Hello
I haven't posted here for quite some time. I haven't owned a Mercedes for a number of years, and I have moved from the UK to Canada (Toronto).
I would like to own a W126 again.
I know the cosmetic differences between Euro 126's and North American 126's, but I'm not sure about mechanical differences.
I know the v8's had modifications (CAT?) for emissions reasons, but how about the straight 6 300SE/SEL?
I had an idea of importing a left hand drive w126 from the UK. They are cheaper because they are less desirable (right hand drive is the norm in the UK) and will already have the euro cosmetics, but how much mechanical work would need to be done (without taking into account the condition of the vehicle)?
I've found various articles but I can't seem to find anything 100% exact, or confirmed.
I'm hoping I can open a thread here and maybe find someone with experience.
Thanks!
Oliver

__________________
Oliver

You should get in contact with a shipper that specializes in cars. From my little bit of research I the past, it seems you won't have to do anything if the car is 25+ years old.

All gasoline cars post 1978 have catalytic converters. Differences on the m103 as far as I know:

1- no ezl ece adjustable timing knob for better or crappy gas.
2- compression is lower on us engines.
3- cat converter (lack of on euro) as well as o2 sensor.

__________________
Eugene

10 E63 AMG
93 300te 4matic
07 BMW X3
14 Ford F-150 Fx2

The Canada rule is 15yrs, not 25. Seems like there are enough around making importation a bit of overkill. I see them sitting on the side of the road with for sale signs in my area. I know one of my neighbors has had his car for sale for 4 yrs now and no takers, 420SEL.

Is it a valid reason - to get later W126 300 SE with 5 speed.

Conversion is not an option due to differential differences.
Have a lot of experience with various W124 both 2.6 and 3.2

Not interested in M110 engine or M117/M119 or diesels.
What about 260 SE?

Test drove 300 SE auto- RPM on 120 km/h is high and prohibitive

Thanks for the replies. I'm sure importing would be a pain, and expensive, but if I do import, I would avoid the under powered US engines, and get the Euro spec lights and bumpers - so there would be a saving in the conversion (for the lights and bumpers).
I would be looking for a 300/420/500 SE/SEL.
It's a good point that there are plenty for sale here, so maybe that's something I should explore.
But then, if I'm buying local, maybe I should just get a '96ish W140. The only reason I have stayed away from the W140 is my assumption that running and service costs would be higher than that of a good W126. I found the 1989 300SE very reasonable when it came to running costs - even with 140k miles.
Thanks
Oliver

__________________
Oliver

Not only running costs would be prohibitive on w140, but also:
1. Self-Image
2. Most Mechanics and Dealerships do not know the car

For myself - I would like to experience manual shifter without experiencing W201 size
All v8 engine never have had factory manual option, only conversion, so the only real option is 300 SE

Yes, I'd definitely prefer the W126 but to get it to look and drive like what I am used to in the UK, it's going to be expensive! I bet the headlights, headlight wipers, front and rear bumpers are going to cost around $3k, then I suppose I will just have to get used to the engine feeling different.
Thanks
Ollie

__________________
Oliver

Mebbe you should get a diesel

__________________
"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

I actually wouldn't mind W201 size. Even a W123 is really a bigger car than I need. When I got rearended in April and was considering getting rid of the car, the deciding factor was that I couldn't find a manual transmission 190D (or 190E, or even a non-ragged out BMW stick in my price range for that matter) for sale anywhere near me. The best candidates for a replacement car I found were a couple VW Type I's and a Porsche 914, all of which were pushing 40 years old.

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

1 - + no adjustable resistor for KE-Jet sys.
2 - CR is the same like on "euro" engines - 9,2:1
3- there are version (RUF) w/o CAT (for all countries, except Japan, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland and USA).
4 - US-version engines have EGR

I stand corrected on the compression ratio. It is 9.2 across all m103's

There is a certain year that the m103 got equipped with the egr, my 89 does not have it but my 93 te does.

__________________
Eugene

10 E63 AMG
93 300te 4matic
07 BMW X3
14 Ford F-150 Fx2

From MY1990 all US-versions have the 55-pins (instead 25-pins) KE's ECU with the faults diagnosing with faults memory feature. California-versions have "On-Board-Diagnose" system from MY1988.
Also, all US-versions have the gear upshift (2->3) delay system, for faster KAT heating.