A Buyers Guide for the Mercedes-Benz W126 family of cars, what to look for during your pre-purchase inspection. email Lawrence directly at Lromanosky@me.com
Parts break, wear, corrode, and rust; it's a fact of life. This is a car that cost $65000 when new ($125k in today's inflated currency). It was also handbuilt (you can expect replacement panels and interior items to be a premium as a result). Many luxury features (such as automatic leveling rear suspension) were not implemented on any other vehicle south of a Bentley or Rolls at that price point so that would also come at a premium. Repair costs also vary by geographic region (a Mercedes mechanic in California will pull you through the wringer whereas somewhere like Alabama it is very reasonable). Also bear in mind that those that can not truly afford it are the first to always complain and gripe about maintenance and repair costs.
Just a few weeks ago I met such beauty parked in front of our building and must say it is stunning piece of design! Seeing this majestic coupe after decades again and comparing to current over-bold too curvy Mercs which look like melting candy this empire shape is like a statue of an automotive art. It was ivory-silver in absolute mint condition looking like new and certainly after complete restoration. The owner had to spend fortune but nevertheless it is like i.e. with pure Fers produced before F430 which had original character …. As soon as you stop/park next to some new one everybody around knows it is you the gentleman of sophisticated taste and style….
Going back to the rear glass de lamination in the lower corners being mentioned. With trunk lid open, you can check from below with your fingers through the openings the lower window frame for rust. That area is notorious for rust. Usually not an issue for cars who spent their lifetime in warm and dry climates.
A very nice presentation on an emblematic gem from Mercedes-Benz the W126. It's quite large for my taste and the choked roads of Costa Rica. You don't see many here! Today at a historic car rally I saw three W126: one 300 SEL in good shape, a 500 SEC with a diesel fitted and in deplorable state belching black smoke and a 280 SEC in red that is being sold for US$15,000, but the front wheels seem out of alignment and the color red which I never ever remember as an original color, made it look cheesy. All three were sagging in the rear, but it could be my idea!
Great vid!! Informative and pretty much on point. If you source your parts online, read up on how to repair perform most of the work yourself, you'll save bundles.
Thank you for doing this video. Best part... doors, "it should be beautiful, cars don't do that anymore"... so true!!! Not that wish this on anyone but would you rather get t-boned in this car or any car made today?
They wouldn't dare do that rear tire looking like a doughnut like that today... New Benzes 2019 are pure class!!! 1987 was the greatest year too for Benz...esp hand made versions.
No, pretty much everything costs a couple thousand to repair :) I forgot the exhaust ($2,500).... Great car though, for just driving around, it may well be my favourite car ever.
Wow. Would love to give you the names of my Mercedes people around Dallas and Fort Worth as well as on the east coast. Would save you a great deal of money.
So the 1995 was a different car with a different 5.0L engine. While the W140's are much larger and more complex than the W126's that they replaced, I don't think there are any timing chain issue with the later engine.
Once again where are you guys getting your parts, you do realize you can get a parts car for 2500 and have way more parts,a re you buying fromt he dealer??? Is this 2500 USD???? my s600 COUPE doesntcost 1000 for every repair
