The head gaskets do tend to leak but it is usually a superficial leak to the atmosphere and usually does not lead to much.

__________________
[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.

The Red Plum resents this remark.

__________________
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)

Any particular reason for not getting a diesel?

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.

The 300SE must have been sold in other markets with a manual transmission. What about the feasibility of a trans swap, assuming that the ratio spread in the manual is broader than the one in the auto, and high speed cruising would occur at a more relaxed RPM with the manual?

No coolant migration to the cylinders?

I had my heart set on buying elchivito's white '84 240D euro-spec manual transmission diesel with 220k and wanted to buy it, and we actually exchanged an email or two, but I guess he didn't believe I would really fly in to Phoenix and buy it, so he sold it to someone else.

Probably locally I suppose....

This last year w124 e420 was definitely a second tier choice that member and good friend "bondavi" on here, had found for me locally on C/L. out here, for me, so I bought it, and it has been a very nice nice car for me to use and enjoy.

Got it in 2011 and have already run up over 30k miles on it. Been many places in it, to So Cal, SF, Las Vegas ect. in it.

__________________
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)

I believe it is rare.

__________________
[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 would disagree, the "milkshake" in the coolant reservoir is a common occurrence when the M103 headgasket fails.

I would regard the head gasket as a serious issue as it's liable to grenade the engine if water gets into the cylinders. Not necessarily a deal breaker if the job is relatively simple to do or have done.

Do the V8's not suffer any similar issues on their engines? Someone mentioned timing chains. Not talking about the single rows on the 380's but the later doubles on the 420's, 5000's and 560's. Are these problematic too?

- 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've not seen a gasket issue allow coolant into the cylinders, but it seems that the oil journals seep into the coolant passages. The pressure differential seems to favor the oil getting into the coolant rather than the other way around.

I would vote for the 300SDL and 420SEL. To echo Skippy: why no diesel?

__________________
"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

I'd be happy with a good diesel, but there are fewer of them than decent looking gassers around. They sold more diesels earlier in the production run than later and gassers are far more abundant in the later half of production. So in my position there are simply more good condition later model gassers to choose from than the earlier diesels.

- 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

The 420SE/SEL has a shorter timing chain, and thus is less likely to have problems there than the 560SEL that has one that is extremely long, and does ask to be replace about every 100k along with the tensioner and guide rails.

The upper and lower guide rails are crucial, as over time the original ones can eventually first develop hairline cracks, and eventually crumble. When looking at one, either a 420 or 560, they should be examined, or at least verified by receipts that they have been changed, especially the 560 After all, they are 20+ year old cars. If the timing chain slips, they can grenade the engine.

Seen with a boroscope, or other by ways, the guide rails if newish are milky white and if really old are root eer brown.

That said the 560 is faster, to 60 mph, but the 420, once at cruising speed, is about identical in feel to the 560 in road feel and performance. And they are extremely safe:

click *THIS* !

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/video-forum/250950-w126-rolling-crash.html


and comfortable.

They are unburstable cars if your goal is safe relaxed long distance high speed cruising. If you are obsessed with mpg, they may not be a good choice, as the drink premium gas and are not particularly thrifty with fuel.

Parts are readily available...

If you are looking for one to buy, condition is far more important than miles on the odometer.

But they easily achieve intergalactic mileage if they have been well taken care of.

__________________
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)

A 1990-91 560SEL would be the car to get.

You want all the nice updates MB did, at this point also model matters less than condition.

I like the 350SDL's as well but people are afraid of them. IMHO if its still running at this point 20+ years down the line its a good motor. They also made a handful of 350SD's which is probably one of the best combo's you can get with the SWB.

The I6 is fine but your not gaining anything, also if fuel burn is really a concern this isn't the car for you. Upkeep will eclipse fuel at this point. I'd figure on whatever you buy having to roll on a timing chain, I'd replace all the rubber under the hood along with the radiator, send the starter and alt out to be rebuilt, etc. 20+ year old stuff needs some going over for reliable service.

If I was to buy another W126 I'd buy an AMG, but for a regular one I'd hunt out a low mileage 560SEL or a 350SD if any of them still exist in good shape.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200