Thinking about a 560SEL - Thoughts/Opinions?

[thorsen]

I'm thinking about getting a 560SEL as a weekend car. I had a 300SD a decade back so I am somewhat familiar with the 126 chassis but - it's been a while. Other than the gas mileage is there anything I should know about the 560SEL before I start looking around?

[pmckechnie]

I will give you my experience with my 500SEL. I got the car cheep because it had a broken timing chain. The cost if you just take it to a shop would be around $3500 to fix it correctly. I was able to fix it myself for much less. So, if you find a 560, make sure that the timing chain has been done if the car has over 100K miles on it. Don't just take someones word on it, ask to see the receipt. If they don't have one then assume it hasn't been done. I don't know what it cost to have the chain and guides done at a shop but be aware that it must be done at least every 100K. Other than that, I have just had normal maintenance. I don't know of any thing else that is a problem on these cars. Things go bad or wear out just like any other car.

Just my experience

PaulM

[Campbelljj]

Ditto timing chain. Also rear accumulators go bad but easy and inexpensive to fix. Rear window lower body channel rusts. These w126 are the finest chassis mercedes ever built IMO. I have two 124 chassis cars and while nice really there no comparison to the 126 cars.

[JimFreeh]

I've owned an 83 300SD and a 90 560SEL.

For the 560SEL, the street value of the car is so low that most all the cars have not been maintained.


The quote I always felt was appropriate was spoken to me by the original owner of my 560, " Just because it's no longer an $80,000 car, doesn't mean it no longer requires the maintenance of an $80,000 car.".

I paid top dollar for mine 11 years ago, and got a very well maintained car that needed nothing. I could not have taken a lesser car and brought it up to the standard of mine for less than twice the cost I paid. What I got for my money was a wonderful car that drove and rode sublimely. It was black with a creme interior and when polished up, still wows the proles. The power reclining back seat was another neat party trick.

I only sold it because I had recently purchased an E320 cabriolet, and was short on garage space, and I was only putting annual mileage in the hundreds on it. You may well have to look at dozens before you find a really nice one, but when you find it, that's the one to buy.

Another way to tell if the it's the "one", is to look for the removable "papal" footrests in the rear floor area. These have gone missing in nearly every 560SEL by now.

As noted, the timing chain area requires maintenance, but these engines are very robust. I don't own my 560 anymore, it's owned by a friend. The car has had nothing but Mobil1 since almost new, and currently has 242K miles and doesn't leak or burn oil. Still has the original transmission that runs well. Our friends recently drove it on a 500 mile trip with no issues, so these cars are still up for some long distance runs when maintained.

[Hit Man X]

The SLS pump can leak also, not a fun time making that stop.

Unless the intake plenum has been pulled, it will need to be done due to dried out rubber connections. This is not a one day project. ONLY OEM rubber here.

Guides are far more critical than the chain to me. Stick with OEM guides only. Same with the camshaft oiler bolts.

Fuel economy will be upper teens freeway and low double digits city. Not a big deal to me.

There are way more A/C o-rings than your SD, just FYI. BUT it does have a far, far better compressor than the 617's factory equipped R4 POS. Even on 134A you can expect good vent temps, excellent on R12.

Like the other guys said, otherwise it is just another W126. Late '88+ had the updated interior as I recall. '91 received a different Becker system. '88 had factory amps to drive those door woofers.

Unless you can rebuild the front end yourself, it will cost some big cash to do it. I can tear it full down in about four hours now, reassembly a hair longer due to setting rotor bearing end play. Plus the time to press in new LCA bushings, guide rod bushings, guide rod mounts, and ball joints. At this point these cars need at least front springs and shims too. Takes me about three days working casually.



Consider a 420. Bit better economy than the 560, adequate performance, no SLS.

[JimFreeh]

Originally Posted by Campbelljj

Ditto timing chain. Also rear accumulators go bad but easy and inexpensive to fix. Rear window lower body channel rusts. These w126 are the finest chassis mercedes ever built IMO. I have two 124 chassis cars and while nice really there no comparison to the 126 cars.

I like to think of the W126 as the nicest W123 I ever drove.

Drive a W211 (or newer), and you will no longer think the W126 is the finest....

Jim

[JimFreeh]

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

The SLS pump can leak also, not a fun time making that stop.

Unless the intake plenum has been pulled, it will need to be done due to dried out rubber connections. This is not a one day project. ONLY OEM rubber here.

Guides are far more critical than the chain to me. Stick with OEM guides only. Same with the camshaft oiler bolts.

Fuel economy will be upper teens freeway and low double digits city. Not a big deal to me.

There are way more A/C o-rings than your SD, just FYI. BUT it does have a far, far better compressor than the 617's factory equipped R4 POS. Even on 134A you can expect good vent temps, excellent on R12.

Like the other guys said, otherwise it is just another W126. Late '88+ had the updated interior as I recall. '91 received a different Becker system. '88 had factory amps to drive those door woofers.

Unless you can rebuild the front end yourself, it will cost some big cash to do it. I can tear it full down in about four hours now, reassembly a hair longer due to setting rotor bearing end play. Plus the time to press in new LCA bushings, guide rod bushings, guide rod mounts, and ball joints. At this point these cars need at least front springs and shims too. Takes me about three days working casually.



Consider a 420. Bit better economy than the 560, adequate performance, no SLS.

Agree on everything but the last sentence.

The 560 was a significant amount more when new (vice 420), and owners tended to be more willing to spend the money required to keep these cars up to speed. Besides the hydraulic suspension is very nice when carrying a load, and the 560 had front and rear heated seats, plus the reclining back seat.

Jim

[thorsen]

Originally Posted by JimFreeh

the 560 had front and rear heated seats, plus the reclining back seat.

Jim

Correct, the wife is requesting the reclining back seat so that's a must-have.

[Hit Man X]

Originally Posted by JimFreeh

Agree on everything but the last sentence.

The 560 was a significant amount more when new (vice 420), and owners tended to be more willing to spend the money required to keep these cars up to speed. Besides the hydraulic suspension is very nice when carrying a load, and the 560 had front and rear heated seats, plus the reclining back seat.

Jim

I figure it would be easier to find a nice 420 due to more being produced and no SLS for someone that does not carry loads. The SLS works great on mine, after a full rebuild including the high side hose, pump, and accumulators.

Hold out for the best example of that model and spend more up front. I did the opposite more than once, not smart.



My SDL has power recline in the rear.

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by thorsen

I'm thinking about getting a 560SEL as a weekend car. I had a 300SD a decade back so I am somewhat familiar with the 126 chassis but - it's been a while. Other than the gas mileage is there anything I should know about the 560SEL before I start looking around?

I would expect that all things being equal between any two like examples, the 560 SEL will end up costing you considerably more in; time/labor/parts & servicing going forward, than the 300SD.

[Das Benz]

Im just going to quickly throw my 2cents in here.
I own both a 90 420 and 560. And honestly, its hard for me to recommend one over the other. Initially I would be bias towards the 420 because my 560 came to me in fantastic shape with everything working and maintained. I really haven't had to do anything to that car other then replace the cracked sun visor clips. lol

My 420 is my DD, wasn't in the best shape when I got it, but was the car that gave me the classic Benz bug. And has been a decent car for me to work on, maintain, get me from A to B, and keep myself "mechanically entertained". I spend most of my time working on my other special cars, this one just keeps on going and going with regular maintenance. Its fully loaded with the exception of the heated/reclining rear seats. The sunshade, and orthotic driver seat is a nice plus in that car. its lack of SLS is one short coming, had a few heavy loads in the back, and it does sit low.. However the lack of SLS might be a plus, if you happen to get yourself a 560 with a neglected system.

Now the 560 is one of my garage queens, I was nearly almost forced to buy it thru a family friend for a price I couldn't give up. 1 owner from new, everything MB maintained, even with its higher mileage, it still is as tight as I could imagine it could be at day one. Heck all the buttons have that brand new textured look to them.. I am floored by it. Ive never seen a 25 year old car like this before.. .. Now compaired to the 420, the SLS does have its benefit, the suspension feels more "alive" and "dynamic" when you start to have fun in the twisties, don't get me wrong, its still not a sports car, but with the slightly larger displacement, and slightly firmer ride of the sls, this car feels like she wants more and more. But still rides like a magic carpet.

A few times I wished that the 560sel happened to be a 560sec, but none the less, I sill enjoy this car whenever I can. Some of my non car buds don't get it, and wonder why I have 2 grandpa cars lol, but the one car guy understands. He wanted to get a 560sec very badly, but up where we all live, they are quite rare to find.

[Two560Two]

I have owned all W126 Gas models. The 560 is by far the best one for me. As others have noted above, find the best one you can afford that has been well maintained. Mileage is not so much of an issue with these cars just as long as maintenance has been kept up. Repairs are not cheap, even if you DIY since quality parts come at a price. My current 560, a 1991, my father gave to me 3 years ago. It drove just ok but he never spent all the money needed to make it decent. When he handed it over to me, I spent over $5k in repairs for the Transmission (Lost reverse gear. Common issue) , Timing Chains & Guides (way over due for replacement), Front end Steering/suspension, rear SLS suspension, Vacuum lines and rubber hoses, radiator, tires, reg maint (filters, oil) etc...

[tyl604]

What's the market price for a really good 560 these days? $5k? $10K? More?

[JimFreeh]

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

I would expect that all things being equal between any two like examples, the 560 SEL will end up costing you considerably more in; time/labor/parts & servicing going forward, than the 300SD.

SRJ,

Having owned both (83 300SD / 90 560SEL) all I can say is.....

IT'S WORTH IT!!!!!!

Loved both for different reasons.