[SkiWithG]

Hi All,

I been looking to pick-up a W126 and started looking for the 560 SEL. I'm a bit frustrated that i'm not able to find likely prospects that aren't halfway across the country.

So, I'm expanding my search to inlcude the 420 SEL and the 560 SEC. To that end, some questions:

Is the performance difference significant between the 560 vs. the 420 under normal circumstances?

Is the fuel economy significant between the 560 vs. the 420?

Is there any handling difference between the 560 and 420?

Is the handling signficantly different between the SEL and the SEC? Any other performance differences?

Thanks,
Glenn

 

[S_Class_Don]

I would think you would get better fuel economy from the 420 than the 560 because the 420 has a smaller engine.

I would think the SEC handles better vs's the SEL because the SEC is shorter.....

 

[benz420]

performance between the 560 and 420 are actually similar, under normal circumstances, as the (U.S.) 420 has only 40 hp less and weighs ~220lbs less

 

[seclol]

Comparison

A Euro spec 560 SEC would be much quicker than a 420. Not much difference in US spec.

The SEL is a longer and heavier car so you should expect high fuel consumption and worse handling than an SEC.

Finally an SEC just looks awesome.

 

[brucemendel]

There is a big difference in power between Euro spec 560 and US-sepc....238HP vs. 290 or so. Even bigger compared to 420, at 217HP.

 

[manymercsmike]

I have a Euro spec 420 SEC. It's awesome and while not as fast as the bigger engines, cruises like a dream and still pulls well.

Tried out 560 and 500 models, both SEC and SEL. They have more powerful engines but scary fuel consumption. SEC handles much better than SEL in corners, and as already stated being lighter, it's easier on the gas.

Depends what you want it for - if just for yourself - then I would pick the SEC every time. Rarer, beautiful shape and proportion, and stylish. SEL is an exec limo and as such, without mods, handles heavy. But I must admit - I really enjoyed driving them all!

My vote - SEC - and would ensure sound bodywork above engine size. Dodgy bodywork a much bigger issue in the short and long term in the UK.

 

[POS]

I would get the 560SEC, but that's because I've always loved that body style. These just popped up near me:

1987 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL
1989 Mercedes 560 SEL

Come to Texas - we have lots of good ones for cheap.

 

[cyberdyne]

I'm a little bias, but if I was back in the market for another W126 it would be a 560SEC!

- Steve

 

[DarkOneSK]

Very biased opinion. 560 SEC euro 100%. hold out for a euro. you wont regret it.

 

[cyberdyne]

Agreed, holding out for a Euro-spec will save you lots of work.

Headlamps, headers, and all the other goodies will already be there and done for you.

- Steve

 

[manymercsmike]

Can't deny it - if there'd been a 560 SEC with decent bodywork and no leaking issues at the rear I would have plumped for it too!!!

But quite happy with 420 - suits what I want it for - great motorway cruiser.

 

[jhodg5ck]

get one of Bruce's Euro 560SEC or SEL's...you can't go wrong Once you get accustomed to the torque of the 560 the 420 feels a little flat. Jonathan

 

[Dr.Grillz]

get one of Bruce's Euro 560SEC or SEL's...you can't go wrong Once you get accustomed to the torque of the 560 the 420 feels a little flat. Jonathan

Once you get accustomed to your 32V... *ALL* standard 560's will feel a "little" flat

 

[jhodg5ck]

Once you get accustomed to your 32V... *ALL* standard 560's will feel a "little" flat

well...yea... But my gray coupe w/ cams/exhaust etc, etc.. is making 250 @ the wheels which should put me right about 300 @ the crank.. And that's a nice level of power. Would be even nicer w/ the Jap. 2.65 rear The 300hp cars feel like the US 560's @ their strongest, but around 4-4500 instead of starting to mellow out it just keeps Pulling...very nice feeling...very addictive & bad for fuel economy;-) Jonathan

 

[cascade]

Agreed the 560 Euro with the ECE (300hp) is the way to go but the problem is this: FINDING ONE!

With the introduction of the 560 engine in 1986, the gray market collapsed.

Not just because because the deutschmark/dollar exchange rate changed, but because the 560 engine itself was developed in part to kill the gray market in the USA, because in the early 1980s the 500 engine in US spec was pretty slow and low on Hp, and the American S class buyers were clamoring for higher performance engines.

The gray market provided them; a Euro 500 engine gave 240 hp, even more than the 238 the later 560 US spec. engine gave. In those days, you could save really big dollars by buying a new gray market S class, with the 500 motor, and many people did.

In 1985, you could buy a BRAND NEW 500SEC euro for $40,000, in Germany, have it shipped to the USA, then pay $10,000 for DOT/EPA importation costs, and then, for about $20,000 you could go to one of the authorized AMG dealers in the USA and get a full boat AMG conversion - engine, transmission, suspension, diff, interior, body kit, wheels, badging, everyting, and have a brand new, fully federalized 500SEC euro spec AMG for $70,000 in your driveway. I actually witnessed this in 1985 and got to drive the car-- Incredible.

Mercedes Benz developed the 560 motor in PART to kill the gray market 500 engined cars being imported into the USA via the gray market.

There were essentially NO new gray
market 560 engine cars imported into the USA.

 

[Dr.Grillz]

Really? Most 4 cam cars I have driven show most of the improvement on the low end. You think otherwise?

Why is it I have a strange feeling this is Rex?

 

[jhodg5ck]

Really? Most 4 cam cars I have driven show most of the improvement on the low end. You think otherwise?

Well, that's counter to the physics behind multi valve heads.

I'm curious, what 4 cam engines/cars do you own/drive?

We ask everyone to fill out their profile...especially those who smell of past trolls.

Jonathan

 

[cyberdyne]

Oh Rex, it only took 7 posts to show yourself!

You are getting slack!

- Steve