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RUYSENAARS
Member
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Texas
Vehicle(s): Land Rover Discovery(For Now)
Posts: 36
| 1993 400 SEL, What should I look for?
I found a 93 400SEL that is for sale. I think it has 108k, and absolutely beautiful. I don't really know too much about this paticular car. Can anyone help me in what I should look for? I know about the former engines having only a single row timing chain. Had they solved that problem by installing a duel row timing chain by then. Any thing would be helpfull thanks!!!!! 
Oh, they WANT $12,000.00. I don't think it should command that much money. I was thinking more in the lines of 8k-9k? What do you think about that? |
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NZ Benz
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: New Zealand
Vehicle(s): 1993 300SEL/S320
Posts: 2555
| RE: 1993 400 SEL, What should I look for?
Yea I think they delt to the timing chain. For these cars you will want to check all the normal stuff that you would with any other car but on top of that the air con core, wiring harness under the hood. The rear shocks and Things like the bushings in the suspension. I agree that price is too high for the US. Just make sure you get the car checked over by a decent mercedes mechanic or even the dealership first. |
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RUYSENAARS
Member
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Texas
Vehicle(s): Land Rover Discovery(For Now)
Posts: 36
| RE: 1993 400 SEL, What should I look for?
I just drove the car, it is great!!! Feels tight, and is clean, and is also a one owner. I can take it to an independant shop, they will check it for free! I was thinking of $9000.00, what do you think? |
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NZ Benz
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: New Zealand
Vehicle(s): 1993 300SEL/S320
Posts: 2555
| RE: 1993 400 SEL, What should I look for?
I'm not really too sure in the US market but here are two examples of what we are selling here with that type of miles year and engine size. Also one NZ$ buys about 60c US:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=58730811&key=80571
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=39641268&key=80571
Best way to get a price might be to look at Ebay or a listing of what the car is worth is it Red book or something, then offer less than that with the idea that you will have to meet about half way? |
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1996_S500
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: 1993 400 SEL, What should I look for?
Yea, I think $9,000 Dollars would be a reasonable offer. Is is Private Party, or a used car dealer.
A lot of dealers never cave into a best offer, but often private party's sometimes give in, or split the difference, because they want to get rid of their car.
I also feel that $12,000 is too much for a 1993 400 SEL. UNLESS, it is in MINT Condition, and maintained on a regular basis, because for that same kind of money, you can get yourself a similar mileage 1994 S420, or S500.
Although, it would still be worth buying it for a little more than market, if is was a well maintained and cared for car.
It sure sounds like a very nice car though.  |
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NZ Benz
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: New Zealand
Vehicle(s): 1993 300SEL/S320
Posts: 2555
| RE: 1993 400 SEL, What should I look for?
1996_S500 - 7/12/2006 10:17 PM
Yea, I think $9,000 Dollars would be a reasonable offer. Is is Private Party, or a used car dealer.
A lot of dealers never cave into a best offer, but often private party's sometimes give in, or split the difference, because they want to get rid of their car.
I also feel that $12,000 is too much for a 1993 400 SEL. UNLESS, it is in MINT Condition, and maintained on a regular basis, because for that same kind of money, you can get yourself a similar mileage 1994 S420, or S500.
Although, it would still be worth buying it for a little more than market, if is was a well maintained and cared for car.
It sure sounds like a very nice car though. :)
So true it is worth spending now to get a better car |
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1996_S500
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: 1993 400 SEL, What should I look for?
NZ Benz - 7/12/2006 8:03 PM
1996_S500 - 7/12/2006 10:17 PM
Yea, I think $9,000 Dollars would be a reasonable offer. Is is Private Party, or a used car dealer.
A lot of dealers never cave into a best offer, but often private party's sometimes give in, or split the difference, because they want to get rid of their car.
I also feel that $12,000 is too much for a 1993 400 SEL. UNLESS, it is in MINT Condition, and maintained on a regular basis, because for that same kind of money, you can get yourself a similar mileage 1994 S420, or S500.
Although, it would still be worth buying it for a little more than market, if is was a well maintained and cared for car.
It sure sounds like a very nice car though. :)
So true it is worth spending now to get a better car
Yea, It's always better to know what has happened to the car in the past. Carfax gives a very brief idea of the car's history. It is only useful to know what states the car got transfered to, # of owners, etc, but is useless in getting an idea of EXACTLY what type of service was performed.
(NZ Benz, If you don't already know, Carfax is an internet database that works with the Department of Motor Vehicles, to give a limited amount of information about a car's past. ) |
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markcedes
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: 1993 400 SEL, What should I look for?
isnt s420 and 400 sel one of the same.....you can probably get more for less than wat tht car costs |
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RUYSENAARS
Member
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Texas
Vehicle(s): Land Rover Discovery(For Now)
Posts: 36
| RE: 1993 400 SEL, What should I look for?
I went to get it checked out. This is the list of "problems"
-Right motor mount needs to be replaced
-Right side lower control bushings need replacing
-power steering lines are leaking
-brakes/rotors need to be replaced soon
-vaccum assist closer needs to be replaced
a few other small things that would need to be attended to as well, mostly tune-up related
I am about to run from it, I fear I would end up putting $2000.00 into it!  |
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Marsden
Classic MB
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Capital City USA
Vehicle(s): Mercedes-Benz
| RE: 1993 400 SEL, What should I look for?
That's a handful; OTOH there's no way you're getting a 16-yr-old car with over 100K miles as complex as an S-Class without planning on it costing you a bit to maintain...
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markcedes
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: 1993 400 SEL, What should I look for?
^^^you mean 13 rite???? |
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NZ Benz
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: New Zealand
Vehicle(s): 1993 300SEL/S320
Posts: 2555
| Re: 1993 400 SEL, What should I look for?
markcedes - 7/14/2006 4:32 PM
^^^you mean 13 rite????
Yea last time I checked mine won't be 14 untill april so it is 13. |
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1996_S500
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: 1993 400 SEL, What should I look for?
NZ Benz - 7/14/2006 5:28 PM
markcedes - 7/14/2006 4:32 PM
^^^you mean 13 rite????
Yea last time I checked mine won't be 14 untill april so it is 13.
what are you going to get her for her Birthday NZ Benz? 
I got mine clear corners, a new hood star, and a grille kit. 
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samhmbz
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: 1993 400 SEL, What should I look for?
RUYSENAARS - 7/13/2006 10:11 AM
I went to get it checked out. This is the list of "problems"
-Right motor mount needs to be replaced
-Right side lower control bushings need replacing
-power steering lines are leaking
-brakes/rotors need to be replaced soon
-vaccum assist closer needs to be replaced
a few other small things that would need to be attended to as well, mostly tune-up related
I am about to run from it, I fear I would end up putting $2000.00 into it! :banghead:
I would look for one that had starmark warranty most of these issues would have been addressed already.........
These repairs would run you well over 2k.
Sam |
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NZ Benz
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: New Zealand
Vehicle(s): 1993 300SEL/S320
Posts: 2555
| RE: 1993 400 SEL, What should I look for?
samhmbz - 7/15/2006 12:57 AM
RUYSENAARS - 7/13/2006 10:11 AM
I went to get it checked out. This is the list of "problems"
-Right motor mount needs to be replaced
-Right side lower control bushings need replacing
-power steering lines are leaking
-brakes/rotors need to be replaced soon
-vaccum assist closer needs to be replaced
a few other small things that would need to be attended to as well, mostly tune-up related
I am about to run from it, I fear I would end up putting $2000.00 into it! :banghead:
I would look for one that had starmark warranty most of these issues would have been addressed already.........
These repairs would run you well over 2k.
Sam
Are they starmarking W140 at all? Sounds like playing with fire if you ask me unless it was a 97-99. |
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samhmbz
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: 1993 400 SEL, What should I look for?
No not anymore but you may find one that was a starmarked vehicle, I know its tough to look for particulars but a 140 especially a early one could empty you bank account quick if it was not maintained. In my opinion I would also look for a later model year.
Sam
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=205052857&dealer_id=58...
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=204946923&dealer_id=58...
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NZ Benz
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: New Zealand
Vehicle(s): 1993 300SEL/S320
Posts: 2555
| Re: 1993 400 SEL, What should I look for?
You are right the later model years are better in terms of the mechanics, however teh earlier ones have much better build qualitity. If I were to do it again I might look for a later model year. |
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1996_S500
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: 1993 400 SEL, What should I look for?
wow, that 1999 S500 is a very good deal. That is a very impressive price. |
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