1993 600SEL should I...

[redline]

Ok, so I've been looking around for benzo's and I've found two that I am interested in.

The 1990 300SE which I have already posted about and this newer one that I found...

It is a 1993 600SEL with the following specs:

Engine 6.0-liter twin-DOHC 48-valve aluminum-alloy V-12.

Net power 402 hp @ 5,200 rpm. 1993: 389 hp @ 5,200 rpm.

Net torque 428 lb-ft @ 3,800 rpm. 1993: 420 lb-ft @ 3,800 rpm.

Compression ratio 10.0:1. 1993: 11.0:1.

Fuel requirement Premium unleaded gasoline.

Fuel and ignition system LH electronic.

Transmission 4-speed automatic. Adaptive Damping System.

Exterior Color Black

Interior Color Black

This one has 26,000 original miles on it and the guy is asking 30k... but according to kbb... the car is only worth 18... so I'm going to meet with the guy and find out the details.

[krk230]

wow that w140 600 is still a baby! buy it (assuming its mechanically fit)! just make sure you can afford to maintain it! ;) ...good luck...

[redline]

anybody know where I can find some info about this car? I've tried google.com but all I get is like 10 pages of parts...

And does anybody know of any problem areas of the car (or any w140) such as transmission... thanks

[scottschoe]

evaporator seems to be the most major (and expensive) problem with w140s

also look for vacuum lines (door & trunk closing)

in general the early 140's were rather problematic

[amgpimp]

Thats a big step from 1990 300sel to a 600:eek:

[krk230]

Originally posted by amgpimp
Thats a big step from 1990 300sel to a 600:eek:

:werd: more like a hop...skip...and a jump...:P

[redline]

lol
twice the cylinders= twice the fun :D= twice the expense :confused:

I'm going to look at it tonight! wish me luck!

[rana]

if u can afford the maintenance costs.....GET IT!!!....that thing is a beast.....when u do go to check it out......give all the electronics a quick lookover as well....for ex, air vent controls and things of that nature.....

[Statsdreven]

wow! but how are you going to talk the price down almost 50%:confused: imo these old problematic 600's are just not worth the trouble..erm.. well maybe not:D .

[krk230]

Originally posted by redline
This one has 26,000 original miles on it and the guy is asking 30k... but according to kbb... the car is only worth 18...

man it just amazes how much a car's value can depreciate...a w140 600 used to cost appx. $150,000 USD back in the day...and now it's worth $18,000 USD with 26,000 miles...wow

[redline]

Geez, I dind't know these cars were so problematic :confused:

Yeah, new this car was $129,000 base...

But its the ultimate cruising machine...


I'm going to look at it at 7:00 (eastern time)

[holson]

The whole dash needs to come out of the car to replace the A/C Evaporator. I'm sure you know that. $3k?

The vacuum door assist might give u problems

The V-12 engine in itself is a beauty...

but...do yourself and your wallet a favor, get an aftermarket warranty for the car. However last I heard, nobody really honors extended warranty on the 600's :confused:

[redline]

OK I went to look at the car last night... some good news, and some not so good:

The car is absolutly perfect! Washed, waxed, buffed shined in every nook and cranny.

Interior: Everything works perfectly on the car. One thing proken is the rear left express up window controll from the front. But this car's got everything. The stereo is a Bekker Mexico 2000 with Bose speakers and Bekker remote. It has 4 place sport seating with sightly two-toned interior. Burl-walnut steering wheel/shifter with v12 written. Leather is in immaculent condition (Black interior). 26,000 miles.

Exterior is Perfect! Flawless paint, shined wheels, everything is intact (no dents as well). Engine is beautiful and has has reported no mechanical problems. Transmission shifts properly, locks work fine.

The not so good. After riding in this car we get back to his house and he tells me some info about the car. Well this car is a GREY MARKET CAR!! Shipped directly from Germany (German Spec) in 1999 to a guy in S. Florida who brought it up to DOT specs (including adding 99 headlights, shatter-proof glass, emissions regulations etc) at a cost of 10,000 USD. So, all KMH was changed to MPH and so on... BUT what I'd like to know is if the odometer was reset upon conversion. But the trip computer (flips up in the center of the dash) is all in German, as well as the entire owners-manual. Another concern would be where to have this car serviced. I'm sure any certified MB dealer would refuse to work on it. And any private party would add some "shipping from Germany" charges to my account. So, thats my delima.

Should I, or not?

oh and the price wasn't discussed (yet)

[BigDan]

I wouldnt do it man, that sounds like a huge pain in the butt. Sure its a real monster, but unless your really ready to put down that kind of cash if that thing breaks (and how many miles does it really have on it?). I would take a clean 500e instead (just me).

I would come back and take another look at it during the day and then have a mechanic you know and trust look at it as well. Oh, and take pics! ;D

[scottschoe]

sounds like a hassle to maintain down the road if something goes wrong (and it will go wrong)

are you interested in this car because of it's engine or chassis?

[run.exe]

Don't do it; the first time you have a relatively significant problem, you will be in for the unplesant surprise of your life.

1 year from now, we will see this car for sale in the Classified section, on eBay, etc., when you find yourself in the same position as its current owner.

Walk away... there are so many other gorgeous girls who are waiting for you to ask them to dance.

"Other fish in the sea," et cetera (ad nauseam)...

[Brandini]

Wiring harness is also problematic on this model and year....can't imagine how much it would cost to fix a wiring harness on a grey market 600. I say run !! Just my two cents. :cool:

[krk230]

be safe...buy a S320! :) luxuorious and economical! ;)

[Under Pressure]

We had a grey market Benz in the eighties. The local Mercedes dealership refused to touch it. My father said he wouulld never do grey market again.

Call you dealership's service department and ask, I bet you anything they turn you away.

[holson]

If you like the chassis, I say you should find a well cared for S500 or S420 and definitely get an extended warranty on it. The V-8s are powerful enough anyway + the M119 motor has an amazing soundtrack ;) No 'sport' muffler needed hehe :)

otherwise, I think the 300SEL you were looking at previously would be a more economical choice and the W126 is an equally classy body!

[Nektopoli]

NADA says it's worth about $38,500, here the LINK ('http://"http://www3.nadaguides.com/Values/ValueCategoryReport.asp?UserID=51072BD1969B3&DID=37803&wSec=1&wPg=1207&CategoryId=1&MakeId=1115&VehicleId=10278&Year=1993&ColorId="').

Add $4,623 for the low milage, first thing is to get a car fax run on it.

NP

[mrjones]

I admit that I'm also in love with the W140 V12. The size, the luxury, the muscle - but I've also been warned against it.
Although the old 600's are now reasonably affordable, don't forget that it's still an S-Class Merc. i.e. it needs regular servicing and won't be shy with the repair costs.
The big 48 valve V12 is also prone to overheating problems (at least in this part of the world).
It's a brilliant motorcar which lost most of its value but still needs to be maintained. I wouldn't buy it unless I could afford it twice. :(
Best bet would probably be a 500 or 400/420/430.

[redline]

Hum... interesting, thanks for your imput guys!

Why would NADA say 34k and KBB say 18?

[run.exe]

Buy a 2003 E500 this time, next year!!!

;)

[redline]

I want v12 power :o