So I want to buy an old mercedes. What do you think?

[FortFunFoSho]

So I was all set to buy a friend's father's mercedes last xmas. But I came back from Europe and he had sold it.

Was in prime shape and was going to be cheap.

Well after searching I have found it is a 380se. And that I can get one relatively cheap.

But it is an old car. As in 80's old.

But I like it because big old cruiser luxurious sedans are cool. And cheap.

What do you guys think? What is a max. mileage I should look for? Do old mercedes have a lot of problems? Where can I look online aside from ebay to find one?

 

[RU482]

I've got a couple of uncles who are car nuts. they always rave about finding a cheap old Mercedes. personally, I think they still probably had quality back in the 80's, vs todays crap

 

[kermalou]

one good thing about mercedes is that there is free roadside for life with a mercedes

 

[TomBilliodeaux]

I would like to help you (if my son would sell his to you).
Really, you probably like them because of the same reason my son does....solid, big, different looking, classic.
They are really well built and last forever.
His is a diesel and don't know the model (think it is a 5xx series).
At this age (25yrs old), vacuum system gives most of the trouble.

 

[SherEPunjab]

why dont' you get a 1955 300SL Gullwing Mercedes instead.

Its my all time favorite car.

 

[Bignate603]

Go for it, however you will need a good diesel mechanic. They'll run for ever as long as you keep it in tune.

 

[FortFunFoSho]

is an SE a diesel?

I thought if it said D after the number its a diesel?

 

[GoSharks]

go get a mid 80's 300sd. they will run forever. my dad's has just about 200K on it and many more to look forward to.

 

[FortFunFoSho]

Anyone that knows their mercedes from the eighties...

What are the differences between the individual models?

280 to a 380?

280 toa 300? etc.

Any suggestions?

Also lets say I dont want a diesel what do you suggest?

 

[thedarkwolf]

Parents had a 77 280e for about 7-9 years while I was growing up. We never had all 4 power windows working at the same time and by the time we gave it to my uncle we were down to just the driverside. The a/c went out a few times and the temp controll box thingy died and would have cots $250 just for the part so we bypassed it and controlled the heater temp with a water hose valve. Only problem was you had to pop the hood to turn the temp up or down . We had to do a complete brake job once rotars, pads, and I think calipers and that was kinda pricy. The ignition switch had to be replaced. The vacuum powered door locks never gave us a problem but there was a leak so if the car had been setting awhile you had to start it before the other doors would unlock on their own. Rust and lots of it. Hit a 200lbs or so boulder that rolled down off a hill in front of us without really hurting much. Just dented the botten front part of the passengerside fender and put a nice hump in the rear passenger floor pan. Broke the boulder into about 6 pieces .

The engine and trans never gave us a problem with 250k? miles or so on it, odometer broke at 150k right after we bought it. The car rode and drove great though it was a underpowered till you got up to around 50mph then it did alright. As far as I know its still running fine 5 years later but my uncle spun out on the interstate and ripped the front driver side suspension off it so its setting on blocks atm .

It was a good but pricy beater probably should have bought something else but mom had always wanted a mercedes.

 

[AnyMal]

Originally posted by: FortFunFoSho
Anyone that knows their mercedes from the eighties...

What are the differences between the individual models?

280 to a 380?

280 toa 300? etc.

Any suggestions?

Also lets say I dont want a diesel what do you suggest?

If I am not mistaken the number indicates the engine size and letters body type. So 280 would be 2.8l V6 and so on.

 

[SportSC4]

My parents have an imported '84 500SE (or SEL, from Germany) and a '97 S500.

It only has 110k miles but the '84 runs very well for a car of its age. The only major problem we've had with it is that the window switches keep going out. Not a huge problem but annoying. As long as it has had basic maintenance, those old cars should run for a very long time. It is a LOT cheaper to fix than a '97 S500 also!

 

[AlienCraft]

<owned a '65 250 SE Imported. Had service receipts from Stuggart MB dealer in glove box.
Beast hauled ass. Solid like tank. Finally sold it to a collector after the rear suspension compensator died.
Loved it.

 

[Analog]

my boss owns about 8 of them!

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

I want an late 80s 300E

 

[Ornery]

My father-in-law wanted one, as you do. He finally purchased a used one in 1975. It was about 6 years old at the time. No idea of the model, but I do know parts cost quite a bit. Radiator was $300.00 and the water pump was about the same. That's 30 years ago!

It wasn't a comfy, quiet ride at all. I tried to help remove the plugs, but they were seized in the aluminum head, so I left it alone after getting one out. Rust was setting in on that one, too. I don't think he even kept it a whole year. I think his dream was dashed.

 

[Siddhartha]

Originally posted by: FortFunFoSho
So I was all set to buy a friend's father's mercedes last xmas. But I came back from Europe and he had sold it.

Was in prime shape and was going to be cheap.

Well after searching I have found it is a 380se. And that I can get one relatively cheap.

But it is an old car. As in 80's old.

But I like it because big old cruiser luxurious sedans are cool. And cheap.

What do you guys think? What is a max. mileage I should look for? Do old mercedes have a lot of problems? Where can I look online aside from ebay to find one?

There is no such thing as a cheap old Mercedes.
The repair costs are going to kill you.

 

[911paramedic]

My dad gave me his old 1980 300sd turbo deisel because I had a jeep with no A/C right after moving to vegas. That thing ran like a swiss watch, and had over 400K miles on it. I sold it about 4 years ago for $2,500 and my dad, sister, and I split the cash.

Bottom line, that was one great car. (he was the original owner and took great care of it)

 

[Lvis]

I wouldn't get a gas powered one, an oil burner, maybe. There is a lot less to break on a diesel. I would be sure to get it checked out by a mechanic, though. Could be a fun care to own, and it looks good having a Mercedes in your driveway.

 

[ajskydiver]

I had a 1974 240D for 7 years...4 speed manual...loved it but had to get rid of it when I moved...be prepared to spend a lot of money on repairs...it's not the parts that kill you...it's the labor.

~AJ

 

[wyvrn]

I had a '79 300sd turbo diesel that had tranny problems. Sold it to a friend that redid the tranny and it has been running forever. They are great cars to drive, very comfortable and heavy.

 

[heartsurgeon]

take the car to a mechanic at a garage that specializes in german imports..pay him to give you an opnion about how sound the car is, what the maintance on such a car will cost.

remember, just cause the car may be "cheap" - your still going to be paying top dollar for "mercedes" servicing

the german/import car mechanic is goping to be able to give you a good idea of what that will involve.

good luck.