What to do with my 560SEL? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

GradyService · #1 09-05-2007, 05:37 PM

The 86 560 has been sitting on the sidelines this year, due to the hot and humid spring and summer here in NC, and the fact that I have yet to repair the AC. In fact I have been considering selling the car. I am in a new position at work, and it involves much more driving than before. Not that I mind putting miles on the MB, but It needs some reconditioning before I put it on the highway daily. I have read a lot about the W140, and have figured out that they are basically money pits. Don't really want to go back to the W124, and don't like the looks of the W210. So, that leaves me with the W126, which I have, which I like, and if I am going to have a 126, it will be this one. Black on gray leather, top of the line model, good interior, decent paint, only 154k miles. But the to do list is fairly long, too:
AC Compressor, Expansion Valve, and Dryer replace,*
R&R Left lower ball joint
Recondition both side's guide rods
Change valve covers and gaskets*
Replace Transmission Pan and Gasket, as well as Vac. Modulator with O-Ring*
Replace Antenna Mast
Have bumpers resprayed
Have dings pulled out of trunklid and front fender
Have exhaust system checked out
Change spark plugs, and fuel filter*
Flush Coolant and replace hoses*
Change oil and filter*
Replace fan belts.*

In addition, I don't know if the timing chain has ever been changed or not. I mean, she runs good, drives good, sounds good, but I have yet to check over the chain as is mentioned in one of the tech articles. My question is, do you guy's think that in the long run she is worth all of this? And do you think after all of this is done, she will be a "reliable" daily driver? (Items with * beside mean DIY).

Thanks, Dave.

Jim B. · #2 09-05-2007, 05:48 PM

Yes. Fix it. Definately worth it. Questionability of a used car, and the car payments and interest you'd pay on a new one isn't worth it.

Comprehensive list, and I would add possibly to it, for you to consider: replace thermostat; lube sunroof track rails, change wiper blades, and if radiator is original, with unreinforced hose neck, change it when you change the hoses, the new Nissens and Behr don't have this fault, clean or replace your air filter, maybe the fuel filter, and inspect the motor mounts and muffler hangars, and if you need new ones, ONLY genuine MB ones, and lube the door and hood hinges. Definately flush the brake fluid.

Inspect the flex discs too. May or may not need the rear diff oil changed.

Sounds like it is basically a fine car, just needs to be caught up.

Nothing like them.

Definately do the timing chain tensioner and guide rails, by now the guides will be root beer brown and have cracks on them, if they crumble, and the chain slips, and lets go, you will be in trouble.

Report back with your decision sometime.

Hatterasguy · #3 09-05-2007, 08:21 PM

Thats nothing, if thats all your W126 needs its in pretty good shape!

graftdesign · #4 09-05-2007, 10:10 PM

I would only add that with 150k on the clock you're getting close to needing upper end work which could easily set you back $4-5K (unless you DIY).

That puts things into a whole different perspective.

Another option would be to fix her up to run and look the best she can and sell her. Take that money and the money you would pay in getting this car in order and buy a lower mileage nicer specimen. They are some great buys out there right now.

By the sounds of it, you're probably looking at least $3-4k in repairs ahead of you (not factoring the head work and another $5k) assuming you will do some of the work. The AC will be the biggest expense and probably something you may need help with. Plus the exhaust system is probably original and on its last leg adding some more big bucks to your list (cats, muffler, etc).

I'm in a similar situation with my SEL and have concluded that another lower milleage 126 would be a MUCH cheaper way out in the long run. My car has around 165k and runs great, with a solid body that needs some paint... but I know there are a lot of things that WILL need attention soon like heads, exhaust, Injectors, ball joints, suspension, and who knows what else. I'm on borrowed time. I could easily spend $10k to get it right. It's not worth it for a car thats only worth $3-4k max. If did get it in order and tried to sell it on eBay I couldnt get much more for it due to the mileage. Maybe $6k if I were lucky and had the right buyer so spending big bucks on it would be a poor investment considering the other option.

I am certain you can find a nice well kept SEL with all records that someone fell out of favor with and is looking for a change. I've seen real nice ones go for ridiculously low prices IMO. I think - rather I know - you could find a lower mileage gem for $8-10k.

You can definately fix your car to run great, but you can never turn back the mileage!

Just my 2 cents.

Hatterasguy · #5 09-05-2007, 10:15 PM

Its a business car right? Figure your going to put $3k a year into it, and write it off.

Cheaper than a new one.

If the timing chain hasn't been done yet, I'd do it sooner rather than later.

kchemers · #6 09-06-2007, 09:30 AM

I agree with Hatteras, I have an 89 300TE with a 140000 miles on it, it is in the shop right now for a rear end rebuild, and top end of the block, new chain, water pump, gaskets, distributor, wires, rotor, I am putting $1600 worth of parts and $2500 labor, when finished I'll have a car that will go another 200000 miles. I use as a daily driver,and I put about 40000 ayear on the car, I've owned it a year and plan to keep another 2 at least

wbain5280 · #7 09-06-2007, 09:36 AM

It will only take a day to do those few things. Hop to it!

GradyService · #8 09-06-2007, 10:13 AM

Thanks for the input. Jim, the radiator was changed when I bought the car, and a new nissens was installed. Planning on replacing the thermostat, and the temp sending unit to the dash, as well as replacing the current spark plugs (bosch platinum 2

) with W9DC0 bosch as is stated in owners guide. Exhaust is a little louder than usual, and at start up, sometimes I see smoke coming from the undercarriage (could be oil and tranny fluid on the pipes, though), so I want to have it checked out. The issues I stated are not all of the problems the car has, that's just what I want fixed. I can live with the minor rear main and upper oil pan leaks, a minor tranny leak, even a minor power steering leak. With regards to the sunroof, its pretty much history. It wont go back, will go forward, and I don't really miss it. Just so long as it doesn't rattle, and it doesn't leak, I'm okay. A/C work will be split between me and a mechanic friend (guy has been ASE certified for over 25 years, run his own shop for 15), I'll take off the old compressor, dryer, and expansion valve, and put on the new ones, and he'll tie up the loose ends. Planning on changing all of the belts and hoses while I'm in there. Speaking of that, would it be a good idea to change the water pump while i'm down there? With regards to timing chain, is there any way of looking at it and telling if it is the original or not? I do hear a rattling for the first 3-4 minutes after cold startup from the engine, but is that a pre-cursor to chain failure?
Still thinking about it, Dave.

GradyService · #9 09-06-2007, 10:18 AM

Oh, almost forgot. The front wheels clatter when they hit a bump, or if kicked. Sounds like something is hitting the dust shields. Any Thoughts?
Thanks, Dave.

GradyService · #10 09-06-2007, 02:13 PM

I almost forgot to mention this, the driver door handle hangs down. In most of the 80's mb's I've seen, this is a fairly common occurance. I also have to slam the driver door to shut it. Any particular part failure that causes this?
Thanks, Dave.

Jim B. · #11 09-06-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GradyService

Oh, almost forgot. The front wheels clatter when they hit a bump, or if kicked. Sounds like something is hitting the dust shields. Any Thoughts?
Thanks, Dave.

There a long standing disagreement about the value of dust shields on these cars.

I personally don't like the heat build up they cause, and Mercedes Benz does not encourage their installation for that reason.

However they decrease brake dust build up on the wheels, especially the front ones and make them easier to take car of.

Jim B. · #12 09-06-2007, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GradyService

I almost forgot to mention this, the driver door handle hangs down. In most of the 80's mb's I've seen, this is a fairly common occurance. I also have to slam the driver door to shut it. Any particular part failure that causes this?
Thanks, Dave.

You have to take the door panel off to replace the interior door handle, which is a moderately difficult procedure.

The interior door handle part # is 126-760-01-61

The part costs about $20.00 at the dealer.

GradyService · #13 09-06-2007, 05:24 PM

The dust shield that I see, is not the Aftermarket style that go in front of the rotor, but this thing is behind the hub. Has a MB part number on it, too.