420 sel

Author
Discussion

GlennO

Original Poster:

35 posts

248 months

Sunday 30th September 2007
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Alright fellas?
I have been offered a 420 sel (1986/7) for £950. Full mot and a bit of tax. It's done 130k miles. Is this a potential money pit or a good buy? Velour interior I think.

GlennO

Original Poster:

35 posts

248 months

Monday 1st October 2007
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Judging by the response, do I take it this is one of Mercedes unexciting models?!

benyeats

11,865 posts

237 months

Monday 1st October 2007
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This is a pretty quiet forum. You might get more luck in the 'bargain barge' thread in the general gassing forum.

To me that sounds like not a bad deal providing the car is in good shape and relatively free from rust

Cheers

Ben

GlennO

Original Poster:

35 posts

248 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2007
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Thanks Ben
Glenn

Pentoman

4,818 posts

270 months

Wednesday 3rd October 2007
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It depends on the condition. If it's in nice nick, been looked after, and not badly rusty (these W126s always seem to have the odd rust spot around the wings and bumpers which is ok) then it's a decent car. Could maybe haggle a little off?

But if it's in average condition and an awful colour I would leave it - there's plenty of them out there so no need to take a gamble on something dodgy. Not that it's a big gamble - they're big, simple reliable old things really.

The only gamble is really whether you want to go for something more fuel efficient, whether you can park it, and whether or not it'll be easy to sell on.

Edited by Pentoman on Wednesday 3rd October 11:54

GlennO

Original Poster:

35 posts

248 months

Wednesday 3rd October 2007
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It's actually gold with the chrome arch toppers! Perhaps I will leave it then! Thanks for the advice gents.

somnv

136 posts

210 months

Friday 9th November 2007
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Hi, a 420 SEL is a great car! I have a 420SE which I have had for about a year now. What a lot of car for the money. I know this is a bit of a late reply to your post so it is probably already sold! Should be plenty out there if you still want to pick one up! I would always go with the V8 (avoid the 380) rather than the 6 as they would be too slow! Get as late a model as possible as bhp was bumped up! Ideally I would love a 560 with all the toys!

Things to look out for are chrome on bumpers (rusty and expensive to replace), rusty arches, overheating sometimes, check for smooth gear changes and just general checks. One of the best built cars on the road. The last REAL Mercedes in terms of the quality!

I just think that a well kept example still turns heads for under £1000. I paid £620 for mine and it looks and drives great. It's a car I have always wanted to own. Parts are fairly cheap and very available both new and used and servicing is pretty basic. My advice is GET ONE!

o.versteer

3,338 posts

236 months

Sunday 11th November 2007
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GlennO said:
It's actually gold with the chrome arch toppers! Perhaps I will leave it then! Thanks for the advice gents.
Avoid cars with chrome arches, as 1) apparently the wings rust underneath, and 2) they most definitely look shite biggrin

somnv

136 posts

210 months

Thursday 15th November 2007
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Yeah the chrome arches are such a bad idea!! I bet some people fit them just to hite rust as well!

Vr6-er

2,248 posts

247 months

Wednesday 21st November 2007
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Had a 420SEL in Pearl Grey. Simply a brilliant car.