1989 Mercedes Benz 500 SE (W126)
Discussion
I was born in the early 70s, which makes the 80s the decade when I started to really become aware of cars, poring over issues of Fast Lane and Motor magazines. Over the years, I've been lucky enough to own quite a few of the cars I used to lust after as a teenager, but a few of them passed me by and left boxes un-ticked. As I've become older and acquired more garage space, I've felt the urge to see if I can put some of that right and have decided that I want to fill in as many of the gaps as possible. Cars such as the Jaguar XJ12 and Bentley Turbo are still on my list, but I've always had a massive soft spot for the W126 Mercedes and when I got the heads up from fellow Bargain Barge enthusiast Harry Kular that a PHer was looking to shift what looked like a very tidy 500 SE, I decided it was time to add the fourth V8 to the fleet. 
In true Bargain Barge thread style, I didn't go to look at the car, instead choosing to open up some email dialogue with the owner. A deal was struck on the basis of the description and a couple of days later F257 RHM was mine!
So what is it like to own a slice of 80s Mega Barge? Well first things first and I know it's all in the eye of the beholder, but just look at it! To my eyes it is utterly stunning and if it stopped working tomorrow I would be tempted to leave it in the garage and just keep polishing it and staring at it! I've already had a number of people walk up to me and start conversations about it and I think that considering the way the classic car market has gone over the last few years, these are an absolute bargain and the values can only go one way.
The bodywork is incredibly solid, with only a few small signs of rust, a scraped wheel arch, a missing towing eye cover(thanks bosscerbera
and a damaged chrome bumper section to put right. I set about that immediately, calling in PHer Kidders to take the car away and put right those wrongs, as well as giving it an exterior detail. Kidders is an enthusiast and perfectionist, so I knew it was in good hands and he didn't disappoint.
Stepping inside the car is quite an experience. The first thing that strikes you is how upright the windscreen is, compared to the more modern cars, such as my Audi A8. Then your attention is drawn to how solid everything feels. Four electric windows and an electric sunroof which all still glide as effortlessly as the day the car left the factory. The carpets are like brand new and have obviously been protected by overmats for the duration of their life. The interior is a real curiosity. The car was once velour trimmed, but a previous owner elected (at what must have been a fair outlay) to have the interior re-trimmed in cream leather with navy piping to match the Midnight Blue coachwork. Now I must admit, this doesn't sit comfortably with me as I would rather have had everything original and if the car was a long term keeper I would definitely be on the lookout for an original interior that I could restore, but I have to say that everyone else has gone out of their way to say how fantastic it looks when they see the car.
The odometer reading shows 90,000 miles and I have every reason to believe that this could be genuine, but frankly it really doesn't matter if it isn't. There is evidence everywhere I look that this car has had lots of money lavished on it over the years, including new road springs, new air con compressor and up to date refrigerant and four new Dunlops, but more than that it's the condition that tells the real story. When it comes to cars at this age and price point, you sometimes have to go with your gut and that's exactly what I did.
So what's it like to drive? If I could sum it up in one word, that word would be 'nostalgic'. I can't pretend it's great to drive in the current sense of the word. There's plenty of body roll and that big V8 would get nervous around most of the current diesel rep mobiles, but you know what? It really doesn't matter! If I take a bit longer to get somewhere, it just means I get a bit longer to enjoy the sense of occasion that comes with gliding along in this supertanker of a car. That's not to say that it can't pick its skirt up and fly when heavily provoked, because it can, it just feels a bit pointless and unrewarding to treat the old girl like that.
Fuel economy has been around 20 MPG in mixed driving (well someone was bound to ask!), but as a consolation, you get to handle that beautifully made metal petrol cap when filling up! Did I really just say that? 
Anyway, the next phase is to drive it for a few weeks, before putting it into my local specialist for a good going over. I will then spend money improving what lies beneath the skin. How far I go I'm not quite sure yet.
There is a phrase that springs to mind when it comes to running cars like this. You can either go for 'perfect', or you can go for 'perfectly adequate'. This car is not perfect, it is what I would describe as a 95% car and I won't be chasing the missing 5%, even though I'm a bit of a perfectionist and like things to be right. Why? Because I'm far handier with a debit card than I am with a tool box and that means relying on professionals to do the work. That would probably treble my investment and at the end of it I would then feel like I couldn't part with it. I don't want to feel like that, because as I said earlier, I've still got other boxes to tick!
So I won't be sad if I still own this car in a year or two's time, but I won't shed a tear if it goes to a new home in a couple of months either. As long as I've got somewhere close to what it owes me and I've had the pleasure of owning, driving and improving it, I'll simply be looking for another slice of 80s to capture and give a bit of TLC. If I find 'the one' and I become smitten, then and only then is the time I'll say sod the expense and go for perfection, but God help me if I ever change my mind and want to sell!
Here's a few photos, which I have taken on my mobile, so sorry about the quality! Anyway, hope you like.........
Land of Leather!
A proper set of instruments!
Real presence!
Freshly painted rear arch and new bumper chrome.
Lovely rear end!
In true Bargain Barge thread style, I didn't go to look at the car, instead choosing to open up some email dialogue with the owner. A deal was struck on the basis of the description and a couple of days later F257 RHM was mine!
So what is it like to own a slice of 80s Mega Barge? Well first things first and I know it's all in the eye of the beholder, but just look at it! To my eyes it is utterly stunning and if it stopped working tomorrow I would be tempted to leave it in the garage and just keep polishing it and staring at it! I've already had a number of people walk up to me and start conversations about it and I think that considering the way the classic car market has gone over the last few years, these are an absolute bargain and the values can only go one way.
The bodywork is incredibly solid, with only a few small signs of rust, a scraped wheel arch, a missing towing eye cover(thanks bosscerbera
and a damaged chrome bumper section to put right. I set about that immediately, calling in PHer Kidders to take the car away and put right those wrongs, as well as giving it an exterior detail. Kidders is an enthusiast and perfectionist, so I knew it was in good hands and he didn't disappoint. Stepping inside the car is quite an experience. The first thing that strikes you is how upright the windscreen is, compared to the more modern cars, such as my Audi A8. Then your attention is drawn to how solid everything feels. Four electric windows and an electric sunroof which all still glide as effortlessly as the day the car left the factory. The carpets are like brand new and have obviously been protected by overmats for the duration of their life. The interior is a real curiosity. The car was once velour trimmed, but a previous owner elected (at what must have been a fair outlay) to have the interior re-trimmed in cream leather with navy piping to match the Midnight Blue coachwork. Now I must admit, this doesn't sit comfortably with me as I would rather have had everything original and if the car was a long term keeper I would definitely be on the lookout for an original interior that I could restore, but I have to say that everyone else has gone out of their way to say how fantastic it looks when they see the car.
The odometer reading shows 90,000 miles and I have every reason to believe that this could be genuine, but frankly it really doesn't matter if it isn't. There is evidence everywhere I look that this car has had lots of money lavished on it over the years, including new road springs, new air con compressor and up to date refrigerant and four new Dunlops, but more than that it's the condition that tells the real story. When it comes to cars at this age and price point, you sometimes have to go with your gut and that's exactly what I did.
So what's it like to drive? If I could sum it up in one word, that word would be 'nostalgic'. I can't pretend it's great to drive in the current sense of the word. There's plenty of body roll and that big V8 would get nervous around most of the current diesel rep mobiles, but you know what? It really doesn't matter! If I take a bit longer to get somewhere, it just means I get a bit longer to enjoy the sense of occasion that comes with gliding along in this supertanker of a car. That's not to say that it can't pick its skirt up and fly when heavily provoked, because it can, it just feels a bit pointless and unrewarding to treat the old girl like that.
Fuel economy has been around 20 MPG in mixed driving (well someone was bound to ask!
), but as a consolation, you get to handle that beautifully made metal petrol cap when filling up! Did I really just say that? Anyway, the next phase is to drive it for a few weeks, before putting it into my local specialist for a good going over. I will then spend money improving what lies beneath the skin. How far I go I'm not quite sure yet.
There is a phrase that springs to mind when it comes to running cars like this. You can either go for 'perfect', or you can go for 'perfectly adequate'. This car is not perfect, it is what I would describe as a 95% car and I won't be chasing the missing 5%, even though I'm a bit of a perfectionist and like things to be right. Why? Because I'm far handier with a debit card than I am with a tool box and that means relying on professionals to do the work. That would probably treble my investment and at the end of it I would then feel like I couldn't part with it. I don't want to feel like that, because as I said earlier, I've still got other boxes to tick!
So I won't be sad if I still own this car in a year or two's time, but I won't shed a tear if it goes to a new home in a couple of months either. As long as I've got somewhere close to what it owes me and I've had the pleasure of owning, driving and improving it, I'll simply be looking for another slice of 80s to capture and give a bit of TLC. If I find 'the one' and I become smitten, then and only then is the time I'll say sod the expense and go for perfection, but God help me if I ever change my mind and want to sell!
Here's a few photos, which I have taken on my mobile, so sorry about the quality! Anyway, hope you like.........
Land of Leather!
A proper set of instruments!
Real presence!
Freshly painted rear arch and new bumper chrome.
Lovely rear end!
ciaranthemurph said:
That is lovely. I have a real soft spot for these cars. A friend recently bought a 300 SE and it's a lovely thing to be driven around in (on the two or three days that it's worked since he's bought it).
No such worries with this one. I've done 700 miles in it without the slightest hint of an issue. It feels like it would take a European road trip in its stride. 
A bit more background here from the previous owner's own thread.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
That looks lovely, I've always had a soft spot for the W126. They are such immensely well engineered cars, way ahead of their time in many ways yet with a lovely traditional feel to the drive and the interior. I used to own a 560 SEC which was a lovely thing and went like the proverbial off a shovel which was very good fun.
harry kular said:
If you get itchy feet, the 560 lump drops straight in.....
Hard to think of a classier barge. A proper car.
It's all your fault Harry! Hard to think of a classier barge. A proper car.
If I was keeping it long term, an engine swap might have been on the cards, but in all honesty it's not necessary. If I want to go fast, the TVR, A8 and even then ML are way more capable. This is all about taking it easy.
This is a great looking car, Slippery, great colours. Solid midnight blue over cream, just perfect.
I'd say these are far, far better to drive than any modern: smooth drivetrain, smooth ride, great visibility, much more useful than sports car handling and diesel chug-a-long. Mine was always very, very happy maintaining a high speed cruise on the open road, say 85 to 95mph, for hours on end.
I'd say these are far, far better to drive than any modern: smooth drivetrain, smooth ride, great visibility, much more useful than sports car handling and diesel chug-a-long. Mine was always very, very happy maintaining a high speed cruise on the open road, say 85 to 95mph, for hours on end.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff