450SEL trade for a 450SEL 6.9

[benzjarr]

Should I trade my 450SEL for a 6.9. The guy wants to trade even. His car has less miles on it and he said and can produce purchase tickets for new lines and pump for suspension system. Now it has a bad rear leveling valve? if that sound right and that why he wants to get rid of it but its still drivable. So my question is, is a 6.9 impossible to keep up or are they pretty dependable I know my reg 450 is dependable and cheap to keep up(for a Mercedes) How do all you 6.9 owner feel about their car pros and cons?
I tried to attach some photos not sure if it worked mines the blue one 6.9 is gold

file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Owner/My%20Documents/Downloads/front45sel.JPG

file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Owner/My%20Documents/Downloads/6.9.JPG

[WGB]

1) To post pictures you need to post them to somewhere where the address is internet accessible and then using the picture option in the tool bar cut and paste that address intpo the reply.

If you like your 450 why would you change.

A 6.9 adds considerable performance - particularly in first at the traffic lights - as well as considerable complexity in the suspension and generally have a greater value if in good condition.

Engine parts in a 6.9 are not so easy to find but outside the suspension and engine you largely have a 116 which shares it's parts with every other one.

If you think you have a rear levelling valve problem make sure your rear struts are not leaking and if it is the valve you will probably need to get a re-built one as they are apparently unobtainable new.



Here is a picture of two new 126 ones sitting on my study desk.

As one who owns a 450 and a 6.9 they each have their own characteristics.

If you want a quiet life stick with what you've got.

If you want a bit more excitement get the 6.9 - but get it thorougly checked by someone with knowledge before you commit.

The fuel costs are not that greatly different.

Bill

[TJ 450]

It would be of great benefit, if you have a thorough knowledge of the cars and how the systems function, if you were to purchase a 6.9.

I think a 6.9 is a dependable car, as long as you keep on top of maintenance. If the leveling valve is leaking considerably, it will need to be fixed (rebuilt), but it shouldn't be too much of a problem to have fixed.

I don't think a 6.9 is cheap to maintain, but it is not that expensive compared to some makes of cars if you are sensible with parts purchasing. For example, four years of maintenance on a 1989 Volve 760GLE equates to the cost of my 6.9's mechanical restoration.

When they work, they work well.

The benifit of a 450, is excellent parts availability, even for big jobs like engine rebuilds.

Tim

[goldacre]

When i approached my German Mechanic Ernest and said how i would like to get the 6.9 he stood up with his cigarette hanging out of his mouth and a beer in his hand and said (read with heavy German accent) 'You get that car you do not bring here, parts too bloody hard to get and not cheap if you lucky to find them'. 

Went to Sydney instead and picked up my 450SEL which i am very happy to own except for that day at Nathans when Bill gave me the keys to his Silver bullet 6.9 and we went for a spin...Holy S*!t, what amazing off the mark performance and such a smooth ride 

Bill and Tim are very competent IMHO at locating parts and fixing their 6.9s themselves which certainly helps 

Fortunately i like driving in a relaxed manner with the occasional fang down some nice Wheatbelt roads to keep me satisfied in a 450.

Verdict then? keep the 450 and enjoy the relaxed ownership knowing parts when needed are just a right click away 

G

PS ...And meet great people with 6.9s and borrow the keys 

[benzjarr]

I think I will hang on to my 450 even at 30 years old it has no rust and I know the history of the car and its previous owner. I'm only 21 and I've had 13 Mercedes an 85 380se was my first car I've had a 99 s320 a 94 500sec  and an 87 560sec and be sides the 560 the 450sel is my favorite of all and if you look at my pic you can see just how mad I am, thats me with my 95 s420 (junk)   all in all thanks for the opinions if I get something fast Ill get another 560 coupe

[WGB]

Sounds like a very sensible decision.

[flutes]

That's a lot of Mercedes for 21!  Benzjarr some might say you have an addiction!

[benzjarr]

Thats what all my friends say, I say better than heroin and much more rewarding lol