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For those who prefer coupes in a W126, my pic was a 1984 500 SEC.
I am a do it your selfer. Not a mechanic but the 1984 model allows me to maintain is smooth ride with no special or expensive computor analysis tools. I found this beauty online 800 miles away. Got a list of repairs done and verified those repairs with a Carfax report. Felt comfortable enough with the proof I flew up and drove it home. What a joy!

I am on borrowed time I guess. I have 267K on my 1985 380 and have no clue when the chain/rails/guides/tensioner were last changed. I am sure with these miles, it was sometime in the past, but thats the $10,000 question. :D

I agree, the SWB 126 definitely cuts down the rear leg room, especially considering it is a large car, but its not too bad.

If I could have my pick of any W126, I would have to probably choose a 1986-87 300SDL, or a 1984-85 300SD- in that order.

Do yourself a favor and have that 380 looked at as soon as you can. Here's a snippet from www.**************.com about the V8 chains.

"MERCEDES V8 OWNERS TAKE NOTE...
When Mercedes introduced their small 3.5 liter V8 in 1970 it was hailed as a technological breakthrough in automotive engine design. That same basic design was produced for over 20 years right up into the early 1990's. The engine itself has proven to be very robust and if maintained properly will run strong for well over 300,000 miles. Time has proven though that these engines do have an "achilles heel" and if not attended with preventative action failure can lead to catastrophic results. The weakness I see with these engines lies in the valve train. That includes the camshafts, rocker arms, valves, and the chain mechanism that drives them. As these engines age (time not mileage) I am seeing more and more valve related problems showing up in my shop. In the past three months I have had to repair two different V8's that suffered catastrophic engine failure due to failure of some cheap plastic parts in the valve train. One of the cars only had 75,000 original miles on it. When I say a cheap part I mean under $10.00! In both cases the pistons came up to hit and bend the valves. Repairs in each case required very expensive engine tear down and reassembly. If it seems I am trying to "scare" you, yes I am. For instance, if a timing chain failure occurs at high engine speeds the engine can be completely ruined. I saw one 420SEL that had the camshaft and the cam towers blown right through the aluminum valve cover. To prevent ruined camshafts, broken chain guides, failed oiler tubes and bent valves as pictured here as well as ruined engines be sure to check out my new V8 manual as well as the kits I am offering to help you fix it BEFORE it fails!

After reading my manual on V8 engines a Canadian friend of mine asked me to take a look at his nice 1987 420SEL. Upon removal of the left valve cover I found a broken guide rail with the loose piece rattling around under the sprocket. He was very lucky! I also found that the right side upper guide was cracked and all the oiler clips had loosened up. This car came from Alberta, Canada - a very cold place indeed. From this car and other cars I have looked at I now believe that very cold weather may play a key role in making these plastic parts brittle and prone to failure. Take note of this and act now if you live in a cold climate!"

I tend to agree, although all of the jumped chains i have come in personal contact have done so under start up. I have had a few cars come in w/ large chunks of their guide rails missing and by sheer luck the pieces did not get lodged in b/w the chain and various gears.

Any 126 V8 that hasn't had it's rails/chain done @ this point needs it if just for the rails alone.. 20 year old plastic is not what it once was..

As for which car to get I've got a thing for the 560's...the 300/420 is nice but once you get used to the torque/hp of a 560 going back the other way is Very difficult.

I far prefer the M103 in a 124...and my 617's in 123's.

I'd wager you could find a Good 560SEL pre-6/89 for 7K in rather nice condition. Just don't be in a rush and look at as Many cars as you can..

My first 560SEL took me about 6 months to find..my first 560SEC took over a year and looking @ many, many cars over that time period.

Now if I look @ 20 and buy one I consider myself to be doing well.

Jonathan