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91 500SEC EURO Questions

4K views 51 replies 14 participants last post by  Dr.Grillz 
#1 · (Edited)
Hi all,

I am very fortunate to have purchased a low mileage German import Euro 500SEC and have yet to collect it. Next week, by the look of scheduling here… we will bring it home to the Boston area. Woo Hoo!

I have a couple of questions for you whom are more 'Euro-centric' than I here in the good 'ol USA……….. as I am most familiar with my US spec '87 SEC.

If possible, I want to know specifics of what I got.

From the Vin Decoder:

126044 S-class C126 500SEC
117.965 АКIT 722.356


As far as rated power.. What motor is this one please?

620 AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
620 *1 _______ 19951215 AIR POLLUTION CONTROL


Its got two downpipes: (Euro log manifolds) Do I have Cats?

Thanks,

MBL
 
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#5 ·
That's really great advice... and the [to me] ultimate simple mod yielding tested true results

I shall look when I go down to get the car... and make long range plans accordingly...

I can't wait for the first drive.. [back to home]. It will be several hundred rapid miles on the highway so I should get to know the car much better straight away...

You have my mind going now....

MBL
 
#8 ·
Just having the compression increase and the logs will make a big difference from the 87! For your first move, stick her in 1 gear and step on it (if she is warmed up first that is)
 
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#9 ·
Congrats on the purchase! Keep up the thread. I am spending a few weeks in Europe this Summer, maybe should consider doing the same, have been looking for a decent C126 stateside for a few months now... Will be really interested on details of the importing process and registration in MA as I guess we are neighbors...

Best of luck...
 
#10 ·
Howdy neighbor!

As this example was imported from Germany to Canada in 2013, subsequently here to US in 2015 and carries a clear IL title currently.. It will be a snap to get the paperwork for Massachusetts on Monday. Apologies man, but I am afraid I won't be much help at all with the import process needed as I have no experience.

My wife pointed out the fact I have been talking about getting a euro model for over ten years now… I am one lucky guy….. really… and in more ways than show on our BenzWorld pages to boot.

We drive to New Jersey to collect it very early Tuesday morning…

Anticipation is building!

MBL
 
#14 ·
Hehe, enjoy. I remember what it was like waiting to pick mine up. Sight unseen from ebay, and the guy didn't reply to my messages until near the time. I was gong slowly bonkers.... :)

I predict you might find this one much more willing to rev and much more responsive. The later higher compression ones are like that I find, the gearboxes are nicer too, more flexible feeling and willing to drop down much more readily. My late model 420SEC goes like a rocket actually and it has the .355 'box.
 
#16 ·
You guys are GREAT!

I am pacing for sure!

With the great Volvo alternator fiasco of Friday, I was unable to get the registration & plates.. Sooo Monday right?.. Nope! Holiday on Monday… RMV reopens today at 9AM.

Then yesterday I find the individual who installed the HID lights in my Volvo put a couple 20 amp fuses where 15amps go in both L&R low beam circuits… On the left side, when the proper fuses are installed, both hi & low are on when its on low beam.. Grrr a short in the headlamp wiring harness… I took the fuse outta the left high beam circuit and now that does not happen.. and no extra load on that circuit.. But Yeeesh.. Oh yes I do have a big fire extinguisher & the tools to quick disconnect the battery should need arise.

Its wrong to do that temp workaround I know… but I MUST get my Merc today.

Soo total reshuffle of plans timing..

We will be at the Registry at the opening bell .. paperwork in hand.. Theeeeen head south to New Jersey… waaay later than anticipated..

At least we get the car & miss the morning commute backups..

I am sooo looking forward to that big sign: Entering New Jersey ..

Have a great day all!

MBL
 
#19 ·
[B]O-Dark-Hundred Update: Wednesday AM[/B]

As you all have predicted, I cannot sleep.

We finally arrived at the facility way too late to do anything as to the construction delays & huge traffic stop & go slowdowns.......

I am writing this from the sofa in our unexpected, yet welcome Marriot Courtyard room.. waiting for breakfast time....

I have been out earlier and gotten the trusty Volvo tank filled, bought a toothbrush, toothpaste & razor at the 24hr WaWa store...

This feeling.. anticipation, excitement.. reminds me of when I was a youngster waiting? on Christmas day.. or when I bought my E-Type in 1968... I'm sayin' it's wicked strong here.

If today is any indicator, I am really glad I still have a passion for cars and life as I get older...

I'll see the car for the first time in about 3.5 hours from now.
 

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#20 ·
As you all have predicted, I cannot sleep.

We finally arrived at the facility way too late to do anything as to the construction delays & huge traffic stop & go slowdowns.......

I am writing this from the sofa in our unexpected, yet welcome Marriot Courtyard room.. waiting for breakfast time....

I have been out earlier and gotten the trusty Volvo tank filled, bought a toothbrush, toothpaste & razor at the 24hr WaWa store...

This feeling.. anticipation, excitement.. reminds me of when I was a youngster waiting? on Christmas day.. or when I bought my E-Type in 1968... I'm sayin' it's wicked strong here.

If today is any indicator, I am really glad I still have a passion for cars and life as I get older...

I'll see the car for the first time in about 3.5 hours from now.
This is going to be AWESOME!
 
#21 ·
And by now you are bruised in multiple locations while wife pinches you as you stalk this vehicle! Waiting for kid in the candy store pictures!!!!
 
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#23 · (Edited)
What a car!

We drove back 200 something miles yesterday.. at about 140Km/hr mostly.. Such a lovely willing machine..

Its very comfortable, quiet, rides great, and goes like hammers when one gets into it at any speeds.. Wow!

The interior wood, leather & carpeting present as new. The first aid kit is there..unopened. The fire extinguisher is fully charged… The little flat key is now in my card wallet…

To say this car exceeds my expectations is an understatement.

Thanks again you all for all your encouragement and good advice.. Its made the process all the more enjoyable for me..

Cheers!

MBL

P.S. I bought a new K40 RLS2 radar receiver for it as the Escort one purchased in 2004 has over the past year become a New Car Detector. All those falses. The RLS2 purportedly filters out much of that by conscious design… Thought my head would explode with all the noise yesterday… :)
 
#43 · (Edited)
I apologise for the razzing and feel for you on your to long bolt wheel problems, but here's one more to make you smile.:smile
We drove back 200 something miles yesterday.. at about 140Km/hr mostly.. Such a lovely willing machine..

Its very comfortable, quiet, rides great, and goes like hammers when one gets into it at any speeds.. Wow!
Wow! is right. If going 140 does this to your paint job I'm going keep mine below 100 KPH which is the speed limit up here in Ontario.





Looking forward to the real photos.
:wink:wink:wink
 
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#29 ·
The rumors surrounding my death have been greatly exaggerated!
 
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#30 ·
Huh ?? :eek I hadn't heard that one, I'm still kicking too but on another project here
 
#32 ·
Wow!! If you were still in North Carolina you could drive up to Boston and shoot some photos and videos for us.:wink:wink
 
#36 ·
Ok does Malcolm actually exist? We have not actually seen his car, nor have we seen verified pics of him actually inside a red car of any Marque. Hmmm where o where is Malcolm......
 
#39 ·
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#37 · (Edited)
" Ok does Malcolm actually exist? We have not actually seen his car, nor have we seen verified pics of him actually inside…"

That IS funny!

I have been on the run of late and the Witness Protection Scheme frowns on photos….

Yesterday I picked up some 17" Aero 1 wheels as part of my 'Make this car my Own' program..
Fellow BW member Alydon has been helping me no end with the details and just yesterday sent me a pdf of the AMG Aero wheels instruction manual.. plus a link for proper wheel lug bolts. Ordered & Thank you Al!

Thursday it goes to the Paintless Dent Repair wizard to have a very small blemish on the right door taken care of…

Invisible herein Massachusetts..

MBL
 
#38 ·
.

Yesterday I picked up some 17" Aero 1 wheels

Thursday it goes to the Paintless Dent Repair wizard to have a very small blemish on the right door taken care of…
WOW!! I've got one "very small blemish" and crappy W140 wheels on mine and am not ashamed to post pictures of it.:wink:wink

 
#41 · (Edited)
A you guys are great at busten' 'em.. You got me crackin' up here.. and I needed a good laugh.. thanks..

I will share with you the very first picture I have taken of the car...
a when K & I went last Wednesday to pick it up there were no photos taken at all.. athe eBay pics were so good and the location the same....

Yesterday, I had the Aero 1 wheels installed and messed up, I am very embarrassed to report. The previous owner of said wheels said the stock lugbolts were fine to use .. and I naively, believed him. DON'T do what I did. Research 1st.....

Stock long W126 lugbolts are too long by a fair amount and foul both the emergency brake hardware in back and something with the front hub.. Then, as the bolt ends are somewhat spread at the tip.. it's not at all pretty trust me.. They won't come out without a battle.

So the fellow who installed them was embarrassed as was I for not doing proper research first in my zeal for the rims.. I have wanted some of those for a dozen years at least..

The stock rims are back on and a used 1990 front hub is ordered, new wheel seals, brake discs, F pad set, broken hardware, caliper bolts, brake disc screws, and another Pad Sensor are on the way here.

The price of vanity I guess.. and I feel pretty dumb about the whole thing.

That said, I put the wheels up against the stock ones yesterday when I went to look at them... Its definitely a Mercedes correct badass SEC look.. Not a black on black wide body by any means... but distinctive is fair to say...

Next week I should have it together again and take a few photos fo the archives...

Chastened here,

MBL

The car photos are from the eBay auction .. It looks the same really.. and with those Aero wheels… Daaang.
 

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#46 ·
A you guys are great at busten' 'em.. You got me crackin' up here.. and I needed a good laugh.. thanks..

Stock long W126 lugbolts are too long by a fair amount and foul both the emergency brake hardware in back and something with the front hub.. Then, as the bolt ends are somewhat spread at the tip.. it's not at all pretty trust me.. They won't come out without a battle.

MBL
We ARE good at what we do here, me especially with sarcasm and a wry sense of humor coming out me ears :grin , blame my family (Dad's side) on that

Don't feel too bad about the wheel bolts, when I changed out my wheels I had em all bolted up and lookin' good, started the car and started to ease back out of the garage . . . . . . went about 2 feet and she stopped :eek eased forward 2 feet and she stopped again. I was like "WTF OVER" , pulled the R/R and saw where it was hitting the shoe hardware. Since these were locking bolts I took em all and had (IIRC) 3 threads shaved off em. No more problem (WOO HOO) and yes these are cone style bolts

Wow! is right. If going 140 does this to your paint job I'm going keep mine below 100 KPH which is the speed limit up here in Ontario.
MANY moons ago I got a wild hair twice with the SE (risked jail, a HUGE fine, and car impoundment :|) got her up to 120 before letting out of it :devil I don't wanna risk losing the Coupe but I know she'll do some speedy travellin' with me sometimes hitting 85 at the end of the "git on ramp" and having JUST shifted into 3rd gear :eek Our speed limits here in Ga are a mere 70 outside of Metro areas and depending on the local Constables you MIGHT be able to push 80 before they take notice
 
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#44 · (Edited)
I was thinkin' that too…

However, my wife said NO .. She prefers the silver Aero II wheels look..

You see, she's seen and driven (and loves) my US spec. petrol green one.. It has silver/grey F&R bumpers & body cladding matching the wheel centers .. for 14 years.. She has driven the SEC a LOT on long interstate hauls too.. She really LOVES that car.

Thats what she is used to..

This 500. Its a different 'beast' entirely really. This euro look.. From the front and side views are different than the US spec 126 cars.. With the gloss black Aero 1s propped against the normal MB wheels.. it just screams 'serious kit'… and I thought I was over this by age 30 something!

She says, after following me up from NJ just a week ago, the car really stands out in modern traffic…. I think its growing on her…

I like the black for now.. I intend to keep it for at least 14 more years… Maybe one winter I'll change the color…

Now I just need to find a competent shop to roll the Front & Rear wheel arches as per the Aero 1 Installation Instructions… So far both shops I have spoken to allude to possible paint cracking… I think if I were a good manager speaking to the customer about this, I would as well.

I have a local lead for tomorrow on that.

Thanks man,

MBL
 
#47 ·
Seriously with Almandine paint the Aero rims look best in silver as per these pics below to really make some impact
What ET? is stamped on the rims near the valve stem 11 or 28
Yes the max a lug bolt can protrude through the rear of the rim is 15mm on the rear and front can go 20mm
ET28 requires 15mm spacers on the rear / no spacers on the front
ET11 no spacers front or rear as made for the W126
 

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#48 ·
You are right of course.. That car is drop dead gorgeous.. Silver wheels too.. Its a great look.

My wheels are ET11 and the AMG Instructions say with these Aero I wheels M12X1.5X33 mm are required...

My post-merger 16x8 ET11 Aeros use the stock bolts perfectly.

The shorter bolts should arrive in a day or so and we will go at it again.

I think in a month or so I'll have the Tri-Ys installed and a custom exhaust fabricated... I am scouting muffler shops in the Greater Boston area..

I would love to get the Magnaflow one they installed on that Wheeler Dealer show.. Maybe just a tad quieter....

Anticipation still

MBL
 
#51 ·
Nah with that body colour best with silver centres and highly polished lips (instead of all silver) in my own personal opinion of course - It really brings them alive done this way as per the pic of my custom set below
 

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