I passed on a couple of M103s due to reading about premature headgasket failure and that is something that kept me hesitant especially for a clean one. Make sure that that has been done if you are going to pay a pretty penny for a 300SE/SEL. I was happily persuaded to purchase my last W126 to date being an M117 560SEC and I haven't looked back. My US 380SE was a foolish purchase but I got her from a Benz tech who did the majority of the service himself. Body will need attention but for what I am going to do with her, She's not going to be as some of the prime examples here moreso personal pride.... Then again I'm a big fan of the Ratrod scene....

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"Why operate within the law when you can operate above it?"

MB roster
'85 500SE euro Ratrod
'92 500E's x2 / '94 E500 stored
'91 560SEC w/43K stored
'92 Cabby 16V OE 2.1 AutoX car
JDM RHD cars now.