What to look out for buying an old 80s or early 90s Mercedes Benz
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- Опубликовано: 17 сен 2024
- This video is about what to look out for buying an old 80s or early 90s Mercedes Benz.
Whether or not you are interested in W115, W123, W124, W201, W126 you need to know about a few things before you buy a car you like. Paint, sheet metal, and interior should be in good shape. But that is only a small part. Engine, drive line, suspension, electronics, A/C, brakes, and the expensive son roof need to be in good condition.
Get the best example you can buy - a cheap Benz is the most expensive Benz you have ever owned.
WOW, glad i found your channel!!! I have several Benz's, 74 450SE, 80 300SD, 91 350SDL, 96 E320, and a 99 E320. I love each and every one of them, but my 91 350SDL is my favorite!! Nothing rides nor drives like it! I saved it from the crusher after it had sit for 7 years, and had it running in less than a hour for only $325.00. I'm still nic-picking it to death, but so far i've only put $250.00 in parts and a set tyres. The rest are drive cross country at any time condition automobiles. Being of German heritage i really understand the OCD that was put into these automobiles from Germany, which i think is a good thing!
Glad you like it. You have had quite a bit of luck especially with the 350SDL. Many have not been as lucky with that engine. All the best!
Important: If you are looking at a 350/450/380 SL or SLC....There is an open recall on 350 and 450 sl/SLC for cracking subframes where the lower wheel control arms bolt to the car. Failure is catastrophic - the wheel falls off. Mercedes has a kit that is welded in to prevent this. The recall did NOT include the 380/380slc but they too are similarly affected. the 560SL is NOT affected as MBZ corrected the problem with stronger bracing. If you own or are about to buy one of these cars, get it inspected!!!!!
Sound advice that most owners of those older vintage Benzes do not know about.
I am helping my son restore the same color 300SDL you show in this video, with the help of a talented and local mechanic. Thank you for showing both of us the visual possible pitfalls of in and outs of the 300SDL.
Thank you, George. Enjoy your car - it is a lovely beast.
I love your videos. I have learned allot from them and saved allot of $$$ .
When I first got mt 162k mile 1987 300d it started hard and had some lifter noise.
After injector rebuild with monarch nozzles. All new filters and fluids
Diesel purge and liquid Molly lifter additive it now starts instantly. Idles super smooth and lifters quiet. Huge difference. Keep up the great work my friend
You truly are helping people. I live on a small dissability check so without your videos. And Pierre Hilary and A Good factory set of manuals. My car would not be the car it is now. Thank you. ROBERT
Wow. Very nicely done. Keep your classic Benz on the road. Happy wrenching.
Let me echo earlier comments....first thank you for providing these video's and sharing your expertise...your videos are very helpful to all of us ....
Thank you, Sir. Glad you like it.
Love the video
Thanks. Glad you liked it.
As my mechanic told me, if you want a Mercedes, you will need Mercedes pockets to go with it.
That is indeed spot on advice.
Honest advice from that mechanic.
@@normanrhone2791 Yup.
Lots of practical info! Subscribed. W123 is my car of interest. Thanks.
Thank you, Rene. The best of luck.
Nice video, thanks. Many of us are bored to death due to covid, me included. So, I went and bought an 82 300SD to fiddle with and are enjoying your videos. Thanks.
Good luck and may the Force be with you.
Classic - no more expensive benz than a cheap one!
Sad but true. :)
Great video. Tks
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great vid!
Thanks!
Thanks. Good advice.
Thank you!
Video on why taillight doesn't work? It turns on sometimes. A mechanic at the oil change said there is nothing wrong with the light bulb. It is an electrical issue. And headlight indicator on the dash doesn't turn on anymore . Thanx!
Yeah that is a frequent complaint. A little electrical grease will sometimes take care of this nuisance issue.
Another great video!! What's the name of the windshield seal you're talking about at about 8:50 ? Mine is in rough shape and am considering replacing. If you have the time, I'd love to ask you a few other things.
Hi Tucker; One source to try for the "Keder" window edge windshield seal is this one: www.ebay.de/itm/113158838054?ViewItem=&item=113158838054&fbclid=IwAR1f1bTW_w6iLMBd8zeDns7pirkxZPIkbx852Z4k5wClT5hyBWHh617aApc#vi-content. That should get you started. Ask away; I will tray to answer as best as I can. Stay healthy, Ralf
You have a massive problem with the sound I can't hear the commentary but other than that it's a very good Vlog.
I have a basic 300 se not much to go wrong
The mb text is the best interior I have seen never fails.
Sorry, but there is nothing wrong with the sound. The W126 is a very reliable car, but that assumes that the previous owners did not skip the regular maintenance. That's usually where the problem lies as many owners did nothing or very little and that can lead to all sorts of issues. Good luck!
@@straybenzes no the car is fine I can't hear your commentary it's very very low, you would need to adjust sound a bit otherwise its OK.
@@andrewcooney2387 Ok
Very helpful video, Stray Benzes. I'm about to purchase a 1983 300D and the windows aren't working. I've seen your DIY video on this issue but can you give me an idea how much it should cost (ballpark number) if both the regulator and motor are bad? How much per window?
Hi Paul;
Parts can run you between 300 and 500 Dollars per window. Here is a quick and dirty web search for parts: www.partsgeek.com/catalog/1983/mercedes/300d/body_mechanical_-ar-_trim/window_regulator.html . Tricky part is usually who else has been in those doors before you to "fix" things. Most old Benzes have been patched to the extent possible. I have seen vice grips, c-clamps, wooden wedges, etc holding the windows up and you can only see that once you have removed the door card. If you do not do this ala DIY be prepared for an expensive ride. The most expensive Benz is a cheap one. Good luck!
@@straybenzes Thanks so much!!
My driver's doorstop just went caput on my 2001 e320.
A couple days ago it started making a scraping noise and sticking, not wanting to close easily.
I sprayed some graphite into it but that didn't help so I went and got some wd40 silicone spray. It seemed to help but it bound up a bit and when I pulled on the door a ball bearing popped out.
These straps always used to be just a strap in the door with an end on it to keep the door from opening to far. But oh no. The Mercedes boys had to make it complicated and put some kind of mechanism with ball bearings in it. Really!?
I went home from the car parts store and immediately went on ebay and actually found the part and ordered it. $29 with tax and free shipping. Should arrive Thursday so I can put it in.
Now I wonder if I am going to have to take the door card off and remove it from the inside or whether I can angle it out of the hole. What do you think Ralph? Have you ever changed one of these parts?
I just had motor mounts put on the thing last Friday. Paid $309 in labor and got all 3 mounts at Napa for $166. I had got so used to all the vibration that I almost forgot it was a Mercedes. OMG! It's like a brand new car. Smooth and quiet. At a stop holding the brake was the worst. Now I can barely tell it's running. I guess I'll keep it a while longer and not trade it for a BMW. Just kidding.
This is a 'sport' model so has stiffer springs but now seems more manageable.
Yeah, you will need to take the door card off to get to the strap. It is not too bad to replace. I am glad to hear that you got the motor mounts replaced. Not surprised to hear that it made a world of difference. Have to say may own 2002 W210 was quite a piece of work - lot's of issues with all sorts of parts. Cats went bad too. Got rid of it at 220k. Better luck to you. Ralf
@@straybenzes Thanks Ralf. That gives me something to look forward to. Yuk! I'm only at 150k so hope I can keep it going. I did get sideswiped last week on the right side. Dents in both doors but not to bad. I used the insurance money for the motor mounts and a few other things. I'll have to see if I can push those dents out from the inside. They're not to bad and don't even have any missing paint. Oh well. Talk to you later.
From where comes the water at 10:25
There are a few sources:
Wheel wells: rust holes in the wells can let water in sometimes large amounts.
Trunk lid gasket: check if the gasket makes good contact with the lid all the way around.
Light assembly: The gasket around the lights can let water into the trunk.
Rear window seal: This one can be a really expensive one as the gasket failed a long time ago and this can form rust holes in the window frame. It is a difficult and expensive repair. Watch out for rear windows that look like the one in the video. In generatl I recommend to not buy the car if you can see rust in that area when you look up from the trunk.
My car has almost all mentioned problems
Oof. Good luck addressing them. All it takes is time and money. ;)
👍
Thanks.
BTW what would cause a leak close to the break pedal, after it rains?
The most likely culprit is unfortunately the windshield seal. It will take a bit of disassembling time but by removing the driver side carpet, under dashboard, and footwell panels you should be able to diagnose it (hosing the windshield area with a water hose). Good luck!