I Sold My Diesel to Buy This...Hope I Did the Right Thing!
 

Sold my reliable driver, a 1985 300SD and I'm a bit bummed about it even though it happened in late January. I still lurk here and know in my heart that I will have another diesel one day. I bought a 1990 300SE with 77k and it's a fantastic car! It is SMOOTH as glass! Here's some pics.

FWIW...this is the best car forum on the net!

Wow that looks nice and clean.

Looks like it is an ideal OM648 conversion candidate!

your first tune up, and you will be back in dieseldom...

LOL vstech! I know you are probably right!
 

I hope it'll be a while. I've always had a gasser around so I know what I'm in for. But I always put all the miles on the Ol' Reliable SD. Sure do miss it. But this thing is a beauty! It's almost like a new 126, far more smooth and sophisticated than the SD.

I'm about to do my first oil change on the SE. If any of you guys are familiar...chime in. Here's my plan:

I'm going with Mobil 1 15w50.

1. Remove oil filler cap and dipstick from engine
2. Place a pan to catch the appx 6.5 qts of oil under drain plug
3. Remove drain plug (looks to be about 14mm to me)
4. While draining (I usually let it go about an hour or so)
loosen oil filter (I have a 74 mm oil filter wrench) and
let draining continue.
5. After draining, remove old filter
6. Use a bit of fresh oil on rubber filter gasket and
install new filter
7. Replace drain plug with new washer fitted
8. Fill with 6 qts of fresh oil, check for leaks and proper oil level

SUGGESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS WELCOME AS I DON'T WANT TO SCREW UP MY FIRST OIL CHANGE!

I have a 1991 300SE with 143K. Very nice car.

I'd love to have a set of those wheels for my 380SE

Buy a Mercedes that isn't diesel? I did that once. ONCE

You will enjoy the 300SE. The M103 is a very nice engine. Check your upper hose nipple on the radiator and expect to reseal the timing cover in the near future.

What other models of this car are there? I am looking for a 6 cyl Gas MB for my wife. I know some are just asking for trouble but I like the looks on this one. I'm hoping to spend under about 6k for under 100K miles. Might not be possible or even doable but the diesel is not something my wife can put up with. The pumps are too dirty and too hard to find and she'll forget and put gas in it anyway.

I love the way the interior is so similar to my old 116. MB continuity was amazing.

Very nice car!

Hi-test gas hog....(Gluk gluk gluk)! Expect 20 - 21 mpg highway. As bad as 15 mpg around town.

The engine is very user-friendly. And it can take some hard abuse. Valve guides and seals notwithstanding.

All in all, I'd say the most underrated W126 model going.

I'm going to get 24 on the highway.........as soon as I can get it out of the garage..........:rolleyes:

... 15W50!!!

why? I'd go with what's specified for the motor... I'd expect 5w30 or similar... 15w50 would be if the bearings are bad or something... MASSIVE heavy oil!

The '86 thru '91 (maybe '92?) 124 300E. I had an '87 for 10 years- an excellent car! Much like the 126, but a size smaller, and a little more modern in some details. Fuel economy is in the mid-20's and with a set of 4 Blizzaks and 80lbs weight in the trunk a real tank in winter driving.

The low temp pour point of Mobil 1 15-50 is quite good. That oil will flow immediately on startup. Wouldn't be a problem.

I expect the pour point of my Delvac 15-40 is worse.