Merc Benz 450 SLC

Smoggy

I have been looking into getting a classic for a long time now but the car I want is out of my price range at the moment, so for the time being I'm turning my interest towards a cheaper car until I get the money together for the car I want.

The interim car I have seen is on ebay :

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=006&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=160084086466&rd=1&rd=1

My only worries even if it looks to run fine now, that it could quiet quickly become a money pit if the likes of the aircon goes and servicing could cost the world as the parts must be hard to get hold of.

What I'm looking for is anyone who is running an older Merc and has experiences of running costs etc.

Spit62500

There's no mention of a service history so you probably can't verify the mileage that easily. He hasn't even mentioned old MOTs which would give you some mileage indication. You shouldn't really buy a Merc like that without service history as that's what sorts out the money pits from the decent cars (unless you're very lucky).

Finally, the keys appear to be double tagged - you normally don't see that with a cherished classic - most owners don't need to know what keys suit what car, and he doesn't appear to have any other Mercs in the driveway for it to get mixed up with.

That said, I think that you're on the right track as far as the make and model is concerned. A good one is a great buy and parts, even from a main dealer aren't as dear as you'd expect. Mercedes support their older models very well so mostly everything is available. The SLC is cheaper than the SL as people pay a premium for the convertible.

There's still two years VRT and NCT hassle with that car as well, unless you're very patient.

8~)

I personally love the shape and lines of the car even more so than the more popular SL. They're okay to drive too; not modern but feel safe and comfortable.

The seller of the car you're looking at does appear to be a dealer. Ideally it is better to buy the likes of this car direct from a loving owner or from an established dealer where you should have some comeback.

I'm doing a light restoration on a 280 SLC. The main thing to look for is rust and previously bodged repairs. Lucky for me, my car is reasonably honest.

Aircon not working and servicing is the least of your worries. Aircon not working is incidental - I'd wager the aircon is not working properly in the majority of older cars fitted with it. No great loss in Ireland.

Service items are cheap enough - plugs, oil, coolant, brake pads, etc. are all readily available and inexpensive.

The main thing to watch is rust - body panels for these cars are expensive. Rust hunting and repair is time consuming and expensive if you're paying someone to do it.

I've run a few older Mercedes' as daily drivers. Get a good honest one and the main running cost is fuel - they obviously use a bit more than a 1.4 modern car. However, they don't depreciate and if you get a good one you shouldn't have to spend much more than just the cost of service items. You do have to accept that some service items must include long term items simply because the car is that bit older (e.g. brake discs, window rubbers, obscure bushes, etc)

MercMad

I'd agree with what the guys are saying, these old Mercs are mechanically very strong !

Rust is the killer, and these cars rust like you wouldn't believe, especially since it cost alot to buy and repair panels, if the market value of the car is low then folk dont spend the money on them. Then they get sold and it all repeats itself.

I would forget about the mechanicals and ensure you buy one that has been verified as rust free. Spend the money and get any possible candidates inspected properly, or buy froma club member.

Oshbosh

I agree with MercMad, i have an old merc which is great but is now suffering from rust, it drives great though. Next time i buy one i will get a good one which is rust free and has full MB service history.

Save your money and get a good one or if you're mechanically minded get one which needs a little work and do it yourself.

8~)

What model Mercedes d'you have, Oshbosh?

MercMad

He has one of your favourites, a W123 Coupe !

Oshbosh

Interested ? I don't want to let it go but something has to give, the MG or the Merc, depends which goes first,

8~)

Interested...?

More curious than interested. I have my hands (and garage) full at the moment. The SLC is the only coupe I can be interested in at present. Saying that, having too many projects around hasn't stopped me getting just one more in the past.

OK, go on then - what year, model, how much and what's wrong with it....?

Smoggy

I have also just found this, a little closer to home :

http://www.irelandmercedes.com/view-car.php?id=330

Oshbosh

Okay, here we go, don't laugh !

1982 230CE Dark Blue with cream 1/2 leatherette interior.

146,000 miles, lots of service history to 120,000 when i got it but none since then as i used a local guy.

Bodywork is average i would say, one rear arch is badly rusted, other rear arch has bubbles only. Front arches look okay. Rust bubbles on front of bonnet and a few other spots, usual places. Paintwork clear coat on boot lid has dried out and cracked in one area, looks like some kind of sun damage i think, not really sure how to describe it, basically i think the car would benefit from a respray.

Seats are all great apart from driver's which is wearing.

It drives great but has had some issues while i've had it.

- Manifold was replaced as previous one cracked, no problem now.
- I'm not sure how to describe this but at one point i could see fumes coming out from under the bonnet when stopped in traffic, i thought i was in trouble but my mechanic said there was something (can't remember) which connected the engine to the exhaust which had a hole in it, he welded that up and it was fine, i think the repair may be detiorating now as there is a small amount of fumes again.

- The thermostat stopped working at one point so didn't kick in at the right temp and the temp gauge would start rising. To fix it my mechanic has the fan on permanently so there is a little audible whirr but i don't even notice now.

The air-con fan sounds like there's something stuck in it so i don't use it.

One of the back electric windows doesn't work so is disconnected. Sunroof works but can be sticky in the middle.

So, there you go, not a basketcase but would consider to be a good runner.

oh yes, the bonnet star has been stolen and there is some damage to the driver's door where someone went at the lock with a screw driver.

I honestly don't know what its worth, if ebay.co.uk is anything to go by then less than 500 quid. It is still UK registered and so may be worth more as parts than as a restoration although i don't think the VRT would be very much.

Any reasonable offer considered I'll leave this up to you guys.

This photo was taken 5 years ago, the colour combination is great i think so you can see why i was taken with it.

8~)

Looks/sounds okay.
Could be a nice buy for someone who's got a bit of time to restore.

mike65

3000 notes for a 18 year old SLC? Run away, quickly!

Nothing is more expensive than a cheap Merc. The floor pan is prone to rot, the sills and chassis
members also weak points.

Mike.

Smoggy

What will I be looking at paying to get a runable 450 Merc around 79 ?
One that won't drain my pockets

mike65

Think of a number! The price is largely decided by a combination of two things - quality and gullibility. Best thing to do is just look hard and in the right places (I would'nt use ebay as its a clearing house for tat, you might find a geniune car but its a long way to go to be dissapointed).

If buying from across the water is'nt a problem try www.mercseller.com or locally www.irelandmercedes.ie prices here are often top end (or rip-off to some) but it gives an idea.

Mike.

Mike.

andy.s

Oshbosh,
How much are you asking for C123? Please let me know :
seldonbenz@yahoo.com

Thanks

MercMad

Mercseller is an excellent service indeed. I know a lot of very happy customers who have used this guy !

In fact one guy in the Club bought a '78 450SLC late last year this way. He paid fairly strong money but wanted a perfect car, with history and that is exactly what he did get.

SLC's are hard to put prices on but I know a guy who paid stg£8,000 a few years back, got a half decent car, but then as he loved it he spent a further €20k getting it to A1 condition. As he says it'll never ever be worth what he has spent but he never wants to sell it, so now he has a perfect car !

I also know another guy who bought an absolutely perfect 450SLC, low mileage, original perfect paint, no rust and he bought it for €8000, used it for 18 month and sold it for €9,000.

The eBay cars and the ones for €3-4500 are simply "wishing wells" ( you think your dream will come true but you just keep throwing money into it and it the cycle repeats itself)

Oshbosh

Hi MercMad,

which club are you talking about, an Irish Mercedes club ?, can you send me details please,

omargey@cadence.com

I've been watching mercseller.com for ages, stock doesn't change much but there is some nice stuff there, there was a beautiful 420SEC there before Christmas but didn't have the dosh.
Check out this site also, there is a fantastic 300SE there at the moment, and a nice 190E, also a cool Audi coupe

http://www.the80semporium.co.uk/home/

450SLC

hi

I have a 1974 merc 450slc that was imported from australia (i.e. perfect climate so no rust) the car is in super condition and it cost my wifes late uncle more than €20,000 to bring it in (have all maintenance records and documentation). I have been asked to sell it on the estates behalf. Let me know if you or anyone you know are interested and i will forward photos.

regards

karl

Smoggy wrote:

I have been looking into getting a classic for a long time now but the car I want is out of my price range at the moment, so for the time being I'm turning my interest towards a cheaper car until I get the money together for the car I want.

The interim car I have seen is on ebay :

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=006&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=160084086466&rd=1&rd=1

My only worries even if it looks to run fine now, that it could quiet quickly become a money pit if the likes of the aircon goes and servicing could cost the world as the parts must be hard to get hold of.

What I'm looking for is anyone who is running an older Merc and has experiences of running costs etc.