500sec

lomb

Are the old early eighties 500secs any good in comparison to a modern car? Expected MPG, reliability ,comfort, handling etc.

Capri

http://www.vintagebenz.org/2012/07/administrator/history-of-the-w126

Bigus

In a cold winter you'll be down to 15 mpg in the city, mid 20's on a run.

Probably the most advanced car to drive on vintage tax and apart from being a bit boaty , they'll compare well to a modern yoke but much better over speed ramps

Tzar Chasm

very very boaty,

I had a 300SE a few years ago, seats are wierd springy yet not overly comfortable or supportive compared to the Laguna I had been driving, cruise control is terrible, it annoyed me intensley, self levelling suspension is something which leaks and gives up, the replacement fluid is viciously expensive. the steering was another thing, vague and heavy at the same time.

the merc was not a car that enjoyed being driven in anger, but if you jst want to waft around in the very definition of luxoBarge its the car for the job.
I bought an E34 535 after that and was far happier.

lomb

I think the Coupes had the normal suspension and sports seats so thats a bonus. The steering might be improved also versus the saloon. The mpg is a problem but a gas conversion could solve that partially.

Tzar Chasm

simple rule uf thumb tho about mpg, if you are buying a V8 mpg is going to be an issue. choose between mileage and smileage

lomb

On gas though a 18mpg car is more like late twenties so around 2.5 grand a year for average miles. Add in classic insurance and tax of say 250 total and for under 3k ex maintainance your running a very nice v8. Theres not many people who can say that.

_Conrad_

Tzar Chasm wrote: »

simple rule uf thumb tho about mpg, if you are buying a V8 mpg is going to be an issue. choose between mileage and smileage

Or just generally don't buy a V8... as the mpg is going to be bad, so if you're worried about it then maybe better to leave it and get something not quite so thirsty.

Real cool old cars those though, but not fast or sporty. Nice to cruise around in. they still look really good when in good shape

w124man

The C126 should be treated as a continental mile muncher as opposed to a back road hooligan! Some have self levelling suspension which is nice but expensive to fix. Some had very odd looking cloth interiors but most were leather. Early bodies can be rust buckets due to window seals failing and letting the water lodge. Rear window is the most vulnerable. Tyres are now an issue if you have an early one as they run on 205/70 14 and the proper speed rating tyres are hard to get. The more owners an SEC has had the worse the maintenance so be careful. I spoke with a lad at the Terenure show who had a beautiful '82 car and it cost a lot of money but it was a beauty.

unkel

Matt Simis on here owned a 560SEC. PM him to gave us his thoughts here?