Help with my 1986 420 SEL

[lukemus53]

spending money ant gonna be a problem.in '97 i bought a 420sel with 47k original miles.i sold it this past summer with 108k.i also gave the new owner $5400.00 in receipts i had spent on repairs.i wish you better luck.

[lukemus53]

i failed to mention the year model,it was a '86 420sel that looked like it rolled off the show room.

[86420SEL]

Just bought it. Only 40,000 miles. Garaged for 16 years. Still had the original tires! Please help with resources to tune: first I want to anti- sway it! Rolls too much. Then...who knows. What can I do. It is my first adult toy and wish to pamper it. (spend money!)

Lose the original tires no matter how good they look. After 17 years, the rubber compound has hardened to the point of offering just a fraction of it's traction capability. Once you do so, you will have a more accurate idea of it's current handling traits and can tune more accurately.

Change ALL fluids, including rear axle, brake and power steering. Loosening the differential fill plug be a trial. Look for a thread generated by Mike Tangas for further guidance. I believe the last post was just a few days ago, therefore just scan back a few pages on this particular forum.

[86420SEL]

Thanks to all who have replied and Happy New Year!
It has new rubber and all fluids, etc. have been renewed. It runs great! I would like input on who to contact about aftermarket or OEM parts to improve performance and handling. Especially lateral roll through corners and to let it breath easier, intake, exhaust sound, where to get an in-dash CD system, rear roll up shade, etc. Who sells these????

Tough call. 126 sedans are not as popular to mod as 124's are. Try www.mbcoupes.com They play a lot with 126 coupes. Perhaps some ideas or discussed suppliers would apply in your case.

[stevebfl]

I hate getting in one of these discussions. I watch people blow gobs of money ruining the handling of MBs. Its probably possible to improve, to taste, the handling of these cars but the normal attempts have more to do with looks and the standard 17 year old MB will be helped a whole lot more by the proper maintenance of the suspenision that MB laid under it.

Chances are good that the car in question will gain more from a good alignment and a set of high speed Michelins than all the bucks you can spend elsewhere. Shocks, springs, I don't care if it sat all those years, its still old. Freshen up what you got and get to know it before you ruin it.

[86420SEL]

Thanks to all for your advice. I will take your years of experience and helpful hints as the good word.

That is the first thing I do on ANY new vehicle that enters the stable, other than a tune up if it's needed. New shooz will help you get a feel of how the car behaves and so forth. Also wouldn't hurt to give it a good wash down. I am a fanatic about clean cars, and with a good wash you get to see things up close. You can learn alot about a car by having a good one on one with it.
I have always liked the W126 sedans, they have classic lines and have timeless styling. There are lots of ways that you can style them out. Take your time and be tasteful. Enjoy your new ride, man!!!!!!

Don't forget to renew suspension bushings. Generally speaking, if its 17 years old and made of rubber, it's dead.