420 sec buying advice

[philiggy]

I noticed this for sale locally and rang the guy, its his car, he's an enthusiast and he says its very original with no filler, its starting to rust a bit and the cent locking is not working from drivers door, its done 220k by the way, what do you think guys

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....2927&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab=Watching

Phil

 

[Mudster]

I think the first bit of advice on buying a 420 SEC is forget the 420 bit, buy a 500 or 560.

There is absolutely nothing in terms of running costs/maintenance/ fuel consumption between a 420 and 500, the 560 has a few more bells and whistles and is noticeably more powerful.

All these cars rot, particularly front wings and the rear parcel shelf at the base of the rear window (get in the boot with a torch).

Wings are inexpensive (relatively) the rear parcel shelf isn't and is no longer available from Mercedes anyway.

Rear windows delaminate, sunroofs are notoriously expensive to repair, other than that, mechanically quite simple.

I would always be inclined to get an SEC with good solid bodywork and tired mechanicals than the other way around.

 

[jaymanek]

agree witht the above but nothing much wrong with a 420 if its clean and good value...
not much in the power difference..

 

[grober]

These V8 engines should sound pretty quiet at idle/low revs. Be wary of any that have noisy valve gear-tappets/cams or timing chain since this could prove expensive. Look also for any signs of overheating since that can lead to bore wear and they can't be rebored like a conventional block. Otherwise mechanicals are pretty sound. I notice no mileage is given??? At the age of the car I would be looking for at least one fairly recent timing chain renewal in the service history.

 

[talbir]

Front wings are circa 300gbp + vat from dealer for post 85 wings. so ensure they are not rusted otherwise you are looking at a big bill for parts, labour and paint.

There was a high output version of the 420 in 1986 - 88 pushing out circa 220bhp with higher compression....that's the one to get if you go for a 420.

talbir

 

[IanA2]

Make sure the calipers are sound.....big money

 

[Mudster]

Front wings are circa 300gbp + vat from dealer for post 85 wings. so ensure they are not rusted otherwise you are looking at a big bill for parts, labour and paint.

There was a high output version of the 420 in 1986 - 88 pushing out circa 220bhp with higher compression....that's the one to get if you go for a 420.

talbir

420/500 are £185.00 + vat each
560 wings are £250.00 + vat each

Both from Main dealer both post '85 - price fluctuate though and Mercedes have now sold their entire stock of SEC wings to the chap in Belgium I buy them from so there's likely to be limited availability. (He had 1200 W126 front wings in stock along with 300 brand new crate motors including AMG and Maybach - it was a great place to visit).

I bought a van full of new SEC wings in from Belgium last year (genuine Mercedes) and was selling them at £180 each incl VAT via Chas at www.sec-shop.com, He may still have a few left.