Please critique this 6.9 for me

[sirmathrocks]

Hello Folks...as my search continues for a Euro 6.9, please see details on this blue one from the UK

https://www.icloud.com/photos/#08dy44opzU0ths7KLQ7L5iA9Q

The seller has an in-depth video, documents etc

More pics below

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/mercedes-benz/450sel/2725260.html

Would love to get this forum's eyes on this. One thing I notice is no sunroof which would have been great to have.

Below is the summary of the work done on it

Thank you for your email and interest in our sensational and incredible Mercedes Benz 450SEL 6.9, regarding your request I have attached icloud link with additional detailed photographs, invoices for all the recent works and also a video of the car which showcases ots quaillty. 

Over a 2 year period the car underwent a thorough recommissioning which included;
Body stripped
Windows, door handles and all fittings removed
New door and windscreen seals fitted
All four road wheels fully refurbished
New front windscreen
Front shock absorbers
Steering box removed and rebuilt
Front crankshaft oil seal
New hoses
Drive belts
Bosch replacement fuel metering unit and injectors
Reconditioned starter motor
Under its current ownership additional attention to detail has been lavished upon the '6.9', these included the following;
Removing and refurbishing the water pump
New fuel pump and fuel lines
Oil cooler hoses
Removing and upgrading the air conditioning compressor
Fixing the cruise control system
Total expenditure on file amounts to £26,525.09

Thank you in advance!

[daantjie]

I think best to state your budget as well as willingness/ability to wrench on the car yourself.  These can be very labour and $$$$ intensive cars to put right, so always best to pay upfront for a nice one.

[raueda1]

Wow! Gorgeous! It's easy for me to love it - this car is near-perfect twin of mine (at least before my upholstery wore out and was replaced by MBtex )  It looks like the washer is hooked up right and it even has the spoiler!  I too lack the sunroof and honestly I've never missed it - one more thing to leak and create other issues.  And they're loud and annoying over about 40 MPH anyway. 

This car seems to have most of the work that I've done to my car over the past few years.  Several questions occur to me, probably worth asking. I didn't notice whether new accumulators were included in all that work.  If not, then it's probably time.  Also missing are chassis pics.  Would be nice to see what it looks like underneath and if those rear struts are leaking.  A cold start video would be nice too.  One pic shows temp at ~100C, which is on the high side in my experience unless it was just driven hard in the summer Arizona desert. Not sure what to make of that. And does everything else really work? - AC, windows, locks, etc.  A properly working cruise control would be a rare thing indeed. 

Others will surely have more comments.  If you do get it, I strongly recommend pulling the valve covers and getting them polished.  Heresy, I know I know, but blindingly polished valve covers convey the shock and awe that the 6.9 deserves.  Good luck and cheers,

[raueda1]

I think best to state your budget as well as willingness/ability to wrench on the car yourself.  These can be very labour and $$$$ intensive cars to put right, so always best to pay upfront for a nice one.

Very true Daniel, as I discovered.  This car seems to have had a LOT done to it recently though so presumably that would be reflected in the price.  And then, hopefully, some years of driving pleasure before starting all over with it.      Cheers,

[sirmathrocks]

I think best to state your budget as well as willingness/ability to wrench on the car yourself.  These can be very labour and $$$$ intensive cars to put right, so always best to pay upfront for a nice one.

Very true Daniel, as I discovered.  This car seems to have had a LOT done to it recently though so presumably that would be reflected in the price.  And then, hopefully, some years of driving pleasure before starting all over with it.      Cheers,

Hello folks ..I have zero ability to wrench myself. I am also a beleiver in spending the right $$ upfront to get the right car and then spend what is required on the upkeep.

[rumb]

Here goes:
pic  #2 windshield trim not seated fully and joining clip may not be aligned correct.
chrome exhaust tips are not stock  (sorry Dave)
pic #12 marks on trim. *not really any close photos of trim to see condition
Sunvisors need redyed
incorrect front seat bases.  maybe from w126?  look at the side plastic trim.
not original radio, but does look similar and perhaps works better
passenger rear view mirror is not w116
3rd brake light added
rear view mirror is aftermarket
odd button above center console by switches
odd box on drivers side of center console
sleeve on spark plug wires is incorrect
most hose clamps look original, but some are not (depends how purist you are)

Likewise would like to see more underside photos. Overall interior and exterior looks very nice. Most of the above items are easily fixed. (well not so much the windscreen or seat bases)

[raueda1]

I think best to state your budget as well as willingness/ability to wrench on the car yourself.  These can be very labour and $$$$ intensive cars to put right, so always best to pay upfront for a nice one.

Very true Daniel, as I discovered.  This car seems to have had a LOT done to it recently though so presumably that would be reflected in the price.  And then, hopefully, some years of driving pleasure before starting all over with it.      Cheers,

Hello folks ..I have zero ability to wrench myself. I am also a beleiver in spending the right $$ upfront to get the right car and then spend what is required on the upkeep.

That's great but with a major BUT.  And that is this:  whatever its condition, this is not a car that you're going to get easily serviced.  And don't expect the local MB dealer to be of any help.  No matter how great the car is, there will be inevitably be issues needing attention.  Then you'll need somebody with experience dealing with them, and this talent pool grows smaller by the day.  If all this is already known to you and you have a proper garage lined up, then go for it.  But very few of us do, hence the somewhat nutty techno-fanatasism on w116.org.  Regardless, looks like a very nice car!  Cheers,


 

[raueda1]

Here goes:
pic  #2 windshield trim not seated fully and joining clip may not be aligned correct.
chrome exhaust tips are not stock  (sorry Dave)
pic #12 marks on trim. *not really any close photos of trim to see condition
Sunvisors need redyed
incorrect front seat bases.  maybe from w126?  look at the side plastic trim.
not original radio, but does look similar and perhaps works better
passenger rear view mirror is not w116
3rd brake light added
rear view mirror is aftermarket
odd button above center console by switches
odd box on drivers side of center console
sleeve on spark plug wires is incorrect
most hose clamps look original, but some are not (depends how purist you are)

Likewise would like to see more underside photos. Overall interior and exterior looks very nice. Most of the above items are easily fixed. (well not so much the windscreen or seat bases)

Nice catches!  But I'd still leave the chrome tips alone, LOL.  A nice retro look.   

[BCK1963]

Parcel shelf is not original but the framing of the first aid kit lid is nicely done: Apparently with vinyl.

[Gpapaniko]

Going out on a limb here but I though all 69's had a sunroof - would it have an sunroof delete option?  Also no warning triangle.  In reading the service records, its come in for a misfire a few times and not fully resolved (and still charged), so definitely have it gone through as part of pre purchase inspection and despite the low kms its had lots of attention. So even if you are paying a good price, it may be a sign of ongoing underlying issues.  Also, that odd item above the heater controls looks to be a mic for the replica Bluetooth radio that was installed - also in the service records.  Terrible fit on the window seal, would need to be redone as it wouldn't be possible to fix as is.  Clearly not done by an expert

[sirmathrocks]

I think best to state your budget as well as willingness/ability to wrench on the car yourself.  These can be very labour and $$$$ intensive cars to put right, so always best to pay upfront for a nice one.

Very true Daniel, as I discovered.  This car seems to have had a LOT done to it recently though so presumably that would be reflected in the price.  And then, hopefully, some years of driving pleasure before starting all over with it.      Cheers,

Hello folks ..I have zero ability to wrench myself. I am also a beleiver in spending the right $$ upfront to get the right car and then spend what is required on the upkeep.

That's great but with a major BUT.  And that is this:  whatever its condition, this is not a car that you're going to get easily serviced.  And don't expect the local MB dealer to be of any help.  No matter how great the car is, there will be inevitably be issues needing attention.  Then you'll need somebody with experience dealing with them, and this talent pool grows smaller by the day.  If all this is already known to you and you have a proper garage lined up, then go for it.  But very few of us do, hence the somewhat nutty techno-fanatasism on w116.org.  Regardless, looks like a very nice car!  Cheers,


 

Hi...I totally get it. I do own a 71 300SEL 6.3 and a 61 190 sl so am used to what it takes to keep these cars in a good condition. I do have a shop here in Dallas that works on these although that guy is getting old now and wants to wrap up his business 

[sirmathrocks]

Pics of the Data Plate. Color looks original to the car but repainted one time

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1uBVMSofB-uu_b0RifIJJSP7UDx8anVgs?usp=sharing

It does have the Fog lamp lens in Yellow as an option. I kinda really like the clear ones.

[adamb]

Hello folks ..I have zero ability to wrench myself. I am also a beleiver in spending the right $$ upfront to get the right car and then spend what is required on the upkeep.

Oh man. Walk away. The car is in the wrong country and it's pretty damp in England (damp means rusty). Something reconditioned to sell will always be a cost cutting exercise. Look for a car in USA, in Texas where you live. Take an enthusiast with you who'll tell you the truth.

[sirmathrocks]

Hello folks ..I have zero ability to wrench myself. I am also a beleiver in spending the right $$ upfront to get the right car and then spend what is required on the upkeep.

Oh man. Walk away. The car is in the wrong country and it's pretty damp in England (damp means rusty). Something reconditioned to sell will always be a cost cutting exercise. Look for a car in USA, in Texas where you live. Take an enthusiast with you who'll tell you the truth.

Hello... I just don't like the US headlight style and abhor the bumpers. Also don't like the fact that the US engines are detuned.
I think the Euro cars were the epitome of the 6. 9

[sirmathrocks]

Here is another one. Seller wants 95k Eur for it!

https://www.classic-sterne.de/en/cars/car-details/mercedes-benz-450-sel-6-9-w116-4.html

Is this one that perfect??