How are the mid 80s models??

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okjust1 moreCookieeee - 16 Mar 2006 08:16 GMT

Hi, I'm considering a 1986 420 sel from texas, it has about 175,000
orig. miles on it.. it seems (looks) to be in excellent shape in and
out. I'd like to use it as a 2nd. car.. Were these cars any worse or
better as far as problems? I see the S class has worse than average
ratings in consumer reports . com although they only go back to 1998
models. Any advice is great, Thanks..

~yardgnome~

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T.G. Lambach - 16 Mar 2006 09:35 GMT

At that age a car's condition is the telling indicator. The quality
problems arose with the cars' complexity, especially the electronics.

This body was powered by gas and diesel engines. The gas motors were a
straight six, a 4.2L V-8 and a 5.6L V-8. The diesel was a 3.0L straight six.

This model was sold in Europe as a Limousine and has some of those
attributes, especially the 560SEL. The cars were not designed for fuel
economy or low maintenance cost as are American models. So if you don't
drive much or the fuel cost and maintenance isn't an issue or you do
your own the maintenance then buy one. If you do, have the timing chain
checked for wear and stretch for if it breaks the repair cost will be as
much as this car's purchase price.

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Richard Sexton - 16 Mar 2006 16:13 GMT

>This body was powered by gas and diesel engines. The gas motors were a
>straight six, a 4.2L V-8 and a 5.6L V-8. The diesel was a 3.0L straight six.

SOMEBODY STOLE ONE OF MY CYLINDERS!

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Kenneth P. Stox - 17 Mar 2006 02:50 GMT

>> This body was powered by gas and diesel engines. The gas motors were a
>> straight six, a 4.2L V-8 and a 5.6L V-8. The diesel was a 3.0L straight six.
>
> SOMEBODY STOLE ONE OF MY CYLINDERS!

And until you pay the ransom, you are not going to get it back. ;->

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Richard Sexton - 16 Mar 2006 16:12 GMT

>Hi, I'm considering a 1986 420 sel from texas, it has about 175,000
>orig. miles on it.. it seems (looks) to be in excellent shape in and
>out. I'd like to use it as a 2nd. car.. Were these cars any worse or
>better as far as problems? I see the S class has worse than average
>ratings in consumer reports . com although they only go back to 1998
>models. Any advice is great, Thanks..

Check for valavetrain noise or preferbly have somebody familair with the
engine check forvalverain noise. A fe of them seem to have cam tower wear at his
age and it's not the easiest to fix, that is upon rebuild some still have it.
It's tough to get right.

See also:
http://articles.mbz.org/buying/checklists/126/

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