I have about 155k on mine, it does not smoke on start up... so that '130,000 miles' is probably far more as you know the VDO odometers fail.

V8s are far more convoluted and sensitive to vacuum leaks (remember you have two camshafts that become out of time as opposed to one and the guide rails must be watched like a hawk, too). Being nearly 30 years old, it will need an intake plenum rebuild along with every CIS rubber seal imaginable. They have an SLS system too, which is more to fail.

Good news is they burn 87 octane just fine, which is significantly cheaper than No 2 in my area. About 40¢ per gallon here.

The 420SEL is the best value in W126s to me due to lesser fuel cost as opposed to Diesel, no R4 compressor like the SDs, adequate fuel economy (nearly the same as the 300SE/L but has far more power, far sooner), and broad power delivery.



It is $1500 for a reason.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]