Should I buy an 87 560SEL? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

240diowa · #1 02-17-2011, 12:11 PM

I have seen posts about rough idling issues with the 560 SEL and some issues with the suspension. I'm looking at a 1987 560 SEL, florida car with no rust and 143K miles, has a rough idle but other than that runs quite well. Is this a car I'm going to regret buying? Don't know if the timing chain has been replaced or not. Are the engines difficult to work on compared the the straight 6 gas or diesel models (I drive a 300D and a 240D).

flixbiz · #2 02-17-2011, 01:04 PM

Is the original fuel distributor still in? Rough idle could be anything from plugs and wires (couple hundred bucks) to a fuel distributor (couple thousand bucks). In general, the engine is easy to work on - 126 body is one of the last to be able to make that claim.

240diowa · #3 02-17-2011, 02:17 PM

Owner doesn't know if the fuel ditributor has been replaced. All I know is it has a rough idle. Purchase price is $2000. The car is in immaculate condition and appears to be well taken care of however there are no service records so I don't know if the timing chain has been replaced etc. I'm fairly mechanically inclined and can do the work my self so I would be out parts cost only and probably cost for special tools etc. I don't know much about the leveling suspension system. are they troubsome? hard to maintain?

pmckechnie · #4 02-17-2011, 04:45 PM

If you want the finest and safest highway car ever built, than you have found the right one. They don't get great fuel mileage (around 19-20 if kept below 90 mph) but they are a joy to drive. Check the upper chain guides and if they are white or light brown, the chain will probably be ok. If they are dark brown, replace them before restarting the engine. If one of these guides brakes, you are in for a lot of work and expense. We just did a 380SL that broke a guide, distroyed the chain, bent/broke all the valves in the left head, etc. The bill was around 4 grand and I earned every penny of it. The suspension isn't too bad to work on. Usually the accumulators (i think that is what they are called) is the most common problem and you can get them for $150 or so. There are other problems you can have but with the helpof this site, most are easly repaired.

Paul

flixbiz · #5 02-17-2011, 04:48 PM

I've seen new fuel distributors selling up to $1,700., but hopefully that's not the issue. If the owner could have remedied the problem with only plugs and wires, I imagine that he would have done that already. Vacuum leaks also can cause rough idle - not expensive. Sounds nice for $2K. I bought mine with a rough idle - turned out to be fuel distributor but my mechanic found me a rebuilt one for about a grand - was already doing some top end work so labor wasn't anything additional - it's been fine ever since. My humble opinion - 126 is the best Mercedes ever made. If you like the car and it seems to have been well cared for (there aren't hot rods - they don't get beat up much), you should get it.

240diowa · #6 02-17-2011, 09:10 PM

Is there a way to easy check the conditions of the timing chain guides while looking at the car? Didn't know if there is a cover that could easily be removed. The car is 60 miles from my house so I really can't do a whole lot other than see how it runs etc. Are these motors prone to head gasket problems?

Thanks

#7 02-17-2011, 11:01 PM

Are there any mercedes shops in the surrounding area where you could take it for a PPI or have a diagnosis on it?

greenacres2 · #8 02-17-2011, 11:49 PM

If you open the oil fill cap, you can just barely see the guide rail on that side. I'll one day own another 560 SEL, or may settle for a 420. Great highway cruiser, car seemed to be happiest and best fuel economy at about 85 mph. Does help if you can tinker but the layout of the car makes it easy for even a novice who has resources like this board to work on it.

Good luck.

Ferdman · #9 02-18-2011, 07:05 AM

240diowa, recommend having a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) performed by a MB-trained tech who is intimately familiar with that vintage MB automobile. Realize that very few owners are selling well-maintained cars for no reason. Be suspicious about pending major, costly repairs.

Need to remove the timing chain cover to properly inspect the guides. The I6 engines are easier and less expensive to maintain.

greenacres2 · #10 02-18-2011, 07:31 AM

Fred is correct about the timing chain cover for an inspection of all the rails. Only a glimpse of the corner one upper through the oil fill, removing valve covers gets a better look at both uppers. Uppers take more chain slap, so when they're brittle and break it takes out the lowers--along with valves,leave shards in the oil pan, etc. Not much point in rolling in a new chain without changing at least the upper rails.

pmckechnie · #11 02-18-2011, 07:52 AM

Greenacres2,
I am so glad you mentioned about the best mileage at about 85 mph. I got into a discussion on this board once about "sweet spots" in engines. These cars are more efficent at higher speeds then most any other car. Most will argue that anything over 60 mph just cuts the mpg. In my 500SEL, I got the best mileage on a trip from NC to FLA. Almost 22 mpg for 1 tank of fuel. I was running with a pack of big rigs at 90 to 100 most of that tank. (Yes, trucks do go that fast and faster). If I run the speed limit of 65 it drops to 19 mpg. Think about something. In Germany, these cars are run at 150mph on the autobauns (sp). If higher speed kills mileage as many say, these cars would have to buy fuel about every 100 miles. That is not the case. I talked to a German who owned a 500SEL and he would only say that the mileage droped very little at high speed. Air drag is a lot more complicated than most people think. It can change at different speeds, sometimes going down at higher speed.
Sorry for the rant, but people need to know.

Paul

London380sl · #12 02-18-2011, 08:24 AM

Check this link out.

http://www.mbcoupes.com/buyersguide/buyersguide.htm

Although written for the sec (the coupe version of the SEL) 99% of what is written is applicable to the the SEL. Just one word of warning though. It was written about year 2000 so pricing is a little out of date.

SD300 · #13 02-18-2011, 04:49 PM

is good and bad as u have all oil burners, sometimes maybe better to stick to your knittings.

if u can afford the gas then is ok, i have tried the 420 & 560, just want i pay for diesel I can easily double to triple of what I have to pay.
Dsl I can cheat/mix with some ATF , vege oil.
Benzenes have no substitution, brewing alcohol u need almost as big a distillery as Jim Beam or Jack Daniels.
Or move to Venezuela, gas is only 20c a gal!

alabbasi · #14 02-18-2011, 09:24 PM

They're pretty easy cars to work on. Rough idle could be plugs, wires or a fuelling issue. Run a compression test before you buy. They are fast, comfortable and very nice drives but they do drink fuel. 15 mpg is about normal.

Hit Man X · #15 02-20-2011, 09:49 AM

Cheap because it needs work. Timing chain, rails, intake manifold reseal, and probably a front end to get you started. Unless you enjoy working on stuff, it is probably not a wise purchase.

If you are concerned about fuel economy, look for a 300SDL as they are more of a fuel miser, LWB, and performance is actually decent when all systems are 'go'... significantly quicker and more refined than the old 300SD. Nothing wrong with a 420SEL either if you are not into all the ancillary stuff the 560 came with from the factory.

The M103 in the LWB W126 is a slug to drive, had I driven this one before I picked it up I never would have purchased it. Stay away from them, they belong in the smaller 124 and 201. Fuel economy is just as lame as the V8s around town as you are always into the pedal, but with far less power (vast torque difference). Why this was cursed with second gear start on top of that is beyond me... too bad MB did not offer it with a five speed like BMW did with their 7s.