I need to know what might be wrong with my husband's 1989 420SEL Mercedes Benz
My husband's 1989 420SEL, keeps shutting of even when you are Driving, what could it be.
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1990 Mercedes-Benz 420-Class Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Mix luxury appointments (durable leather seats, real wood interiors) with a smooth, nearly unmatched "ride," and you have the Mercedes-Benz 420-Class, specifically the 420SEL sedan. In fact, many drivers believe these early-'90s MBs to be more luxurious and better built that present-day Mercedes, and some consider them to be among the finest sedans ever built. They were, to be succinct, rock-solid automobiles.
The 420SEL was long and heavy, but a 4.2-liter single-overhead-cam V8 that generated 201 hp, coupled with a 4-speed automatic transmission, kept them humming along the highways very nicely. The 420 provided ample room for occupants (nearly 40 inches of legroom in the rear seats, for example) and comfortably seated five.
Standard equipment included anti-lock brakes, power locks and power windows, air conditioning, and airbags for the driver and passenger. Other standard and optional features included automatic climate control, bucket seats, power steering, power telescopic steering wheel, cruise control, headlight cleaners, power heated windows, and alloy wheels.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1990 Mercedes-Benz 420-Class
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by Gerald S
Jul 23, 2014
I liked everything. Im replacing it with a similar new Mercedes and not much is improved except status because of the newness of the S550. Ride is similar and the old 420sel is quieter inside. A/C radio pwr steering and brakes are about equal. Tire noise is a lot less in the 420sel. Paint and interior nicer (newer) in the S550 as well as navigation. Much better visibility out of the 420sel.Jul 23, 2014
by Anonymous
Apr 09, 2014
over all it is a great car, good for family. runs great fun to drive. looks great. it is a very solid car as all Mercedes are. The only Negative is the gas use which is high. I think it goes 15 mile per gallon. Apr 09, 2014
by Habib S
Apr 12, 2012
Great car! Absolutely love it. Beaten on it every day as a first car and still holds up! Easy to get sideways, pulls hard when shifting its manumatic mode shifting. Braking is pretty good, handling is weak though. A+ build quality, everything works, and everything works right, and there isn't much to go wrong with such marksmanship of Mercedes Engineers. Outside looks nice, would look nicer with BBS mesh rims, and black is by far the best color to have it in. I have not seen another car pre-millenium with a nicer and more comfortable interior. Gas isn't bad if you're not stepping on it, and the only thing you can expect to go wrong is the transmission if you push it at its hottest (I've gone through 3), but if it starts locking up, buy some Seafoam Trans-Tune, add it to the trans-fluid, and drive it for about 100 miles, then drop it in reverse for a while too, then flush the system, and will work good as new after a few hundred miles. The car is an absolute blast to drive, friends have wanted to go from their 5 series to my 420 because of it's wow factor. LOVE IT!Apr 12, 2012
User rating:
by Gerald S
Jul 23, 2014
I liked everything. Im replacing it with a similar new Mercedes and not much is improved except status because of the newness of the S550. Ride is similar and the old 420sel is quieter inside. A/C radio pwr steering and brakes are about equal. Tire noise is a lot less in the 420sel. Paint and interior nicer (newer) in the S550 as well as navigation. Much better visibility out of the 420sel.Jul 23, 2014
by Anonymous
Apr 09, 2014
over all it is a great car, good for family. runs great fun to drive. looks great. it is a very solid car as all Mercedes are. The only Negative is the gas use which is high. I think it goes 15 mile per gallon. Apr 09, 2014
by Habib S
Apr 12, 2012
Great car! Absolutely love it. Beaten on it every day as a first car and still holds up! Easy to get sideways, pulls hard when shifting its manumatic mode shifting. Braking is pretty good, handling is weak though. A+ build quality, everything works, and everything works right, and there isn't much to go wrong with such marksmanship of Mercedes Engineers. Outside looks nice, would look nicer with BBS mesh rims, and black is by far the best color to have it in. I have not seen another car pre-millenium with a nicer and more comfortable interior. Gas isn't bad if you're not stepping on it, and the only thing you can expect to go wrong is the transmission if you push it at its hottest (I've gone through 3), but if it starts locking up, buy some Seafoam Trans-Tune, add it to the trans-fluid, and drive it for about 100 miles, then drop it in reverse for a while too, then flush the system, and will work good as new after a few hundred miles. The car is an absolute blast to drive, friends have wanted to go from their 5 series to my 420 because of it's wow factor. LOVE IT!Apr 12, 2012
by Anonymous
Oct 28, 2010
This car has a 4.2 V8 engine this car is well built and well maintain and we drive everydtay it looks good for a vehicle thst's over twenty years old nice cruiser. This have been a good driver, still turns headsOct 28, 2010
by Anonymous
May 20, 2010
Great car I did 250000klms all sorts of travel great on a trip .smooth overtaking and quite economical for such a large car
outstanding braking, handling, always felt in control best car I have ever had wish they made them like this now
May 20, 2010
by Sebastian L
Sep 13, 2009
The 420SEL is a luxury class car built strong. The 4.2 liter V8 engine gave it a smooth start as well as a decent acceleration. This car has a long wheel base and can handle tight corners as though you are riding on a cloud.Sep 13, 2009
by Katie A
Jun 13, 2008
V8, classic euro muscle, built like a tank, 222000 miles and still goingJun 13, 2008
by Sara P
Jun 05, 2008
I freakin Love this car!!! its actually an 86, its fast especially for its size, cuz its big! you can sleep on the hood and the sun roof is massive !!! good for star watching! the trunk is so big you cut put a couch in there! and it rides very smooth, it takes off and your going fats before you even know it! I love this car!!!Jun 05, 2008
by Tonny S
Apr 15, 2008
Kongebil med V8Apr 15, 2008
by George H
Mar 15, 2008
109,000 miles, long lasting , druable, powerfull V8Mar 15, 2008
by Leigh G
Jan 12, 2008
got compliments everywhere. beautiful build quality. quiet and sereneJan 12, 2008
What users have asked
was only starting in nuetral, now it wont start at all.
Thinking it was a linkage problem after my car wouldnt start in park, I then began starting it in Nuetral. After sometime, knowing I needed to have this checked, the car refused to start n Nuetral. A relay in the fuse box area showed signs of igniting, but until I know for sure what my options are, I do not want to continue checking things and cant afford a specialist. please help
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1990 Mercedes-Benz 420-Class Pricing
Original MSRP
$62,750 to $62,750Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: power · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Memorized settings: driver seat · Steering wheel: power telescopic · Sunshade: power rear window
Exterior Features
Paint: special factory paint
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Roof
Moonroof: power glass
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger Seating: 4 · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent