1985 500 sec

[who_am_i]

ive posted up question about the 300 e class, you guys were very informative. now i also have interest in this 1985 500 sec. can you guys help out and tell me how good of a car this is. or if there are any major problems known about this car. thanks. hope to get great info about this.

[sixto]

Great car. No major flaws. Every bit as reliable as the W126 sedans. I'd hold out for a 560SEC.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

[Hatterasguy]

Nice cars, but they cost more then the sedans they seem to hold their value better. I asked this same queston a while back and got some good responses. Do a seach for it. Sometimes I wish I bought a black 560SEC insted of the SDL but then I think of all of the speeding tickets and gas..

[A. Rosich]

The coupes will always hold their value better than their sedans counterpats due to their limited production run and exclusivity image.

Thw W126s coupes are great. Simple to mantain (unlike the W140 coupes) and very efficient. I personally believe there is actually no great difference between the 500 and the 560 (like there is no great difference between the S 500 and the S 600 at the W140 line). Only at very high speed runs you will notice the advantages.

[who_am_i]

can you guys do me a favor and teach me code talk, like w140 and so on. i see that alot and i get lost. some cliff notes would be great. thanks. what about mechanical problems and little things like the like the windows, being that when they are all rolled down, there is nothing inbetween the front and back, are there any leak issues. or sunroof, suspension, fluid lose, motor or transmission leaks, and anything else that i might need to know. oh and does any one know where to get that amg wide body kit for this car.

[sixto]

http://home.hiwaay.net/~gbf/mbmodels.html

The W126 is among the very best lines that rolled off the Sindelfingen plant. It's hard to know from today's offering that MB used to care. The W126 design improved on some aspects of the W116 line that preceded it and gave up nothing in comfort, performance or reliability, unlike the wretched excess (and thank goodness for it ) that is the W140 line that superceded it. Short of buying an abused car, there should be no such problems with a W126. When you find a candidate that piques your interest, spend $150-200 for a proper prepurchase inspection. Discuss these specific concerns with the shop for peace of mind. For specifics, check the archives for what to look for when buying a 560SEL. Very commonly discussed on the forum.

Now, speak to JimF and get the perspective of someone who really likes his W140 coupe and has figured it out from end-to-end. It is a fine car in its own right.

Those AMG kits are long gone. Who would stock a kit for a 15-25 year old car? You might get lucky and find a NOS kit in the back of some warehouse but I wouldn't count on it.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

[Hatterasguy]

Their really is no aftermarket for Mercedes, unless you are willing to spend huge $$$. Then tuners like Brabus, Renntech, AMG, Kleeman ect will be very happy to help you. If your used to Honda you are going to be surprised; outside of wheels, euro lights, and maybe an exhuast their is not much else out their. Just little things here and their.