or encourage me/ agree with my conclusions

So, I've read the W126 Buyer's guide multiple times, and know very, very well that there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes-Benz, but I think I have a potential diamond in the rough here.

This is a 1989 420SEL with 149k on her. Excellent condition inside and out. Glossy paint, good interior surfaces, etc. I drove the car, which had been sitting for 4 weeks, and noticed two issues.

1: The climate control was completely unresponsive. He claims it was working last time he drove it and he used the AC for his daily commute. (He has since updated to a W210 E320)

2. I noticed a very slight shudder for the first second of acceleration. I had this issue with the SL, though much worse, the culprit being the fuel distributer. A thorough cleaning of the whole system took care of it.

I plan on returning tomorrow morning with a fuse tester to see if the CC problems can be solved easily. Any other areas to look for that may cause this problem? This issue will likely be the deal breaker for me. The car performed fantastically otherwise, turning, bumps, etc. I've driven many W126s (all 1985s or older) and this one seemed the most well sorted.

No air leaks at highway speeds, the interior and trunk seemed incredibly dry. All the rubber under the hood, and seals looks great.

...and of course, the most important thing on these old Benzes is the maintenance records, which it has... until 2000. The first owner was unbelievably fastidious caring for this car, repairing a litany of issues including the climate control. Every page of the book is dealer stamped until 75,000, with a few receipts following. NO MENTION OF THE TIMING CHAIN BEING SERVICED.

So, my friends, should I pay $2,000 for this car? At the very least it would need a $1,000 worth of work for the timing chain and a new base line to start over on the fluids. If I can get the CC working and it proves fully functional, I will probably pull the trigger on it, unless you guys talk me out of it.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Pictures:

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Isn't one gasser enough!
I just never had you pegged for a W126 guy. Just doesn't seem "you".......

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Well, the window tint on the top third windshield sure isn't me. Being 6'2", driving at night would not be fun with a tint blocking most of my vision.

It was a blast to drive, but I'm not sure if I will follow through on this one. He let me take the records home to look at overnight, so I will have to return in the AM to at least give them back. I will take higher quality pictures as well.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

I think that is relative low mileage for a 126 gasser and it look great in the pictures. CCU units are available on ebay for not too much and every now and then there is a rebuilt one on there. May be just a bad temperature control module. they're fairly cheap on Ebay too. But winter is upon us and you'll need a heater/defroster in Wichita (I used to live in Bellaire).

Shudder may just be from setting for awhile too.

Looks like a good price to me. It'll be a good Ride on the toll road to K.C.. That road just begs for a large luxury car driven at some excess.....I used to do it Mondays and Fridays every week for about 6 months in a 1979 Lincoln Town Coupe in FUJIMO gear really early in the mornings.

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1986 Euro 500SEC "RUF" 9:1CR, "Rose"
1985 Euro 500SEC Cabriolet AMG Widebody
1982 Euro 500SEL "Blue"
2001 Texas Heeler (Aussie/Queensland X) "Sulphie",
2012 Queensland Red Heeler "Squeak"
Best dogs I've ever had.

looks good, although this time year is kinda of bad time to not have a working climate control. if you do get the car I do have documents I can send you to help in diagnosis. I just diagnosed a non operational w126 climate control problem. 2000 is about right. keep in mind the 126 climate control is much more involved than the w123 chassis.

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1986 300SDL, 211K,Dealership serviced its whole life
1991 190E 2.6(120k)
1983 300D(300k)
1977 300D(211k)

The W126 climate control is easy to fix, you re-solder the one you have, or find a used one, or pay the full price for a re-man. Either way, they're very reliable. Mine's been working great this winter. I set it to 22C about 6-7 weeks ago and my car stays at the perfect temp without issue. (only thing I've ever done to it is replace the mono valve diaphragm)

If I found a car like that at that price I'd probably go for it.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

So much for you guys talking me out of it.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Nope. Go for it! Looks like a beautiful car! Then you can be a member of the W126 club.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Get it. I have loved both of my W126 models. Moreso my 300SEL than my 380SE, as its in better condition and much lower mileage.

Timing chain is #1 on the list on that 420 though.

After driving a W123 you'll find that a W126 is a much better highway car. A lill more unwieldy around town but still very manageable. I bet after you take a test drive you'll be sold. I know I was

-Jason

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

I did drive it briefly, but it was getting dark and I could tell the guy was miserable missing his football game.

Tomorrow will be the full highway run, and I'm sure it will spoil me.

I won't be retiring Ol' Turbo any time soon for highway duty, though.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Does that car have the updated interior?

Are you talking about the 420SEL or my 300D?

420SEL... Yes

300D.... No but I rebuilt the seats using memory foam, heaven on Earth.

I've been searching on the forum for a while, but what does a full timing chain service usually cost (chain, rails, etc)? I did it with my SL 6 years ago, but it was lumped in with redone heads and a litany of other issues.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Could any of you guys point me to a (more or less) complete troubleshooting procedure for the W126 climate control? Mine's dead, and I'm not really sure where to start. Thanks!

retro