Is a 1990 300sel basically the same as a 1988
 

Just bought a 1988 300sel and was looking for a service manuel. I found one on E-bay for 1990. Are these two cars basically the same.

yep

Dang Jim, you're sure getting wordy ;)

Thanks a million Jim. Dennis

I gather you may be new to the Benz world. Your car's chassis number is W126, it was sold here in the states from 1981-1991. In 1986 MB came out with a new style rim, sort of a variation of the "bundt cake" rim they used on all their cars previous to that. With Benzes, the model number is engine dependant. The door panel, dashboard, switches, rims etc. are all the same among the W126 series models. So when you look for a service manual, don't feel that you have get one that is model specific, just chassis specific. Unless you need the engine manual, then you'll need a specific manual.

The 88-89 300SELs have a fuel pump relay/klima setup similar to the 124 cars - over by the battery.

The 90-91 300SELs combine that functionality in a MAS unit found along the firewall on the drivers side.

Minor detail, but worth mentioning.

I'm not sure what manuals you've seen on E-Bay; the 103 Engine Manual should be good for any 88-91 300SEL.

The 1990 models have nicer seats and door panels.

Hey Rick,
With your statement about 1981-1991 126 chassis being essentially the same except for the wheels, can I assume that most everything else is/can be the same. I know where there is an '84 or '85 SD (no motor or tranny) in a salvage yard. I need a few things for mine and it would save me a few bucks to get the parts there than brand new.

You should be able to use most parts from any 126 chassis. I know that my '83 and '87 have 2 different styled climate controls. At some point, MB changed the look of the climate control panel. The climate control in my '83 would be the same one used in the 126 chassis of the same year. As the system in my '87 would be the same one in all MB models of that era. It's tough trying to talk to a junk yard about a part that is not model specific, and all they know how to look up stuff is by model. You'll for a '85 300SD and they'll say they don't have it, but the part you watn would be on any W126 car. They go, "what's a 126, we don't have those" I have run into this with my '83 TD (W123)

Be careful when buying 126 parts from a junkyard. There are more differences between an 83 and a 91 than you can imagine. If you read through the manual you will find little differences between model years that you would never think of. ex- door locking system was updated in 89 (I think thats the year..would have to look up to be sure). Interior parts between early and late are totally different except for maybe the dash cover. Even the window switches have a different style.

Rim size (width) also changed around 88, I think. Antenna switch was deleted in '91. '86-'87 560's have horn selector in wood paneling. Door panels are of course very different between MY's. Not big things, but can ruin your day when you get new wood panel and it doesn't work in your car.

91s have a different ACC system - separate recirc button with its own timer vs full ACC control of recirc.

Someone mentioned central locking. Either in 84 or 85 the 126 went to actuation from both front doors and the trunk vs just the driver door.

The console window swtiches changed in 86 so I think the wood panel and of course the switches changed. Might be possible to update an 81-85.

86-up knee bolsters make a convenient place to store glasses.

The door panels changed around 88 when the 126 got front door speakers. The panel lining went from perforated to pleated. I think it's all interchangeable.

I think the door and rear speakers were upgraded from one-ways to separates in 90. Maybe it was an option. Either in 90 or only in 91 the 126 got the silly Becker 1432 with the tuner in the trunk and amps behind the seatback. Marginally better sound, headache to replace with a sane stereo unit.

There's tons more but what was this thread about again?

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

126 SD and SE rear doors will not fit a 126 SEL and vice versa.........
William Rogers........

Well more specifically I was needing the slide thing that allows the rear door to open up just so far, the one on my R/R door won't let the door open all the way. Also while mentioning it, can this be removed/replaced without taking the door panel off?. I already noticed many of the differences noted between this salvage and mine while checking for a spare set of wheels (they don't fit darn it). I used to work at this yard and know the guys who pull the parts.

Boy how I do love this site, all of us Benz lovers/drivers working together to keep our pride and joys on the road.

Thanks in advance yall

The sliding thing is known formally as the "door check strap". You need to remove the door panel to get it out though.

I was afraid you were going to say that.....door panel needing to come off. I was hoping that with the two bolts, one above and one below.........guess not, aww shucks:(

Oh well, a rainy day project when I can use the shop at work.