A 560SEL blessing can happen to you!
 

Hello guys! I've been trying to get on here forever it seems but couldn't get logins right,etc.Anyway, I got my first 560SEL ('86) for $2500 from a lady I work with whose husband gave it to her as an anniversary gift years ago.She just happend to call my office for advice about getting rid of it and wanted to know if I knew of anyone that might want to buy it (it's a thing at the office that I'm the "benz" man at work because I already drive a couple of 71 250C's and work on some coworker's benzes so...) Anyway,that's how she heard of me and when we spoke,I asked her if she at least had a pic of it or could bring it to work before I could answer which she did, and just from the pic I FELL IN LOVE WITH IT! She then brought it to work (she lived 3 min from the office) and the body was excellent, chrome wheels,new Mich's, but she said the a/c was busted.Also, the interior was very smelly and had animal hair all over the place.She had 210k miles on her but still purrs.Anyway, fiance and I went to get the car,I was pleased to meet her husband who told me the story of the car,had all records,and they really wanted to get some money for land they were purchasing (and was $2,500 short) also,the wife says the car is toooo big, and the NEW LAND ROVER he bought her didn't hurt either! NOW, I'm 3rd owner,213K and going, always starts,with elbow grease the interior is near perfect without 1 tear and the leatherique is the bomb! Looks like new,smells gone,polished and waxed her to a brilliant shine again and get this,did a check of the a/c at my friend's shop and no leaks at all, the compressor's fine and I added 4lbs of freon and she blows ICE COLD air! YES! I get compliments on her every time I stop for gas,etc.All I had to do was replace a $14 window switch on my console for a rear window. I've just changed the oil Wed and even when I drained her the oil looked like honey. I must say I NEVER considered the 126 benz because I'm a 250C fanatic,but after 1 drive I'm hooked! I still love my other babies, but this is a fine addition! I'm actually about to take her to the pond for some more "before" pics because I'm tinting her windows today. I just wanted to let you guys know that there IS such a thing as an untimely blessing and to be patient...the best will come your way! Oh,I know this is VERY lengthy, but I feel that I should let anyone interested know that my buddy and I also got an 89 560 SEL with 302K on it. right now she looks great but the owner gave it to us for 750 because the trans is shot.She runs great though and could use VERY minor interior work. I've pulled the trans and will replace the B-2 piston that's shot NOT the trans so it WILL be on Georgia's roads next week (even if it is the trans, I've got another one for it anyway).I already know I can't keep this one because I've already got 8 vehicles and my fiance will flip because of the wedding expenses,etc so She will be up for sale within 3 weeks or so...I'll keep you posted and try to get some pics up for ya! Thanks and I'll be in touch!

Welcome to the best Benz site on the web, and enjoy your 560 . . . . .

LOL - this is the time to find out how the future wife feels about those Benz - I am going to bring home another one this week and it is going to be interesting to see what happens. I have even come up with a story that I am getting it for "free" just to get it out of their way LOL. She helped me put the hood back on the 300D this afternoon (after replacing the driver side hinge) and was a pretty good sport about it. I reminded her that we were doing something together as a a "family" thing while aligning the hood. Guess I should buy her another diamond sometime soon :). Give me an old non-running Benz over a shiny new diamond anyday :).

DJNEWK2, the 126 is hard to beat!

Sounds like you got a very good deal good luck with your new car and welcome to the forum :cool:

Hi DJ
 

I could sense your excitement and blessing. Really great to land such a wonderful purchase.

Better yet, on your maiden posting!

:)


ps. Jim - have you brought the Benz back yet?

DJNEWK2,

I loved reading your story!!! What a great blessing!!! Congrats, and welcome to MercedesShop!!!:D

Hello again! Thanks for the support guys...I planned on tinting the 560's windows but ended up trying to get one of my 250C's started! since the last rain,which was almost a good two weeks ago, she has not started for some reason although it usually starts right up.nothing I've tried has worked yet but...anyway, I was wondering if it would be worth snatching my trans and replacing the infamous B2 pistons that fail on the post 85 126 trans or just leave well enough alone. I've only had the car since July and its been a joy to own.I've even traced it back to the original dealer in California,called them and spoke w/them about this and they were so helpful that they sent me their original dealership stickers/plates for the car (although they will never be put on) and I got the price it was sold for new ($64,572.76),carfax report,and the warranty work done on the car from MBUSA. I'm wondering if I should do the head gaskets although once again I'm thinking leave well enough alone. Any suggestions? Mind you,she's given me absolutely no trouble and starts daily (but then again, so did my 250C until now):)

213K miles! Great to hear and I hope you can enjoy another 200K!!! The headgaskets have been replaced once already? In that case I'd leave well enough alone for now. The trans is probably the weak spot at this point. Has the timing chain and rails been replaced? Curious, as I've heard stories of hi-mileage 560SEL with the orig. chain. (Playing with fire! :) )

Again, enjoy!

The paperwork that came w/the car shows a timing chain replacement at a bit over 150k miles but I'm inclined to doing it again because I don't know if the rails were renewed.I'm assuming they were but I'm pretty anal so I'd rather be positive.It doesn't say anything about any head gaskets and so far has not a drop of oil anywhere in the bay and doesn't burn any. The oil I changed when I got it was the color of honey and since I'm soo anal, I change the oil every 2k miles on all of my cars or every two months (even if it sits for 2 months!) and I also have lubed all of the linkage of moving parts (throttle,cables,etc to keep them from getting crappy) which has worked for me so far.I just didn't feel that it was a great need right now to do the head gaskets but... we'll see.A trans service is 150 bucks! Crazy and although I hate paying for stuff I can do myself, I sometimes don't have the time to do a lot and have to suck it up. :)