Crossed over to 126

[MB_Mike]

I picked up a 1986 560SEL as a big sister to the 116 280SE. Its had 2 owners, although the first bought this car

and a 560SL on the same day and traded in a 1984 350SD. I recieved the original window sticker and a lot of

service records (including over $2000 in a/c service [converted to r124]) until 2004 when another genteman

purchased the car. I drove it home 300 miles without any problems. There are a few minor things that need to

be sorted but with a 125,000 miles and at a cost of $1650, how could I go wrong?

Now I can confidently take the 280 out of rotation and give her some tlc.

[Big_Richard]

niccccccccccccccccccce

[MB_Mike]

PB coming from you that is the highest compliment given your loathing for 126s. Thanks!

[Big_Richard]

w126's arent *that* bad

to be fair, thanks to Nathan, i've never actually been in or driven one that could be considered atleast half decent, so my view of them has been tarnished unfairly. At the end of the day, its still a classic MB, and still not as plasticy as a current or post w126 model

I look forward to enlightment once i get to experience one thats been treated with respect and well maintained.

[nathan]

sounds like a nice car Mike but i cant view the pics. it must be nice to have a good history onthe car
dont  listen to PBs rantings about 126s, i think he was lightheaded from the fumes emanating from my 500s 'hole-y' exhaust!

[TJ 450]

I saw the pics before, it looks like an excellent purchase MB Mike.

I consider a good W126 to be a "practical" daily driver.

Tim

[flutes]

It was a W126 that reignited my interest - we drove a friend's 380SEL down south a few years back and enjoyed every minute of it.  I came pretty close to buying that one, but I prefer the styling of the w116.  Nice purchase Mike.

[Big_Richard]

theres no doubt that 126's are more refined than 116's.

116's are pretty agricultural at the best of times., but i think that ads to the charm and amusement value

[s class]

116's are pretty agricultural at the best of times., but i think that ads to the charm and amusement value

Try driving a 30 year old Ford.  I have one, and I drive it about twice a year.  When I do, I'm always shocked at how primitive the motoring experience is. 

[Big_Richard]

haha

it dosent have to be 30 years old, I had a '96 model many moons ago and it was still more agricultural to drive than a w116.

my oil burning australian made front wheel drive company car is still more refined than both, easier to drive, but boring as bat shit

[MB_Mike]

Thanks to all for the compliments. I guess photobucket didn't like that I "borrowed" the pics off the classified ad site. I was too lazy to get out the camera. I will repost pics  shortly (ones taken by me this time).

[Big_Richard]

don't skimp on the interior shots also

A good w126 is a rarity these days and we should all share the memories 

[MB_Mike]

Ok, here are some pictures (I hope they do the car justice)

[MB_Mike]

To be sure that I give a well balanced impression









The frame that the sunroof travels on is broken so it wont open, the headliner is dirty, there is some rust on the underside bottom of the doors, the wheels are trashed and the center console is oddly warped. But no complaints.

[TJ 450]

That car still looks quite respectable even considering the not-so-good points.

The rust on the underside of the doors and the delaminating console seem to be very common problems with the 126, as is the delaminating "woodwork" in hotter climates. The veneer is actually straight on aluminum which is then glued onto some thin plywood. While this is done for safety reasons, there is a lot of stress placed on the adhesive between the layers of the laminate due to the differing parameters of thermal expansion.

There is indeed some corrosion eating into those wheels, that shouldn't be too hard to rectify, though.

Tim