Where is the C126 market at?

It seems to me there just isn't enough solid examples to compare to. I see a lot of nice driver quality ones with 120-190K in the 2000-5000 range, but none are that nice. Either have one of the following: Paint issues, worn interior, rear window delamination (). The ones with under 100K seem to be a mixture of museum quality pieces, ones ghetto-fied with 20" rims, and low mileage but just worn to hell.

What do today's market values look like for a perfect (stock) 90 560SEC with only 60K on it? Looking at one locally to possibly drive&flip.

Thanks...

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http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-RESIZED-1.jpg
1991 300E - 212K and rising fast...

5 to 7K?

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I am reluctantly (no 3 garage for her) going to have to sell this lovely one that I have, it is a bone stock car with only 102,000 rust free miles on it.

I selected it carefully in Los Angeles based on a tip from a friend who had seen it advertised by consignment from a Jaguar Land Rover dealer, where she just bought a new mini. It has 88,999 on the clock and 89,002 when I bought it in undetailed condition. With a mushroom interior that is mint, except for the damaged wood console stats. I just bought a new console in mushroom for it.

The only damage it has is a long scratch on the door and right fender.


Otherwise totally stock and undamaged, and best of all, not only the tools in the red cloth factory bag, all books on it are there in the selling dealer's leather case, but it has ALL records from just 35,000 miles on it.


It was purchased brand new at Jim Slemons Mercedes Benz in Newport Beach in March 1990 and even has the original license plates from then on the car, proving it was a lifetime So Calif car.

The purchaser was a 93 year old owner who after she died, the car was found dust covered inside a garage some years later, with 35,000 on the clock.

The second wealthy owner lived in the hills above Malibu, a VERY rich area , near the California coast, had the car from about 2002 to 2009, and kept ALL service and repair records. The car never had any problems, and was taken care of well.

I obtained the Carfax, Mercedes Benz Vehicle Master Inquiry, and California Smog check history printout on the car.

It came out beautiful when I detailed it.

Of note, it came without a history of HVAC problems, the air conditioning was serviced and the original R12 blows freezing cold, the interior wood is stunning, the dash gauges are bright orange, denoting a lifetime California garaged and female driven stock car, until I got it. No headliner sagging, rear window delamination, in fact just the ideal car I wrote about in the buyers guid I wrote back in 1998 in www.mbcoupes.com


It will be given to a new owner that will CHERISH it.

I think a documented, mechanical perfect and very good cosmetic example, brand new tires and alignment and evderthing working would make a great car for someone, especially back east where it snows and a lot of cars like this are rusty.

I am looking to get $6,500 for it, and have a couple of people that are interested in it.

Here are picures of it from last year. I bought it on April 8. It has 102,695 miles on it today.


Getting the 90,000 mile service done at MR MB in Los Angeles. Enrique said it "is a very good car".

















I am obsessive even about the motor compartment.








The day I bought it at the Jaguar dealer. 4/8/09






05/20/09 in Bakersfield CA.




Lake Isabella, California not long after.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Sheesh, if I lived in California I would be all over that...

C126's are such beautiful cars...


It's strange though; here on the East Coast, they run for like, 11,000 for a really nice one, whereas the shoddy fixer-uppers are the 5-6,000 cars.

For 6,500 that is a steal.

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1987 560SEL (210,000 miles)

Well the guy sent me more detailed pictures and I wasn't impressed at the supposed "show-room" condition. My 300E has a nicer interior at 170K than this one at 66K! Drivers seat should not have a worn bolster and worn seat bottom at 66K! Animals!

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http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-RESIZED-1.jpg
1991 300E - 212K and rising fast...

That's the most frustrating thing about buying a used car; you realize that very few people know how to actually take car of an automobile...

I remember when my dad was in the market for a new car, it took him a year of searching on his own, and 3 auctions our indy went to in order to find an acceptable 740iL.

FWIW interiors run pretty cheap on adsitco.com; I think it's like 2700 for an entire 126 interior in leather...

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1987 560SEL (210,000 miles)

Well I am going on vacation and could drop it off with some help in meeting delivery expenses.

How much would a shipper charge vs personal delivery where you helped out?

No idea of it.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

jim b. is the man, when it comes to that model. run, don't walk, to get that deal.

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"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread."

Thank you. I really do feel I know these cars and their issues.

Been obsessed with them since a millionaire Judge I worked for asked me to drive his brand new 1984 500SEC AMG from San Francisco to Denver so he could have it in Aspen to use over XMAS week.

I have had mine for about 15 years, they are good cars IF taken care of.

They easily outlast MOST American marriages....

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Jim,

I just wonder how you feel about chrome wheels on these vintage style cars.
Personally I think they are chintzy-looking. If I owned that car and intended to keep it, I'd go back to originals in a New York minute.

Were they on the car when delivered? I can picture an old lady zoomin' around with those chrome wheels. Lil' old lady from Pasadena indeed.

Very nice car Jim, g/l with the sale! I'll be back in the market for something in December, but your car will be long gone by then...

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'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

Definitely seems to be a buyers market for pretty much everything right now!

Also wanted to ask a question about the SLS found on the 560SEC. Have those started to show any problems yet?

Is there any particular mileage where the SLS system tends to pack up or leak?

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http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-RESIZED-1.jpg
1991 300E - 212K and rising fast...

The last service receipt on this 1990 560SEC given to me by the previous owner, reflects the
following:

McLaren Automotive Service, Agoura, CA. (date: 01/22/2009, mileage: 88,025)

check rear suspension

r/r rear shock, new accumulator, SLS fluid replaced


Also: R 12 AirCon serviced, freon, ultra violet leak detector

replace one halogen headlight.


Total bill: $747.84



There is no set time or mileage when the rear self leveling suspension goes out, it varies from car to car. It was designed to keep the car level regardless of baggage in the trunk or rear seat passengers. It was standard equipment on 560SEC/SEL cars from 1986-1991 (end of model run)



You will know it is going bad when either it leaks oil, and/or when ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR FEELS like it has an EXTREMELY STIFF ride. The small "cannonballs" are not excessively hard to replace. The SRS fluid reservoir is behind the radiator on the drivers side and the level can be easily observed and topped off as necessary.

Hope that helps.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Thanks Jim I needed a good laugh!

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WHAT 500SEC AMG??? Oh like the one in the garage, totally forgot about that *slaps forehead!*

That Smoke being sold by Jim is definitely a sweet car - undergoing the full service and detail right now that it is basically turnkey for whoever's fortunate enough to grab it! I especially liked how the leather looked inside when Jim obtained the car, and where it is now. Can't do better!