What do u guys think?? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

stcbenz83 · #1 10-02-2006, 10:58 AM

i went threw my normal criagslist endevor this morning and came accross a 1982 500SE. i think its a EUro model cause it has cloth seats. any who... the guy says the enginge runs fine and so does the trans but he thinks the trans is messed up cause the car is really slow??? it has been sitting for several years.. think this car could be rixed with an Italian Tune up? just curious.

thanks for the replies

Jim B. · #2 10-02-2006, 11:21 AM

If it's an '82 500SE it's a Euro for sure. Lots of the S class W126 Euro cars had cloth seats, but hardly ANY US spec cars had them, though technically you could order them. Mercedes believed that most US customers wanted the cars fully loaded and that they thought no Mercedes S was a Mercedes unless it had leather seats.

Often the Euro cars did not have tinted windshields, had skinny bumpers, Euro headlights (Glass H4), crank up windows, plastic hubcaps and dark plastic deflectors on the roof, cruise control stalk with German writing. Though some did have big US bumpers and US style lights after going through the gray market process. Take a look at www.mbcoupes (special equipment) for side by side pictures of the different US and euro lights the W126 cars came with.

The Euro serial numbers began with WDB and the US spec ones began with WDBCA

A good one will, with its different axle ratio, less smog restrictions, and compression ratio, be damn near as quick as a US spec 560SEL.

Drive a 560 SEL then drive this one.

The 1-2 upshifts should be crisp, if the transmission flares theres there could be trouble. They are good and rugged transmissions and if they had regular fluid changes they could make it up to 250,000 miles without trouble. You didn't say how much mileage on it. As part of the gray market conversion process, usually the odometer and speedometer had to get swapped out for a MPH speedometer, and the German mileage added to it at the beginning for a correct mileage reading on the odometer. Was this done? ANy gray market paperwork to show the work was done to spec? Was there a plate or sticker on the door jamb with the Gray Market Import Import information for the car?

I'm quite sure it's a Euro car, gray market, though because the 500SE (The short wheelbase) only was sold in 380SE and 300SD iteration for 1982.

Another benefit of the 500SE is it's the hot set up in the short wheelbase so it'll handle and corner a little bit better than the SEL long wheelbase version.
Some people think (I'm one) the W126 SE looks more attractive than the SEL.

If it's in decent shape, runs out well, isn't rusty (if its a Northern or Midwest car it might be) or trashed and has most of the records, and if the timing chain, tensioner and guide rails were done, and the price is reasonable, it might be worth a real serious look.

General buyingguide tips for the W126 coupe most of which apply to the 500SE sedan can be found at www.mbcoupes.com

Take that thing out for a test drive

Jim B. · #3 10-02-2006, 11:27 AM

Sorry, the correct link is www.mbcoupes.com

Does the car run right now? If it's sat for several years be careful, that's really bad for a Mercedes. Will need to squirt oil in the cylinders before you start it up. Battery will need to be replaced for sure and be sure the brakes work, and the brake fluid is fresh before driving it, you want to be able to stop.

Might want to change the coolant too, and beware the rubber bits may have perished or dried out after several years.

deanyel · #4 10-02-2006, 01:49 PM

The chance of an Italian tuneup being all it needs is probably one in a million. But a short wheel base V8 is a rare and I think desirable car.

Hatterasguy · #5 10-02-2006, 07:50 PM

That car should be a rocket in tune. If its in good shape its a good model to drive so it might be worth bringing back to life.

t walgamuth · #6 10-02-2006, 09:59 PM

i cant imagine the tranny making it slow unless it was grossly slipping.

i have driven a euro 500se. it was pretty quick. iconsider my 84 500sec quick but this euro was quicker and it has a 224 rear end and mine has the 247.

the only real disadvantage i can think of is it will take premium gas to keep it happy.

tom w