W126 purchase advice - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

brownrice78 · #1 07-27-2016, 07:46 PM

Hey all. Checked out a 82 300SD yesterday and to my surprise I really liked it. I've had mostly 123s and 116s. Got 280k on the clock. Thinking about if it's worth rescuing and wanted you to chime in on the issues.

1) Electric seat has issues. I can hear the motor but the seat won't go back forward nor does the seat back tilt up or down. Not sure how complicated this is.

2) Feel some sort of vibration through the gas pedal at higher speeds (40mph) Never felt something like that before in these older cars

3)Jack points are rusted out in 2 of 4 points. That's where the factory jack would be used. For most this is the real deal breaker but wondering if I can get around that. The floors are good. Some rust here and there but not excessive. I kinda wonder if it would even pass VA inspection. Had rusty w123 car in the past that passed but haven't seen jack points this rusted out before. Maybe a W126 thing?

4)Antenna and radio work. Becker radio, but no reception. Seems weird to me.

Thoughts?

oldsinner111 · #2 07-27-2016, 07:52 PM

I think most people pass on the rusty jack points,cause where the suspension conects to the body is probably gone too.Small rust holes get very large when cutting out rust.

Stretch · #3 07-27-2016, 09:57 PM

As with almost any old Mercedes rust in my opinion is a deal killer.

The other stuff you mention can be fixed but the rust sounds scary

TX76513 · #4 07-28-2016, 08:29 AM

Were you able to put onto a lift and give a full inspection underneath? The mention of rust is a must inspect more when considering these vehicles.

brownrice78 · #5 07-28-2016, 01:02 PM

Didn't put it on a lift but I didn't see any other excessive rust elsewhere. I just never saw a Benz before that had the jack stand points so rusted and the rest of the body relatively clean. I think water must have gotten trapped in there. I wish I took a pic of it.

compu_85 · #6 07-28-2016, 01:25 PM

Thoughts: Don't buy a rusty W126. Unless you plan to simply drive it for a short while, and dump it when something breaks.

Do a careful check under the body with a screwdriver. The undercoating hides rust. If you see some there is likely more.

I'd be happy to take a peek at the car for you... I know from personal experience where many of the W126 rust points are now

-J

Hit Man X · #7 07-28-2016, 04:20 PM

My take on what you observed -

The seat(s) will have to be removed from the car and the base from the seat itself. The cables are messed up, which is why you hear the motor but no seat movement. At times the cable can shorten internally, others it spins up internally and tears itself up.

Vibration at speed could be many things. I would check driveshaft issues first, last thing you want is a flex disc coming apart at speed.

I do not buy rusty cars. There is always more hidden.

Radio issues are easy to fix.

vstech · #8 07-28-2016, 06:35 PM

If ya want a rust free project come get one of mine... you dont want to mess with jack point rust.

Can it be fixed? Sure... but there are SOOOO many more out there in better shape.

jay_bob · #9 07-28-2016, 11:27 PM

Indeed. The older chassis models used undercoating and paint as rust deterrent.

The coating traps water and the metal rusts underneath.

You end up with a coating - steel - coating crap sandwich. BTDT

Only buy this car if the engine or interior are good, with the intention of using it as a parts donor car.

Adriel · #10 07-29-2016, 12:33 AM

As everything in my life view, will suggest the middle. If can get for less than cost of an used engine ($500 here it seems), would say purchase as a parts vehical. If can't do that, pass.

Soon as saw rusted jack points on the '79, decided a parts vehical. Plan was to have as a back up beater, as was supposed to be running. Well, it wasn't, so had bunts put on and paid $300 cash. I came out even and still have a huge pile of parts.

You might find makes a good beater and not have to worry if totaled. If do find the only structural rust, could always fiberglass, body fill, and paint to pass inspection.

t walgamuth · #11 07-29-2016, 07:10 AM

My youngest daughter is selling my old 85 300 SD. It came from Memphis, has fresh paint(three or four years ago) over the rust free body. It has a beautiful interior with recent seat skins, and a motor which has been gone through and runs better than any 617 I ever owned. It has very tready michelin hydroedge tires I put on about 5 years ago.

I am not sure how much she is asking but whatever it is you cannot build a car as nice for the price.

If interested feel free to search under my name with threads containing 300SD and you'll get a good rundown on all that I did to it.

PM if you want pics.

brownrice78 · #12 07-29-2016, 07:00 PM

Thanks guys for the info. Maybe I got a bit too excited about rescuing another Benz

brownrice78 · #13 07-29-2016, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

My youngest daughter is selling my old 85 300 SD. It came from Memphis, has fresh paint(three or four years ago) over the rust free body. It has a beautiful interior with recent seat skins, and a motor which has been gone through and runs better than any 617 I ever owned. It has very tready michelin hydroedge tires I put on about 5 years ago.

I am not sure how much she is asking but whatever it is you cannot build a car as nice for the price.

If interested feel free to search under my name with threads containing 300SD and you'll get a good rundown on all that I did to it.

PM if you want pics.

PM sent

nate300d · #14 07-29-2016, 07:11 PM

Here is another place to check. This was on a 1991 300SE. It was the only rust on the entire car, but this was not good. The person who repaired it did a great job. You have to look at it for a few seconds to tell that it was repaired.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/body-repair/256514-attentions-w126-owners-rust-alert.html

brownrice78 · #15 07-29-2016, 07:28 PM

Man that's scary rust. Also impressed that you got someone to fix it for $160. In DC area, that's the price to change a light bulb