W123 326,000 miles:

Now/Soon:
Repair crash damage (farmed out-done)
Repaint (farmed out-done)
Pick up from body shop (next week)
Re-do LR wheel bearing preload with new crush spacer
New/Rebuilt steering box
W126 vented front brake upgrade
Injector test/service as necessary (It didn't smoke when I got it. Then it started, and is slowly getting worse)
Re-cover driver seat
Repair filter housing oil leak

For the future:

Timing chain? Now at about 4 degrees of elongation by timing mark method.
Change transmission fluid
Get vacuum lock system working again
Review requirements to pass tech for autocross-repair as needed to meet them, then do an autocross

Bike 19,000 miles:

Continue to follow manufacturer's PM schedule (easy) with an extra oil/filter change between dealer services (yes, I am lazy). Keep an eye on tire wear (rear is losing profile after 7000 miles but will probably go 3 or 4 thousand more. Front still looks great after 8000-actually very good for a sport bike.) Put in gas and ride. There is something to be said for keeping a <10 YO vehicle around.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.

Welll..

Im still on the 420SEL's front end rebuild. The springs I used were originally for a 300sd spring replacement project that I never did...So I checked in the EPC and it said "yep compatible with all 126s" so I put them in..

They're far too tall for the 420SEL lol. So Wednesday I placed an order for two 126 321 17 04 springs.. Friday they came in..but only one was a 17..the other was stamped 18 04 and was notably thicker and slightly taller.

So I was going to return it but at $30 shipping it didnt seem worth it. Since thats 50% of the cost of another spring. So I just bought yet another spring. So now Ill just be one spring shy of two front sets. LOL

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Cruise Control not working? Send me PM or email (jamesdean59@gmail.com). I might be able to help out.
Check here for compatibility, diagnostics, and availability!

(4/11/2020: Hi Everyone! I am still taking orders and replying to emails/PMs/etc, I appreciate your patience in these crazy times. Stay safe and healthy!)


82 300SD 145k
89 420SEL 210k
89 560SEL 118k
90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010
90 560SEL 154k
91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k
93 190E 3.0 235k
93 300E 195k

Well I can mark #1 off of the list, I got the car started today and it runs like new. However, need to find out WHY it happened.

If I suddenly became richer than Bill Gates, I still wouldn't buy a W140. I'd be throwing away money at a Ferrari, but I'd still keep the W123 diesel.

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.