220sec - pitfalls

[220sec]

Hi there,

I have recently owned cars from jensen, citroen and triumph but am heading back to mercedes...

I owned a '65 230 a few years ago and have missed it ever since.

I have found a 64 220sec in ok condition and am wondering if anyone has had experience with them??

are there any places I should be looking especially carefully - known rust areas - engine problems?

 

[heckflosse]

220SEb coupe

I presume by 220SEC you mean the 220SEb coupe.
I've owned mine now for almost 5 years. Admitedly it only covers around 2,500 miles per year but as yet it's been excellent. Mines a '61 manual with one previous owner, which is always a good sign if someones owned a car for over 35 years!
The M126 is an excellent engine but like all engines it will depend on how it's been looked after. I change my oil every year and grease the car (16 grease nipples!) as did the previous owner and the motors very quiet and smooth. It smokes a little on start up but as far as I know its had no major engine work done in it's 152,000 miles.
I've experianced no rust other than a small amount on the spare wheel well floor behind the rear wheels (no doubt caused by road grime being sprayed up by the tyres). The only other work I've had to do is the rear shocks, half an hours work; the clutch slave cylinder, a few hours mainly due to having to work under the car, otherwise easy and a set of brake pads.

 

[220sec]

Yes that is what I meant..220seb

Its good to hear that you've had few problems with your car.
My understanding is that the 60's mercs were all very reliable.

I was actually looking for areas in the bodies of w112 and w111 that were problem areas - places that I should look for rust etc.

I was also wondering about peoples experiences with air suspension?
The 220seb had air suspension as an option and I was wondering if anyone new something of how reliable it was and if ther was noticably more body roll with the air suspension???

I think the 250 coupe that came out soon after had 'self leveling' suspension - I dont know anything about this but would like to know what they were acheiving and how?

 

[heckflosse]

Rust areas to look out for are;
The wheel arches.
Front and rear valances, below bumpers.
Spare wheel wells and around in general on the rear underside
The rear chassis near the suspension and fuel tank mounts.
Around the head lights.
And any areas of trim, chrome window trim, chrome sills below the doors, the sunroof seal etc. as these are all possible water traps.

I would pressume the suspension is the same as on my '73 230/6 LWB. Never had any problems but it does sag a little on one side for a minite or so. It's driven by a pump on the engine although unlike the citreons when the cars not running the suspension is only a couple of inches lower so can still be driven okay.

 

[Leylandp76]

I can't resist... When you're talking about 1960's Mercedes reliability, I have a great story.

My brother navigated in a W111 220E in the Targa Tasmania road rally in Australia in 2002, and it was still running on its original 40-odd year old motor. Did have a few problems with the gearbox but it finished the course and was placed in its class. See http://www.targa.org.au/gallery/hires/2002leg1fans/Targa039.JPG for a great photo (pity about the door lock popping open )