More exotic engine madness owner ship discussion. R129 Mercedes with M120 V12

We've talked VAG W8's and V10's recently, but what about the honking big Mercedes Approx 390hp and 420 torques. Came in the SL Coupes and verts. Cost new $120k+, can now be had for less than $20K

According to Harry Metcalf it's the most reliable engine Mercedes ever made. https://www.youtube.com/embed/LhX0Y2wQfqo

I saw an E55 AMG yesterday. Suppercharged 5.5l V8 in an E class sedan. . .. Yes I drooled a little.

I still pinch myself every time I get in mine. That blown V8 engine is astonishing. As for the V12, well, Pagani thinks it's good enough for them. The 3 valve version is the one you want. Trouble with the 12s is changing the 24 sparkplugs, some of them are impossible to get to. The older chassis are prone to electrical gremlins. You owe it to yourself to look for an 04-06 E55 and try it out. They are big but not too big, you can get to all the sparkplugs, they drive real nice, and lawzie, do they go...

In reply to Jay_W:

24 spark plugs! what is the rest of the chassis like for running costs?

The S class has active body control which is great right up til it isn't. I stuck with E class partially for that reason. I don't think there are any real dealbreakers, nothing like the feared audi timing chains or Bimmer's vanos. They is what they is, parts can be cheapish but often more spendy than you'd like. But if you want a stealth supercar, this is the only way to fly. Depreciation curve is optimal. Find one that's been well loved and laugh yourself silly.

Find a late model one and one that's been very loved. Hopefully you do your own work. Oddly, you can buy these motors for 1k or less around here.

24 sparkplugs is just obscene

Fitzauto wrote: 24 sparkplugs is just obscene

Dodge pickups have 16 of them...

Fitzauto wrote: 24 sparkplugs is just awesome

Fixorated for you

Speaking of Amg benz's the c32 doesn't seem to get too much love? They can be had now for less than the e46 counter part. Although I like the idea of the older c36 and c43 are also tantalizing.

Streetwiseguy wrote:

Fitzauto wrote: 24 sparkplugs is just obscene

Dodge pickups have 16 of them...

My Chevy pickup has zero. :)

seyhan3535 wrote: Speaking of Amg benz's the c32 doesn't seem to get too much love? They can be had now for less than the e46 counter part. Although I like the idea of the older c36 and c43 are also tantalizing.

But have you seen an e46 m3? Case closed.....

seyhan3535 wrote: Speaking of Amg benz's the c32 doesn't seem to get too much love? They can be had now for less than the e46 counter part. Although I like the idea of the older c36 and c43 are also tantalizing.

They also put that drivetrain in the SLK. I gotta say, I dig the C32 AMG. It's a regular Craigslist search for me.

I almost bought a 2005 cl65 until I went off the reservation and put a deposit down on something Italian. Still want a cl65 at some point. Amazing cars.

ahutson03 wrote:

seyhan3535 wrote: Speaking of Amg benz's the c32 doesn't seem to get too much love? They can be had now for less than the e46 counter part. Although I like the idea of the older c36 and c43 are also tantalizing.

But have you seen an e46 m3? Case closed.....

Yeah but it only has 2 doors! And I dno the c55 looks pretty sweet mang.

Also old c36.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/brx/cto/5339961007.html

In reply to Mike:

Friend has a c32 amg and a e430. He usually buys part for the c32 that are for the Chrysler Crossfire srt6 as they are cheaper than the benz parts but are the same part.

seyhan3535 wrote:

ahutson03 wrote:

seyhan3535 wrote: Speaking of Amg benz's the c32 doesn't seem to get too much love? They can be had now for less than the e46 counter part. Although I like the idea of the older c36 and c43 are also tantalizing.

But have you seen an e46 m3? Case closed.....

Yeah but it only has 2 doors! And I dno the c55 looks pretty sweet mang. Also old c36. http://newyork.craigslist.org/brx/cto/5339961007.html

I'm liking this C55 more and more as I drive it. It also has the 16 spark plugs though, not sure how bad that job will be. Hopefully I'll have it sold before I have to find out

How is the auto trans? That's the number one reason I only like maybe 3 MB's ever made.

I like the next next generation of that V12, twin turbo M275. The only weakness with it are the coil packs.

I want to put that engine into a W124 wagon. In the lowest state of tune, it was 493hp and 590ft*lbs

crankwalk wrote: How is the auto trans? That's the number one reason I only like maybe 3 MB's ever made.

The mercedes 722.6, aka 5G-tronic is a really tough transmission. The NA V12 should be rated for about 430ftlbs and is the same transmission that is in my Jag XJR as well as the SRT Charger/300C/Challengers

The TT V12s had the same trans, uprated to 737ftlbs. Even after the rest of the Mercedes lineup went to 7 speed transmissions, the V12 still used the 722.6, until 2013 I think.

You can find w220 S600 with the TTV12 (2003+) for under 10k. Thats alot of bang for the buck.

One in Detroit cl for 5500, bad active suspension.

m4ff3w wrote: You can find w220 S600 with the TTV12 (2003+) for under 10k. Thats alot of bang for the buck.

Links please!

I almost bought one for $7300 last year. Bank was closed when I could see it, made agreement to meet next morning, but she called 20 minutes later and said someone else had cash in hand.

Good example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Benz-S-Class-S600-V12-Twin-Turbo-/121822910361?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c5d361799:g:0zMAAOSwv-NWU7ac&item=121822910361

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Benz-S-Class-S600-/221969216828?forcerrptr=true&hash=item33ae65753c:g:1WcAAOSw5ZBWKVuB&item=221969216828

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Benz-S-Class-S600-/221975043058?forcerrptr=true&hash=item33aebe5bf2:g:-ZUAAOSwYHxWKVwF&item=221975043058

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Benz-S-Class-Leather-/262224727346?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3d0dcfcd32:g:l7QAAOSw5IJWgbIT&item=262224727346

Poor example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Benz-S-Class-AMG-/262266757875?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3d105122f3:g:tUMAAOSwaA5WlbVf&item=262266757875

Oh my. That black one in Texas. Had my name all over out.