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'91 560SEC, '91 560SEL, which one should I get?
Hello!
I am from Taiwan. After reading lots of posts in this wonderful forum, I think w126 might be a good buy. And then I found these two w126. 1991/92 560SEC 72,000 miles, asked for 10,000 US Dollars. 1991 560SEL 54,000 miles, asked for 8,500 US Dollars. And which one should I get? Any advise is heartly welcome. Thank you. |
#2
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By the way, I made a simple page with more photos of both car.
http://www.charlietai.com/w126/w126.htm Please take a look. |
#3
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Are those both United States cars? I'd rather have a euro spec car since you live in Taiwan. I think the white SEC looks better. But if you have family SEL is a great car.
__________________
Current Stable: 1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey. Former Mercedes in the Stable: 1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now) 1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold 1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold 1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold 1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold 1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020) 1992 500E 156k mi sold etc. |
#4
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The basic advice is to get the car with a more complete service history. That means everything done on time with documentation to prove it. But it seems that you have a fundamental question to answer - coupe or sedan? The SEC is enough car for 1 or 2. If you frequently have more people along and want to impress them, choose the SEL. The SEL will have a smoother ride because of the longer wheelbase but the SEC is not uncomfortable by any means.
Sixto 95 S420 91 300SE 87 300SDL 83 300SD |
#5
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Those prices seem awfully low!!!
Looks like either car is an excellent buy.....why does the SEL not have the headlight wipers? good luck Warren 1992 300SD 168K Columbus Ohio |
#6
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Quote:
It has something to do with the tax. For 5.6 liter car, you have to pay 1,800 US dollars tax " per year" than a "ordinary" 2.4 liter car. Most people are not willing to pay that premieum tax when the car is over 10 year, and under 15,000 us$. And this alone makes the price really low compared to US or other country. But my mom is disabled with some problem in her hearing, as her son, I don't have to pay that extra tax. So I am thinking about getting one of them if thay are well maintained. I am driving a 1.3 Ford festiva now, so I think it would be a huge upgrade. By the way, it never snow in Taiwan, maybe that owner take that headlight wipers off? Actually, I don't like that wiper, either. So is it ok to take it off? Thanks for you guys and all your useful replies!! Last edited by cybertai; 11-10-2003 at 02:28 AM. |
#7
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Have mom try getting in and out of both cars and see which one is easier and more comfortable for her. I have an SEL and it is a great car.
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#8
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concur with choice of SEL over SEC....I have transported a wheelchair-bound neighbor and multiple adults, and four doors is a big plus for both scenarios. Let Mom decide which one is best for her to get in/out of.
the 420 also lacks the hydraulic rear suspension found on the 560-series, and thus has a bit less maintenance required. JoeB |
#9
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I think our friend would like to avail of the loophole that minimizes his registration fees, not shuttle around his mother.
My take on this is that unless there is some financial or availability motivation, the last MB I'll buy overseas is a US-spec MB. Sixto 95 S420 91 300SE 87 300SDL 83 300SD |
#10
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Quote:
__________________
Current Stable: 1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey. Former Mercedes in the Stable: 1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now) 1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold 1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold 1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold 1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold 1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020) 1992 500E 156k mi sold etc. |
#11
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Thank you guys for the relpies.
I think the SEL is a good buy, especially it only has 54,000 miles. And it's cheaper. And the SEC has 72,000 miles. So does the mileage difference really matter that much? And the four-door is a huge plus. But I have some trouble imagining myself driving a 560SEL, maybe it's the length or the image of 560SEL, it reminds me that a relatively "young" man like me would look like a hired driver on the driver's seat. At least in Taiwan, not many people under 45 will own a huge MB sedan like 560SEL. :p To be honest, put the "four door issue" aside, my heart tells me to get the 560SEC since it's such a beauty. By the way, the owner of that 560SEC said he replaced the rear hydraulic suspension. Is it good? Does that mean I don't have to worry about that problem spot? I read a reader's mail the other day on Motor Trend, that guy said he "passed" a used Ferrari Testarossa 25 years ago, and he still thinks about that car once in a while. I wonder if I will do the same thing if I didn't get that SEC. Last edited by cybertai; 11-11-2003 at 12:41 AM. |
#12
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Quote:
And she loves to sit next to me when I am driving. So she will get the front seat if I decide to get the SEC. Maybe that solves the "two-door vs four-door" problem a little bit. |
#13
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I am not sure about the SEC. But I guess it's also Europe spec. |
#14
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I think those are very good prices it would it hard to find a 91 Euro 560 SEL with that low milage for that price in the US.My 500 Euro SE handles as well as some SL's I've driven.However the SEC will probably hold it's value better than the SEL.........P.S. are you single? SEC looks like a lady catcher to me........
William Rogers.......... Last edited by william rogers; 11-11-2003 at 03:36 AM. |
#15
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The only way those cars got to Taiwan directly from Germany is if someone ordered them from a dealership in the US for factory delivery then shanghai'ed (pardon the expression) the ship so it landed outside the US. I'm sure no one in their right mind fitted US-spec accoutrements like MPH speedo, unleaded fuel only warning on the fuel gauge, Fahrenheit outside temp gauge, big heavy bumpers and useless headlights to make an impression in Taiwan. I'll bet the old head gasket of my SDL that there are DOT and EPA certification tags on those cars.
Sixto 95 S420 91 300SE 87 300SDL 83 300SD |
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