Well I drove one for the first time today and I have a few comments. It wasn't too far from me and when I saw that it only had 73,000 miles on it I couldn't help but go and take a look at it.

The Good-

• The brakes were absolutely perfect and the steering was tight and composed.
• I thought my car rode smooth but the 560s rear SLS certainly made the difference known. Overall the car drove very tightly and smoothly
• Transmission glides into reverse
• AC works
• Rare rear roller blind functions
• Wheels are in good condition but are finished in a way that i've not seen before.
• Runs on Primacy MXV4s
• Engine ran well.
• Temperature stayed level
• Interior leather and carpets were in excellent condition. (includes foot rests)
• Has Euro triangle and original tool kit.
• Engine bay is very clean

The bad-

• Rear bench was non-functional and none of the controls on the left side door worked but for some odd reason one of the heated seat indicators clicked on when I pushed the window switch
• Paint is in ok condition. Decent amount of scratches and I think this was brought to a (Lazy) shop for detailing as there were some odd wax deposits left in a few places and the dealer that it was at hadn't touched the car yet. It is certainly far from the best i've seen and to be honest it looks worse then some Mercedes with twice the mileage. Some dents but nothing too noticeable.
• Oil Pressure gauge would jump a bit whenever I came to a halt
• Fuel gauge is bouncy
• Sunroof seal is on its way out
• No visible rust

The WTF?-

• There was tape off all sorts lining the inside edge of the trim panels on both rear doors (Duct tape and electrical door) Also the lock on this door was slow to react.
• The wood trim above the right air vent is cracked and the center counsel shows the usual wood trim fade that I see on a lot of 560s. HOWEVER the center counsel roll top looks brand new....

Now i've test drove a fair amount of older Mercedes and this one is actually fairly tough for me to gauge. Some things tell me that it had a careful owner who was trying to keep it in good condition. Other things (Namely those rear doors) point to some very odd repair jobs Overall if someone was willing to spend some time with it they could have a very nice clean running 560SEL. Personally though I'm going to hold off for a Euro model. Something about the US 560 engines disappoint me, sure they move the car well but they seem to lack punch.

They want $7,000 for it if anyone is interested (If it sits there too long it will probably go to auction)

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

Multi-colored, helium-filled balloons are always such a nice and cheesy touch at an upscale dealership.

haha, never noticed

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

They stripped the gray OEM paint off the wheels and polished the raw alloy. Hopefully they applied clearcoat to preserve the appearance.

Maybe...there was what looked like peeling occurring in a few places.

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

Looks like a decent car, sounds about $3k too high IMO. I don't a W126 in average shape is worth all that much. The paint is full of swirls, the wheels need redone, sounds like the interior needs a lot of work...$7k if it was perfect.

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68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i

i was about to say, "that's a $3K car", or maybe four. they're just looking for a sucker. and i think the world of the 126, so i'm not hating on it.

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"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread."

I think you're a bit low on your estimates, but then again you live in California where a nice example is sitting on every street corner. This car is in Connecticut, where its very hard to find one not consumed by rust. If it runs and drives as good as Fulcrum says, and still presents itself well, someone up there will probably buy it. Not an informed Mercedes enthusiast most likely, as I can see duct tape and low coolant under the hood, making alarms go off in my head. It is someone who will see the low mileage and think Oh my god and really feel good about themselves when they get $1000-$1500 off (which will quickly go away after the first trip to their mechanic)

I'm also flying down to Atlanta pick up my own 70,000 mile 560SEL this weekend. Hopefully, its a much nicer example than this one. Here's the link to my next conquest:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/sale-wanted-trade-giveaway/1524196-beautiful-1991-560sel-sale-atlanta.html

What price would you all peg that one at?

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

I see its at the dealer... That makes even more certain it will bring close to their asking price. It only takes one uninformed buyer with disposable income, and they have alot of those folks going in and out of there.

At my own dealership, I've seen a above average (not perfect, 90k) '95 E320 cabrio advertised for $19,000, a nice brown 1991 300D 2.5 with about 90k for $10,000, and a pretty rough (rust, so-so paint) 1993 400E with 80k for $8000. All 3 didn't last very long before someone buys it, and I imagine they didn't get more than 10-20% off.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

There was tape on the air intake hose that was broken and unconnected . At least the brake fluid was topped off (Red in color)

That is what makes this one so confusing to me... some things point to it being an enthusiasts car (Warning triangle, redone wheels, new center counsel box etc) Yet other elements like the duct tape point to an uncaring owner. Usually these things are pretty cut and dry but this one can go either way.

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

well, yes, there's a ton of 126 models here in CA. and no, rust, at least east coast style, is a foreign concept to us.

your potential new purchase, at about the same price, seems like a better deal, though we are talking about retail vs. private party. ( on a side note, who would buy a used car from a lot like that - at least with a real dealer, you take it in the shorts, but have some recourse. ) and yours is the last model year?

as always, your knowledge is appreciated.

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"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread."

Maybe the buyer could be hammered to $6,000 for the faults, but for a car already in the East coast rust and snow belt, the asking price is reasonable, ( absent rust, rot or collision damage that was repaired.)


A low mileage mint condition one with records could fetch 12-14k in a desirab le color like
that.


see: the buyer's guide for the 560SEC for more information:

www.mbcoupes.com

It's old - I wrote it back in '98, and never updated it, but it has been well received over the years...


The oil pressure gauge jumping when you come to a stop on the 560 is no big deal, even if it goes down to 1 or two bar and stays. But, it needs to jump back to 3 bar and STAY there when you take off.


If the seller/owner had paid people to detail the car that is proof he cared about the car and kept it up.

But if the detailer hired monkeys at midnight to do it, that is another issue.

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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)

I've read that guide on at least 4 separate occasions

Yep Oil Pressure shot up to 3 every time, only at idle would it wiggle a little bit.

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

Meh its worth $6k around here, as long as their is no rust. Those little issues could be taken care of without much fuss, compared to my last W126's its not that bad. Looks like a solid example for a minor resto.

Its also close to me, it could be sitting in my driveway 24 hours from now...heck I'm kind of heading that way tomarrow to talk to my accountant...


Wheels are not an issue, she would be rolling on AMG's in short order.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

One could probably get it for less then 6 if you negotiate properly. Remember it's 20 years old and at a Jag dealer. Make them a low offer and they will probably take it just to get the quick cash and to get rid of it. But yes overall it really isn't too bad at all. Some elbow grease and minor wrenching would get it up to speed.

Eric Bacon is the guy I test drove it with. Also the radio is non-original so the fader switch doesn't work.

__________________
1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."