Hello everyone,
Not very familiar around these parts, as I usually have been a long-time D/D lurker. However, the used car market, cheap fuel and gas station stocks in the Emirates makes it cheaper and convenient to own a gas Benz. So now I am turning my eyes to some of the pre-1998 models for the following cars:

—W108 280SE
—R107 450SLC
—R107 500SLC
—W116 280SE
—W116 450SEL
—W116 450SEL 6.9
—W126 560SEL
—W126 300SE
—W124 400E
—W124 500E
—R129 SL500
—W140 CL500

The hot desert sun (100ºF+) makes it compulsory to have the air conditioner running —almost— full time. With this background, I'd like to ask you about the coolness of a well-maintained system in these models. What are your experiences?

I only have experience with the R107, and while it was adequate, I was somewhat disappointed. The one in my friend's Toyota Corolla is not overly dramatic, but does the job well enough not to feel uncomfortable.

Please advise!

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[GONE] - 1995 Mercedes E300 Diesel - 130k miles - Smoke Silver (702) over Mushroom leather (265) - Bladder blasting, coast-to-coast work machine.

On 15-20+ year old cars it's all dependent on the condition of the one you are looking at. But when new probably the S-Class sedan would have had the most robust A/C system. It would certainly be the most expensive to repair as well. If it were me I would look for the car I liked and set aside enough money to have the A/C repaired when needed.

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Good luck.






1998 E320 Wagon

Personally, I believe there are multiple factors:

- R12 cools better than R134

- A larger engine will make this systemoperate optimally with less strain on the engine

- W116 have acquired a bad reputation for over cpomplexity and less durability (check with an owner- my W116 owner friends roll with windows down...)

- What about vehicle color?

- What about window tints?

- What about interior material and color?

Lotsa factors...

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Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

The compressor is also a key point to keep in mind.

In my opinion if any car you are interested in doesn't have either an A6 Delco or a Denso compressor and R12 you really should keep looking in a climate like yours

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"Show me a hero and I'll write you a tragedy."

Assuming all the components are new and that I can obtain some R12 here, how cold can the pre-1985 systems blow?
No fear on the Evil Servo... there is a LOT of Euro imports

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[GONE] - 1995 Mercedes E300 Diesel - 130k miles - Smoke Silver (702) over Mushroom leather (265) - Bladder blasting, coast-to-coast work machine.

Personally I would go with a W124. Cheap to maintain. It hasn't been hot enough here to really need AC yet but both of mine seem to do an adequate job but it never gets as hot here as it does there.