1987 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 420 SEL from North America - Comments

Please don't take this the wrong way, but I do think Americans can have unrealistic expectations of a car. If the servicing is completed on time, a old Mercedes will run to huge mileage, and is better built than anything with Ford/General Motors stamped on it.

My grandma recently gave me a 420 sel blue wit silver trim very well kept up love the ride & it is comfortable, only thing wrong is needs head done valves I think car smokes what do you expect after 300 000! yeah shes really a bute tho!

HELP! I have a 1987 420 SEL which won't start after it's been driven. It starts cold with no problem whatsoever, but if I then drive it even for a minute and shut it off, it won't restart. It will crank and crank and crank but not start.

I've replaced both fuel pump check valves, replaced the ignition coil, cleaned the fuel injection doodads, replaced the crank position sensor (bell housing), put in two new fuel pumps and the fuel pump relay, and changed the coolant temp sensor. STILL WON'T START under the above mentioned conditions.

Once I wait 30 minutes or so, it starts.

My head is going to explode and my husband is tired of me whining about my car. Needless to say I DON'T WANT TO GET RID OF IT, I just want it to start.

Appreciate any help -

Viviana - San Bruno CA.

To the lady with the hard start problem after driving around the block, will the car start warm if you press the accelerator pedal?

I have a 420 89 model with the same problem. The tech says the fuel distributor is the problem. They start to leak with age, and that causes too much fuel to be dumped in the cylinder, causing a flooding like symptom. After about 30 minutes does the car start fine? The units cost 2000.00 and up from Merz. There is a company that rebuilds them called Jaytan jaytanindstries.com phone # is 1-888-652-9826. They cost for the 420 $449.99 + 100.00 core charge. Returned when you send your old unit back.

Good luck, hope this helps you out.

I have a 1990 420SEL and it is fantastic! It has 106,000 miles on it. I am looking at head gasket replacement, valve job, transmission overhaul, replacement of main seal and gaskets on my power steering pump. It will cost almost 7000 dollars, but what can I buy for that little money? Nothing at all like the 420. Mercedes, itself, recognizes this as one of the best motor cars they ever produced in Germany. I will keep mine forever. The cost of a car like this today would be around one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The new all electronic cars are trouble from the start. If one takes good care of a 420, it will take good care of them. The solidness of the body, the interior integrity, and the craftsmanship of the car as a whole is nowhere to be found in today's manufacturing of cars. I know, my friend drives a 2005 E320 and he spends about five thousand annually on repairs! I have spent little on mine since the day I drove it off the lot. My repairs are from being a 19 year old car, not poor engineering and workmanship. One can't go wrong in getting a nice vintage 420.

Need help. I have an 87 Mercedes 420 SEL. My problem is the motor is accelerating too much, and when I put it in drive, the car jumps and makes a loud noise, and when driving on a flat surface, it goes at 40 miles an hr without pressing the gas pedal. Please can somebody tell me what I need to fix or change?

Thank you, my e mail is mansiel@verizon.net