[LongandSlow]

Hey guys, I am not sure if this is where I post an introduction but I just picked up a W126 so I figured as good as place as any to say hello. In Canada braving the weather, deciding whether or not I want to drive the car in the winter. Its a 1986 560SEL, in amazing condition, no rust to be found, I look forward to talking to guys a lot more as I learn about the car! Car photos included.

 

[vdubpower]

dayyyyymmmmm...whats the back story with this one

you need to grab some euro lights ofcourse ...

you should change the rims, they dont suit the car, ill take them off your shoulders

 

[Teutone]

Welcome to the forum, and compliments on the rare OZ rims.
Cheers

 

[LongandSlow]

Back story of the car is missing some details but I can fill you in on what I know, car has 270+Km on it, but the car was only ever summer driven. Very well taken car of and washed almost daily by the elderly man that owned it. No maintenance records but compressions sold under body is in great shape and I opened it up and the timing chain is almost new. Sold it to some kid that thought it was cool, I was selling my car and he asked if I would be interested in trading, I was once told "One thing everyone should do is own a Mercedes at least once" So I looked at realizing what it was, the shape it was in decided I had to have it, I have like the w126's for a long time but being in Canada cars of this age normally have rusted out fenders. This one doesn't have any.
And I am still attached to the rims, I think the make it look aggressive for the long door it is, but if I ever find something else that works I'll remember that.

 

[LongandSlow]

Welcome to the forum, and compliments on the rare OZ rims.
Cheers

Thank you, they make me terrified to park it near a curb.

 

[Teutone]

Welcome to the forum, and compliments on the rare OZ rims.
Euro head lights will provide superior lighting, but the lights on your car are still very popular in Germany and down under. AMG liked to use them on modified W126.
Cheers

Didn't see your reply. Some tires have a protruding rubber edge around the outer / curb side surface.
Greg's aka kodiakj2 SEC comes to mind.
It might be a worthwhile investment.

P.S. the 'new members please read....' welcome announcement on top of the W126 page has many helpful links, incl how to search the wealth of information in the forum archive.

 

[LongandSlow]

Welcome to the forum, and compliments on the rare OZ rims.
Euro head lights will provide superior lighting, but the lights on your car are still very popular in Germany and down under. AMG liked to use them on modified W126.
Cheers

Yeah I was told the car has the "AMG trim". But not exactly 100% on the differences, simply because of the hundreds of pages a forums on these cars, I am more knowledgeable about the later models (03+). Could you shine a light on some differences?

 

[vdubpower]

looks like the car has been lowered....see if they used H and R springs, and upgraded the shocks?

 

[LongandSlow]

looks like the car has been lowered....see if they used H and R springs, and upgraded the shocks?

I was under it today, it could be the springs, the ride height arm hasn't been touched. But I never actually looked, I will be under tomorrow again and I will check. If they have been replaced H and R springs are the ones to go with or should I be looking to swap something else in? I am comfortable with the height as it sits, any lower and I'll wipe the front lip off any higher and I might feel like truck.

 

[Teutone]

Or could the present lights be a indication of AMG mods?
A pic of the engine headers?

 

[Teutone]

I was under it today, it could be the springs, the ride height arm hasn't been touched. But I never actually looked, I will be under tomorrow again and I will check. If they have been replaced H and R springs are the ones to go with or should I be looking to swap something else in? I am comfortable with the height as it sits, any lower and I'll wipe the front lip off any higher and I might feel like truck.

H & R springs would be a good thing, they still leave a fairly comfortable ride.

 

[LongandSlow]

Or could the present lights be a indication of AMG mods?
A pic of the engine headers?

I'll grab a photo of the headers tomorrow, but I know the car has had work done to it (Slotted and Drilled rotors on the front and back, the front and rear euro bumpers, permanent air filter AMG Muffler, could be the whole exhaust system I didn't really check)

 

[Teutone]

Back story of the car is missing some details but I can fill you in on what I know, car has 270+Km on it, but the car was only ever summer driven. Very well taken car of and washed almost daily by the elderly man that owned it. No maintenance records but compressions sold under body is in great shape and I opened it up and the timing chain is almost new. Sold it to some kid that thought it was cool, I was selling my car and he asked if I would be interested in trading, I was once told "One thing everyone should do is own a Mercedes at least once" So I looked at realizing what it was, the shape it was in decided I had to have it, I have like the w126's for a long time but being in Canada cars of this age normally have rusted out fenders. This one doesn't have any.
And I am still attached to the rims, I think the make it look aggressive for the long door it is, but if I ever find something else that works I'll remember that.

Feeling the edge along the wheel wells will tell whether the fenders have been rolled (another good thing).

P.S. Valve covers should be installed with copper crush washers to prevent oil seepage from the bolt holes, and valve cover gaskets often leak from over tightening.

 

[LongandSlow]

Feeling the edge along the wheel wells will tell whether the fenders have been rolled (another good thing).

I want to say yes they have they obviously look rolled but in my experience when you roll a fender it basically pulls it out, the inside of the the fender still has the lip (Where mud and road debris keeps piling up) but it also feels rolled, if they rolled the fender (With and eastwood roller) would it still keep that lip?

Ps Thank you for letting me know what I should look for on this car, its like I am learning all over again haha.

 

[Teutone]

I'll grab a photo of the headers tomorrow, but I know the car has had work done to it (Slotted and Drilled rotors on the front and back, the front and rear euro bumpers, permanent air filter AMG Muffler, could be the whole exhaust system I didn't really check)

The plaque on the cross member shows what kind of factory engine the car came with.
From North America versions with 240 or so hp to a higher compression 300 hp engine with special headers.
Exhaust system had 3 versions, NA cars had log type headers with cross over pipe from passenger headers around back of engine to drivers side headers joining into a single down pipe.
Second are log type headers with down pipes on both sides coming together under the car.
The high performance 560 came with TRY-Y headers going into 2 down pipes on each side.
'TRY-Y headers' forum search to see pics. http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w126-s-se-sec-sel-sd/1669796-560-euro-headers.html#post5397568
Cheers

 

[mclare]

Your wheels are very rare, I have the same ones. And if you do sell them to vdubpower, get more than all the money for them as he is an LA medical Dr. and can afford it.

Welcome to the forum. If you need the manuals, PM me your email and I'll send you them.

Beautiful car, you do need Euro headlights though, IMO.

 

[LongandSlow]

The plaque on the cross member shows what kind of factory engine the car came with.
From North America versions with 240 or so hp to a higher compression 300 hp engine with special headers.
Exhaust system had 3 versions, NA cars had log type headers with cross over pipe from passenger headers around back of engine to drivers side headers joining into a single down pipe.
Second are log type headers with down pipes on both sides coming together under the car.
The high performance 560 came with TRY-Y headers going into 2 down pipes on each side.
'TRY-Y headers' forum search to see pics. http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w126-s-se-sec-sel-sd/1669796-560-euro-headers.html#post5397568
Cheers

I braved the cold Canadian winter and went outside and looked, unfortunately they're logs. too bad I got excited reading that other post they're hard to come by and the fact that I don't a lot of 560's have lasted this long with the weather up here if I decide to go that route I'll have to sell my rims to afford one header

 

[mclare]

Logs are fine for now.

 

[LongandSlow]

Your wheels are very rare, I have the same ones. And if you do sell them to vdubpower, get more than all the money for them as he is an LA medical Dr. and can afford it.

Welcome to the forum. If you need the manuals, PM me your email and I'll send you them.

Beautiful car, you do need Euro headlights though, IMO.

So first thing I guess I will be doing to it is the Euro headlights haha. Can I ask the rough asking price of these rims, I haven't really seen a solid number so far looking through the forums. Alydon had a set "Show ready" for 2600+Shipping. Another member had a set with cracks in the barrel for 1600. All mine need is a polish really. No cracks, curb rash, scratches nothing.
Thank you for the offer of the manuals! If I ever run into trouble I know I don't have to search the depths of google to find an answer

 

[vdubpower]

Your wheels are very rare, I have the same ones. And if you do sell them to vdubpower, get more than all the money for them as he is an LA medical Dr. and can afford it.

Welcome to the forum. If you need the manuals, PM me your email and I'll send you them.

Beautiful car, you do need Euro headlights though, IMO.

hahaha......$$$ grows on trees in the medical field....right......quarter mill in debt...oh and thank u upcoming obamacare