Merc W126 SEC which model to choose ?

bbsrs

Hi all ,

Looking to buy a Merc W126 sec coupe , what models are best and anything especially to look out for mechanically or structurally . How much is a fair price for a useable car with average miles on it. Not looking for concours just presentable and a fairly decent history file.

Cheers.

Anan1

Be very careful of rust at the base of the rear screen - put your head into the boot and look upwards below the screen. An excellent car will be a lot cheaper than a cheap one. A 560SEC is probably the most sought after, personally I'd like an early 500.

MrFoxman360

I know of a immaculate 560sec for sale, perfectly original too with full service history, but its pricey and is a later model that is still attracting the high tax rate.

W126 are are pretty bomb proof if they were look after. The ooze quality and solidity. Plenty of power too from the V8s. Super comfortable and the SEC with traction control handles beautifully. however I did once drive a 560 SEL that has no traction control one frosty November morning, not the most relaxing drive!

Rust can be a big issue, sills, around windscreen and rear window, also look out for the toys that dont work, if its something that bothers you they can be an expensive fix. Mechanicals don't give many issues unless milage is huge

The V8s are thirsty enough, not sure about the smaller 6 cylinders. If you choose a later one (1984 onwards at the moment) the tax rate will be high, making them expensive enough to run.

Personally I'd go for a 500 or a 560, with cream leather and all the jazz. I believe prices are starting to rise for good W126s in the UK!

MercMad

There is no 6 cylinder SEC they are all V8's, you're think of the 4 doors.

I'll echo what's said above, rust and other body issues are the biggest woes. Also check trim is correct and intact, and that all electrics work. Sun roofs, if they fail can be a total pain in the hole, drop the roof cloth and pull the motor drive cable out.

Also the push button controls on the Air Con can suffer from dry joints and work sporadically. Most can be repaired and used parts are available but bargain hard. There can be vacuum issues as the vents, locks and other items work from vacuum and the small connectors fail over time and can be hard to trace.

Mechanically the cars are unburstable those the 380's can with a simplex (single row) timing chain which can cause issues and fail. most have been modified to duplex, check if done. If you buy one that hasn't been done then make this a priority.

The transmissions can suffer from excessive flare, as though a clutch was slipping, but generally these can be repaired in a few hours with some non expensive parts, I've done loads of them.

Overall I would recommend buying on body condition. The rest isn't as important. Buy with a nice metallic colour, with leather and the best spec you can find. Newer cars dont suffer as bad from rust as older cars, they look better, and come in nicer colour combos. If the car is a UK import spend literally an hour going over the body with an expert. Service history as far as body repairs is a must, otherwise assume it hasnt been done properly.

These are wonderful cars, buy a good 'un and enjoy !

Good luck.

quattro777

I've been looking for a good pre '85 car. I've had a couple looked at in the UK but both were rotten despite looking great in the photographs.

bbsrs

Thanks for the replies guys, plenty food for thought . What about the 380SEC V8 like this one? http://cars.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/mercedes/5856556

rugbyman

BBSRS
My nephew has one, prob for sale, rear window out awaiting new panel(200euro or £ not sure, prob 100 to weld in,100 to paint)
silver ,5 litre, Uk reg, 30 year old next april.
wont be ready till year end, garaged
new (possibly brand new,not sure) alternator fitted.
Oh, new rear wing pieces being welded in also.
generally pretty good condition

it will be 5.5 k euro, come and look if you wish,

Rugbyman

lomb

Im going to wait a year or two for the low tax to kick and be sourcing a 560 in the UK. Apparantly there is a big difference between the lazy 500 and the electric 560. There is a 7 sec difference on 0-100 mph between the two.

rugbyman

just made a call, the one I referred to above is a 500

bbsrs

rugbyman wrote: »

just made a call, the one I referred to above is a 500

Thinking I might just put a modern diesel in there instead of the boring old v8.

bbsrs

Only joking by the way

Red Kev

bbsrs wrote: »

Thinking I might just put a modern diesel in there instead of the boring old v8.

:pac:

rugbyman

bbsrs

Equal joke, perkins 4108?
i doubtyou re old eno ugh to get that one,

t`would be ok, downhill

Regards

Seweryn

lomb wrote: »

Apparantly there is a big difference between the lazy 500 and the electric 560. There is a 7 sec difference on 0-100 mph between the two.

And it has nothing to do with the engine, or very little. The 500 is highly geared with tall final drive while surprisingly, the 560 is not. That makes the 500 a nicer long distance cruiser (and more economical one for sure). A SEC is not a sprinter by its definition. It is rather a large grand tourer.

lomb

Seweryn wrote: »

And it has nothing to do with the engine, or very little. The 500 is highly geared with tall final drive while surprisingly, the 560 is not. That makes the 500 a nicer long distance cruiser (and more economical one for sure). A SEC is not a sprinter by its definition. It is rather a large grand tourer.

The SEC would be used as a weekend car for most hence fuel economy isnt goign to make a huge difference in running costs. The 560 also has a limited slip diff so handles better. The main issue on these cars is rust. They all rust even after an expert restoration or the ones at 10k in Merc dealers. The latter less rusting ones post 1985 including the 560 that come into the vintage tax are still a few years away. They dont make any sense at 1800 a year in road tax so are currently useless here. I suppose one could buy a pre 1984 here and run it for a couple of years keeping a look out in the UK for a suitable 560.

911s

rugbyman wrote: »

bbsrs

Equal joke, perkins 4108?
i doubtyou re old eno ugh to get that one,

t`would be ok, downhill

Regards

Should be OK as long as you use Humber Sceptre overdrive gearbox (with relays rewired to give 8 forward & two reverse!!)