Ep.4 - 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300SDL W126 S Class Diesel - Mercedes-Benz Classics with Pierre Hedary 

This is something I definitely don't see everyday, a professional mechanic that really love the cars he works with.

This era of MB cars was, without doubt, the best ever. The E class has continued to go downhill since the W123. The S class never improved on the W126. Yes, we get more toys but just about everything else has either not improved or actually got worse. Good work Pierre.

Thanks Pierre. This video almost brought me to tears. I was a proud owner of a 5 cylinder 300SD (short wheelbase) for over 21 years and I drove almost 400K miles on it. I pretty much raised my kids on the back seat between soccer games, school functions. etc. When the price of Diesel reached $5 /gallon in Texas while the regular gasoline was $2.8 /gallon, I found myself driving it less and less. So it was painful to seeing it parked outside my house so I decided to donate it to Kars4Kids. The engine was rock solid, the transmission still strong after more than 550K miles but I decided it was better for someone else to use this good old car that I had no longer use. This is by far my most reliable Mercedes I have ever owned. Every time I see one of these driving by I still regret the day I gifter it away. Mercedes doesn't make cars like this anymore because they will rather make their money on service. That is way I will never own a Mercedes after 2012

Pierre never disappoints. He’s detailed, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. And he’s fun.

Found a 420SEL 1987 that I could afford & I good enough condition to be a daily driver. Old geezer that loves old Mercedes on a social security budget. This is a feel good video… thank you

This particular car is now in my collection. I drove it from Alabama to NJ, a trip of about 1400 miles without a hiccup. Changing the rear to 2.47 made it the perfect highway cruiser. Pierre’s work is second to none.

I’ve had a w126 500sel here in the uk for almost 25 years as my daily driver wonderful car now with 190,000 miles

After he climbed in to the trunk, I had to give a thumbs up.

Yes absolutely! I feel the same way about my 116 SD and looking forward to adding a 126 to the family. Thank you for the excellent video, the passion, and the priceless support!

Driving my 190D 2.5 manual the last 30 years, restoring a 190D turbo and the family each with their own 190D I am happy to have found your channel. And I agree! Cheers

Dude you are a freakin maniac with the trunk gag. 😂😂😂

This video was the reason I bought my first w126 1987 300SDL. Love this car!

Kudos Pierre ... your love for the W126 has me pine for my old 500 SEL (which I sold 15 years ago) ... I miss so many things about that car ... It made me feel special driving it ... I was thinking about another w126 as a 'Weekender' & this has made up my mind to buy another W126 ...

Video quality is better than some movies.

Thank you. I relished every second of you video. My 1988 300SE was demolished by a texting teenager driving in my lane on a blind, hairpin turn. She started at the front, ran down my side and pounded me 90 degrees into a utility pole that crushed the passenger door and dashboard. The big Mercedes saved my life. I knew every nut and bolt, changed the entire front end, all the springs and Bilsteins tightened up the roll. I was lucky to have eight years with that inspiring machine and it was easily the most reliable and handsome driving companion in over forty-five years of driving. God, I miss that big lug!

Fitting tribute to probably the greatest passenger car ever made . Puts into pin sharp focus the sad decline .

"Wierd Millennial Hovercraft" this Made my entire week!

"worst mistake they ever did because they outdid themselves" I really miss my 280 SE after watching this even though I'm happy with my W210 E420. There's just something about the presence of a W126...

Just bought the exact same car. Always wanted one when I working on customers cars all the time, so I finally found and bought one. I love the W126. Amazing car!

I promise you this when the world goes all electronic There’s gona be guys like you and me driving these classics especially W126 😍😍❤️

Great car! I owned a car virtually identical to the one in this video. Bought it new ( paid ~$40kJ and ran it for 15 years putting ~300,000 miles on it. Sold it to friend ran it for another 10 years and and put about another 200k miles on it. Never had any major problems just regular maintenance (annual valve adjustment, oil changes, brakes, tires etc.) Wish I could buy another car like this.

TAKE THAT KENT BERGASIM !!! hands down best mercedes channel on youtube !

Really one of the best most bullet proof cars ever made. In a way, more elegant than the rolls or the bentley because it combined beauty with a spaten sensabilty. Nothing weird or out of place. No bells or whistles that would break after years,. Everything placed exactly where it should be. Even changing a tire on the side of the road is a pleasure in this car,

Thank you very much for the video and such a beautiful tribute to W126. I live in South Africa and I have memories of when I was 12 years old ( 26 years ago) being driven in a 300sel to Boarding school. The car belonged to my friend's dad, but I instantly fell in love with Mercedes right there and then.

Growing up my dad had a 300 se in Spain. What a reliably and great car. I started to drive with that mercedes, and another 220S. Now I love my 560SL, but I want to get a 560SEL for the old times! thanks for your stories!

The legend exposed by a true connoisseur like Mr Hedary. I had two w126, one from the early 80’s and one from 1990. The last one was awesome. Is the S class that I long for my last days on earth. Hope can do it. Thank you very much for this half hour of joy. Maybe now you think it’s time to review the w140?. Just kidding 😂😂😂😂

these beasts were 55 k back in 1987 !! amazing classics 40 years old car !

Game changer video

Benz is the greatest....greetings from Jamaica 🇯🇲

Another great video Pierre. I share your passion for these magnificent machines. I have a 1989 560SEL, 1985 500SEC, 1985 W123 300TD (estate) and a 1972 W108 280SE and try my best at keeping them in good driving shape. I've also owned a Jaguar, 2 BMWs and an American 'muscle' car, and nothing can compare to the engineering, built quality and overall elegance of these older Mercedes.

I love myW126. I rescued it for $600.00 and spent a year going thru it. No rust Florida car. Paint was still good she just needed love. Went thru it front to back. Love cruising in it with the AC blowing. People left it by there house to die because his wife bought a new one. I have a soft spot for old Mercedes Benz cars. Built to last just love and maintain them.

Wow great viewing! Loved that you climbed into the trunk. I’m so glad to be a owner of one of these beauties. Love your videos and all that you do. Thanks Piere!

I bought a 1990 300SEL with the m103 because that's how it came. I've been restoring it because it sat for 3 yrs has high milliage and the owner is not a mechanic I am. And I sit in the car and drive it around the yard to wash it and go through what I need to do to make it road worthy and I'm in love with it because it is so well made and it is so comfortable. Can't wait to take a road trip. So to hear your professional opinions on this well made German beauty reenforces what I know for myself I bought a champion that will last the test of time.

Very nice,and greetings from sunny Curacao. I owe a 1989 420 SEL pearl black😃

I love my 300SDL what a fantastic vehicle!

Perhaps because I have a 72K mile '87 300SDL, this is my favorite of Pierre's fine videos; as usual full of passion & substance - Thx!!

Thank you for the video. The W126 is well built. I see them commonly still on the road. I drive the Mercedes W123 diesel and they made a superior machine.

My mom had one of those when we were in high school. It was ten years older than anything in the driveway but outperformed everything in the driveway. She drove it 379,000 miles then sold it to a guy who still drives it today!

Thanks for the great show.I went to work for a Mercedes dealer in 91 after 20 years working on Japanese, French, Swedish, German, Italian, and British cars was impressed by the MB cars esp the 126. Imagine a shop filled with almost new 126 cars, a car lovers dream. I fell in love and have owned an 86 560SEL and an 84 300SD for many years and still love to drive them. I have been able to find many excellent parts for them at LKQ for very long low prices. The W140 is impressive but overdone.The W220 coming after the 140 was a shocking letdown and a pathetic sign of the cars to come. The old MB engineers must have been crying in their bratwurst.

Fantastic job. A designer master piece by Bruno Sacco and MB .

I just found a beautiful 1987 300sdl that looks identical to that. The interior is perfect. The body and paint look new. It is a 1 owner car always garage kept or in a private parking garage. The owner is a doctor and only put 172 k miles on it. It was well maintained by the dealership it was purchased at. I got the car for $500 still has window stickers and all Of the owners manuals. First aid kit and car cover that was purchased at mercedes when he bought the car. These are fabulous cars. I got so lucky finding this car

Hey, Pierre. We've been waiting for this video for so long! Turned out great!!! Thank you so much! I totally loved it. You mentioned the trap oxidizer only being installed in certain markets. I've never heard that. My 1987 300SDL was bought new in North Carolina, and was always an NC car, at least as long as I had it (I bought it from the original owner). It had a trap oxidizer on it. I received a letter in the mail from MB about the recall when the car was 10 years old, and took it to the dealer to have it removed, free of charge. I enjoyed the detail of the back seat. When I bought my first SDL years ago, any time a group of friends went somewhere, I'd let someone else drive, just so I could ride in the back seat! So much legroom that it was ridiculous, and so comfortable! What a great travelling car! As far as safety, my oldest step-daughter's first car when she turned 16 was a 1985 300SD. It was beautiful. She was t-boned by a Chevy Tahoe in that car. Car was a total loss. It was sad to see the car destroyed, but my little girl didn't even have so much as a bruise. I'll take steel over plastic and fiberglass any day.... Oh, and the trunk space demonstration was great. Loved it! You really told it like it was about the W126. I couldn't agree more, that Mercedes didn't realize just what they were creating. A car that would go down in history as the ultimate S-class. Thank you SO MUCH for this video. You and your team did an amazing job. I'm just thankful that there are people like you out there who still appreciate these cars, and understand just what wonderful machines they are. God bless all of you.

Great video of a wonderful car. A bit spoiled here as I am lucky to own my mothers 1986 W126 420SEL with 57K on the clock....AND a 1996 W140 S600 with 89K on it's travel thru time clock.....6'8" double amputee here below the knees and I fully enjoy the cavernous front and rear portals in and out of the cabins. To be able to have friends ride behind me in comfort gives me such pleasure. Thank you for the great work you are doing on these vintage vehicles. To quote and or paraphrase Bob Lutz......occasionally wrong but never in doubt.....that saying comes into my mind when ever I enjoy one of your videos. Mark

my late father had the s380se some of my greatest childhood memories in that elegant masterpiece same colour by thr way same wheels )),nice work pierre got to love what you do!!

22:20 "Florida Man locked in trunk of Mercedes, as it rolls into the swap." LOL

I whole heartedly agree with you! The w126 was the best s class by a significant margin. It has the great quality and qualities of an older mercedes build right along with all the modern stuff you actually need in a car. I dont need a ton of fecking screens and weirdly shaped plastic trim in a wierd interior. I want power seats, sunroof, abs, cruise control, airbags, huge room inside for all, and solid mechanicals and ease of service. But the w126 had some cool toys to, the trip computer, power sunshade, orthopedic seats, rare options on upholstery and materials, hot suspension, performance option 822, any AMG stuff, asd, self leveling suspension, heated power front and rear seats, vacuum leveling headlights, and so on and so on. It's all in one package

I have to say, I’m blessed to have some very fine automobiles in my garage. I like them all for different reasons, but if I have to choose one to keep, (which is what my Wife would rather have me do), I have to say, it would be the 1985 500 SEL. It feels just right, it gives me a sense of safety, comfort, and for whatever reason, it makes me feel elegant, important, it builds my confidence...?! I drive the S600 for the power and speed, the S350 for the economy and practicality, the Imperial for comfort and a sense of plushness, etc. but none posees the complete package, o makes me feel, the way the W126 does! I was trying to explain this to my Wife while driving it a few weeks ago....of course I can feel her eyes rolling in her head....hahaha, but it is a fact. This is, my car of choice if I would have to make one. Great job as usual Pierre. Enjoyed every minute of it!!!! Thank you!

Great video Review of the w126 . I enjoy driving my 1984 500SE. It is the best car I have ever owned.

My nephew and myself just purchased a 1986 300SDL in Belgium. A car with 93.000 miles imported from Florida and in splendid condition. This video you show here just convinced us to make this step. Many thanks to you for your reliable, technically correct and adequate information.

I totally agree. I love my new Mercedes but the W126 is the ultimate automobile.

Always Great to watch over and over again Thanks

You got that right, the best Mercedes I have ever owned: I miss my 300 sd vehicles. Thanks for a great channel,

Great video thank you Pierre and crew, I love my two 126's an 81 500SEL and 85 500SEC. I drove the coupe interstate one time in torrential rain for twelve hours straight and without any doubt the 126 is the safest and most formidable vehicle in these conditions.

Pierre, I really enjoyed this. Considering your knowledge of Mercedes Benz, this review of the w126's place in the overall lineup through the years, is especially valuable and telling.

Strong move with the trunk demonstration!

OK, Pierre. Talked me into it. I'm keeping mine!

I owned 4 classic Benz's but my 1991 300se is a daily driver ,213k and drives amazing . Simplicity and unstated luxury at it's best .

This video gave my gosebumps at the end. Pierre perfectly encapsulated my feelings about the W126. Love his passion for these cars!!

I haven’t explored the top speed bc it’s not legal lol. I respect the fact you won’t incriminate yourself on camera I like this guy lol 😂

Good morning Thank you so very much my Friend

This video makes me deeply regret selling my C126 560 , for a new at the time 300E (fabulous at the time) - excellent video, good info...

This video put a smile on me. I love my 1983 W126 380 SEL and that love has never wavered. I give it meticulous care and have since the beginning. Thanks for a wonderful video!

Every W126 engine combo had its own character and don't think there was a bad one, even in M110 form.

Agree with everything you say in this video. Of all the Mercedes I’ve owned, the W126 is the only one I miss driving even if it’s only a couple of days. I’m fortunate to have a 1990 560SEL and SEC. Love ‘em both!! (But need help with rough idle in the SEL and no power from engine in the SEC - lol)

Great video; many important points are mentioned that most do not know. I especially appreciate the part where Benz addressed the frontal offset crash with their engineering. I was hit like that in my '86 420 SEL, and literally walked away. My opponent was transported to the local hospital. I was hit by a Pontiac. Watching this video makes me want another W126 😁

I rescued a 1988 300SEL a year ago, the W126 has always been by dream car. Best car I have ever owned in my life, and EXACTLY what I wanted.

Another great video!!! The passion of Mercedes Benz you are showing in your films is amazing! Thank you.

Wow. Not only do I love this video, I love what you're doing with upping the ante on the productions. Well done, Team Hedary! Well done indeed!

My grandfather had this car in black and I can still smell it and hear that door closing. On the hunt for one now.

I love how environmentally friendly you are. Honestly

My 126 and 140 are by far my favorite cars

The nap demo sold me on the car!

Exceptionally informative ----Great Video Pierre !!!!!

These are great cars, I had a 1984, and it was amazing how reliable it was. But let it be said, the best Mercedes ever had to offer was the 2006 E320 CDI.

Great episode! I just got a 87' 500SEL from Spain in the exact same colour as the one in this video.

Just trailered back home a 1986 300SDL 325k miles, florida car, 2 owner and yes it has the original window sticker and purchase receipt. The previous owner loved the car but did not want to pay anymore for repairs. Car had no power and excessive fuel during full acceleration. Reconnected a broken vacuum line and the car is running great.

I believe you have just hit 16,000 subscribers as I am watching this very thorough review of this truly classic Mercedes!

Hi Pierre, I'm the person that works on one of my best friends that you know from Grundy Va. Mercedes's. I'm currently working on his 1987 300SDL. Our next one in line is a 1984 300TD wagon with the NA engine. It's a true euro, the tell tail bumpers, cloth seats, manual windows!!! I myself have several too, 1974 450SE with the 6.3, 1979 300D, 1995 E300 diesel, 1999 E320 [my daily driver at this time.] The 300SDL is without a doubt the cream of the crop in classic Mercedes, in my opine too.

great vid man

The Best Car in the World!

That's gotta be one of the best modern reviews of one of the most wonderful cars ever made. Thank you 👍🏻❤️💪🏻😁

Owned a1989 300 sEL since new. Sadly the plastic top radiator tophose disintegrated while my son was driving it, and the engine got “cooked"! Sadly, I sold he car in 2009, after enjoying this beautiful automobile for just over ten years!

You rock. I’m subscribing because you actually got into the trunk and closed it.

All the great things about the W126, I feel were a lot of common ground with the W123. Mercedes Benz didn't even know what great cars they were making until they were long gone. The W123 and the W126 were the ones I grew up with.

what a great video, I am the proud owner of a 1988 300SE, and am in love with this car, not just the way it drives, but the way it was built, and put together, very repair friendly, very driver friendly, and the best car i have ever owned and driven,, thank you for all your videos, i am learning something new everyday,, ,take care,,,,

Finally do a review of the best diesel not the crappy old ones this is in a whole different league

Great video ! Gives me so much pride in my 1991 350sd! Well done !

My kids were amazed by the "cell phone chargers" in the back of mine. LOL.... Had to explain what they were for.

I remember when I brought a blue '86 Mercedes 300SDL that my eye lit up on how comfortable and well it rides. Every time I drive this car, it's like flying a plane. I'm definitely gonna miss owning one because of my Bluetooth radio I installed and after 3 years my Mercedes was rear-ended but thank God because of the strength of the car body, I came out with no injuries. But had to give up 2 weeks later because it was totaled and had overheating problems due to the worn head gasket.

Great video! Thoroughly enjoyed all the info!

Hi Pierre, do one with your W123.

Top shelf car and video production - absolutely perfect! Like you have not hit 127mph 😉

Very cool! I had a 91 350sd for a time that I rescued from being scrapped. Even though I had owned (and still do) a 300CD and a 300D and worked on and driven more old Mercedes Benz cars I could tell the W126 was something special.I did not find this out for several months as I had to trailer it home and make it roadworthy first.I subsequently found that what the seller told me was true, that someone had purchased a new transmission and engine from the dealer to keep the car going.They probably looked around and decided they could not buy anything that could equal it. The car had about 500.000 miles on it when I got it and of course far less on the replacement drive train.Sadly the rust became terminal and I had to scrap the body. I pulled all the parts I could off of it first including ,of course, the engine and transmission and still have them. I paid 500.00 for the car originally and drove it for a couple years. I still want to find another sometime that has a diesel engine.I replaced it with a red 1991 300E 2.6 which is nice but not quite the same level of motoring.

Thank you, Pierre! This has been my inspiration for a long time and I finally purchased a mint 1987 300SDL. Love every bit of it!!!

Back in the mid 90's I read a book about Mercedes, it said: "A used Mercedes is better than a new anything". I bought a rusty, used, clunker diesel Mercedes a year before, and it's true, a used Mercedes is better than a new anything. Brand new Acuras could stop next to me at a stoplight and I was still happy I had my rusty Benz rather than their new Acura.

BEAUTIFUL camerawork and well-presented, thank you for your efforts

Amazing Pierre!!! I remember the night my Dad brought his home. Identical to this color combo but a 83' 280se. I was 1986 & I couldn't believe my Dad FINALLY had one!! We sat in it almost ALL night. To this day I remember the smell. Ironically my 94 S500 coupe has the exact same smell and it takes me back every time I drive that car which is only once a month.

I loved these so much as a kid I know own 5 of them. A gen1 500 with Champagne frig, 560, and three of the 300 SDL variant. Out of my 17 cars 7 are classic Mercedes. Keep up the awesome videos Pierre.

"millennial hovercraft" haha nice. Props on the engine line up.

Nick Lilly , Thomas and team- nice work.