What do you think? Is it worth it?

[OZW116]

Hello all. Recently...I've become aware of a 1980 450 SEL for sale in my area. Now there were only 40 of this particular car delivered in Australia...so it's a fairly rare thing.

I went to have a look at it...obviously this car would have it's short comings...here is a list.

- 3/4 power windows not working
- cruise control not working
- A/C not working
- Small rust in front quarter panels and engine bay
- Drivers seat wobbles...might just be loose bolts
- LCD outside temp screen not working

Now how much would these particular things be to fix? I was always going to get the paint and general exterior fixed...but what about the other things? Particularly the cruise control and LCD screen.

I can get the car for $1200 Australian Dollars btw....very cheap

Started first time and engine runs very well...unsure how many k's on the car...the dial only read 78000...not trustworthy I think.

I love these cars and never thought I would be find one for this price. Plan is to make it sparkle...fully restore her to original condition...

Little help please? Thanks a bunch

[WGB]

Get an independant M-B guy and pay him a couple of hudred dollars to check it over.

450's are quite common and $1200 is not particularly cheap or particularly expensive.

Cruise control will probably be a new amplifier - do a search on this site.

Windows may be motors but may also only be dirty switches.

Rust is the biggest problem - get this checked very carefully.

They were expensive cars and cost a lot of money to put right and at the end of the day it may still be only worth $1200 but you just might have had a lot of fun.

Biggest shortcoming is the timing chain and tensioner on a 450.

Bill

[OZW116]

Get an independant M-B guy and pay him a couple of hudred dollars to check it over.

450's are quite common and $1200 is not particularly cheap or particularly expensive.

Cruise control will probably be a new amplifier - do a search on this site.

Windows may be motors but may also only be dirty switches.

Rust is the biggest problem - get this checked very carefully.

They were expensive cars and cost a lot of money to put right and at the end of the day it may still be only worth $1200 but you just might have had a lot of fun.

Biggest shortcoming is the timing chain and tensioner on a 450.

Bill

Thanks for the quick reply Bill

I have considered getting someone out to look at it...but my previous job was working on and repairing trucks...same kinda thing I guess including respraying and body work etc...I wouldn't be doing the work on this kind of car...but I do know what to look for.

Underneath she looks clean...not really any oil build up that I can see...just the usual kind of 30 years of road grime build up...

All rust that I could see is really surface rust...nothing too deep that can't be fixed with some elbow grease and the right materials.

I'm not sure about the cruise control...but I will look around as you suggested

With the windows...the drivers door works fine...the front passenger motor sounds very noisy but the window doesn't move...and the back ones don't make any sound or movement at all.

If I was to buy and fix up the car..I would with all intentions have it for a long time...so I'm not too concerned about re-sale but thanks for mentioning it

As I mentioned above I know my way around an engine so any work/repairs I can do.

[TJ 450]

It's the rust you can't see that might be the problem... you should check the wells either side in the boot on the inside, the floor pan beneath the carpet inside and the firewall where the bonnet hinges are located. The outer sill panel usually rusts.
Some rust is expected, but it might be excessive. Huge holes are not uncommon even though the car may look good on the outside.
With the 450, as Bill stated, the timing chain, tensioner and sliding rails must be replaced if it has not been done within 100,000km as a broken rail will cause major damage. My 450 almost died because of this... the rail broke and fortunately wedged itself out of harm's way in my case. The camshaft oiler clips should also be looked at closely as they are usually loose leading to poor lubrication of the cam lobes... all these parts are relatively cheap IMHO.
Parts are available from www.autohausaz.com if you want to check out what parts are available on the net.

Tim

     

[oscar]

Hi OZ, I'm just hooked up on the outside temp LCD screen thingy.  I never knew of any that had them factory fitted.  There was a thread where someone put a w126 one in a w116 but that little area is usually occupied by a piece of styrofoam painted black behind a perspex window.

All of the probs you've mentioned have been brought up and are fixable.  Without going into too much detail I reckon, like the others above, rust and engine are the major concerns so far as a resto candidate is concerned.  Make sure their not too far gone because there's plenty of cheap ones out there that may be better starting points.  FWIW, I think the price isn't too bad.  Offer a grand.