Any thoughts on a 1990 420 SEL...?!

[Michael Maddan]

Hello, everyone! I currently own my first MB, a 1996 E320 sedan...nice auto, has given a good account of itself over the past year...147,000 miles...smoke-silver...and: I saw a very nice looking 420 SEL yesterday at an independent dealer, and I'll call later and check on price...as I have zero experience with the 420 series, any comments on things to look out for / cost of ownership / etc., would be most appreciated...Thanks for your help, fellow MBer's! Sincerely, Michael.

[BENZITCH]

Go to www.MBCOUPES.com they have a great buyers list to check.
How many miles?
Service books and or records?
Accident history?
Rust history(figuring Maine)?
I have a 1989 420SEL excellent car! Change all the fluids often!
BENZITCH
Bruce

[Don350SDL]

Could be a good car. You do need to go over it carefully as Bruce suggsts - these can get very expensive for what seems like little things.

But, they drive like a dream when they're right.

Not only fluids, but filters too - power steering is often overlooked.

On your E320, when it hits 155k, be sure to get your high-mileage award (250,000 km) from MBUSA ! They're free for the asking.

Don

[mbzjag8090]

I've had a great experience and it hasn't cost anything to maintain beyond what I knew it needed. (a timing chain, an antenna, tires, etc.) Now it needs a battery. It's all been quite standard. There are fewer out of the ordinary repairs with this car (420SEL) than with your E-Class.

You'll love it. Buy a low mileage (less than 110,000 miles) example with all the service records. Pay the premium for an excellent car.

Good luck.

[Howard T]

I own a 1986 420SEL and am very happy with it. It is a great highway car that makes me feel much safer than if I were driving a smaller or different make car.

In the '86 model I was warned to check on the timing chain. That model had a problem with wear of the timing chain guides which resulted in failure of the chain with disasterous results. The man I bought the car from had it happen but luckily it didn't do much damage and was completely repaired. The car was being worked on in a shop and the mechanic was driving it, recognized the noise and stopped the engine in time. I don't know if the 1990 model has a different engine or a change to prevent the problem.

Since I have owned the car I have had no serious problem. A starting relay went bad and was replaced and O-rings on the A/C compressor leaked and were easily fixed.

Howard

[BENZITCH]

Timing chain always replaced on the 420 the 500 and the 560 117 motors is to be done no later than 100k miles!
If not the a rebuild is needed

Rebuild $5k
Timing chain $600-1k.
And you have what seems to be a new motor when a new chain is installed and witj the cams zeroed in again.

[Epic562]

I own a 1990 420sel, she rides like a dream and surprisingly she hauls ***. I've hit 143mph on the 5 heading to San Francisco and she was still climbing. she's a tank with an impressive turning radius and top end I spent 5,500$ when I bought her in 2003 (that included inspection and title transfer)... if you can afford the maintanance and she passes inspection (compresion test, timing...) then I say pounce on it.
Theyre incredible cars and I'm sure you'll be more than pleased with your purchase.

good luck!

:rolleyes:

[ejaudette]

I add my vote to go for one of these. I have an '89 with over 200K miles on it. The only big issues were a cam shaft replaced at 77K and a valve job at 136K. When she's clean and shiny, I still get compliments on how she looks (black/palomino). And it does ride fine and has a great sound system.

Gene
Twin Cities section