I kinda want one, what would be good to know about them? There are tons of them around here and they are still really cheap. I know the 3.8 V8 ones are a bad idea, and that all the V8 ones would likely need the timing chain changed, but thats about it. I know they are not a sports car, but I have seen videos of them being driven quickly and they seem to do well enough. If i did get one it would probably be either a 500 or 560 v8 one, or a diesel. Is the gas inline 6 one decent too?
The main issue with the 380 is that it drinks more than the 420 and isn't that great on performance.
The sixes (both the 280 and 300) are pretty decent for a cruiser but of course the big engines make it much more pokey. If I wanted a weekend car, I'd look for the 500/560, otherwise I'd look for a well-optioned six.
I haven't driven a Diesel of these (they were more or less a US-only model) but I guess it helps if you're a little patient.
They are extremely well built, but a lot of people use this as an excuse to not look after them properly - there are a lot of near-zombies around. Get a well looked after one, look after it and it'll last just about forever. Well, with one caveat. These were pretty advanced for the time and had a lot of features we now consider standard like ABS and airbags, so there is scope for some expensive repairs.
BoxheadTim wrote: there is scope for some expensive repairs.
quoted for truth.
I restored a 1987 560 SEC (a 126 coupe), and by the time I got done, I could have bought two perfect, original, low-mileage ones for what I had spent. The worst part is that I started with a decent, rust-free, 2-owner car that simply had a repaint too many and was driven, for far too long, by a college kid whose idea of maintaining it was to put fuel in it once in a while. These cars don't nickel and dime you to death, they thousand and three thousand you to financial ruin.
There are so many variants of the w126 you have to decide which you want. I think the 420 engine uses the m116 engine block like the 380 so they are similar. They are both all aluminum. After 1984 the 380 engine got the double roller timing chain, at least on the r107 it did.
Boxhead Tim is correct, buy the best car you can for your money. I personally would look to buy the latest car you can that is in great shape. A good clean SEL would cost between 5000-7000$, it should have maintenance records. I'm talking about getting all of the goodies like ABS and airbag, and nice interior. You can find great clean examples for cheap and I wouldn't settle for anything less. I have a friend with a black 300se and it looks like a hell of a nice car, but the 6 pushing the big w126 makes it under powered. I think the V8 pushes the SEL to a Vmax of 137mph or around there, thankfully no one makes 205/70Vr14 tires! If you approach someone at speed driving a big mercedes they are going to move out of your way.
I wonder if you could find a euro 280 w126 with the m110 engine like I have. The euro m110 is a seriously sweet engine.
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/1746648352.html
digging the red leather.
Buzz Killington wrote: http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/1746648352.html digging the red leather.
That's seriously pimp-tastic. I don't think I've ever seen that colour combination on a UK or German one.
I am pretty sure i have seen one here with the older inline 6. I think I would want an older one (with the rectangle headlights), than a newer one anyway. Right now there are tons of them in the junkyard, but I see several of them on the road everyday too. Old AB$ is kinda scary as far as repair costs, I didn't really think about that. Does anyone know if they all have it? Do the transmissions hold up well? I have heard mercedes automatics are some of the better ones, but then again even 150k miles would be a longer life than most. lol
go for a W124 instead http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-ocRtKWYdo&playnext_from=TL&videos=XTQAygby4nY
Those are my favorite Merc that I could actually get one day, a black on black 560 SEC with some AMG stuff on it would be perfect.
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