V12 twin turbo? Here I come!

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/5956506019.html

For anyone looking for one this one seems not bad (04 s600 with just under 100k miles). Even purple which makes how fast it is even more amusing.

Damn I really like that color.

A different level of car, but this thread is making me kick myself for passing up on that 560 SEC years and years ago.

A 560sec is way less scary, the v12 tt cars sound fun, but then I look at how much the ABC system parts cost and it doesn't seem like enough fun to make up for it. I saw a fairly nice looking 560sec for sale in front of a junkyard for $1200 recently, that's about the cost of 2 rebuilt ABC struts or rebuilt coilpacks for a w220 v12 lol.

Tk8398 wrote: A 560sec is way less scary, the v12 tt cars sound fun, but then I look at how much the ABC system parts cost and it doesn't seem like enough fun to make up for it. I saw a fairly nice looking 560sec for sale in front of a junkyard for $1200 recently, that's about the cost of 2 rebuilt ABC struts or rebuilt coilpacks for a w220 v12 lol.

I have an 87 560SEC with the AMG 6.0 conversion and you're right, they are very different animals and the SEC is far cheaper to live with....there is just much less to go wrong. I love the SEC and it's a tank and very easy to work on compared to the v12TT cars, but the they are just completely different experiences. Also, while the 80s cars are nice, the newer 600 class cars offer a level of luxury that isn't comparable. As far as the ABC, there are coilover conversions available that are affordable (relative to some ABC repairs) and DIY friendly and will probably be the route I take if I get fed up with ABC.

Also, where was that junkyard SEC for 1200? I'm always looking for parts cars etc.

Here is a good thread on one conversion. He had a shop do it, but looks pretty easy and straight forward to me: http://mbworld.org/forums/cl55-amg-cl65-amg-cl63-amg-w215-w216/625622-my-w215-cl55-abc-delete-thread-yellow-speed-racing-coilover-conversion-review.html

Here's my SEC. Since this picture I changed to a slightly smaller tire up front:

Tk8398 wrote: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/5956506019.html For anyone looking for one this one seems not bad (04 s600 with just under 100k miles). Even purple which makes how fast it is even more amusing.

That could be a really good deal if it's mechanically sound and as good as it looks in the pics.

Cotton wrote: I have an 87 560SEC with the AMG 6.0 conversion and you're right, they are very different animals and the SEC is far cheaper to live with....there is just much less to go wrong. I love the SEC and it's a tank and very easy to work on compared to the v12TT cars, but the they are just completely different experiences. Also, while the 80s cars are nice, the newer 600 class cars offer a level of luxury that isn't comparable. As far as the ABC, there are coilover conversions available that are affordable (relative to some ABC repairs) and DIY friendly and will probably be the route I take if I get fed up with ABC. Also, where was that junkyard SEC for 1200? I'm always looking for parts cars etc. " />

Even with the expense of the ABC I'm still tempted to get a w220 at some point. The supercharged s55 and the s600 are still a bit more expensive than the spare cash I have for bad ideas though lol. It sounds like even though its a bit more work than an Airmatic car that a coil conversion is possible if the ABC breaks too badly so that helps. I have had a 300SD, and drive a w210 diesel now. After going from the w126 to a w210 I definitely know what you mean about the newer cars being quite a bit nicer to drive, although I still like the old ones too. The 560sec was at the pick-n-pull in Rancho Cordova CA. It was actually probably nice enough to put back on the road easily. No one wants them here for some reason. My neighbor has a dead 82 380sec sitting in his driveway too (bad timing chain tensioner and a 750 lien on the title for unpaid parking tickets or something).

In reply to Tk8398:

That's funny, I occasionally DD an 85 300SD with over 300k miles. It's just so tough and reliable! Wish you were closer... sec parts cars are hard to come by in TN and it seems like I'm always needing something.

I really like the 55 class cars as well and that might be the best compromise. I'm not very familiar with them yet, but just looking under the hood they seemed like they'd be a lot easier to work on. I would like to drive one at some point for sure to compare.

My 300sd was an 83 with the odometer stopped at 376k when I got it. I put lorinser rs90 wheels, lorinser lowering springs and euro bumpers and lights on it and it was fairly fun. It was just a little rusty and the climate control was completely dead and the e300d was cheaper than fixing everything it needed. I think the w126 is one of the best cars they made though.

The w210 is for sure a bit cheap feeling but no where near as bad as I expected from how people complain. I think it may be one of the best diesels they have made. I have driven a w211 cdi but I can't convince myself that the brakes aren't an awful idea on those. I bet a w210 e55 would be fun too (or the brabus ev12 lol).

I spent all of 2015 parting an 88 560SEC I bought for $1100. I probably made about $5-6000 on that car. I didnt even sell the transmission and some other parts. But, it was in great shape besides the passenger side cylinder head being destroyed. Here in California the w126 are junked because they cant pass smog for E36 M3. They are easy cars to work on and take apart and the build quality was top-notch. I might still have some parts laying around.

California is pushing hard to get 1976-1999 cars off the road. They pay people $1000 to scrap cars that fail smog (or diesels too) and all the new smog shops are only doing 2000+ cars. If I bought another w126 I would probably get a 300sdl (there has been extensive implementation of metering lights since I had the 300sd and it would be a bit slow to merge safely).

In reply to Tk8398:

I have to go out to CA late this year. I think I'll extend my trip for a couple of days to hunt around for something worth shipping, or driving back.

What part of CA?

Tk8398 wrote: What part of CA?

Flying into lax, then Santa Monica area for a few days and Big Bear for a few more. Both my sisters live in LA, so we go see them and try and make a vacation out of it year or two. I've always wanted to drive something back, but the schedules have just never worked out.

Quite a distance from where I live, but if you wanted to look in the SF bay area I'm sure you could find plenty of decent older European cars though. There is a w210 e55 modified by Brabus for sale right now, it's $25k though.

You guys are putting bad thoughts in my head. There is a wonderful elegance about a lot of older MB cars.

Tk8398 wrote: Quite a distance from where I live, but if you wanted to look in the SF bay area I'm sure you could find plenty of decent older European cars though. There is a w210 e55 modified by Brabus for sale right now, it's $25k though.

Once the Moscone center renovation is done I'll probably be out your way. I used to go at least once a year for a conference, but since the Moscone renovations started everything has moved...mostly to Vegas.

mazdeuce wrote: You guys are putting bad thoughts in my head. There is a wonderful elegance about a lot of older MB cars.

oh yeah man, you need an old one to go with the modern AMG....these things really grow on you. I went from zero Mercedes to 5 in like 2 or 3 years.

I saw this last night, also a nice looking sl500.

Old ad, but they wanted 9k for it and it had just under 100k on the odometer. Temptation you are an evil evil woman. About the only coupe body style I love, and I didn't realize they were so cheap(relatively speaking)

There is a 97 s600 coupe for sale for $3800 I keep looking at too lol. Mercedes really aren't that scary for the most part, if you like them why not get one? Mine isn't a complicated one but its 19 years old with 250k miles and I drive it everyday.

I have no money at the moment is why I don't get one.

I was looking at the smaller v8 four doors but I'm thinking I'll add these onto the short list of cars I want to buy when I have income coming in. No turbos though because that is a terrible idea for me to have...

Grizz wrote: I have no money at the moment is why I don't get one. I was looking at the smaller v8 four doors but I'm thinking I'll add these onto the short list of cars I want to buy when I have income coming in. No turbos though because that is a terrible idea for me to have...

Check out the older 400Es when you start looking. 4 doors, nice cars, good power, and reliable as long as the harness has been taken care of.

Something like this: ATL 400e

I bought one for $400 to tinker with, then got into the w220s and w215s, so it's just kind of sitting around.

Cotton wrote:

Grizz wrote: I have no money at the moment is why I don't get one. I was looking at the smaller v8 four doors but I'm thinking I'll add these onto the short list of cars I want to buy when I have income coming in. No turbos though because that is a terrible idea for me to have...

Check out the older 400Es when you start looking. 4 doors, nice cars, good power, and reliable as long as the harness has been taken care of. Something like this: ATL 400e I bought one for $400 to tinker with, then got into the w220s and w215s, so it's just kind of sitting around.

W210 e430 is good for a similar reason in places without much rust. The front suspension on those isn't safe when its rusty. I want a w210 e55 too, that along with the w126 300sdl and w220 s55 are probably my current favorite mercedes.

Boy Cotton, those RT look great on there! What lips and barrels did you end up using?

chandlerGTi wrote: Boy Cotton, those RT look great on there! What lips and barrels did you end up using?

They are 16x9 up front and 16x10 in the rear. IIRC ET 11 all the way around. Thanks again for finding them! I need to get some better pictures, but with the different front tires and a fresh light cut and buff the car really looks nice. I'm anxious to get the CL cleaned up and then get some pictures of them together...I love the pillar-less coupes.