The SLS pump can leak also, not a fun time making that stop.

Unless the intake plenum has been pulled, it will need to be done due to dried out rubber connections. This is not a one day project. ONLY OEM rubber here.

Guides are far more critical than the chain to me. Stick with OEM guides only. Same with the camshaft oiler bolts.

Fuel economy will be upper teens freeway and low double digits city. Not a big deal to me.

There are way more A/C o-rings than your SD, just FYI. BUT it does have a far, far better compressor than the 617's factory equipped R4 POS. Even on 134A you can expect good vent temps, excellent on R12.

Like the other guys said, otherwise it is just another W126. Late '88+ had the updated interior as I recall. '91 received a different Becker system. '88 had factory amps to drive those door woofers.

Unless you can rebuild the front end yourself, it will cost some big cash to do it. I can tear it full down in about four hours now, reassembly a hair longer due to setting rotor bearing end play. Plus the time to press in new LCA bushings, guide rod bushings, guide rod mounts, and ball joints. At this point these cars need at least front springs and shims too. Takes me about three days working casually.



Consider a 420. Bit better economy than the 560, adequate performance, no SLS.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Agree on everything but the last sentence.

The 560 was a significant amount more when new (vice 420), and owners tended to be more willing to spend the money required to keep these cars up to speed. Besides the hydraulic suspension is very nice when carrying a load, and the 560 had front and rear heated seats, plus the reclining back seat.

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

Correct, the wife is requesting the reclining back seat so that's a must-have.

I figure it would be easier to find a nice 420 due to more being produced and no SLS for someone that does not carry loads. The SLS works great on mine, after a full rebuild including the high side hose, pump, and accumulators.

Hold out for the best example of that model and spend more up front. I did the opposite more than once, not smart.



My SDL has power recline in the rear.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Im just going to quickly throw my 2cents in here.
I own both a 90 420 and 560. And honestly, its hard for me to recommend one over the other. Initially I would be bias towards the 420 because my 560 came to me in fantastic shape with everything working and maintained. I really haven't had to do anything to that car other then replace the cracked sun visor clips. lol

My 420 is my DD, wasn't in the best shape when I got it, but was the car that gave me the classic Benz bug. And has been a decent car for me to work on, maintain, get me from A to B, and keep myself "mechanically entertained". I spend most of my time working on my other special cars, this one just keeps on going and going with regular maintenance. Its fully loaded with the exception of the heated/reclining rear seats. The sunshade, and orthotic driver seat is a nice plus in that car. its lack of SLS is one short coming, had a few heavy loads in the back, and it does sit low.. However the lack of SLS might be a plus, if you happen to get yourself a 560 with a neglected system.

Now the 560 is one of my garage queens, I was nearly almost forced to buy it thru a family friend for a price I couldn't give up. 1 owner from new, everything MB maintained, even with its higher mileage, it still is as tight as I could imagine it could be at day one. Heck all the buttons have that brand new textured look to them.. I am floored by it. Ive never seen a 25 year old car like this before.. .. Now compaired to the 420, the SLS does have its benefit, the suspension feels more "alive" and "dynamic" when you start to have fun in the twisties, don't get me wrong, its still not a sports car, but with the slightly larger displacement, and slightly firmer ride of the sls, this car feels like she wants more and more. But still rides like a magic carpet.

A few times I wished that the 560sel happened to be a 560sec, but none the less, I sill enjoy this car whenever I can. Some of my non car buds don't get it, and wonder why I have 2 grandpa cars lol, but the one car guy understands. He wanted to get a 560sec very badly, but up where we all live, they are quite rare to find.

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Just my MB's:
1990 420sel - Winter DD - 410,000km
1990 560sel - absolutely showroom mint - 360,000km!