What are your thoughts?

1050 Views 14 Replies 11 Participants Last post by lander91, Apr 10, 2009

lander91

Discussion Starter · Apr 9, 2009

Im asking this and a few other questions later to get a feel for the current "niche" that we occupy, that is the niche full of the W126 obssesed.

Question:
Would the avaliability of aftermarket performance parts for the 117 engines make it easier to enjoy your V8 powered W126 and potentially keep it for longer despite its (the W126's) advancing age?

This question is in the context of avaliable "substitues", that is cars that offer close to the same fulfilment of the W126 but are more modern and offer things like better reliability, a better performance to economy ratio (power to weight) etc, that could potentially make you sell/get rid of your W126. And the current economic climate.

Now this is mainly focused at those who regularly use their W126, those that only get it out on a sunny saterday arnt really affected too much by the previously stated context.

The reason for the question is that Ive chosen to continue development of one of the 560 engines I have into a race engine for a project/assignment, and I need to fulfill the other parts of the assesment that include things like market research, industry trends, sustainability and project management.

cheers

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

Dimmuburger

· #2 · Apr 9, 2009

Yes, new go-fast parts are always welcome, especially since most of what's available is older, limited, and VERY hard to find, making it all very expensive.

joeSEC

· #3 · Apr 9, 2009

An off the shelf rack and pinion and EFI set up would greatly improve the W126 as a daily driven propositon.
Tho inspite of this I still use my SEC as my daily driver @ around $100 a wk for fuel

I would gladly fork out for a straight bolt on proven no bugs EFI set up

shrimpton

· #4 · Apr 9, 2009

Dunno!... The niche context focus and reason for the question plus your fulfillment needs - all sounds a little bit simplistic to answer with a mere yes or no and most long term owners have a softer view these days of their once horny 126.

lander91

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 9, 2009

^^^^ Ok, so is it safe to say that these days its getting harder to justify keeping a V8 W126?
Would a bolt on EFI solution for a V8 W126 and the corresponding fuel economy and performance increase give a new lease on life in terms of being able to live with it?
Its obviously yes for that question for most of us but is it enough?

Dr.Grillz

· #6 · Apr 9, 2009

An EFI installation should increase mileage I would assume? If so, I'm sure members who drive a lot would benefit from this. Its far better to install an EFI set up than one of those LPG systems.

420 SE

· #7 · Apr 9, 2009

lander91 said:
^^^^ Ok, so is it safe to say that these days its getting harder to justify keeping a V8 W126?

Not at all, my small bore, shorty still gets as good fuel consumption as my brand new V6 Calais...

THEROG

· #8 · Apr 9, 2009

I would love EFI on my w126. Far better than trying to hypermile a Benz

AxelWulff

· #9 · Apr 9, 2009

lander91 said:
Im asking this and a few other questions later to get a feel for the current "niche" that we occupy, that is the niche full of the W126 obssesed.

Question:
Would the avaliability of aftermarket performance parts for the 117 engines make it easier to enjoy your V8 powered W126 and potentially keep it for longer despite its (the W126's) advancing age?

This question is in the context of avaliable "substitues", that is cars that offer close to the same fulfilment of the W126 but are more modern and offer things like better reliability, a better performance to economy ratio (power to weight) etc, that could potentially make you sell/get rid of your W126. And the current economic climate.

Now this is mainly focused at those who regularly use their W126, those that only get it out on a sunny saterday arnt really affected too much by the previously stated context.

The reason for the question is that Ive chosen to continue development of one of the 560 engines I have into a race engine for a project/assignment, and I need to fulfill the other parts of the assesment that include things like market research, industry trends, sustainability and project management.

cheers

Yes, I think the W126 would become a more attractive buy if there were performance upgrades readily, and inexpensively, available.

With just about any car with sporting pretensions boasting in excess of 300 HP these day (and most go higher than that.....), it is kind of off-putting to have only 238 HP or less from our cars (US) and finding it quite impossible to even get up to 300 HP (engine swap).

A plug-and-play EFI system would be great, but I do think more efficient 5-speed transmissions would be even better. Not the same price range, of course, and they could perhaps even be made to work together, as they do on newer models.

THEROG

· #10 · Apr 9, 2009

Yeah, I would kill for a Getrag in my car, and while I am on this subject would a 16V tranny even remotely work in a V8 126?

gr33nspan

· #11 · Apr 9, 2009

I'm just happy to drive a car I won't likely die in, as well as go 100+ if i have to. Oh, and look good while doing it

You guys are crazy! :thumbsup:

bondavi

· #12 · Apr 9, 2009

Tubular headers for $500-600 a set

joeSEC

· #13 · Apr 9, 2009

2nded on 5spd conversion.
Its all scale of economy.The reason so many people dream and dont end up following through is because everything for the 126 is either NOS or bespoke.
as an example doing a wide body conversion on a jap s13/180sx etc guards bumpers skirts can all be had for around $1000NZD from multiple sorces making it a viabe proposition.
a member on here does his set of guards only for around triple that , Not at all an unreasonable price for a 1 off made to order set up, but by the time youve fitted painted and added wheels you have spent almost the cars value again

or the price of another interesting wagon.
same with 5 speed conversion.
If there was an off the shelf kit $$ inline with what you can buy a converson for skyline turbo/lexus ,$3 k or so bolt in there would be alot more manual SECs around .
Sadly it will never be viable to mass produce 126 performance parts because there just arent enough people that want to put there money where their day dreams are.

last weekend I picked up a 16 valve twincam manual widebody 944 porche in better condition than my SEC for $5k nz around a 2 thirds of the cost of doing a manual conversion or a decent engine conversion or even a good quality paint job.
That said i still spent hours angsting about what major mod i want to takle first...

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aroundthescenes

· #14 · Apr 10, 2009

If we has access to custom parts like we do for old american iron, it would much more fun to work on our cars. Everything for something so stupid as upgrading sound systems must be a major undertaking. No quick aftermarket doorpanel speaker mods, so I am designing and making out of fiberglass and carbon fiber door speaker panels that will take place of the pockets. We who choose to partake in in doing older mercedes must be willing to create custom items on our own. I can tell you that I have done sevearl
190e mercedes, full custom, bodies and engine and supension mods. Easy to get parts from Germany for these, but the W126. Hell, I can find more parts for a 1928 Chevy than for any benz.

lander91

Discussion Starter · #15 · Apr 10, 2009

Thanks guys, I knew there was a want for this type of aftermarket support, I just needed a few opinions. I am alos of the "yes" crowd seeing as I just bought another 560sel.

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

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