Hello everyone! We are very impressed with the knowledge on this board after browsing for the last few days. My wife (mercedes lady) has a renewed interest in MB's having owned 3 in her travels. I am a gear head at heart but don't know much about the big kahunas only that they are beautiful. We are interested in a 560SEL up to 1991. We have been looking at the cars on ebay for ideas. What year did they start putting overdrives in the big sedans? I noticed the motors are all aluminum since at least 1987? Any problems with the early cars (1985-1991) as far as the alum blocks go, porosity, electrolysis, etc? Any other areas to pay attention to? We are looking forward to the hunt and to getting educated before we commit. Thanks for any input you can provide.
ML and Kato
Hello everyone! We are very impressed with the knowledge on this board after browsing for the last few days. My wife (mercedes lady) has a renewed interest in MB's having owned 3 in her travels. I am a gear head at heart but don't know much about the big kahunas only that they are beautiful. We are interested in a 560SEL up to 1991. We have been looking at the cars on ebay for ideas. What year did they start putting overdrives in the big sedans? I noticed the motors are all aluminum since at least 1987? Any problems with the early cars (1985-1991) as far as the alum blocks go, porosity, electrolysis, etc? Any other areas to pay attention to? We are looking forward to the hunt and to getting educated before we commit. Thanks for any input you can provide.
ML and Kato
Welcome...
The w126 chassis (560SEL model) were produced from 1986 to 1991. There never was an "over drive". The transmission is a 4-speed automatic that starts in 2nd gear unless you push down on the pedal where it kicks down to 1st gear. The engines from 1986-1991 where pretty much the same, just some minor part improvements in the later years.
My suggestion is to find a 1989 to 1991 model. These have a much better interior thats been redesigned and offer a passenger airbag. The only downside is that you give up the glove box compartment for the roll top case that fits between the front seats. When looking for a 560, get the best one you can afford. Make sure its got a good maintenance record keeping list and before purchasing have it checked out by a mercedes knowledgable mechanic. Good luck on the hunt!
__________________ 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL soon to be Euro-spec clone AMG (summer of '09) 1991 Mercedes-Benz 190E AMG (undergoing restoration: July 1 - October 17, 2008)
Thank you so much for the welcome and the information! You've helped already and I'm sure there's much more to come. Kato is an incredibly knowledgeable gear head but mine is simply a love affair with the style, and a true representation of a time when quality represented the heart of a person. Kato is shaking his head at my mush but. . what can I say. . . I'll turn the board over to him as he has more to ask!!
How about websites or books for gaining knowledge into the history of this marque? For example, I have read on this board of the "euro" spec models vs the "USA" versions, and the horsepower difference. Is there a way to determine which is which? Also is there a way to decode VIN numbers? I live in SoCal near San Diego so I must deal with the emissions testing , is there any issues with the "euro" cars and their higher compression in passing emissions?
That's all for now, more to come! Thanks again!!!
If you live in California the 300 HP, non-cat, high-compression Euro engine is not an option.
All 560 cars imported to the US by MB had 228 HP, low-compression enginces with cats.
In some states, cars over a certain age do not have to pass inspection and their owners can install high performance, non-cat engines. That is unfortunately not the case in California, nor here in Pennsylvania.
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Regards,
Axel
1990 SEC, Arctic White w/gray interior, M119.960 326 Hp. engine from 1992 500 SL, 722.370 transmission from 500E (reinforced clutches), 2:82 Differential, Euro Headlamps, 1st Gear Start module, One-Touch Window module and Keyless Entry module all from BergWerks, Bilstein HD Shocks on front axle, H&R lowering springs front and rear, AMG 3-piece 17" rims, 8.5" in the front and 10" at the rear.
Thank you so much for the welcome and the information! You've helped already and I'm sure there's much more to come. Kato is an incredibly knowledgeable gear head but mine is simply a love affair with the style, and a true representation of a time when quality represented the heart of a person. Kato is shaking his head at my mush but. . what can I say. . . I'll turn the board over to him as he has more to ask!!
How about websites or books for gaining knowledge into the history of this marque? For example, I have read on this board of the "euro" spec models vs the "USA" versions, and the horsepower difference. Is there a way to determine which is which? Also is there a way to decode VIN numbers? I live in SoCal near San Diego so I must deal with the emissions testing , is there any issues with the "euro" cars and their higher compression in passing emissions?
That's all for now, more to come! Thanks again!!!
Finding a Euro version 560 in the US is very rare. By Euro version, I mean a car that was purchased overseas and brought into the US. You will find a bunch of the 1985 and older Euro 500SEL's, but I will stay away from them. Not that they are bad, but when you compare it to the newer 560, you'll see the +'s. Also, emission testings will be a pain in the ass and you'll probably not pass. I advice to stick with a US model. There's also a California model (I have one of those) thats got a different Catalytical converter. But you are right, the compression on the Euro engines are higher than the US. You *can* probably get a Euro to pass the testings in California... but not if it didn't have a whole exhaust and catalytical converter changed. This will be a very $$$ ordeal.
A Euro version car also has smaller bumpers and a better all glass headlights that emit better lighting. This is a popular mod by many people(myself including).
Your husband can do a search in the archives and read up all about the car. The body style was built starting 1979 to 1991. It didn't reach the US market until the 1981 model year.
All 126 V8s are alloy with silicon cylinder wall sleeves – have a mechanic check the car bumper to bumper. Make sure you get a car with maintenance records paying particular attention to oil change intervals and chain and guide replacement information.
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