The lean in the corners is ridiculous, but the W126 grips very strong. It is very predictable at its limit, and communicates extremely well by doing what you want it to do WHEN you want it to. I love them for this.

The W140 shuts out everything from the outside world. It is an isolated experience, and IMHO, boring. And of course expensive to fix if something breaks. That said, I'm not scared of 'em.

The styling of the W126 is timeless, and can be made better with a few upgrades such as Euro lights, bumpers, and AMG monoblocks. AMG monoblocks also help out the 140 in aesthetics, (which IMHO looks like a plain, but bloated version of a 124) IMHO. It was an unpopular car when it first came out, and it is still undesirable today. But I will admit it certainly was superior to the W126 in terms of refinement.

But I don't need electric rear-view mirrors, dual antennae rear assist, and door-assist. I don't need dual pane windows with RIVETED motors, 4 wiring harnesses, and 4700 lbs of dry weight to cart around. I'm fine and happy with what I've got.

A W140 is definitely more resistant to rust, however, and I wouldn't rule out getting one for a winter beater.:D

Welp, didn't get it.
Went for $2950.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260206684521

Anyone here get it?

W126 buying, if you want to do it.
 

If you are going for a W126 Diesel, you can try again later, there are usually more of them out there. You might also try out the 300SE and 420SEL, and see what you think of those. Sometimes you can get one at a smokin/' price, as the Diesel is the "hot" setup just now, with concern over fuel prices.

Take a look at the buyers guide. I co-wrote that way back in 1998, and though the prices mentioned, in there, are outdated, now, the other information isn't.

http://www.mbcoupes.com/buyersguide/buyersguide.htm

Avoid the W126 S350; Just search under "Rod bender" and you will soon understand why.

Don't overlook the 1981-1985 300SD models, either - those are likely to be among the most trouble-free and high mileage ones of them around....

Ginny,
You need to quit trying to buy your cars on ebay! Buy on Craigslist, Sell on ebay! ;)
You might have to wait awhile to find the right one to come along, but it will be worth the wait. Craigslist cars are usually local also, and you can take a look at what you are considering. Also keep your eyes peeled in the Cars for sale section of this site.
Just a thought......

I would seek out a peach, mechanically and cosmetically. You may pay a bit more (probably a lot more), but you'll have a much better car that requires no work for reconditioning. It will all balance out in the end, and there'll be fewer headaches in the long run.

Unless one LIKES taking on projects and bringing cars back that otherwise would've been junked. We're certainly not saving anything, but at least we're passionate about our hobbies.:)

Me? I can't stand driving anything that wasn't 100%, so I'm ALWAYS working on my cars to make them as factory fresh as possible...Whenever I can afford to do so.

My car is never 100%... but the feeling i get when it is almost there is almost like a drug... feels good... but fate has a way of knocking me back to earth with another stream of broken parts.

Hey Jimmy,
Yeah, I got really lucky on my first one (sig line pic). Picked her up for $2500 in Fort Morgan, CO about an hour away. Sight unseen, she is a great car mechanically and cosmetically. I've spent about $1000 on her since I got her 2 years ago and that was partly just maint and then the heat thing last week.

I have a good sense about things. And if I don't get them, like this last eBay car, I figure it's the universe looking out for me. It means there is something better that I need to wait for. This attitude helps keep me sane when I don't get my way.

This is like me. When I lost heat on the SD my husband wanted to just bypass the servo to at least have defrost. But I just can't do that. I want it fixed, not rigged.

In the summer when running a blend of 50/50 WVO/diesel I buy 6 in line filters and 3 spin ons. I change the inlines one the first of the month and the spins every other month. I don't have to worry about filters causing me to stop on the hwy. Happened once to the DH, learned the lesson quick.

lessons from the Detroit Tech Session 123 vs 126
 

We spend quite a bit of time looking at the maintenance differences between the diesel 126 and the 123.

The huge difference is the secondary firewall in the 126 chassis which complicates access to components like the aux water pump and the blower motor regulator. Accessing these components in the 126 is a bear. Otherwise under the hood access looks easier in the 126 than the 123, marginally.

I'm afraid I am sold on the elegance of the 126 body, although it is an awkward big SOB in downtown traffic.

I think a good example of either is a fine car and not worth arguing about :)

The blower regulator is easy to reach on a W126, as its mounted to the side of the blower housing assembly. Its a pain to reach on the W123 as its burried up in the dash behind the glove box.

I think you meant the "blower resistor coil" which is indeed hard to get to on the W126, as its under the brake booster behind the 2nd firewall.....and its just right out in the open on the W123, I will never understand that one. Oh well.

The W126 is simply one of the best cars ever made, in terms of looks, handling, quality, and comfort. During its time it was the best you could buy, period.

Fast forward 25 years:
They ride really stiff and roll to much.
The AC is marginal at best, but the climate control when working properly is very, very good.
Stock sound system sucks, but MB had crappy sound systems until BOSE came out.
Most examples for sale are beat.
Rust is an issue.
They are not the most stiff chassie out their.
Pretty loud to.
They are super simple to repair.
Parts are cheap and easy to get.
The brakes are still typical MB, even after 25 years better than most new cars.
They lack built in navi, steering wheel controls, and I can't use my cell over the speakers. They also don't have a hard drive like the new ones so you can't save pre set numbers, songs ect. I guess you can hook your Ipod up to the radio but that is lame for an S class.
They have ABS, but lack traction control, ASR or ESP would be nice.
They don't have one touch windows.


The W140 is a better built car in many ways, its also a bit larger. The W126 was built when MB didn't really have any competition for that market, the W140 faced stiff competition from BMW, Jag, Lexus, Audi, ect. So they went nuts and spent $1B evolving the W126 design.

Compared to the W221 the W126 is a stiff riding, clunky, creaky old tractor. But I like my clunky old tractor.:D

Man i don't know what you are talking about.... My 126 has a navi system... its an AAA map in the glove box. the radio is in a very nice location no need for steering wheel controls, i can hit the preset radio station while my hand is resting on the shifter knob. and as far as using your phone over the speakers... you are about 20 years to early for that... there use to be pay phones conveniently located on almost every street corner, and they 126 have a very nice cup in front of the shifter for your change, making those pay phone stops ever more convenient. the stock radio came with programmable presets for the radio stations... i don't know what you need a hard drive for? and the tape stops with the ignition, and can be picked up where you left it when you start the car.

you can't honestly compare this car to the cars of today. driving it is an exercise in experiencing what it was like to be on top of the world in 198X. and it is a very good car. I honestly must have been born in the wrong decade, because i find the 126 to be overloaded with luxuries. and i feel totally comfortable in it. if you are dependent on navi systems, and bluetooth then the 126 isn't the car for you... that said, if you are on a budget i can't think of having a nicer car for the money.

In my line of work I need some kind of GPS, a built in would be better then the Garman I currantly use. Again in my line of work being able to use voice control and talk on the phone inside the car without having to actualy pick up a phone would be freaken sweet! I am spoiled after playing with all the new cars. In the new S you can say, call office and it calls the office! Or program in your listings address so you just say call XX Camden, and you can bang out client calls just like that! Amazing!!!!!!!!!:cool:

When I have a spare $2k I plan on putting a built in Navi into the SDL, the only downside is that the pop up screen will block the climate controls. I may even be able to find one that has Bluetooth!:cool: The sound system will always be marginal at best because their is only so much you can do with only 4 speakers, even 4 really, really good speakers.

AFAIk pay phones don't exist anymore, I only see them in the airports. Maps are dangerious to use while driving.

By all means KEEP THAT ATTITUDE! I searched for over 2 years before I found my SD. What I was rewarded with was a one owner vehicle with an absolute ton of records. Did I pay a little more? Yep....but all I have done since I got it last May was replace the alternator, and just last week new pads and sensors for the front brakes. I passed on several DECENT cars, but I got a GREAT one after a little patience.

As sirnik said, it has everything a car should have today. It has ac. It has power everything. It has sunroof. It has foglights. Ok well im not going to list every feature, but for a 1981 car, power seats are pretty amazing in my opinion. The w123 is the same, the only thing I cant find thats on a w126 is the power seats. I find it pretty awesome that my car has more features than my brothers 96 lexus, not to mention its safer