[lcmlee]

I am considering buying a W126 coupe as one of my summer rides (next summer)...so, currently I am interested at looking at the following two W126 coupes. One I will see tomorrow. For tomorrow, the current owner has had it for about 2 years. I like it because it is near the last full production year of the W126 and it's a 5.6 liter engine.

$$$ GORGEOUS1991 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 560 sec Coupe$$$$$$$ - City of Toronto Cars For Sale - Kijiji City of Toronto Canada.


Then there is this other one below. I like it because it is one owner, and from what it looks like...it's a doctor who drove it to/from work.
1987 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MB S Class Sports Coupe Coupe - Markham / York Region Cars For Sale - Kijiji Markham / York Region Canada.

Any thoughts on these two cars and general comments about buying the W126 coupe are welcome.

 

[ElRojo]

The first listing looks to be more trouble than it's worth. Rear window delamination on both sides, and what looks like rust bubbles along the lower edge of the window. Could be a major PITA.

The second one looks...meh. Hard to tell anything from one pic. Both are US spec (NA spec, really), which isn't bad, but it's not the desirable euro spec. I think you can do better than either of these if you do a bit more looking, and expand your horizons a little farther. I think one member here (in Alberta??) has a euro spec (gen 2) SEC for sale. Might have been an SEL though. If you could get out to Vancouver, the Japanes-spec cars come up from time to time.

 

[tjyak50]

#2 would be my choice if those are the only 2 choices.
One owner.
Reasonable miles
Good color combo.
A/C works (said it was repaired).

 

[w126Sam]

I'd say keep looking. First one looks decent, but lack of body photos makes me think it may be in not so good of shape. second one also appears decent, but this part: "**NOTE**Car is better suited for an experienced automotive engineer, or dealer or shop; it's unlikely to suit someone not familiar with this series." makes me think that it's probably been a problem car.

 

[tjyak50]

I think it is a very good disclaimer to let people know that the W126 isn't exactly a Honda or Toyota. It is a car that will need attention and monitoring.

Mine was owned by my Father since new and went to the dealer for EVERYTHING.
But is sill requires regular love and attention to keep it happy.

I think it may be worth a look. One owner is promising to me.

 

[w126Sam]

That is true, I didn't think of it that way.

 

[MrBits]

+1

#2 for the reasons tjyak50 listed, and specifically because seller says: "This car is better suited to an automotive engineer or dealer shop that wants the valuable parts." This sounds too good a specimen to get parted-out already. SEC-lovers have worked to save worse cases than this appears to be.

Documented one-owner SEC's are not that easy too come by, and seller's statement could be due to his experience with what top-notch care & maint of these cars entails. Particularly if he was paying dealer service rates. Maybe the Dr. is saying the car needs someone knowledgeable/familiar with what to expect.

All depends on his price, maintenance receipts, and a 1st hand look/drive I'd say.
____________________________

Beat me to that logic, tjyak50

 

[lcmlee]

I see what you mean about the rear window delamination...that is really weird. He did say it needed some touch up paint here and there...we'll have to see what that means when I see the car tomorrow. I am going to Vancouver this December. Would be a little cold though, driving a 560 SEC across country at that time

On the second car, I caught that also about the disclaimer. What's really odd about it is the last piece, "This car is better suited to an automotive engineer or dealer shop that wants the valuable parts." Are they trying to say it is good as a parts car? I can see the center piece about the car is the stereo...it is mentioned near the beginning and in the bullet point, it gets the biggest write up...so, obviously an audiophile type of person. Which is great for me, as I am also a picky audiophile person in the car too.

It's the beginning of my search. I just want to look at these two coupes to see what I am getting for the money that want...it's a good deal then I will definitely buy one, but the money is not burning a hole in my pocket, so I am not desperate to buy anything at all.

 

[mclare]

I had to do a double take because the first one look like a doppleganger of my car. 199 black with those smoked clear tails.

Dave do you think so too?

 

[tjyak50]

What the heck is a xxxxxxxxxxxx?

 

[ElRojo]

I had to do a double take because the first one look like a doppleganger of my car. 199 black with those smoked clear tails.

Dave do you think so too?

Nope-- your car is in much better condition IMO, and has that certain je-ne-sais-quoi awesomeness factor with all the extra bits... smoked tails are not enough to make me look really close at a car....

 

[lcmlee]

So, my meeting with Car#1 has been postponed until tomorrow evening.

Car#2, I got an email from the Doctor's friend in Montreal. He was about to take it from him and ship it to Montreal. He said that the car does not start, probably because it has been sitting for almost 20 months. I told him I like to see the car never-the-less and look at the service receipts. I will most likely store the car until next spring if I do buy it and get it running then. I asked about the price the Doctor wants and his friend wasn't sure what it was and he said to look at the car first and dicussion of price can happen if I am still interested. What do you guys think a car like this would cost if it is in the sort of shape I think it is (eg. no rust, clean, etc.)?

The friend also mentioned that Car#2 will be a classic next Spring...which means we can get classic license plate for it. It also seems that the Dr. has been taking it to the dealership for all maintenance...which will be evident in the service records.

 

[tjyak50]

It could potentially be a real ganga at a fire-sale price as-is where-is if it doesn't start.
Especially if for something stupid like a FPR or not in N or P correctly.

Did you get more pics of the engine and interior?
Any pics of the engine and gauges while running? oh wait.. it doesn't run...

You will learn a lot just reviewing different cars so there is no real downside.

TJ

 

[MrBits]

Hard to estimate a value on a non-op car, unless it was being purchased mainly for the parts. Could be a comparatively minor/inexpensive fix to get it running, or a diagnostic nightmare when done by someone inexperienced with these. Again, a fair reason the ad came with its disclaimer.

The drivers seat on car #1 appears funky to me. Certainly not "mint". Personally, that combined with the rear windscreen, price & mileage would cause me to not bother looking - at least until more accurate photos were supplied.

 

[lcmlee]

I saw car#1 this evening. I will spare you all the details. Let's just say it was not love at first sight. Even in the dark parking lot of Superstore, armed with a small flash light, I was able to see that the body had rust issues. The front had a lot of sloppy bondo work and quick paint work to cover it up. As MrBits had noticed, quiet accurately, that the driver seat was "funky"...funky it was...I sat down and sank into it. It was covered with some leather like material...did not even dare to look under the material. Drove stiff, but smooth...didn't want to take it on the road, just around the parking lot...since I have already decided a no go on this one...

Will be moving on to viewing Car#2 tomorrow...it will be interesting, as I won't be able to drive it, so we will see what happens...I'll go with the flow.

 

[toxonix]

#1 rear window: is that de-lamination or a bad attempt at fixing the rear window seal leaks with toilet caulk?
IMO, since #1 is proudly going to law school, might as well treat him as you would any lawyer. He's probably lying about everything.
Touch up paint: is there really any such thing? That means you want to get it repainted.
The leaky rear windows are rust demons waiting for you inside those wheel wells.


If #2 is really a doctor, I'd say he's not lying and is probably a responsible human being. Unless he is a psycho-pharmacologist, then he's just a drug dealer really.
If he's had it at the Mercedes dealership for service, that is a huge bonus. To see the recorded history of maintenance is far better than seeing evidence of it yourself while stripping down a blown engine..

 

[lcmlee]

#1 rear window: is that de-lamination or a bad attempt at fixing the rear window seal leaks with toilet caulk?
IMO, since #1 is proudly going to law school, might as well treat him as you would any lawyer. He's probably lying about everything.
Touch up paint: is there really any such thing? That means you want to get it repainted.
The leaky rear windows are rust demons waiting for you inside those wheel wells.


If #2 is really a doctor, I'd say he's not lying and is probably a responsible human being. Unless he is a psycho-pharmacologist, then he's just a drug dealer really.
If he's had it at the Mercedes dealership for service, that is a huge bonus. To see the recorded history of maintenance is far better than seeing evidence of it yourself while stripping down a blown engine..

The rear window is de-laminating. Really weird, I have never seen it as bad as it is on this car. He said that it was a common problem on these car. I have no other comment to provide to that statement. I imagine, if you were able to strip the body of everything and sand blasted it to bear metal, you will see a lot of holes in the car body and frame. I suspect it is that far gone. I could feel the flex of the body even in the parking lot, gunning the engine from side to side...my W140 does not flex.

Car#2, I was not able to see it today...we are going to try for this Sunday...I'm actually excited about seeing that car...for the exact reasons you have stated...would like to see the service record.

 

[lcmlee]

Car# 2 is no longer listed. I did get a chance to look at it and snapped some pictures of it. The poster did not put a price on the car and wanted to discuss the price after I had a look at it. I decided not to pursuit it, as it looks like it needed more work than I have time for...never-the-less, I like the forums opinion on what you think this car is worth? I am just learning about W126 and I am excited about owning one someday...

 

[MT_Merc]

That's quite a bit of rust, I wouldn't bother with that car unless you've got plenty of time, tools, and know-how to fix it. Rust and poor maintenance are the two biggest things to avoid on these cars; there are great deals out there, you just have to be patient. Even though they're some of the best cars ever built, the low market values for the good ones make buying a not-so-good one a dubious choice at best.

 

[Dr.Grillz]

That's quite a bit of rust, I wouldn't bother with that car unless you've got plenty of time, tools, and know-how to fix it. Rust and poor maintenance are the two biggest things to avoid on these cars; there are great deals out there, you just have to be patient. Even though they're some of the best cars ever built, the low market values for the good ones make buying a not-so-good one a dubious choice at best.

+1

Rust is the biggest problem these days, followed by the condition of the interior. Having these two things corrected will cost you big.