QuestionHi Ron,
I am an American living in Barcelona, Spain. I have found a beautiful 1985 Mercedes 280 se 1.9, 4 door sedan, gasoline, 60,000 miles. 2 owner car. The car is a sedan with incredibly beautiful cloth seats that look similar to cloth seats in a 300 sel 3.5 . The seller wants about 9,000 US dollars for the car in Spain. (price seems high) She is asking 7,000 euros in Jan. 2009)I can probably negotiate the price down?
Am I crazy to consider such a purchase.? I am not a rich man but I love cars. When I bought my first two Mercedes I had more money. Now I am 65 and live fine but more frugal with money. I have an everyday car in Barcelona a 2003 Seat Alhambra 7 passenger mini van. It has zero sex appeal but practical.
I have owned 2 different Mercedes. My first one I bought in California in 1975 It was a 1966 250 S. Beige with red vinyl interior. Loved the car. Hooked me on Mercedes. The second Mercedes I bought in 1982. A navy blue 1970 6.3. The 250 S was reasonable to maintain. The 6.3 cost a fortune to maintain i.e. 2,500 dollars for a fuel pump in 1983. My partner fell asleep at the wheel of the 6.3 on a highway (luckily in the country of Northern California) No other cars or people were involved in the accident . He totaled the car (hard to do to a 6.3) He was not hurt but unfortunately died 6 months later of AIDS. We both Loved the 6.3 but I would never consider buying another one. Just too expensive to maintain and keep up. Also, in 2009 I could not afford another 6.3. It was reasonably priced when I bought it in 1982
So, now I am 65 years old. living and working in Barcelona. I am not retired; but my eyesight is failing and I have an employee of my hotel that does most of the driving for me. (I own a small hotel in Barcelona) http://www.casabillybarcelona.com and I must be going through a 65 year old crisis because I would love to have another classic Mercedes. I love the older models from the 60"s but afraid of the cost of maintenance. I found a 1966 250se sedan , gasoline, 50,000 miles, 3 owners in the Netherlands for 5,000 euros. It is in very good shape but I am afraid it is too old of a car for me to be buying. in the sense that it being too much work to keep up mechanically.
So, I have found near Barcelona a 1985 250 SE 1.9 with 60,000 miles. The car is gasoline. My questions are as follows:
A. should I buy the 1966 250 SE or the 1985 250 SE. (the 1985 250 SE seems like a much more luxurious and comfortable car. The upholstry is beautiful; looks like slightly overstuffed velour in gray color)
B -will it cost alot to maintain either one of these cars. ( I am not handy with cars. I would need to find a Mercedes mechanic to do all of the work; since many taxi's are Mercedes in Barcelona I don't think this would be difficult)
C. I won't drive it alot and is that going to be hard on the car to be sitting in a garage and driven once every 2 weeks.
D My last question is one that you cannot answer. (although I would appreciate it if you had an opinion) Is this a really foolish thing for an older gentleman to be spending his money on? The world in 2009 is falling apart financially and I am falling in love with the past: in this case a 1966 to a 1985 Mercedes 250SE. But this purchase is an emotional decision. I love cars and the idea of owning one more Mercedes Classic before I croak. Well, it is the beautiful apple dangling in front of me.
Just for the record since my 6.3 was totaled in 1993 I have owned a Honda or Toyota mini-van for everyday driving and always had a Cadillac Sedan Deville. A 1994, 1998 and a 1999. I still have a 2002 Cadillac Sedan Deville in the States, where I no longer live. It is parked at a friends house and he drives it to work a couple of days a week just to keep it in shape. I don't like the idea of selling the car.
I would appreciate opinions.
Best wishes and
Thanks,
Billy Cross
Barcelona, Spain
AnswerBilly
First off 65 is young! I hope to be driving MB's into my 90's! haha
Anyway, here is what I can tell you
The 85 was one of the last years of the "starship" of Mercedes. The W126 was in fact very luxurious, and ahead of its time. By 85 they had worked out many of the issues from when it was first introduced. The only issue with the car you are looking at is that it has a 6cyc and not the 8, so performance will be somewhat compromised. Most folks that want big MB's also want the big V8. The M110 engine is good but is known to burn oil. I assume this is a european car? It will be a safer car, and probably more realiable and ride so very nicely. Look for rust, and the obvious issues, and ask for service history. The engine in that car is pretty bomb proof with regualr maintenace. 60,000 miles is nothing. My W126 84 300SD ( diesel ) has 200K on it and I would drive it anywhere. Now then if your into classic looks the 66 is the one to have. Remember however that the 66 will be a bit older technology, and probably a bit more of a headache to keep in tune and running. The ride will be good but not that of the 126. The W108 is a collectors choice, but I do believe the first year of the 250 was 66. It probably does not have seat belts! The carburators and vacuum issues of those years always tend to surface. Again rust and service history are very important factors. No MB likes to sit around and not be driven , but I would think the 85 may tolerate it better. Both should be easy to work on, both will have all parts available. $9000 US is a little steep in my mind for the 85 5 to 6 may be more realistic.
I wish I could help you more, but that is the best I can do. If you look at them and have specific questions , let me know, I'd be glad to help
Good Luck and Happy Motoring.
If I am ever in Barcellona , I will look for you in your Benz!
Ron
