More Than You Want to Know - Mercedes 560 SEL 

I've been working on three separate technical projects, and one is a follow up of sorts to the mechanical computer video. Both are almost done, but took a little bit longer than planned. I also took a trip to Colorado for a few weeks and this is the product of that!

The wipers on the headlights also have hidden water jets in them. It shoots washer fluid as it wiped down the lights. It's activated only when traveling over 40mph and you hold back the windshield washer stalk for 3 seconds.

Chiming in from Australia - I own a Euro spec 89 560SEL 300hp version (full AMG kitted) with custom exhaust & engine work and it is by no means a slouch at all - so perhaps US based versions of this saloon get the wrong impression on performance vs the Euro spec versions. Also heavy US style bumpers add an extra 55lbs of weight vs the light Euro bumpers. I also own 2 x Gen2 coupes & do all the work on these cars myself. They are great DIY cars to work on once you understand them and are not complicated at all. The bosch K & KE Jetronic system is basically mechanical Fuel injection and very robust & reliable when you understand how it functions & maintain it correctly without the need to go to workshop as no plug laptops required here. Once your suspension is properly sorted with usual maintenance like any car these cars are awesome to cruise in and so comfortable and reliable. It is also fun drivng one of these instead of your garden variety modern cars which are so boring as they all look the same. Also bear in mind you can't go comparing a +30yr old car to a brand new or modern car of same size as the SEL and that is not what buying one of these old classic cars is all about. It is more about stepping back in time and enjoing a bit of that 80's era for sure and is very therapedic on the soul as an escape our fast pace of life today

"It's a car for doctors, but also a car for dictators and lawyers." Love the grouping classifications.

"it will get you up to about 100 miles an hour before a Paris tunnel, if that's your concern" Brutal.

Love when notification pops up for this channel, I know I'm gonna learn something today

I have the predecessor to that chassis. The w116, i have it in diesel format. I bought it as a let me try this car. I dearly love the thing. It's not going to set your world on fire with speed. But man o man it does feel special to drive. I also enjoy working on it.

owned a 560SEL in the past, amazing ride, smooth buttery power delivery but by god that Bosch K-jetronic fuel system and vacuum lines !!!!

Forget quirks and features. I need more reviews like this. Fascinating stuff.

This is on my list of cars I must own before I die. It doesn’t need to wow me with magnificent performance and I would take a 6cyl or diesel variant. I remember sitting in one at an auto show when new and just being amazed at how quiet and comfortable the interior was. One thing to note, I was surprised at the front suspension design. Doesn’t look as robust as I expected.

This was a great informative presentation and the production quality is almost on par with professional news magazine shows like motorweek. The overhead drone shots are awesome and the high def really shines on this vid. I’m obsessed with the w126 and you really touched on some of my favorite points about this great piece of automotive engineering. The phrase “ they don’t make them like they used to” really really means something here! You sir, have a new subscriber.

I own an '84 500SEL. I recommend them for those who want the same W126 chassis, but with much simpler and easier maintenance than a 560: No ABS, airbag or hydraulic suspension. They are less powerful though, but really so is the 560 by today's standards. Both return pretty ghastly mpg--about 15 on a good day, but the 500 uses regular whereas the 560 requires premium.

I guess we can expect video of changing ke-jectronic for standalone ECU?

Really miss the Mercedes of old,, these things are absolute tanks, as long as you treat them well and keep up with maintenance they last for ever

my old range rover(p38) head light wipers had no switch, they automatically came on once if i operated my windscreen wipers washers whilst the main beam was on.

Honestly it's amazing how well these handle actually. I throw mine around like a mad man.

I believe the sticker about the airbag was to say when it was Replaced, not when it was Due for replacement.

For the headlight wipers, try using the spray. Was how my 1990 300se worked.

Love this format of videos. Keep 'em coming!

These are the kind of reviews I want to see. Great video!

If it is anything like my 87 E-class the headlight wipers work when the fog lights or headlights are turned on

I had a diesel w126 great car. Easy to fix at home. Gave to son.

Oh yeahh, the most intersting youtube channel buying my most loved model mercedes. i have the same W126 car but its a 500SEL from 1983

I recently bought an 1985 380 SE in light Ivory. Replaced the dual roller timing chain and upper guides and tensioner. Rebuilt the fuel distributor and spark plugs. It’s got 130,000 miles on the small V8. There is a stately feel and look of the car and if you turn off your phone and buy gas in cash, you are mostly untraceable!

Beautiful car. Makes me want to buy an old mercedes. I do like my miata though and two cars really aren't in the budget. I guess it'll have to wait

Nice Video. Had two W126 not many years ago. Paris Tunnel was not a W126. Airbag is a dud at this point, mine was. Newer Mercedes with 7 speed Speeshift that still have torque converter (Later moves to wet clutch pack), still have separate drain for torque conveter. I remember the W124 also has a drain for torque converter. It's common for Mercedes. The center distributor replacement is the best present you can give this car. The factory had remanufactured ones as late as 2006. a used mercedes can be fine, have had many. You are right that you have to do your own maintenance, but a hybrid is possible too. You do your own diagnostics with specialized software, determine part number for replacement, buy spare, have a good business relationship with a shop, where you're allowed to bring your own parts, then it's fine. Goes all the way up into AMG cars. The headlight wipers problem is that there is a mechanism with microswitches. Open up the gearbox, of the headlight wipers, make sure that the wiper sits parked in the proper position and they will be fine and very impressive too. Don't try to replace the blade, just replace the rubber. You forgot to talk about the wiring harness on this car: It has soldered wiring, not crimped wiring. The connectors are engineered by Mercedes to have large contact surface, to allow large amperage demands. That transmission has an adjustment control that changes the firmness of the shift. The steering gearbox with recirculating balls has an adjustment to distribute the play. If I could find anotherone for $1500, I would buy it, but I don't think they can still be found at this price. Then there are the quirks: Won't start until several cranks, some say a designed feature, to rev up the oil pump and build oil pressure before ignition. Un-natural short turning radius for such a long car Reverse won't engage until a second almost later You didn't talk about the pneumohydraulic power locks (that work from the trunk too) They always leak rain water into the trunk and if you don't replace the tail lights it is very difficult to stop the leak. Some just remove the drain plug in the spare wheel well. Special density of defogger lines on rear window And you should see the engineering in the W124. While owning W126es, I always told myself that I will never own a W124, would be a downgrade for me. Then I did own one and it was a definite engineering upgrade. Good luck with it, I hope you still have it. Post more videos about that V12, please. If tbhis is a real 560, possibly all of them were California COmpliant. If so, then this may have a form of OBD1. If so, you can make a rudimentary tester with LED's and get codes out of the car. I did this with my 420SEL.

The review we didn't know we needed, but we're happy to have.

I have owned Mercedes Benz for years. Quality in every way. An interior design that is gorgeous. I always replace the radio though…..keep the old one for resale.

I bought a 1989 190E w201 2 years ago, last year I took it apart to refurbish it and inspect the car for rust, and it is now my daily. These old mercs are brilliant cars, and the more I use it, the more I love it. It was meant to be a second car in case my VW Polo had problems and also to learn how to work on cars, now I ended up selling my VW because I don't need a 2nd car lol

Its like a Doug DeMuro video except better because Doug DeMuro is not in it.

Great Video. I love the W126. I have three, 87 / 91 560sel snd 86 420sel.

Well now I know who that was on the side of the road with that blue Mercedes when I drove past Jerry's barns the other day, and that they were indeed not having car troubles. I didn't know you were around this area, though I have to say the last name looked familiar.

Those old cheap luxury car are actually great value if you know what you are doing. I've been given a completely dead E30 a few years ago. About 1500€ later (including fun parts like a Weber 34/32. DMTL and other stuff), it drives like a dream. It's the small 1.8 M10 engine which I converted to carburetor (well it's a drop in) but the car weights 990kgs according to spec. It was given for 90bhp with a poor pierburg electronic carburator 2BE, it feels like 100-105 bhp right now and has been absolutely rock solid even though I'm rarely under 6.000 rpm on winding roads. Such a bargain for such a great car.

Great video format. Keep it up Wesley.

Ive always loved them! I currently own a 2005 c 320 4 matic, which is my 1st Mercedes. Easy to work on, like the older 328 E46 BMW’s.

a lot of great information in this video so I will return the favor when you turn the windshield wipers on the headlights windshield wipers move in the same Rhythm as the ones on the windshield same with the sprayer

I have an 87 300sdl which is also a 126 but I believe the diesels are more durable than the gassers aside from the 350sdl which had issues with too little clearance between the cylinders. 200k miles is quite a few on those 560's, my 300sdl had over 324k miles on it but I guess that shows how good the motor in the 560 is.

Most Euro cars: Headlamp washers operate when the windscreen wash function is used when the headlamps are on.

And it still has the hood emblem!

I had a 86 420sel put 300,000 miles on it. I wish I still had her but had to sell after I was paralyzed about 10 years back. The front tires actually tilt at high speeds for exstreamly smooth steering also helps turning in parking lots. My favorite part is the button when you floor the throttle & it down shifts hauls butt. Literally a "go" button!! Mine was identical to this one. Those ones are very reliable I have no problems with any of its engineering though some parts are expensive & all maintenance is very easy. That headlight assembly though is about $1200 for a new one so you getting the whole car for $1500 is a crazy good deal. My biggest problem is the plastic numatic lines they use for everything that crack because of aging.

>You know, any flagship Mercedes made before the year 2000 has a problem with the clientele, you know Saddam Hussein owned a 560SEL that shot flames out the side. That's a problem? To me that sounds like more incentive to buy one...

Great video. You may have already but I'd replace the boots on the rear socks as soon as possible. When they're torn dirt can get on them and tear up the seals causing them to leak. Happened on one of my shocks and they are extremely expensive.

my 1985 Saab 900 had Bosch CIS injection and is was super reliable and easy to service.

I'm the proud owner of a 1981 w126 380sel and I agree. Mine has K-Jet though and in the models before 83 the cat was an option (at least here in Germany) but it probably cost extra money and definitely 10 horsepower. So no cat but a working sunroof. Can't wait for the next video.

Every Catalytic converter thief just perked up, LOL... Super interesting I dig the vids. :)

I had one just like it. Only problem is if there is a cylinder problem there are only 2 or 3 places in the US that can repair it and you can't find oversize pistons anymore. Also all the dry rot. The rubber and plastic mercedes used doesn't hold up to the test of time. lol. Nice video, thanks for sharing.

i had a 91 passat with a similar fuel injection system. took me a bit to get it dialed in, but when i did, it was great

Hello I have a R129 1998 sl500 I'll never part with it even after I wear it out if it wears out but love it I'm retired now lol but I want to buy one of those 560 SEL sedans and I do my own maintenance so I know how to shop for parts and keep my maintenance regular thank for the advice you car is a very nice one

Nice vid man. I'm from Brazil and have one W126 300SE 1990 Brown whit Brown. It's an amazing car. Please, do more videos from yours.

This was fun. You should do more like this.

Superb car! I'm pretty sure the weird long wheel studs happened because Daimler Benz were going for a wheel with a flat outer surface for lower aerodynamic drag. But being MB change happens slowly and they weren't going to redo the suspension just for the sake of a fancy new wheel. So instead we get the ridiculously deep bores in the wheel and the equally ridiculous bolts. If they're overtightened they can be quite a problem as the hex head will twist and break off before the thread releases.

You're a prince among men, Mr. Kagan.

The headlight wipers used to work by having the windshield wipers and headlights on and then triggering the windshield wash pump, but I seem to recall that it used a separate pump and reservoir for the headlight spray and will not actuate if it is out of fluid. If my memory serves, the resevor is inside the fender and has a really tiny fill cap that is almost vertical so you will need a flexible funnel... But it has been 35 years since I worked on those. I did electronic and electrical repairs in a bodyshop that did a lot of European cars back when that car was new.

That's a car from the golden era of Mercedes. I'd love to have one but I know it would bankrupt me.

560 sel 1989 was my first car and it's my favorite

You said the m117 is one of the more reliable mercedes engines ever built. And glanced over it as nothing. If that is true it would be amazing since most mercedes engines since that era is extremley reliable. Amazing video. Would like to see more like this

Maybe the headlight wiper motors needed to be changed in 1997 too

I've had my '86 560 SEL for 4 years. (3rd owner) I wouldn't trade it for anything. Just tuned it up, and it runs like a striped-assed-ape. It will easily eclipse 100 mph and feel like you're doing 70. It's getting new shocks tomorrow.

I like what you said about Mercedes being the same as normal cars 20 years later, and I feel the same with my '86 Volvo. Heated seats, sunroof, etc make it an odd experience. Classic '80s styling with modern conveniences is nice. I do miss my old '82 Honda's crank windows tho. Not a huge fan of electric windows

If in circa 1980's you asked Porsche to conceive and build a Rolls-Royce, the Mercedes benz W126 would have been the answer! Power without the temperament, imperial but measured. Over-engineered & nothing wasted. Germanic to a fault but also elegant in ways that neither its predecessor nor successor could manage. There is nothing quite like these cars: the chunk-sound made when closing the doors tells you that the minute you step in. The smooth power, effortless mile-eating ability, super-high quality interior which feels like it was hewn out of stone and serene silence has never quite been surpassed by Mercedes ever again. These really are truly the last great Benz's: engineered to perfection with no electrics to hide 'mistakes'. They will never be engineered, designed or built like this again!

I love this car

Beautiful car, great to hear you talk about it. Would love to see a similar style of vid for your take on the 928.

I really like the intro of that video! Generally I feel like the "production quality" of your videos is steadily getting better and better, really awesome! And now part of me wants you to become a dictator, too! But then again, that same part of me wants you to drag-race that car and spray it with a little nitrous... so juuust maybe that part of me shouldn't be taken all that seriously :D Anyways, thanks A LOT for making all these videos, I really love them, much appreciated :)

That was exactly how much I wanted to know! Thank you

maybe not for a daily driver, but for keeping it. these cars have a great fanbase in germany, expecially the SEC versions of it. they still look good and have a really good sound when they have the V8 in it.

I own a 1990 Mercedes Benz 420sel in black and grey two tone, I had the same issue trying to figure out how to make the headlight wipers work. You have to turn the lights on then push the stalk that controls the hi-beams and windshield wipers in towards the steering wheel, took me way to long to figure it out too 😂 They are very cool and everyone that sees the car points them out but they are pretty useless

I had a vw with ke jetronic. When fuel pump is running and injector unit is pressurised, the air metering flap is surprisingly hard to move by hand. I wonder how much power does it rob.

I liked and subbed before watching ur vid just because of the car

“It will get you up to about 100 miles an hour before a Paris tunnel, if that is your concern.” Savage, completely savage.

100 before a Paris tunnel...Good one..I once had a 700 series

The headlights have to be on for the wipers to work. I learned that on my w124. That is a beautiful car.. I wish I could find one with that nice of an interior. I painted cars for 30 years so I would rather paint one than replace an interior. If you run into any deals like that please let me know. Especially diesel cars.

As a professional Mercedes Benz historian specifically with the W116,W126,W140,W220,W210,W211,W212,W114/W115,R107,C107,C140,R129,R230 etc. Its activated by yiur windshield wiper and thags vacuum operated/controlled on the W126 as eell as the trunk and soor locks as well

I think the headlight wipers are operated whenever you use the windscreen washer, they should also have their own little headlight squirters too.

I’m looking forward to more videos on your Corvette build.

Wheelbase for DAYS

Was that a princess di joke? It was a w140- but got my attention

If Wes can’t figure out why the headlight wipers don’t work…. I don’t have a chance !

Is this gonna be new series on this channel? I like this kind of content.

Headlight wipers operation: headlights on, run windshield washer and headlight washer and wiper come on as long as you hold windshield washer on. You’ll never see it from outside unless you can see reflection or someone else operates windshield washer with headlights on. 💡

I think the headlight wipers work with the windshield wipers or thats how they work on my old volvo.. well they both worked but I got rid of them while changing out a smashed headlight.

This was our family car growing up and it was absolutely perfect (less the time the suspension went out or the radiator hose leaked). I still dream about getting another one, tbh - if you ever want to sell.... hello.

No mention of the Achilles heel...plastic timing chain tensioner shoes crack and fall down to crank making chain break or skip a tooth resulting in catastrophic valvetrain/piston damage. That, and when the shoes are worn, the chain rubs through and into the aluminum shoe base....filling the engine with aluminum flakes. I had one and did upper and lower guides. Big job.

It ain't broke... Time to fix it! Any news on the gas generator/electric drive car idea?

The headlight wipers on my 420SEL come on when the lights are on and you operate the windscreen washers.

0:13 At first glance the red toggle switch and the blue dial made me thing of the Dodge SRT-4 Stage Toys package.

I recently bought a 95 E300D, I love classic Mercedes. I almost regret not getting a W126 Diesel, but I don't. I just love the way these cars look. So you going to put free valve on this thing? 😅

Head light wipers come on with the washers. I owned one of these new in the day, and now have owned another for 15 years that I bought with 140,000km on the clock, 245,000km. now. It has cost me very little, parts are not that expensive and mainly readily available, not that I have needed much. It is reliable, has a better ride than my LC 200, and owes me nothing. I would be confident to set out for Darwin 4000km away. From Australia.

What do you mean by getting up to a 100 before a Paris tunnel

I have owned a lot of MB cars over 20 years and this was by far the best model. These days you do not want to own a MB out of warranty. They are prone to failure by design now. MB is not the company it was in the past.

Headlight wipers work when the main lights are on and you wash windshield... right?

My '82 BMW 323i also has the same tensioner on the alternator.

You can never tell me more than what I want to know. Hence why I’m back. Let’s go.

i had one of these but the fuel relay melted and burned up the wiring harness. sold it for a grand. it still ran if you jumpered the relay pins with a paperclip lol

What is the difference between the 500 SE and the 560SEL? Trying to order parts for my 1980 500 SE?

That is recirculating ball steering. You have a leaky steering box. Not until the W220 did Mercedes-Benz use rack-and-pinion steering in the S-Class.

I have a 560SEC and my headlight wipers come on and spray when the headlights are on while activating the washer mode. :-)

Omfg 100mph before a Paris tunnel I'm dead. Subscribed, and maybe one day we can be friends... if you're not too busy

The best Mercedes

I hope you saw that Donut gave your free valve DIY and channel a shout out. We need more content from you man! Where ya been?

Headlight wipers will probably only come on with the windshield washer at least that’s how they worked on my Saab. Their only purpose is to clean dirty headlight lenses