Hi All, I picked up a 1991 560 SEC, 77000 miles, last week. The car has been maintained very well, with very low miles driven in the last 15 years, but I think certain items are more time sensitive? Foe example, all the belts were replaces 12000 miles ago but that was in 1998!

What maintenance items would you recommend that get addressed? The car runs beautifully, but I was thinking of the following, so please add where necessary.

Oil and Filter
Differential oil
Replace all drive belts
Check all cooling hoses
Transmission service - car shifts beautifully.
AC recharge

Anything else I should look at - car was stored indoors in a climate control garage and so is well preserved. Thanks for the help.

New coolant
New brake fluid

New radiator? Check if the top neck is cracked

Thank you! Will add that to the list!

@christuna, looks pretty good to me. What do you think?

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You would really have to take off the upper hose to inspect it. They usually don't last 30+ years

i would look for timing chain stretch. i've seen them 6 degrees out at 75k miles.

pull both valve covers, zero the crank and see where the cams land. then pull past zero until the cams line up, check the crank. if it's zero, something's wrong, never seen that. 1-3 degrees, there's time 4-6 degrees, think about the chain, tensioner and rails. past 6, do it now, the clock has started.

Good point about the timing chain but there's even one more important thing:

You should replace the upper chain guide on the drivers side even if your chain has acceptable stretch. When that plastic guide falls into the crank gear it will break the chain and that's what usually kills these motors.

good point. i would further suggest that if any upper guide is dark like root beer, replace them anyways. that's when they're most brittle.

Check all the suspension parts as well. The second thing I do after replacing all the oils, fluids and filters is I go over the steering and suspension parts and replace what's needed with quality parts. Even with a low mileage W126, suspension parts wear out and getting it back to factory spec is key in enjoining these rides.

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

Replace the brake hoses and inspect/replace the fuel hoses just before and after the fuel pump.

Sounds like a nice car, got pic's?

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"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

if you can do it yourself budget a thousand, need mechanic $4000.

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran, deutschland deutschland uber alles uber alles in der welt

Unfortunately time does not permit me to do it all. Simpler things I will do on weekends, but definitely having the Timing chain service done at a shop. Just don’t want to take any chances……thanks for the encouragement!

Thanks for the advice. Yes, its a very clean car, and has been in CA since new. Car has 77K and all service history. She runs beautifully, just had new tires put on today as the old ones were from 1999. They are such a pleasure to drive. Attached are some pictures. Thanks

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That's a beauty, my favorite color for a SEC.

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

Thank you