Looks like a pretty good deal from what I can tell. I'd go for it if I were you.

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Well, I walked away from this one.

The highway cruise brought to light a serious fuel issue that continued to get worse throughout the drive. At the end, it felt like a bucking bronco was under the hood at idle.

I also found the beginnings of rust coming from under the right front fender wing. Its not visible yet, and easly treatable, but another minus for the car.

Replacing the fuse didn't revive the CC either.

Overall, this car had way too many IFs. Could be minor issues, but then again... His inflexiblity of the price (I had already talked him down from $3,500) was the deal killer. He also tipped his hand when he told me he's only owned the car for 6 months.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

I would have jumped on it. A chain is easy DIY (the rails are the hard part) and you're talking about $200 in parts IIRC...

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Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k

w126 climate control is much harder to diagnosis than the w123 for the simple fact theres more components to it and more electronic especilly in the later w126s.

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1986 300SDL, 211K,Dealership serviced its whole life
1991 190E 2.6(120k)
1983 300D(300k)
1977 300D(211k)

Out of all our cars the only issues we've had was a needed re-solder job on the W123 klima unit, and all of them have needed a monovalve diaphragm. Thats it. Mine likes to cut out the blower when its real hot in the car but clicking the switches starts it up again. (probably a solder issue as well, but I don't feel like pulling it out just for that, it works perfectly when its not super hot out)

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

you've been lucky . I have to had literally rebuild a few climate control systems testing out all the vacuum elements, test switchover valves, repair the wiring, test for continuity, do a voltage output test on the climate control unit to make sure it was working. Then i had to explain why it wasnt working to the owner of the car.

one car i had to replace 3 switchover valves, 3 vacuum elements, ccu, blower motor and a blow motor resistor due to the previous owners "pro fix".

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1986 300SDL, 211K,Dealership serviced its whole life
1991 190E 2.6(120k)
1983 300D(300k)
1977 300D(211k)

Update:

I changed my mind last week and called the seller up to purchase the car. Everything was fine until his pig of a wife entered the picture. When she found out what he was selling it for, she berated her husband in front of me (using all kinds of 4 letter words) then told me, "There's no F&#ing way we're selling it for less than $3,000.:

Of course, I ran away from this one, thinking how nice it is to be single.

Well, the seller contacted me on Sunday, saying that his wife came around and is willing to sell the car at our agreed price. I didn't notice the email until this morning, and am thinking about how I should proceed.

I have one car I'm planning to look at this weekend in KC: a lovely, well kept, and reasonably priced '95 E320 wagon... Perhaps if things are not as good as they seem there, I will snatch up this 420SEL...

The price is certainly right, but I feel like I'm taking quite a gamble. Perhaps a PPI will shed some light on the issues. Either way, a $1000+ timing chain expenditure will be immediate.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

pass

Sometimes, I think you post only for the sake of post counts. Care to elaborate?

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

its just a 420SEL, you already have three cars... its just a 420SEL

Yea, I think I would pass on this one...there are thousands of W126's out there that are in great condition. My 300SEL was $2k, and it didn't have any drivability problems, AC worked, etc, etc.

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Current cars:
2000 ML55 AMG, 174k miles
2003 C240 T-Modell, 202k miles
1995 S320, 207k Miles

That little 3 piece switch shaped like a little seat on your driver's door is an eight way adjustable power seat switch.


You do know that ----- don't you?

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Oh, the surging. My 420SEL did that, and replacing the fuel pump relay solved my problem...



Our 420 180k miles on it when we sold it. My dads friend drove it to 250k. Gave it to his son, and the last I heard it was pushing 340k miles, being driven all over oregon.

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

All this new fangled technology... Yes I did adjust the seat, even the headrests were power operated. The window tinting goes down about 1/3 of the windshield and is probably not street legal.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Pass. Never deal with folks like this; chances are there are other things wrong with this car. If you sleep with dogs, you'll get fleas.