimation of the fuel economy. A 560 does NOT get 21-26 MPG. That is a heavy car with a huge V8; 21-26 MPG is not possible. You're looking more at the low to mid 10 MPG range.

izombie73

Thanks for taking time and reading my post. I just looked at the car and it was not in the condition he stated on the phone. The car had multiple issues from the seats not working to the sun roof not being on track. The car had been in the sun for quite sometime and was showing the signs of sun damage. Texas sun at that, the dash had a sizable gap in it and the wood paneling was coming off in many places. The odometer said 69,512 but never moved when i drove the vehicle. I think it has higher mileage. Seller said they think the miles are correct but the person they are selling the car for says he thought the miles were 169,000. Who knows? I feel these people may be hiding something about the car but, i don't know what. It drove nice and shifted fine. The oil was clean and did not smell burnt or have any metal in it. It was just the way the sellers would answer my questions that set me on alert. The vehicle has had two owners. Who knows I'm thinking I should pass. I can afford the 4000.00 but the other $$$$ to get it fixed is always a concern for me.

Does anybody out there have a 300 SDL in my price range that is great shape inside and out?

dtkw

There is no way a 86 560SEL could get 26 mpg even on the highway. The very best I could do was 18 mpg. Unless he's talking about an empty flat area and not using the air con and stayed at 55 mph all the way. It might get up to 21 at the best, I guess.

braverichard

I'd pass on the car full blast, no questions asked, no second thoughts. A seller that lied about the condition of the car to begin with probably has many other things he/she is hiding from you!! Can't be trusted!! For $4,000 I am sure you can find a 300SDL in great shape. One that you won't have any work to do on to get going. I purchased an '84 300SD with 145,000 miles for $4,700 and it needed nothing. Plus, the diesel is far much cheaper to maintain.