will I regret getting a 420 SEC instead of a 560

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wildatheart - 23 Jun 2007 17:18 GMT

Has anyone experienced the (euro) 420 SEC *and* (euro) 560 SEC? I am
wondering how much difference there is between the two, in terms of

a. performance
b. handling
c. interior toys/equipment
d. economy

I am contemplating buying a 420, but will I regret not getting a
560...?

MANY THANKS for any advice

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Alan Mudd - 26 Jun 2007 19:03 GMT

Not a great deal in it between the 420 and 500, the 500 has a bit more get
up and go, but thats about it.

The 560 is like driving a different car altogether, it's very fast, even by
todays standards on a motorway there aren't many cars that can live with it.

Far more toys and gubbins to go wrong on a 560, ASR (traction control) self
levelling rear suspension.

I wanted one of these for 20 years, and bought one a year ago, I bought a
560, I love it. But, and this is a very big BUT, it is an absolute money
pit. I expected that, I'm restoring it from the ground up including a brand
new zero mile factory engine, brand new body panels, a full interior retrim
etc. it's likely to have cost me somewhere between £30,000 and £40,000 by
the time it's done. But even if I wasn't restoring it to this extent it
would have been a money pit just keeping it on the road.

Nothing is cheap, these are all or nothing cars, theres a reason they cost
£80K + brand new in 1990 and keeping all that gadjetry working and repaired
isn't cheap.

If you want a clean daily runner that you're going to enjoy then sell on I'd
say the 420 or 500 are actually better cars (personally I'd go with the
500).

If you want something special for life that you'll invest in then a 560 is
the way to go.

Basically the 420 or 500 is like a high maintainance mistress, the 560 is
the same mistress with a cocaine habit:-)

Alan M

1990 560 SEC currently in a state of flux.....

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wildatheart - 26 Jun 2007 21:25 GMT

> Not a great deal in it between the 420 and 500, the 500 has a bit more get
> up and go, but thats about it.
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>
> 1990 560 SEC currently in a state of flux.....

Alan thank you so much for your and useful advice. and a very good
read. I'm now looking at a particular 560 SEC that has blown me away
with its looks; silver on black interior. I would be using this car as
a daily driver; I have always had unusual-ish daily drivers; TVR
Chimaera, Mercedes W113, Ford (Euro) Capri 2.8... but never a gas
guzzler like this. I do indeed feel like I might be entering 'the dark
side' here! Do I need help or am I surrounded by junkies already?

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Alan Mudd - 26 Jun 2007 22:39 GMT

I'm a junkie, my 560sec averages 15 mpg when I'm running around enjoying it.

Low 20's average on long runs.

Beware though, it turns into an obsession as you'll see if you take a look
at other recent posts of mine:-)

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The Spanish Inquisition - 28 Jun 2007 19:45 GMT

> I wanted one of these for 20 years, and bought one a year ago, I bought a
> 560, I love it. But, and this is a very big BUT, it is an absolute money
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> the time it's done. But even if I wasn't restoring it to this extent it
> would have been a money pit just keeping it on the road.

So perhaps the price on this one might not be that outrageous:

http://www.autoleitner.nl/html/show.php?i=59

Ximinez

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Our three weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency...
and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope....
http://www.ai.mit.edu/people/paulfitz/spanish/t1.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gldlyTjXk9A

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Alan Mudd - 28 Jun 2007 23:35 GMT

That looks like a reasonable price considering the mileage.

SEC's seem to have bottomed out in the UK, I've never seen them so cheap,
but I'm reasonably sure this is because so many have now reached the end of
their lifethere's a plentiful supply of breaking cars. The will dry up and
the prices of good ones are only going to increase.

There is a lovely selection of genuine AMG sec's in Japan, 6.0 48 valve
engines, the works. Not many of them are less than £25,000 ($50,000 - Euro
37,500).

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robrjt - 27 Jun 2007 02:01 GMT

> Has anyone experienced the (euro) 420 SEC *and* (euro) 560 SEC? I am
> wondering how much difference there is between the two, in terms of
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> MANY THANKS for any advice

I recently bought a 1991 560SEL, white/palomino 118k. I agree with
the opinions of the car. Friggin awesome.
I am in the process of timing chain/valve job, front and rear
suspension consumables. Then exhaust system, then the twin turbo
setup.....
This car has the most comfortable seats of any car I've been in.

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