1989 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 560 SEL from North America - Comments

A/C leaked freon.

Many oil leaks, my driveway gradually became *covered* in oil.

Power steering pump leaked, lost all its fluid in a week.

Fuel distributor failed at 170,000 miles, causing rough running and stalling. - $1200.

Suspension needed all new bushings.

Rear shock absorbers leaked, causing a bouncy ride.

Rear power windows failed.

Piston rings started wearing out at 175,000 miles, causing massive blue smoke.

I bought this car as my first car near my 18th birthday for $4000. I was lured in by the quality feel and the sterling Mercedes reputation.

However, suspension problems started to surface mere months after I purchased the car, with a clunk that occurred during acceleration; this gradually worsened to clunking over every bump and most turns.

The fuel distributor also went out, causing stalling and extremely rough running, which necessitated a $1200 repair.

Several fuel injectors went out, causing the highway fuel economy to go from 14 to 12, and the city to go from 12 to 8. Despite the car's thirst for fuel, it struggled to keep up with traffic even before the problems started.

After the piston rings wore out (causing a cloud of blue smoke every time I hit the pedal), I traded it in for $800 towards a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis, sick of the 4 digit repair bills and appalling mpg. I will never buy a German car again.

Too bad, a lot of expenses and still no benz like it should be, the mileage wasn't that high though.

I think that someone has tampered with the odo-meter or something, the things that happened to your car happen mostly with S-classes doing over 300000 miles, driven as a taxi or other heavy-duty use.

But I do understand your point of getting rid of it.. I should have done the same thing.

German cars are bad??, try a french one!! If you like running empty on some wheels..

Unfortunately, it sounds like whoever owned that car before simply abused it. Driving it without regard to common sense, for example, running fast and hard down a rocky, hole infested unpaved road, or other such driving abuses would do any car in. Of course failure to keep the car maintained would also lead to problems. I am one of the lucky ones with an 86 420SEL I bought at a Mercedes dealer 4 years ago at 188000 miles. It's still doing fine so far at 205000. Obviously there are some bad ones out there.

What can you really expect from a car that is almost 20 years old with 165000 miles?

Honestly you should have taken it for a thorough test drive, and brought it to a mechanic to check out before you bought it. You say that it struggled to keep up with traffic even before your problems started, and that should have been a sign to you. You cannot knock all German cars or even Mercedes for buying a high mileage car that you don't know the history of. Most cars don't even see 170k, and if this Benz had been well maintained it would have easily done 270k.

Next time try to get a mechanic to check out a car before you buy, and if it's an old vehicle make sure you're getting it from 1st or second owner with maintenance records.

I have an '89 Mercedes-Benz 560sel that I bought from a Honda dealership after it was traded in. I paid $950 for a high mile Benz, but it was worth it. With very little money into it now, it runs great and looks great, and I plan on keeping it, even though I bought it to drive for a month or so and resell while my truck was in the shop... There are a few bad Benz's out there, obviously you got one. I agree that you should have had it checked out instead of jumping on it. It has too much power and class to be a first car for a teenager.

I agree with all the comments by the other reviewers.

I own 3 560's. One is a 1986 560SEL with 220,000km. One is a 560SEL with 78,000km. The last is a 1986 560SL with 33,000km.

The two low km cars are in pretty much brand new condition and I drive one or the other every day. Basically very reliable but even these need regular servicing and occasional parts replacment - particularly those which do tend to age with years rather then miles. Examples are rubber bushes, etc.

The point I want to emphasise here for anyone contemplating buying one of these (normally) very reliable, robust and classic icons of the high point in Mercedes engineering is this. My high km car (which my mother in law now drives) performs almost exactly the same as the low km SEL - which has at least 10 years less (effective) wear and tear on it. The only major repairs have been a gearbox rebuild (I damaged it towing bricks), rear suspension spheres and shocks (to be expected IU guess), timing chain (essential insurance every 100,000km), hydrolic lifters & valve stem seals. The last two items were to eliminate some mild lifter noise and oil burn. No need to remove the head - just rocker covers. Pretty minor repair actually.

The only other thing of note is the steering pump and box (both rebuilt - to be expected over 20+ years in any car) and airconditioning compressor (rebuilt at least every 5 years - it is the same unit fitted too many other makes like GM - and these fail regularly no matter which make of car you buy).

So, while that sounds like a lot it is really very minor when you take into consideration that the result is that the oldest of the cars performs pretty much like new - and has many years left in it. Certainly in Australia the cost of replacing it with a new large V8 S class would be >$250,000 - so that put is into context.

You just had one which had not been maintained and sadly the result of the maintenance deficit hit you fast and hard. It is always much better to buy a low mile car, have it checked out, and pay more up front. Cheers.

The 560SEL has maintenance issues with the engine, such as the timing chain can go out after 100,000 miles, and can bend the valves creating a jump timing. The 420SEL is the same way.

The 560SEL also has problems with the rear suspension because they are hydraulics, when that goes out it can cause an unpleasant ride, especially when the car hits potholes on the road.

There are not a whole lot of 560SEL out there because of the engine issues like burning oil and leaking oil.

The gas mileage is really bad.

The 560SEL was good when it was new, but when it gets old, it's costly; same with the 420SEL.

I would go with a 300SE or 300SEL in-line six; it will last longer and it's low maintenance. Personally I like the 300SE because it's not a boat like the SEL's.

Sounds like normal maintenance for an old high miles car.

And settle for 6 instead of the V8? I don't think so.

I have had my 560SEL 86 model for 2 years now. What a fantastic car to drive. I have been a Mercedes owner for 10 years now having had various older models, but the 560SEL is by far the best, it has all the creature comforts anyone could ever ask for. I am the third owner and this one has been looked after, full 23 year service history with no expenses spared in maintenance, first owner spent 70K over the 13 years he had it on maintenance, second owner was a mechanic and it was his pride and joy for over 10 years.

The mileage isn't that bad, having owned a few 70's model 280SEL's, they are so heavy and as a result use a lot of fuel. The power is awesome, the road holding is better than anything I have ever driven, better than my mates 2005 model M3 BMW. I intend to drive this beast for a long time to come. I only bought it to make some cash out of, got it for a great price and was looking at doubling the price, but after driving it how could I part with it?

In my opinion this is the best car on the road, no wonder they cost over 220k in Australia when new.