I'm back with a 1985 500 SEL.. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Chadahar · #1 03-30-2011, 07:11 PM

One owner for 24 years, CA Car sold new at European Motors in San Francisco< CA. and spent those 24 years in Palo Alto. Bondavi was entrusted with this car in 2009, and in 2010 entrusted it to JustinWrock. Last Sunday evening Justin entrusted her to me.
Monday morning I drove her back to Acton from Rancho Cordova with only one hiccup. A tire we knew was bad, died somewhere north of Coalinga.

Haven't named her yet, but she ran cool as a cucumber all the way home and even over the grapevine.

Here she is in 2009.

Glad to be back in MB's and 126's

JohnM. · #2 03-30-2011, 07:23 PM

Clean

How about some interior pics?

Chadahar · #3 03-30-2011, 10:34 PM

Cleaner than that, original paint and straight body panels, none ever off the car, One minor incident just right of the trunk lid above the tail light 3 minute dents cause by a sideswipe in a parking lot during the last 7 months.

Interior is clean, but worn, but just a couple or 3 OH S&*TS. the typical left elbow hole on the driver's seat bolster, tired front seats and rear seat leather kerfuffles. Bondavi was going to do Gen II seats and door cards and I think I might follow his lead..unless I can find perfect Palomino/Light Brown, (as it calls for on the build card), gen I heated(rears recline) seats. everything else including the headliner is perfect.

These pictures are from 2009, but essentially the interior is the same. just 2,000 more miles than the odometer shows in the picture, 169,780 miles today. The loose dash Burl wood pieces have been removed and I'm looking for Gen I Light Burl Root dash pieces.

Edward Wyatt · #4 03-30-2011, 10:55 PM

Nice W126, the 500 is a great car. Double row timing chain, airbag, and abs.... what more could you ask for?

Chadahar · #5 03-30-2011, 11:56 PM

Tri Y;s and dual Stainless 2 in,2 out Cat through a 2 in, 2out Magnaflow muffler, Lowering springs, Euro headlights and tails. Euro Bumpers, maybe spoilers and skirts and BBS basket weaves all color coded to the car. LSD diff.
But other than those...nothing.

Just wishing. I agree the 500 is the best engine.

86560SEL · #6 03-31-2011, 02:36 AM

Nice! The 1984-85 500SEL is one of my favorite Benz models. I loved my old '85 380SE (as seen in my avatar from about 6 years ago), but longed for a LWB model.... so.... ended up buying our current '88 300SEL which has been the best $2000 I have ever spent, been such a reliable car and not needed anything in the past 4 years of ownership. Being a 6-cylinder M103 and a big LWB S-Class, its no powerhouse for sure, but suits our needs.

It now is my moms car, but she is about to get a brand new SUV, but the Benz is not going anywhere I dont think... will serve as an extra car.

Enjoy that nice car!