No factory MB chains are crimped, you have to grind off a link to get them apart.

If you buy/rent the MB crimping tool you can crimp your replacement chain, and if its done right the crimped link should look no different than the others.

Cheap aftermarket ones use clips.

The clips are good to fasten the new chain to the old chain as you turn the motor over to roll the new chain on. Its really not that hard of a job to do on the straight motors, I have never done a V8 so I can't comment on it.

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2006 CL500
2009 C300 4matic
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I'm a numbers guy, Peter. So the first Q out for me is; how much do you want/have to spend on it's initial purchase price?

From there, I would have to guide you to looking for complete projects under $2,000 to fully maintained 560SELs pushing the $8K to $10K dollar range.

If it were me, I would be looking like a hawk for one in the entire So. Cal. perhaps Palm Springs area.

It just depends on what caliber a car you want, and want to pay for...

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'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

I have no money right now. But I've noticed some apparently decent looking cars showing up for really low prices in my neck of the woods recently so that got me to thinking about them. I've always considered top of the line Mercedes to be out of my league. 6,3's 6,9's etc. And I've thought the 560 might be in the same category. However if there are really no significantly different systems in these than any other 126 then they might not be as far out of reach as I used to think. It would not be a prime means of transportation for me, always a second/vacation car so I'd try to do as much work on it myself as possible. I'll never be in the position of having such a vehicle as my only transporation with the consequent time./money issues of having to get it back on the road again quickly if something were to go wrong.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

That simply is not true.

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Question Authority before it Questions you.

This also holds true for other S Class MBs such as the SDL. Some people (many times college students) seem to buy them expecting them to be budget minded cars simply because they are diesel MBs. Which has never been true about SDLs, much less SDs, or SELs.

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'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

You have the luxury of knowing that most people won't know what a used 560SEL is, nor be interested in ponying up big dollars for one. Especially since they represent oppulent gashogs just by looking at them. The average used non-savvy MB buyer would not know what they are getting into when buying one - hence, I believe the audience of true 560SEL buyers very small. You, me and other car guys here know they aren't that bad on gas - all things considered - for what you are driving....

I would make it a daily job (routine if you will) of checking the usual resource advertising pools on-line of the areas where a 560SEL would show-up, anywhere near you.

I would not necessarily jump on any one of them, unless it was in good condition. Actually for me - great condition. I wouldn't think a great condition one would necessarily be that much higher to procure than an average/poor condition one. My rationale is that sometimes when a car gets this old (approaching 20+ years) the owner wants it gone. They do not have to be reminded that they are gashogs - but it would not hurt for you to remind them that that is why you can only offer X amount for it.

As I said - I would be selective on my purchase, and not pay just a lot for the right one.

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'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

IMHO having owned 3 W126's...at this point the car itself costs you far more than the motor to keep going. So buy the engine you want they are all about the same dollar wise to keep on the road. The W126 never really had a bad motor, ecept maybe the 3.5L diesels, they all have their issues and strong points. But in general they are all pretty bullet proof.

Whats going to kill you is the climate control, sunroof, cruise control, suspension, body work, etc.

They are 20 years old, even a car like the W126 is showing its age and needs attention. OTOH I feel they are worth it, they are quality cars and respond well to putting money in them. They are also built to be fixed, which you will come to appreciate if you work on one.

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2006 CL500
2009 C300 4matic
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

different strokes for different folks. yeah, some repairs are a bit pricey, but then I remind myself that I have 4200 pounds of steel wrapped around me while on the road. and, at 80 MPH, it is almost as quiet as sitting in my living room, scary quiet, in fact. the 91 octane requirement sometimes gets under my skin, but then I remind myself this isn't a Ford.

the car doesn't come alive until you get it on the freeway, town driving tends to dog it as the car was intended as a highway cruiser. also, the car receives a lot of admiring looks from Cadillac owners. once you get behind the wheel, it is difficult to imagine traveling in any other car.......

Excellent profile of owning/driving an SEL.

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'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

Well. I went to look at one that I've been noticing on Craigslist for a while now this morning but it was already sold. not too surprising from the look of it in the ads. Went to another dealer who had a selection of 80's and 90's Benz's but wasn't really interested in checking them out all that thoroughly. Then I noticed a 116 sitting at the back a ways. Hmm...

Turns out to be a non running 1989 450SEL with a missing fuel distributor and the incorrect rear muffler. Other than that though it's remarkably straight. No dings, no paint fade (metallic brown with bamboo interior) and not a hint of rust. Originally a California car and certainly for much of it's life it looks like it was decently maintained. Original Becker Mexico radio, non chromed Bundt's and no weired after market crap or strange mod's. They claimed it drove fine when they got it from an auction and tried to sell it over a year ago but it didn't sell and over time didn't even move. Guy offered it to me for 500 bucks. I really need that car like a need another hole in my head! But damm, I think it's one that needs to be saved.

So now I'm sitting here back home wondering about the issues of sorting thru a late 1980's fuel injection system and trying to be responsible

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

I'd hold out for a 560SEL.

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'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

Bundt's don't fit on the later cars, the bolts are to long they tear up the rear parking brakes.

Are you sure it wasn't a 380SEL?

For $500 it might be a nice project, M116's had weak timing chains that could have snapped. Worst case you need to replace the motor.

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2006 CL500
2009 C300 4matic
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

The only thing i can say about buying a used MB that will most likely need work is to remember that no mater how much money you put into it you will never get it back.You must love the car like most of us do.

Sorry. I made a typo. It's a 1980 116 450SEL. I know I'll never get any money out of it but that's not my concern. I'm tempted both to hold out for a 560SEL and to pick up the 450 as a project. I love the 116.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Sometimes when passing on the freeway, having the additional power of the bigger motor gets you around the guy in front of you quickly. a quick test drive around the block doesn't tell you all the car is capable of. you have to live with the car for several months to get a real feel for what it is all about.

there will always be maintenance issues but what car doesn't have to be maintained?