'86 560 SEL

[BenzPilot]

I have posted on this forum once before about a 560 I was looking at. Thank god for this site! I was overwhelmed by the knowledge people have of this particular model. From reading the posts I am practically an expert when I go to look at one now--and I have looked at several.

So here I am again with another potential 560 SEL. The following are positives and negatives. Please reply with any words of wisdom.

Positives:
1. Rebuilt Engine (10,000 mi. ago) Was rebuilt because timing chain broke at 170,000.
3. Develops LOTS of power--more than any I've driven yet!
2. New Battery
3. Rear suspension work done 50,000 mi. ago
4. Total Mileage 184,000
5. Lots of service records prior to 100K--Texas and California Car
6. Climate control seems to function normally minus the A/C problem

Negatives:
1. Apple-sized dent on LR fender and some surface rust on sunroof rim.
2. Overdue tires
3. LH mirror glass broken
4. RH power mirror--motor runs but mirror jumps
5. Pwr. antenna inop
6. Ext. temp on dash shows garbled digits
7. A/C compressor engages, but no cold tubes/air
8. Rear windows/reclining seat buttons work intermittently
9. Loosy-goosy driver's door handles and hinges
10. Driver's seat uneven (bad springs)
11. Lots of creaky squeaky interior parts (like leather rubbing together)

She wanted $5500, offered $3000, she'll take $4000. Not the best example of Benz I've ever seen, but seems like with a new motor it will at least get me around. Whatddya guys think?

[JoseByron]

But I also "upgraded" from a newer Dodge to a Benz. Mine's a 420SEL and with the accumulated knowledge of the last three months the price seems a tad high at 4,000.00 for all those problems. I can tell you the AC alone may be close to 1,000.00 (correct me if I'm wrong)

Some guy wanted $4,500.00 for a 1983 380SEL but I ended up getting my 420 for $3,500.00, in excellent condition, no body damage at all and new tires with 178K miles.

IMHO you can do better with your four grand.

regards,
jose

[robw126]

All I can say is to look at all the things that it needs and ask yourself if you want to get into a project and can you afford it? I bought an average condition(because of year and mileage)85 500sel for$1500.It needed at first sight purely cosmetics(paint and seats re-done)but I wanted it because it had full AMG spoilers and 17'' Amg aero's so I looked at what the car would look like after I was finished with it.That was last year.To date I've put another engine,water pump ect,ect.My point is you have to really expect the unexpected when it comes to these cars.If your gut tells you want it ,go for it.All you need is a little patience and A LOT of money. Good luck.

[xsohaib]

Man, you guys got your cars cheap. I almost feel ripped off. I bought my 420SEL for $6000. The car has 175K miles and is an 89. However when I saw other cars 420's 190's 380's going for close to $5-6K and I looked at this car I thought it was a good deal. So far the problems have been
combination switch ($24 new) $80 install.
rear brakes changed ($100 including labor)
motor mounts replaced ($24 parts + $80 labor)
Timing chain replaced ($450 + parts)

Any ways the point is that spend the money and buy a car that SEEMS perect (you will still end up putting some money into it) than buying a car that has JUST A FEW THINGS WRONG (as this can sometimes become a nightmare.

Hope this helps
Sohaib

[BenzPilot]

Thanks a million guys. This forum is really good for me. I tend to get emotional about the idea of owning one of these things. When I first started reading everyone's entries I was pleasantly surprised to find that there are a lot of people who are enthusiastic about these cars.

This forum saved me big a couple of months ago when I almost bought a pretty, but very flawed 420 SEL with a 560 badge on it. From my description a guy in this forum caught on to the fact that it was actually a 420 in disguise and saved me a lot of embarassment.

So for now, I think it's time to move on--again. No offense to 420 and 380 owners out there, but I gotta have that power, so a 560 is a must. Thanks everyone for talking me down again. Someday I'll find a good one for a good price.

-Josh

[Keith Lucy]

I think you are right to move on. Keep looking though. I spent about 2 years looking before buying mine. I was restricting my search to the final 2 years (90, 91) and SEL models only. Try autotrader.com.

[Four Door Monster]

I think $4000 is a steal for a 1986 560 SEL with a re-built engine! The car dosen't even have 200,000 miles yet!! [ only 180,000 current miles ] Most of these cars have re-built engines because they have more than 200,000 miles on them! This car is set for another 100,000 miles! Kieth is right, if you are really picky, it will take time to find that 'needle in the haystack' perfect of perfect w126. It sounds to me that everybody on this post got their Benzies for free! I paid around $3000 dollars for my slightly sluggish 1983 380 SEL, I already spent more than $1000 to fix it up! I would much rather spend $1000 more right off the bat to buy the the fastest w126! You missed out in my opinion.

[BenzPilot]

THanks a lot four door monster. You just kicked up a bunch of dust after I had finally calmed down. I had finally written this one off and now you go and say that I missed out on a good one. FYI the negotiation is still on, so don't make it any harder than it is for me.

I have to admit, I think I want one like Mr. Lucy's. The price tag on this 86 is more tempting if its $3500, but even at that, it's pretty damned rough. I would rather bum my airline pilot buddys' Wrangler for a few months (he's never home), save up some more money, and go for a really nice example. From what I've been hearing people say here, it sounds like I may not want to get rid of this car once I own it.

Does anybody have anything to say about the 190 or 300?

[xsohaib]

The 190's and the 300's (124) are I think lower maintanace than the 126's. I had a W124 300E AMG and it was extrememly reliable and very low maintenance. But then again driving the big body is a unique experience one cannot explain n words. As porsche says about their cars, I say for the w126's "There are 256,000 words in the english language and not one that can dscribe the feeling". BTW I made up that number but it was something like that.

Sohaib

[Snibble]

Actually, my mechanic says that any work on a 126 generally is cheaper than on a 124. This is due to more room in the engine bay. Also, the 300e(124) and 300SE and 300SEL (126) have identical engines.