Looks like we've got a nice debate going on over here. Ooh, i just realized, I don't suppose the SEC would like regular unleaded gasoline, now would it?

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

I don't think it's much of a debate, actually. Either car would be a good choice if you want a coupe. It's just a matter of whether you want a lighter, more nimble, slightly more austere car with a twincam 6-cylinder motor, or a heavier, more luxurious, car with a torquier V-8 and higher build quality.

The V-8 is only going to return 14-15 MPG in mixed driving around town. The inline-six probably will give you in the neighborhood of 20-21 MPG.

With either car, you can get away with mid-grade (89 octane) fuel, but both are specified for "premium" unleaded of 91 or higher octane. If fuel cost is a concern to you, I'd consider getting a Honda or other make.

Cheers,
Gerry

Actually I guess premium isn't so bad, it's cheaper than diesel anyways.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

In three years you should be able to import an 83 500SEC that will have more hp then a 560SEC as it has none of the emmisions stuff. In 6 years time you can import a Euro 560SEC and those bad boys have 300hp.

I think I see a w126 in my future, now if only I can kill the volvo wagon.

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With best regards

Al

I suppose that depends on which state you live in.

Im in California, and my understanding is Arnold stopped the thirty year rolling back no more smog deal. I think it stopped in 1975 and will stay there now. Hopefully some other governor in the future will change that.

The SEC is CLEARLY the better LOOKING car, and from what is put forth in this thread it clearly is the superior vehicle mechanically unless you want lighter and more nimble.

QUESTION: I hear good and bad about the euro cars. Whats the bad? Whats the good? Do the Euros say "non usa" on the owner titles? Do some 500SEC's have 5.6 engines? I thought I saw some advertised that way.

What do you think would be the minimum you could pick one up for that is running but yet a resto project, in other words, you could drive it around for six months or so, then when I would be done with my house, could turn my attention to it and restore it. Something not needing body work, ok mechanically, and the interior and little things not working, like switches etc, etc.?

It indeed depends upon the state you live in. California is generally tougher than most other states in regard to emissions and exemptions, etc.

There's nothing wrong with a Euro car, as long as you have a competent shop that can fix it. There are some differences in componentry, power levels, tuning specs, etc. and individual imported Euro cars can vary widely in how well they run, depending on who imported and Federalized them. Many cars were brought in by fly-by-night operations who slapped the Federalization requirements together with little regard to quality of workmanship and such.

That being said, a Mercedes is a Mercedes. Euro-components can be ordered and generally a good shop has no problem keeping a gray-market car on the road. Gray cars tend, overall, to be worth a bit less on the market than US cars, simply because of the history and the ease of maintenance and tuning (smog requirements).

Euro cars were available as 500SECs. I'm not sure that Euro cars were ever shipped with the 5.6 engines (the sedans were, but I'm not 100% sure about the coupes). I do know that the Euro 5.6 engines were available in two states of tune -- catalyzed and non-catalyzed. The catalyzed engines had around 275-280 HP and the non-cat versions had 300 HP. By comparison, the US 5.6 engines had 238 HP; the Euro 500SECs had around 240 HP -- essentially the same as the US 5.6 !!!

I believe that the W126 SEC is among the 5 most beautiful, classic designs that MB ever did. Some debate this with the semi-lookalike W124 coupes, but I always prefer the 126s as I think their lines are a bit more refined; and they are built to a higher standard.

You can pick up a decent, well-running project 126 SEC (perhaps a 1986 or 1987 560SEC) for around $4-7K. For $7K you can get quite a decent car. For $10-12K, quite a nice car indeed with decent mileage to boot. $15K -- a very very nice car and anything above $20K a car with very low miles and well-maintained, one-owner.

These cars are also among the most reliable and easy-to-work-on, with reasonable parts costs and availability, of any Benz in recent memory.

Cheers,
Gerry

Thanks Gerry,

I continue to add onto my MBZ library in my head.

Great info, I went ahead and bought this project car, it needs alot of work and Im sure it wont pass smog. Im gonna see if I can get the one time exemption, and then in a few years when they require the smog again, I will have enough time and money to rebuild the engine.

In the meantime, Im gonna do the tune up and maybe fuel system checks. It runs rough, but has alot of power when you step on it.

I paid $1200, she was asking $2000, I probably could have gotten it for $800, maybe but I just wasnt in the mood for bickering, dont know why, just wasnt.

RonK

I don't agree with the build quality debate. I own both a w124 and a w126 and have worked on both and the difference in build quality is indecernable.
I have to say I enjoy driving the 300e more than the 380sel simply because it is more agile and less boaty. It also feels quicker up to 60mph but after that the 380 would blow it's doors off. In fact. there's not too much that keeps up with the 380 over 60mph that isn't european and V8.
I'd buy a neat e320 coupe. The M104 with EFI. Sweet ride.

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Andrew
300e 294,000mi
380sel 185,998mi
380se 309,980mi