I bought an 86 560sel about two years ago, and thought that I would just keep it for a few weeks and then sell it (I was getting a good deal...). After owning it for a few days I realized it was one of the most fantastic cars I had ever experienced. The quality of power and overall feel of the car are always an affirmation.

As for the "saggy rear end" - if you are thinking about buying one of these and not doing regular, complete and thorough maintenance and repair, then your experience with any of them is going to be compromised. Yes, the 560 has the self leveling, which is prone to failure, but it can be fixed (usually for a few hundred), and can be eliminated for $600 (although it is questionable to go this route, as it removes some of the great ride quality that comes from the hydraulic suspension).

I now have a 92 500sel, and if both (the 140 500 and 126 560) were in the same condition (same year, etc., although I know that is impossible), I would pick the older 560 - better quality of acceleration, not "overly complex", very pretty, better reliability, etc.

-David