Hello All-

So, I have a 1989 560SEL with 178k on the clock. It's reached a point were I either need to sick several thousand into in or let it go. The local Mercedes dealership says it needs a complete valve job asap! Second the trans (once warm) won't shift up and out of 2nd assuming that from a stop it starts in 2nd as I've heard the W126's do. Finally, the power steering pump needs to be rebuilt as its leaking. This is a white car with palomino leather. I'm really torn on what to do. I was told a valve job would be roughly 4k and a rebuilt tranny (if that's what it needs) would be another $2500. I get so many compliments when I drive this car. People always say its a boat but beautiful and I've not found anything that rides as nice. So, do I part it out or put 6-7k into it.

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1973 280 - Sold
1980 300SD - Sold
1982 240D - Stolen
1988 300E - Sold
1989 260E - Sold
1989 560SEL
1994 E420 - Sold
1997 E420
2005 CL500

You have some interesting problems there.

My first bit of advice is to find a independent shop and have them check out the problems. Dealerships are often way more expensive than an indy and are not always 100% correct on a problem.

So basically,
1- valve job
2- transmission shifting
3- power steering leak

Here's my 2 cents:
1-I'm not exactly up to snuff on what causes one to need a valve job? Excessive oil burning maybe? My 420SEL has 215k on it and to my knowledge it has not had a valve job, although it probably could use one but i dont think its the end of the world..

2-This is certainly an odd problem. Does it shift normally when cold? Only when it gets all warm it stopped normal operations?

3-I've never had a power steering pump leak on any of my 126s. That's not saying that its not possible but I've not encountered it yet and they're all of varying mileage/age. I would check it out myself and make sure its not something simple like a return line... If the pump itself is leaking, they're pretty easy to replace $200. The seal kit for it is like <$5 itself..

Hope this helps!

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82 300SD 145k
89 420SEL 210k
89 560SEL 118k
90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010
90 560SEL 154k
91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k
93 190E 3.0 235k
93 300E 195k

The MB dealership said it was needed due to badly fowled plugs and uneven compression from cylinder to cylinder. Car has also been going through the oil quickly. No visible oil burning coming from exhaust but it does go through the oil quickly.

On the tranny-Last October with no warning there was a loud pop or snap from under the car. On "that day" it wouldn't shift up. The cars been sitting in the garage all winter. Over the past few weeks I've been cleaning/detailing my cars and took the 560 out for a drive. It was shifting into all gears but once it got up to temp it started shifting VERY HARD and when I would slow to a stop it would slam into a lower gear. Once it did that it would not shift up. I CAN repeat the process once the cars cooled down.

Replacing this car with another S-class wouldn't be cheap. Ugh!!

__________________
1973 280 - Sold
1980 300SD - Sold
1982 240D - Stolen
1988 300E - Sold
1989 260E - Sold
1989 560SEL
1994 E420 - Sold
1997 E420
2005 CL500

That's a tough spot for sure. I agree with the other forum user, find a good independent shop. I have a good Mercedes guy here in Topeka, but that's 60 miles away. You will likely save a couple thousand dollars vs dealer prices.

What's the alternative? You could find a newer S Class, but the sales tax alone can be thousands...

Good Luck,

-GH

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For Now:
1992 Mercedes Benz 500SL
1998 BMW 528i
2003 Honda Element
2002 CBR600F4i
1977 Coachmen Motor Home