Well after about a year of having my 81 SD I have about finished my project. The idea was when I got it to restore it to a decent to good state. I have since done this. With about $1800 in documented parts and what not. It has 175k miles and runs like a top. The previous owner even gave me a spare motor when we bought it. Heres the idea...

1988 560SEL with 225k miles. It has rust on 3 of the doors and the drivers front fender. One owner. Pristene interior. Everything works including the power rear sunshade which is extremely rare as I'm told. I can get the doors and fender from the wrecking yard around the corner about $900 total. They also have about a dozen 126s in the yard. The asking price of the car is $1800. I'm going to call the seller and ask for records and what not and see if I can get a test drive. I know the 560 will drink more fuel than my SD and will also cost more to repair with the rear suspension and what not but I plan on working all summer anyways.

I love these 126s and don't plan on buying any other type of car any time soon if at all. Can I get some opinions about this idea??? Note I am a 16yr high school student.
Thanks

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1981 300 SD 213k miles "Stock for now"
1999 Super Duty 7.3L 113k miles
1981 300 SD 180k miles "Heavily modified" SOLD

Stay with the 300. You know the car, and it's cheaper to run and insure.

I second that motion.
If you want speed, go with a smaller chassis.

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Friend, I'm twice your age and fix cars for a living... I own and enjoy a 300SD and have owned a V8 S class in the past- I've been offered a 560SEC for a good price and turned it down, because *I'M AFRAID* of what it could do to my wallet. Doesn't sound like a bad deal but a rusty car is a waste of money IMHO. I may well own a 560SEL someday, but although I admire your courage, I wouldn't go for it in your case.

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1985 300TD
1984 380SL
1983 280SE (full Euro, trunk triangle and all!)

Formerly owned:
1986 420SEL
1984 300D
1983 300D
1981 300SD
1976 300D

An '88 W126 with 225K is going to need all kinds of parts unless it's been meticulously maintained.

Even if the parts are not excessive, you've still got to put body panels on it and get it painted. You can't just do a Maaco on it because all value in the vehicle will be lost. So, you're looking at another $2K.......minimum. If you have to paint the whole vehicle (likely), you can now double this figure.

And, when you're done, you've got a big sedan that achieves 14mpg.

I have to suggest that it's not an economical proposition.

There's a good reason why these big gassers are cheap.

You can buy good examples for $3k or less. Heck their is a nice 560SEL for sale at a local used car lot with 180k miles on it for $3,900. The interior and body are real nice. I'm picky me saying that means a lot.

I'd pass, 93 octane is probably going to be $4 a gallon this summer, your going to be putting $100 a week into the tank if you drive at all.


Don't forget if their is no record the timing chain, guides, and tensioners are due. From what I hear about the M117 its probably a good idea to send the heads out with that mileage on them. The cams are probably tired.

When you buy a car with the intention of fixing it up, make sure it has a good body. A rusty car is always a rusty car its not worth putting money into. If you really want to have a 560 find one with a perfect body and interior but with a blown trans or something like that.

If you want why not spend the money on the SD? Buy a nice set of wheels for it, or an in dash GPS/DVD player!

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

You guys all make very good points. I guess my original post was kind of on an impulse. Yestarday I sat down and made a list for tune up parts and what not. It was outrageous! Even if I work all summer I doubt I'll have enough to drive and get parts for it. Thanks for talking me out of it.

As for putting money into my SD I have yet yo find a set of 8-hole wheels or AMG mono blocks at a decent price. (chances of that are slim to bubkiss I know) When I was getting my stereo in my original idea was to get an in-dash DVD player and hook up my Xbox to it. I had planned out a custom box for it on the rear deck and everything. I was on my way to the store to buy it and my mom calls and says not to buy it because she thinks it would be a distraction. Go figure.

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1981 300 SD 213k miles "Stock for now"
1999 Super Duty 7.3L 113k miles
1981 300 SD 180k miles "Heavily modified" SOLD

What do you consider a "decent price"?

The 8 hole wheels from the factory usually won't fit the SD without spacers.

Tire Rack sells the 8 hole wheels for a decent price..........about $110.......last I looked.

I didn't know about the spacers. I've seen a few 126s around here with them and just figured that they would fit. The $110 is each wheel isn't it? I'd say i have a budget of about $500 for wheels. They would be my summer rims on account of my dad bought a set of Michellens (sp?) last April and cost about $500. They are very good in the snow.

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1981 300 SD 213k miles "Stock for now"
1999 Super Duty 7.3L 113k miles
1981 300 SD 180k miles "Heavily modified" SOLD

That's a $500.oo, wheels budget, not including tires..., correct?

I'd confirm this first, but I beleive that the 8 hole's off the W140's will bolt on without spacers, but you will need to change the tires.

8 holes off the R129, and W124 will not fit, don't bother trying.

If their is a junk yard nearby maybe they would have a W140 with decent wheels, and you could try one for fit. Check tie rod clearance up front.

Your still going to spend at least $100 a corner for rubber.

Euro lights are a nice upgrade, for not to much.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

$500 is not including tires. I can get an inside deal with that...
As for a junkyard, the nearest one is 45 minutes away. I was there last Friday to get some misc. things. The guy there was a complete d***. Tried to make small talk with him and he just sat there and stared at his computer. Oh well. I have to go back there anyways to return a cruise actuator so I'll see if he has and w140s and if he has the 8-hole wheels too. I'm also keeping an eye out for some euro lights. I lost a pair on eBay by $10

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1981 300 SD 213k miles "Stock for now"
1999 Super Duty 7.3L 113k miles
1981 300 SD 180k miles "Heavily modified" SOLD

You are definately on the right track with your plan to keep improving the 300SD. These are fine, high quality diesel cars, with really sturdy,long lasting diesel engines, great cars. The W140 wheels with 8 holes are often seen on the 560SEL and 560SEC cars, and look VERY good on them, they would look good on your car too.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Don't EVER expect an elder (especially parents) to sanction a stereo purchase...

...actually add WIFE to that...my OEM Becker finally died, and my wife has told me adamantly that she will NOT approve any head unit purchase of any kind!

I think it's because she remembers when we dated, tagging along with me as I competed in various sound-off competitions...I think she knows that it won't stop at just a head unit...

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

There are not words to emphasize this strongly enough. Besides a waste of money they are dangerous in a collision, even a minor collision.