desertwindauh

Hello there!
There is a 600 Grosser for sale locally that I am thinking of getting.
Was worried how much of a challenge this kind of complex car would be like to own.
Appreciate any and all input this may shed.
Desertwind
Abu Dhabi
UAE

dbtk

Yes, it is a bit of a challenge to upkeep and maintain. Typical suspension work can be about $20,000 and curtains cost $2400, while redoing the wood can be almost $6,000. I bought a pretty good short wheelbase example back in 2004 and spent twice as much as the car cost to bring it to my specs. Try and buy the best one you can from a reputable dealer or well-known owner. Make sure you secure records of repairs, including the aforementioned suspension as well as any hydraulic service (again, can be quite expensive). There is a low mileage short wheelbase for sale at the Mercedes Classic Center in Irvine, California, which originally came from the Middle East. Mercedes is asking around $350,000 to $400,000.

A great resource is the M-100 Group. http://www.m-100.cc/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=108

desertwindauh

Dear dbtk,
Many thanks for your kind words. I realize that as much as I love the idea of owning a 600 Grosser, my sanity and wallet would better leave this as a dream.
Regards from Abu Dhabi
desertwindauh

wbain

Deep pockets are required for M100 powered cars, or any low volume Mercedes car. I have a 4 door Fintail and some parts are expensive, but not like the 600.

In 1972 I took a factory tour. While the group was walking around, there was a black 600 shell sitting off to the side. It was incredible.

mrbenzes

I have owned several 300SEL 6.3 and currently have an S55, and a 280SE 3.5 coupe....the 600 will cost 10 times what any 300sel 6.3 would cost to maintain..but is probably worth it....go to the M100 page and read, read, read....you might be better off starting with a regular 300SEL 6.3 first...they are faster than the 600 and much less complex. In the end it will probably just be an OLD car...they just dont compare to the new stuf for driving..my 2 cents..been there, done that.
Mike

dbtk

Mike,

Ha ha, yes, cars all become old in the end. Some age better than others. I like new cars, too, but something about the old classics touches ones heart and memories. Plus older Mercedes were built with so much more love than newer ones.

dbtk

An artist by the name of Matt Wood wanted to photograph my car before I ship it out to California.

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300Turbo

The 600 has to be one of the most beautiful examples of a Mercedes Benz I have ever known. IF I ever won one of those mega lotteries, IF I ever play . I would think about it. DBTK is right, it is very expensive to maintain. I would like to drive it however, just to feel what it is like. My dad owned a 1969 300SEL 6.3 for a while when I was very young. OMG, if only I was older; I would not have let him get rid of it. I cried when he sold it. That is what sold me on Mercedes Benz. So for now, I have a file with some awesome images. And, I have a die-cast metal model and an owners manual I won in an auction. I'm happy!

300Turbo

hey DBTK, your 600 is Awesome! How often to you attend the M100 events?

dbtk

I have not ben to any official M100 Club events but it has been to a couple local CT shows. I hope to make it to the gathering in Sacramento next Summer as I will have the car in San Francisco by then.