I have just picked up an 89 560SEL and have a couple of questions about it. Any help or hints appreciated.

1) Spring pad size identification? Is there any way of telling what is installed other than measuring? I might be able to reset my cars ride height without changing springs as the front is about an inch too high at the moment.

2) Electric mirror wiring on drivers side? I have a RHD 560, do MB prewire both sides of the car for electrics as USA model is electric right and Euro is electric left. I would like to look at installing an electric passengers mirror, maybe the side selection switch from a 300e or similar could be used?

3) Do Cruise Control stalks lose their tightness? Or maybe the stalk is meant to "slop" around. I can't seem to work it correctly - fat fingers maybe :-)

4) Fog lamps still available from the dealer? My car doesn't have the lamps fitted - will a dealer still have an option kit for these or is there something OEM that is suitable?



[Edited by Mattman on 05-20-2001 at 04:24 AM]

1) The spring pads have little humps on one area: 1,2,3, or 4. Look to see if they can be seen. Buy a #2 (they are cheap) and see what they look like if you still have a question. Be sure that you really don't have a low rear instead of a high front. Unless someone has messed with it that is more likely.

2) US cars have mirrors on both sides by 89. They usually have elctrical right side but later models have electric for both. I don't remember whether 126 bodies still had manual left on 89 models. I'm not sure what you mean by Euro cars have electric left side. German cars are built normally as left hand drive. ROW (rest of world) cars are also. RHD is an abberation to the German car world.

3) Sounds like the stalk pivot is broken. The switches aren't too expensive.

4) Boy, I really would have to guess here. I doubt that kits would still be available, but, the fog lights are part of the headlight assy. Are they just not wired? I would assume that the pieces that would have been left out could be installed; bulb, wiring, reflector? Maybe a set used from a wreck would solve the problem.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

1) I assumed that due to the self levelling rear that the rear is at the right height but I will jack the front and see if I can see what pads are installed.

2) My car has mirrors on both sides but none of the 126's had electric mirrors for the driver. As mine is a RHD I am wondering if the right hand side is prewired for electric as the majority of cars would have been lhd.

3) Sweet - I will order a new stalk.

4) My car appears to have cutouts in the front valence where a set of fog lamps would go, certainly not near the main headlight assembly.

The self leveling is ajustable and the car will sag badly if it is deflated. Measure the height of the rear wheel arches and then add a bunch of weight (a couple people in the rear will do). Drive the car a couple miles and remeasure the arch height in the same place with the people still in the rear. See if it levels. If it doesn't it probably is deflated.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

can i ask what you paid and how many miles? and if good supplier of these models can be recommended? i am thinking seriously of buying a w126 myself and trying to gauge fair value out there. thanks.

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thanks , jago1244
current stable
2002 E430 4MATIC blk/char
2001 BMW 325CIC
1996 993 TARGA

I am in New Zealand but a rough exchange rate conversion would put my purchase price at about $12k US. The 560SEL is an awesome vehicle - in my opinion one of the best cars ever made. Mine has only 60k miles and has brand new 17in AMG Monoblocks and tyres. Everything is in good working condition and I am slowly working my way through the car replacing everything that has slowly worn over the last 12 years.


[Edited by Mattman on 05-28-2001 at 04:03 AM]

Regarding the fog lights, I'm guessing your car has the stock fog lights that are located on each side between the headlights and the grill. They are part of the headlight assembly.

If your asking about lights below the bumper, I don't know if they're stock or after-market.

I do recall a cut-out on the right side below the bumper (on front spoiler) of an 87' 560SEC that I couldn't figure out what it was for. I figured it out when I got my SDL. It's where the power cord comes out to plug in the block heater.

The access hole in the right side of the bumper is for access to the tow hook.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

The 89 560SEC (which may be different from an SEL) has cut outs in the lower valance (below the bumper) for Fog Lamps. These are rather large units by the way.

If you are not concerned about the appearance, and not a purist, you could consider one of the many newer mini-lights that are on the after market.

Eaglewerks™

On many cars, the passenger side mirror housing is set at a different angle from the driver side mirror housing. I don't know if this is true for a W126, but I would check before fitting a US right side mirror. I believe the US right side mirror is convex which is how the rest of the world likes their mirrors.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

I wonder if it's possible to fit a non power mirror glass from my passenger side RHD mirror to a drivers side LHD power mirror? That would give me power mirrors on both sides with the correct glass on both.

Cheers
Matt.

Actually, convex with the words "OBJECTS IN THIS MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR" We Americans need to be reminded You definitely want a nonUS spec mirror.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

In both my SE and SD (US cars), the right side mirror is at a sharper angle than the left side mirror. If you were to use the right side mirror as the driver's mirror on a RHD car, the mirror might not be at the proper angle, full adjustment and all, for safe driving.

You might ask if some of the folks in Singapore (user ymsin?) or Malaysia can find the right powered mirror for you.

In any case, I'm sure the glass part of the mirror is easy to replace.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD