Hello 126ers,

I have just acquired an 85 SEC (Black on Black) in return for some construction work (labor only).

I was able to bring my 190E back from the dead, and hope I'm not in over my head. But man, when I realized that the hood and trunk lid were aluminum from the factory, I had to do the deal.

Can anyone lead me to a PDF of the 126 Shop Manual (1985 era)?

Time to dig in.

Thanks

Gentlemen
After reading the numerous post of the collected wisdom on this board
I felt a need to have one of the finer designed ,built and reasonably priced units .
1989 300 SE from a fellow enthusiast in DC.
120K ON ENGINE
160 ON CHASSIS

nice documentation , lots of work done -front end , flex disc, all new brake pads , rear disc good matching rubber all around

Clean interior , decent paint ( couple of dings - what you would expect for 20 years )
$1500.
I m happy ......I think

This is now a collection ?
1972 280 se ( with chevy small block ) get up and go car ....
1989 300se - a bit more refined

Attached Thumbnails

 

If anyone is anywhere near Texas and is looking for a good deal on a 300SEL one owner all the service records in amazing condition, pm me. I have checked this car out and I for one am very impressed. This car would be an exceptional value for someone looking for a really sweet car for 2k

Here is one of my W126's. I have a 1986 560SEL Diamond blue over Dove grey that is a daily driver. And then there is this one currently being gone through as it is non-operable, a 1984 500SEL AMG.

Attached Thumbnails

 

A quick 4 day trip up to Cleveland , South Bend Ind , Lake Michigan area and back to Baltimore . My first real drive in my "new" '89 300se. Just a little over 1400 miles

FUEL /OIL Consumption
all highway cruising 60- 85 mph , 18-20.25 mpg , maybe a 1/4 qt. of oil

Isn't it a good indicator that you like the car after a 12 hour drive and want to go some more? The car was terrific.

After 2 days of ownership and a quick check of records and conversation with previous owner and his mechanic and started to think " I'll take the new car up north " ( wife says DON'T DO IT)
i'M THINKING YES IT WILL BE FUN _ ( I'm not being very objective here)
So I take it to my local guy and have another set of eyes look it over.
IGNITION - replaced /serviced 10/2008
WIRES/PLUGS - 5/2010
FUEL SYSTEM- -service 10/2008
FRONT END -control arms / tie rods/ ball joints 1/2010
BRAKES- 12/2009
HOSES look fine
BELT

He replaces the OPR relay ,checks fluids , brakes and front end "clunk"
$200 and his blessing and we're off.
extra belt , oil , water , flashlight , small air compressor ,some tools and away we go
Nice trip , enjoyable drive .

shake down list;
still some idle issues- occasionally....
doesn't always "jump right off" when starting
a/c - need condensor
passenger window - load clunk /clunk for the last 2''
rear driver side- off the track
stereo - 2 speakers fuzzy
light clunking noise at low speed over pot holes
a little oliy foam on radiator cap - could it be a head gasket ?

compression test indicates
1-130psi
2-116psi
3-145psi
4-174psi
5-159psi
6-145psi
engine has 125,000 miles

The cruises nicely at 72-78 mph - IS THAT THE SWEET SPOT?
80 MPH - OK AS WELL , Perhaps the front end needs some adjustment
90 MPH - I wanted to see how it felt , solid but not so happy (?) not loud
but didn't want to hold the revs so high .
( who needs that speeding ticket anyway ?)

Attached Thumbnails

         

I bought a 1990 300SE last year for 200.00 put 300.00 in it and got 13,000mi. before the head gasket finally blew. I picked up a 1991 300SE a few weeks later as a parts car 300.00. It runs great, just needs glass, exhaust work to put on the road. The driver is now the parts car and the parts car is now the driver. I love these cars! I plan on removing the head from the 1990 and having it reconditioned so I can do a head gasket on the 1991 when the time comes.

Here's mine,

89 560 SEC bought 1.5 years ago (129K miles) from second owner. All service records, Newport Beach California Car. Now has 156K and just replaced timing chain, tensioner and rails (4x). H&R springs, 17" Aero I's, 040 Black/Black and Tri-y's comming soon.

Attached Thumbnails