(CC reader Steve E. wants to share his new ride with us) I cannot afford to be an automotive polygamist, so I am a serial monogamist (with occasional spells of a bigamy). Right now my regular ride a 2000 VW Cabrio. Simple, great car that gets the daily bread as well as over 30 mpg on regular. But then craigslist got the better of me: a 1996 MB S600 Coupe for well less than 5% of its initial cost (its price new was $135,000!). A bargain or folly?
These cars have an amazing development history: over a billion dollars spent in development, the “most over engineered car ever built”, the first modern V12 muscle car, skid control, traction control, suspension control, incredible top speed and acceleration, etc. It’s interesting that this series is considered the apex of Mercedes Benz modern car engineering and is highly acclaimed, yet enthusiasts are frightened of buying them. Lots of sedans, but few coupes– a future classic?
I did some research– there were in total 221 imported into US and Canada in 1996. It’s got 114k miles, been sitting for a couple of years but still lookin’ very good. Reported to run and drive strong, but with some “small problems”. Hey, this is a car made to be driven, and the ‘bells and whistles’ aren’t that important to me!
So I bought it–and it drove home actually pretty well. Tires and wheels were awful, so found a set of excellent Mandrus wheels and studless snow tires also on cl, and spent a week cleaning up the exterior. Interior is now near perfect! I think the biggest stopper for previous owner(s) was the fact that the climate controls wouldn’t work and blew fuses. Opinions about climate control problems are terrifying– thousands of dollars to tear out the inside of the car. This is apparently correct for the a/c evaporator. But, the heater circulation fan is easily accessible and costs about $100 to restore. IF that’s the problem, and it looks like it may be. Received the motor/ resistor etc yesterday, and will install shortly. We will find out!
Update: Got the climate control blower motor installed today–easy task– and it works! Less than an hour and under $100.
In the meantime, have been driving the car ’round the west side of Portland without issues. Jeez, is that car fun to drive! Lots written about it– and the driving part is all true. It seems a shame that Mercedes engineers would build such a fantastic car that would demand so much attention that only the very rich could afford to own and keep them, and suffer such severe depreciation. Many of us enthusiasts are the ‘later’ owners, that keep the cars alive and buy parts and get them serviced etc, and keep them running.
So far I’m into it for less than $5,000. (That covers wheels and tires and tags and blower motor, etc.) Or about the same amount as the gas guzzler tax paid on it when bought new. I will keep you all posted– let’s see how the story develops…..
Looking to sell a set of new taillights that’s the left & right in the factory box! Make your Benz classic. $175.00 for the set.
Love the rims on your Benz! Are those lorinser rims? ❤
If so..then i’d like to see moar pics of them.
And of the car as well. ?
I am the proud new owner of this fine example of German engineering. UPDATE: I have spent the better half of this winter repairing, servicing most every system on-board. NOW EVERYTHING WORKS!!! I mean everything, even the original Cell phone. What an amazing car. Very easy to work on, ample room. FWI- DO NOT BE AFRAID OF V-12′ Mercedes. Yes it is for sale!!!
Jeff,
what have you done as far as servicing?
Thx
Deep breath, folks. I did this to my 124. Did all this to my S500. Did all this to my S600 coupe. Step one: remove entire drivetrain, rear end is optional. Takes anywhere from 20 to 30 hours. Seal off everything. Take all pieces to high pressure car wash, spend about 40 dollars in high pressure water. Back at the garage, separate transmission from engine. Disassemble engine down to short block status. Redo the heads. Replace all gaskets, I mean all, and use high temp black silicone where needed, and that is, lots of places. Clean all disassembled parts with lacquer thinner, back to car wash as needed. Rebuild transmission — fear not, not nearly as bad as late model Ford, G.M. or Aisin. Diassemble front end, replacing all balljoints, hoses, etc. Steam clean and detail all underhood. Reinstall drivetrain, with new driveshaft joints if needed, etc. Let’s see, probably 140 hours in the 124, about 200 hours in the S500, S600 about 100 hours and still going. Money wise it is amazingly reasonable. Thanks Rock Auto, Pelican Parts, Parts Geek, etc.
The payoff? Easily the nicest 124 in the states, probably the nicest S500. I love an engine that is spotless, top and bottom, purrs, and will easily outlast me. Something to be said about repairing, cleaning, polishing, etc., the best quality cars ever created. Sure, this would cost Joe Average $50K per car, and makes no sense financially. But somehow, and for some reason, the valet always parks these two in the front row, before I even tip him or her.
Chuck