I am looking at a 84 500 SEL that i can pick up for practically nothing. It is in pretty good condition, it has euro lights and a nice interior. Being a diesel guy, i have no knowledge of the gassers. Can someone tell me specific things to look out for with these cars? There are an abundance of these cars in my local junkyard, and i am not daunted by getting my hands dirty, just not looking for a gigantic project. Oh yeah how are they power wise? I am going to hear it run later this week.

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1979 240D with a 617 turbo diesel.

Well I love the 1984-85 500SEL's. That engine has the dual-row chain, but the main thing to look for is if the timing chain guides/rails/tensioner have been changed and up to date. If not or if last change is unknown, highly consider doing that.

Other than that, they are basically the same chassis as the 300SD, only on a stretched wheelbase. I had a '85 380SE (gas engine), which was a smaller engine, 275K miles and still had good power. One of the best MB designs IMO, but I would say that since the W126 are my favorite Mercedes chassis.

Good luck!

As mentioned, the W126 is most likely the "best" S-Class chassis MB ever built!

And that is because it was easy to work on & lots of parts still available.

Unless the timing chain was JUST replaced...I would start by inspecting it for stretch.
That engine does like GAS...only about 15mpg average.

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I agree completely with M.B.Doc. I have a 84 500SEL and love it. Approx 260K miles, runs great, uses very little oil and it does average 15 mpg with 75% short trips and 25% highway (20mpg). The cost of fuel is a small price to pay for the privilege to drive such a fine, safe car. Just make sure the timing chain and guides are in good shape. A broken guide can destroy the engine.
Just my $.00 worth.

Paul

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

Thanks for the info so far guys! How hard is it to do or check
the rails?

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1979 240D with a 617 turbo diesel.

AFAIK, you by the time you get to them to "check" them, you might as well go ahead and replace all of that. I think my indy-dealer was going to charge $400-500 to do this on my '85 380SE (which I think is basically the same engine, except its smaller)... basically no more than your typical timing belt change on a car with a t-belt. Buy your parts here though to save money. If you are getting the car cheap enough and its a good car, adding more $ to do this for peace of mind would be worth it.

500 is most powerful w126 to hit USA

Not in '84 or '85 it was. 231HP non U.S. and 184HP U.S.

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09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

The euro version of the 500 was pretty peppy.

My us 500sec was plenty peppy for me but hey, you know, I am basically a diesel guy!

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

As mentioned before, it is a gashog as contrasted with the diesels. But hey, you sound like you need a new project.

Well guys i went ahead and bought it! It was too good of a deal too pass up. 200 dollars and it runs and drives great. The odometer is showing 280 thousand although i am hesitant to believe that, as everything is in phenomenal shape! The only issues it seems to be having right now is, #1 i can hear the fuel pump in the back of the car at stop lights. It seems fairly loud.# 2 It is idling a little higher than i would like. Is there a place to lower the idle? Thanks for the help so far, i really love this car and i want to take good care of her!

Thanks

Rory

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1979 240D with a 617 turbo diesel.

Oh yeah, how do i tell if its a euro or not? It is actually 1983 not a 1984, with Bosch Euro headlights.

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1979 240D with a 617 turbo diesel.

Noisy fuel pump is indication it is on the way out.

Your idling problem needs to be looked at after you attend to the fuel pump.

If you want your vehicles history, check this Russian site with your VIN number.

http://old.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng

Great find for $200.00

the Idle Control valve may need to be replaced. High idle is a known problem with these.


What is your VIN number: WDBCAxxxxxxxxxx us a US spec one and WDBxxxxxxxxxxx is the Euro.



I presently own two US spec. Southern California W126 coupes, as seen here at the Jaguar dealer in Ventura last month, the left one is a 1990, bone stock; and the right one is a 1991 has euro lights, wipers and corners, Bosch French spec Euro fog lights, and a Japanese sold only, Mercedes Benz parking assist pole, and it also has some AMG kit, and other go-fast bits on it.




See also the 1998 "Buyers Guide" I wrote at www.mbcoupes.com for more general maintenance tips for these cars.

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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)

Timing chain guide rails

Timing chain itself

Vacuum leaks

Oil level sender seepage



Main V8 issues I've encountered.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

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