1986 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 420SEL review from North America
"Absolutely Outstanding! A Classic forever"
General comments?
This car is absolutely amazing! Even to this date, this car turns a lot of heads. Champagne colour and brown interior is a great looking combination. The car has always been very well maintained, by MB and an independant repair facility, specialized in MB. I am not driving the car much anymore and not in the winter at all. When I go on a long trip, I still prefer the 420SEL to anything else. The maintenance has been an average of $1500 Can. per for the past 20 year! It seems high, but... considering all, depreciation, reliability etc. It is still among the best and the finest cars ever built. In 1986, the choices of true luxury european automobiles, was very limited. Mercedes-Benz was "The car to own" Jaguars were not reliable, the BMW did not look good at all! (And still in 2007 don't look good to my opinion). Audi had some square boxes on four wheels. The Lexus and Infinity, (Which are Glorified Toyotas and Nissans) were not around then. The price was $76,500 Can dollars then (Ouch!)
Follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance, and the car will last FOREVER. Here is Canada, the challenge is to keep it away from the dirty winter road conditions, which cause premature rust.
Have fun!
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| 1985 - S-Class 300SD OM617 turbo diesel Pinnacle of Mercedes Engineering |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Model year | 1986 |
| Year of manufacture | 1986 |
| First year of ownership | 1986 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2007 |
| Engine and transmission | 4.2L petrol Automatic |
| Performance marks | |
| Reliability marks | |
| Comfort marks | |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | |
| Distance when acquired | 10 miles |
| Most recent distance | 200000 miles |
| Date of Entry | 3rd February, 2007 |