My 82 300d is getting rusty, and I'm looking at a couple of possible replacements, both late-80's one a 380SE, and other a 420SEL. I'd appreciate any comments or opinions on relative complexity, common trouble spots, expected fuel economy. The SEL is a great hulking ark, isn't it?
Do they both have the same rear suspension?
Thanks seo

I have a 1989 420SEL. I love the car, but it is not fuel efficient at all.

surf your car is a prius compared to a 560SEL

Thats the last free **** you get, Pal.

the 420sel is a much better car.yes it has issues but they are known.the 380 was the worst engine in 30 yrs.

__________________
David S Poole
European Performance
Dallas, TX
4696880422

"Fortune favors the prepared mind"
1987 Mercedes Benz 420SEL
1988 Mercedes Benz 300TE (With new evaporator)
2000 Mercedes Benz C280
http://www.w108.org/gallery/albums/A...1159.thumb.jpg

The later 380SE ('84 & '85) with double row timing chain will be no better and no worse than a 420SEL save for the length of the wheelbase which is a matter of personal preference.

__________________
08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

A piker compared to the 603.97 rod bender In good shape an S350d will probably outrun a 380SE

There's also a 380SEL.

If you get an early 380, do so only if it has a double row chain.

Sixto
93 300SD

you know i love your W126.. that was a compliment in terms of fuel milage

i do plan on buying those steelies off you

Well, I will chime in now if I may. I have a 1985 380SE. I do not think I agree with the comment "worst engine in 30 years" that was made. I have 268K on mine and it is still running good, aside from a vacuum leak somewhere causing a stumble when cold and now my PS box seal that blew out/hose the other morning. I have NO oil leaks and NO oil burning. I now have 3300 miles on my oil and it has not leaked down even a quarter of an inch. Pretty amazing for a 268K mile car. Yes, it has lifter ticking and the engine does not sound quiet as a mouse, but still running nevertheless. Powerful? No, they are not. This is a SMALL V8 and this is a heavy sedan. Also, the 84-85 have the double row chain, but it seems like it is either the tensioner, guides or rails that fail. I will admit that my car has 268K and I have NO idea when they were last changed. I will let the future owner decide that. The car will be back up for sale after I get the PS repaired.. probably around $1K or so, give or take a hundred or two?

Luckily, my car has (for now anyway) bypassed some of the very common problems on these. Everything works save for the cruise control, power antenna, auxillary fan and the LR window will not roll down, as it seems to be off of the track and of course now, my PS is out, due to a busted seal/hose that decided to burst Monday morning @ 9:30am EST, gushing PS fluid all over my driveway.

No rust on the undercarriage (but it is a southern car), but it has some starting to bubble up under the paint above the RR fenderwell, but this car was in DC (or maybe it was New York ?) for the first 3 years, which may explain that. Luckily, no rear window leaks either (so far), but my old antenna seal was leaking, allowing some water in the RR floor, but that seal was replaced and problem was solved. Oh, MPG? Someone said 14-17 in town? I get around 20 mpg in town, even with the stumbling/rough cold idle. I guess that is why I hate to sell it, is the good mileage I get with it. If it were properly tuned, I would say it may get 23-25 mpg?

BTW- there were no "late 80s" 380SE (not that I know of anyway). It was 1984-85. 1986, the 420SEL took over, on a longer wheelbase. As mentioned, there was a 380SEL (LWB), from 1981-83 I think. However, I think these have the single row t-chain.

Good luck.

__________________
2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4wd
1991 Lincoln Town Car Executive
1991 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1988 Mercedes 300SEL
1972 Chevrolet Caprice Kingswood Estate 9-passenger wagon
1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
(Prior MB's: 1974 240D, 1985 380SE, 1984 190D, 1993 400SEL)

The 380 has the less efficient engine, but I am getting 16/21 with mine. There are all kinds of minor issues - sagging seats, window lifter guides, water seepage around the rear window, ACC controls. They can be considered a fun challenge, or a nightmare - depending on your tolerance and skill levels. The 14" tires are becoming hard to find.

The underbody will rust out quickly if there is a break in the undercoating. This can happen if someone lifts the car by the part that looks like a frame member underneath, instead of the lift points along the side of the body.

__________________
1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

I find the opposite to be true, and due to the fact that nowadays only economy cars have 14 inchers the tires are becoming very cheap. Plenty of tires to choose from:

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/searchTiresByVehicleAndSize.do?rcz=75098&mk=MERCEDES%2520BENZ&rc=TXDINT&yr=1985&cs=205&vid=003141&rd=14&ar=70

I went with Kumho Power Star 758s. Great tire, and I paid $240 out the door including tax, disposal, new valve stems, mounting, lifetime rotate/balance.

__________________
08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

The 1984-85 380SE is a good car & with a good timing chain/tensioner will run a loooong time at 14-16MPG around town..

The 420SEL is more refined & starting in 1990 was one of the best MB's ever!
You still need a timing chain/tensioner every 150K miles.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

What changed in 1990?

I wonder why 1990-1991 420SEL's are better than 1986-1989 years?

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

I did the same. They work fine. I was really referring to H-rated tires which are the correct ones for this car. If you foolishly specify the make and model on TireRack, they won't let you order anything below H.

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

I am very familiar with both cars. The 420 is not worlds apart from the 380 in terms of power - they are similar regardless of what anyone else will tell you here. They are not rockets but are adequately powered and really come into their element on the highway. Only the 560 is much much faster, and I speak from personal experience.

My 85 380SE is in excellent mechanical shape and gives me 16mpg around town with a very heavy foot and the A/C on. On the highway under less heavy conditions and with the cruise on it gives just under 20mpg.

The long wheelbase models have unparalleled rear seat legroom, but the tradeoff is a vehicle that can be difficult to park and maneuver. Sort of like driving a cargo van, if you have ever done that before - takes lots of planning before making turns. The shorter wheelbase models seem a bit more nimble both in traffic and in the parking lot.

Either way, you can't lose with a W126.

__________________
08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280