1986 560SEL - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

s38junkie · #1 02-26-2012, 06:07 PM

Summary

1986 560SEL
Diamond Blue / Silver
~140K miles
WDBCA39D4GA245341
PRICE DROP TO $3400
Located in Northern NJ

I bought this car as a replacement for my Euro W124 300D that I sold recently. I have always loved the W126 560s and was looking for a rust free example which I could not find in the North East. So I bought this one in Florida and drove it back up. I intended to keep this car for a long time but got bit by the V8 W124 bug. If I had the space / money, I would keep it, but I can't justify having 6 cars. It does need some work (listed below), but a lot of the big ticket stuff - including the timing chain and AC work - was done recently. I made it back from Florida without issue and would drive this car anywhere as it is right now without hesitation. In fact, I've been using it as a daily driver for the past 3 months without issue. It just sucks up highway miles effortlessly.

Maintenance / Repairs in the last 30k miles

Over $11k in receipts!

Front pads, rotors, and wear sensors
Rear brake hoses
Rear brake caliper
Plugs
Air filter
Timing chain and tensioner (115K miles)
Valve cover gaskets
Belts
A/C compressor, drier, and switch
A/C condensor flushed
A/C idler pulley
Trans mount
Shifter bushings
Motor mounts
Lower ball joints
Steering damper
Guide rod bushings
Front struts
Alignment
Rear suspension control valve
Fuel pump relay
Headlight surrounds

I just replaced the tires with General Ultimaxes.

I have all receipts from the PO.

The Good

Like all properly running 560s, the car is rocket at highway speeds (see YouTube video below). Torque and power are right on the money and 70 - 110MPH bursts are impressive with plenty more top end if you have the courage. It has way more torque at useable RPMs than my W124 E420. It starts and runs great, any weather, all temperatures (I drove the car back from Florida, where temperatures were 80+ to New Jersey where temps have fallen to 15 degrees). The idle is smooth and the valve train sounds quiet - no tapping.

Parts of the exterior were resprayed to a good standard, roof paint is original. Chrome is very good to excellent and there is NO VISIBLE RUST including underneath which is still has the factory undercoating. The Gen II body cladding is in excellent condition with no visible scratches / dents.

The dash is ALMOST crack free with two small cracks visible by the front speakers. ALL seat leather - including driver's side bolster - is in excellent condition with no rips or cracks. The headliner is unmarked and not falling.

Almost everything works, including the reclining rear seats and ALL FOUR seat heaters. Power windows, sunroof, seat adjustments, gauges are all in good working order.

The Not So Good

- Power steering is leaking
- Radiator is leaking coolant
- Hydraulic accumulators for rear self leveling are shot
- The starter doesn't always engage on the first try but the car never fails to start
- The inside driver's door skin suffered some sort of break-in attempt (not in my ownership)
- Vacuum locks aren't working
- The vacuum modulator for the transmission will need adjustment, shifting seems funky at times
- Some front end shimmy at highway speeds. One of the wheels is probably out of balance.

The odometer is currently inoperative, but I have all records from the PO documenting the date / mileage back April 2010. So I am estimating 140K miles which should be within 5K - give or take - of the actual mileage.

My Contact Information

e28m5 at comcast dot net
NINE ONE SEVEN 374 THREE TWO NINE ONE

Pictures

https://www.dropbox.com/home/Public/Mercedes%20560SEL

s38junkie · #2 02-26-2012, 07:45 PM

More pictures....

Kieran1 · #3 02-26-2012, 09:22 PM

I have looked at a ton of W126s (560SELs) & this is a very decent deal in the N.E.

W124.036 - a very nice compromise.

If you can't sell this W126 for around $3800.00 in NJ/N.E. - this world is totally lost.

s38junkie · #4 03-11-2012, 10:00 AM

Price drop - $3400.

Here is the in-car video test drive... skip to 3:30 to see 3/4 throttle acceleration onto highway:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri0FcFvzpGg

TheHof · #5 03-14-2012, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kieran1

I have looked at a ton of W126s (560SELs) & this is a very decent deal in the N.E.

W124.036 - a very nice compromise.

If you can't sell this W126 for around $3800.00 in NJ/N.E. - this world is totally lost.

I have to respectfully disagree - not to disrespect the seller or car but, $3,800 for a 560 with a leaking radiator, leaking power steering, mis-shifting tranny, shot accumulators and more is hardly a steal of any sort. I live in the N.E. and look at plenty of 126's and they are usually overpriced in these parts ... but I would hardly put the world at a total loss if this doesn't sell at this price.

johng99 · #6 03-14-2012, 11:17 AM

you forgot to mention the starter.

s38junkie · #7 03-14-2012, 06:40 PM

Thanks for the opinions and passive aggressive remarks. These cars are getting older and harder to find in rust free condition in the Northeast. Every single one I've looked at needs work. For the record, my price is $3400 obo and none of the issues listed are preventing this from being an excellent driver, which I have proven over the last several months. The temp stays cool, the power steering does not make noise (it is a slow leak), the car ALWAYS starts, and the tranny shifts smoothly most of the time. I am extremely picky and have listed each of the "issues" in the interest of full disclosure as items that the next buyer will want to address at some point in the future.

Show me a nice, rust free W126 560SEL in the Northeast that doesn't need work for the same price.

johng99 · #8 03-14-2012, 07:17 PM

No intent to offend with my comment - only to educate someone that doesn't know that a starter that fails to engage is a starter that will need to be replaced before too long. Had the exact same thing happen on my SEC - my mechanic explained the above to me - and within 6 months I was installing a new starter.
I couldn't begin to comment on your asking price as I think a car is worth what someone is willing to pay.

TylerH860 · #9 03-15-2012, 12:16 AM

These are not aggressive comments, rather helpful. Either everything is sorted out and it brings good money or it has some issues and you have to sell it at a very discounted rate, usually more than it would cost to sort everything out. Take it from someone who has sold 30+ old MBs in recent years, including a 560SEL.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-cars-sale/283455-fs-1991-mercedes-560sel-79k-original-miles-ridiculous-service-history-$6750.html

If it needs a simple modulator adjustment to the tranny and its not a sticky valve body, spend a few minutes to do it and show us. Another few hundred for a good used power steering pump, radiator, and accumulators would do some good, along with a day spent popping them in and tracking down the vacuum gremlins. Spend $30 balancing the wheels if that's why it has a highway shimmy. You are assuming the best case scenario with everything, and a buyer would and should assume the worst. The transmission has issues, the power steering and radiator needs replacement, suspension work, etc, etc. I could easily see someone paying new parts and labor and doubling their investment right off the bat. Its a possible major project that in the end could cost much more than buying a nice, sorted example in the first place.These cars do not bring the money they used to.

Unless you're prepared for another major price drop I doubt anyone here will nibble. There is a seemingly endless supply of folks who aren't as savvy and don't know what they're getting themselves into on craigslist. You are much more likely to yield a buyer there with a vague ad lacking all the little details. Their attention span doesn't tend to last more than 4 sentences.

Like this:

For Sale: 1986 560SEL. 140,000 miles. Well maintained with $11,000 worth in service history within the last 30,000 miles. Runs and drives great, no rust, great condition. Call xxx xxx-xxxx

s38junkie · #10 03-15-2012, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

These are not aggressive comments, rather helpful. Either everything is sorted out and it brings good money or it has some issues and you have to sell it at a very discounted rate, usually more than it would cost to sort everything out. Take it from someone who has sold 30+ old MBs in recent years, including a 560SEL.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-cars-sale/283455-fs-1991-mercedes-560sel-79k-original-miles-ridiculous-service-history-$6750.html

If it needs a simple modulator adjustment to the tranny and its not a sticky valve body, spend a few minutes to do it and show us. Another few hundred for a good used power steering pump, radiator, and accumulators would do some good, along with a day spent popping them in and tracking down the vacuum gremlins. Spend $30 balancing the wheels if that's why it has a highway shimmy. You are assuming the best case scenario with everything, and a buyer would and should assume the worst. The transmission has issues, the power steering and radiator needs replacement, suspension work, etc, etc. I could easily see someone paying new parts and labor and doubling their investment right off the bat. Its a possible major project that in the end could cost much more than buying a nice, sorted example in the first place.These cars do not bring the money they used to.

Unless you're prepared for another major price drop I doubt anyone here will nibble. There is a seemingly endless supply of folks who aren't as savvy and don't know what they're getting themselves into on craigslist. You are much more likely to yield a buyer there with a vague ad lacking all the little details. Their attention span doesn't tend to last more than 4 sentences.

Like this:

For Sale: 1986 560SEL. 140,000 miles. Well maintained with $11,000 worth in service history within the last 30,000 miles. Runs and drives great, no rust, great condition. Call xxx xxx-xxxx

I appreciate your advice! I've had several nibbles but no one at my doorstep with the cash. I'll give a few more weeks and then I'll probably take the Craigslist approach that you suggested. Not in any particular rush to sell.

Finally, it's hard for me to find the time these days to spend "a day or two" fixing those items. I have 5 other older, German cars that also demand my time and attention

I think my price reflects the work that needs to be done.

atomix8 · #11 03-16-2012, 08:46 AM

Good luck with the sale Mike. Price seems fair for what could be a few days work -- but not everyone can spend a few days in the driveway!

Having bought Mike's 300D, I can say he is honest about representing his vehicles as seen here, and holds them up to a very high standard.

s38junkie · #12 03-17-2012, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atomix8

Good luck with the sale Mike. Price seems fair for what could be a few days work -- but not everyone can spend a few days in the driveway!

Having bought Mike's 300D, I can say he is honest about representing his vehicles as seen here, and holds them up to a very high standard.

Thanks Dave! I still miss my diesel.

tonkovich · #13 03-22-2012, 06:13 PM

sounds like a good car, with some issues.

here's an l.a. example (FWIW):

1986 MERCEDES 560 SEL

and another:

*SUPER DEAL ! 1991 BENZ 560 * SEL