The Mighty SEC. Pictures, Ownership Stories and Tips.
Discussion
Looks as though I never shared pics/details of mine. 1986 500 with all sorts of changes. I appreciate it's not a purist's choice, but I love her.
She's painted in Ferrari Canna Di Fucile, has Palamino tan interior, a Zender 'period correct' kit and has had various wheels fitted during my ownership.
Rear deck rot has been sorted, suspension rebuilt, bushings, brakes, bearings replaced; arches sorted, ignition components renewed...and on and on.
I've been recently trying to tot up total spent to date. I almost don't want to admit it to myself, let alone my wife!
She's painted in Ferrari Canna Di Fucile, has Palamino tan interior, a Zender 'period correct' kit and has had various wheels fitted during my ownership.
Rear deck rot has been sorted, suspension rebuilt, bushings, brakes, bearings replaced; arches sorted, ignition components renewed...and on and on.
I've been recently trying to tot up total spent to date. I almost don't want to admit it to myself, let alone my wife!
Edited by SamPet on Friday 31st March 20:37
SamPet said:
renewed...and on and on.
I've been recently trying to tot up total spent to date. I almost don't want to admit it to myself, let alone my wife!
First rule of man maths, never total the spend accurately.I've been recently trying to tot up total spent to date. I almost don't want to admit it to myself, let alone my wife!
Second rule, never tell the wife!
Does look very nice, I like the period subtle body kits and deep dish wheels.
harrykul said:
Had the car looked over (thanks to PH'er Rds64), and I'm oot. Whilst the body has had some paint recently, the interior is a letdown, in need of a fair bit of tlc and with a few electrical niggles. If it hadn't received the new paint, I doubt it'd make £6K. As it stands now, it's not a £10K car.
Thanks Harry for your input! Could you tell me the findings of your friend Rds64? As I'm an interested party! Not many standard cars in a decent colour combo & have the rear deck intact! Basically it went well enough, but the fresh paint just showed up the fact that the rest of the car was not of a similar standard. If this car was put up for sale before the paintwork, it'd need to be around half the price. Little recent history, but a well stamped up history until a few years ago when the current owner got it iirc.
Thanks Harry ! I've been rushing around to find a 560 in this combo.
& finally got hold of its owner , a really nice guy that was very knowledgable & helpful ! Infact he did admit a few things needed doing with regards to inactivity!
But basically it was a solid car & as a result sold for the asking price. (10k!)
Just goes to show values are hardening month on month. ! Thanks to Quinton Wilson ! ☹️ Still on the lookout for a good 560!! Not the rubbish you see on eBay for 6k .. hopefull etc!
& finally got hold of its owner , a really nice guy that was very knowledgable & helpful ! Infact he did admit a few things needed doing with regards to inactivity!
But basically it was a solid car & as a result sold for the asking price. (10k!)
Just goes to show values are hardening month on month. ! Thanks to Quinton Wilson ! ☹️ Still on the lookout for a good 560!! Not the rubbish you see on eBay for 6k .. hopefull etc!
SamPet said:
Now sold (not to me, alas)
I'm glad that the thread has developed legs, but for accuracy's sake I ought to mention that I've sadly sold my SEC 560 that was at the top of page 1. Luckily it's gone to a PHer so I strongly suspect its life and the ownership experience will continue to be chronicled.
For any non-owners following the thread, I can very strongly recommend them to anyone that's after a hairy-chested coupé; they really are hugely competent and charismatic machines.
For any non-owners following the thread, I can very strongly recommend them to anyone that's after a hairy-chested coupé; they really are hugely competent and charismatic machines.
Here it is - customary first fuel shot. No idea what mileage it's doing, but whatever it is it's worth it - it pauses for a second when prompted, drops a gear and just goes with no indication of letting up, carried forward on a seemingly infinite wave of torque. It has surprised a few people.
It won't do massive miles with me, but I've used it three or four times in the six days I've had it - all good apart from the alarm (which shows no sign of life when prodding the remote buttons) decided to go off while in slow traffic this evening. It eventually stopped, and I don't think my prodding and poking assisted, so I'll probably remove it as a 9 year old aftermarket alarm is unlikely to be reliable or a deterrent.
I will take it off the road for the winter to do timing chain, injectors and camshaft oilers. Longer term, new wings, suspension refresh etc. are on the cards. I'm keen on originality but am contemplating swapping the 15x7 wheels for 16x8 wheels of the same 15 hole design to get a bit more rubber on the road and take a little sidewall height out.
It is engaging and characterful, and I cannot help smiling when I get in.
It won't do massive miles with me, but I've used it three or four times in the six days I've had it - all good apart from the alarm (which shows no sign of life when prodding the remote buttons) decided to go off while in slow traffic this evening. It eventually stopped, and I don't think my prodding and poking assisted, so I'll probably remove it as a 9 year old aftermarket alarm is unlikely to be reliable or a deterrent.
I will take it off the road for the winter to do timing chain, injectors and camshaft oilers. Longer term, new wings, suspension refresh etc. are on the cards. I'm keen on originality but am contemplating swapping the 15x7 wheels for 16x8 wheels of the same 15 hole design to get a bit more rubber on the road and take a little sidewall height out.
It is engaging and characterful, and I cannot help smiling when I get in.
Lowtimer said:
I thought the only generally available 16x8 wheels that fit a 126 are the AMG Pentas?
According to a few sources I've Googled, the et34 SL wheels fit straight on to the rear, but require a 10mm spacer on the front. I'm not a fan of spacers, but 10mm should be ok. I still have the 13 hole original wheels off my SL, same size and offset, so I will try these for fit before buying any 15 hole wheels though. Edited by Lowtimer on Monday 10th April 21:25
ETA - if this doesn't work, it will keep its originals, as I'm not a fan of Pentas or indeed anything but 15 hole wheels on these cars. ETA 2: no offence meant to anyone with anything else on their cars, obviously!
Edited by Stegel on Monday 10th April 22:11
Edited by Stegel on Tuesday 11th April 17:26
SamPet said:
Looks as though I never shared pics/details of mine. 1986 500 with all sorts of changes. I appreciate it's not a purist's choice, but I love her.
She's painted in Ferrari Canna Di Fucile, has Palamino tan interior, a Zender 'period correct' kit and has had various wheels fitted during my ownership.
Rear deck rot has been sorted, suspension rebuilt, bushings, brakes, bearings replaced; arches sorted, ignition components renewed...and on and on.
I've been recently trying to tot up total spent to date. I almost don't want to admit it to myself, let alone my wife!
Looks awesome, love it ! She's painted in Ferrari Canna Di Fucile, has Palamino tan interior, a Zender 'period correct' kit and has had various wheels fitted during my ownership.
Rear deck rot has been sorted, suspension rebuilt, bushings, brakes, bearings replaced; arches sorted, ignition components renewed...and on and on.
I've been recently trying to tot up total spent to date. I almost don't want to admit it to myself, let alone my wife!
Edited by SamPet on Friday 31st March 20:37
This has just arrived - only flicked through but already it appears to be a god-send to the 126 owner (it's discounted on the publisher's website - Crowood)
In other news, ordered various parts from MB yesterday - I know of many complaints of parts being NLA, and perhaps I was lucky, but getting wings and bits of chrome trim for a car out of production for 26 years is pretty impressive I think.
In other news, ordered various parts from MB yesterday - I know of many complaints of parts being NLA, and perhaps I was lucky, but getting wings and bits of chrome trim for a car out of production for 26 years is pretty impressive I think.
Stegel said:
This has just arrived - only flicked through but already it appears to be a god-send to the 126 owner (it's discounted on the publisher's website - Crowood)
In other news, ordered various parts from MB yesterday - I know of many complaints of parts being NLA, and perhaps I was lucky, but getting wings and bits of chrome trim for a car out of production for 26 years is pretty impressive I think.
Which chromes did you buy? In other news, ordered various parts from MB yesterday - I know of many complaints of parts being NLA, and perhaps I was lucky, but getting wings and bits of chrome trim for a car out of production for 26 years is pretty impressive I think.
I've just finished rebuilding and refitting my rear bumper after having it painted and replacing 2 of the 3 chromes. If you are doing the same I would say do away with the crap and ungalvanised MB catch bolts and just use some galvanised m8 nuts and bolts to refit the chrome to the bumper, that's what I did and then I coated the whole lot in waxoyl.
I just need the centre front chrome to finish off my front bumper now.... expect that will cost me £300+
bmthnick1981 said:
Which chromes did you buy?
I've just finished rebuilding and refitting my rear bumper after having it painted and replacing 2 of the 3 chromes. If you are doing the same I would say do away with the crap and ungalvanised MB catch bolts and just use some galvanised m8 nuts and bolts to refit the chrome to the bumper, that's what I did and then I coated the whole lot in waxoyl.
I just need the centre front chrome to finish off my front bumper now.... expect that will cost me £300+
Both centre sections and a couple of the cover pieces - my worry is my OCD takes over and any mismatch between the new and old sees me swap the lot. The piece you need - list is £429 ex VAT (ouch - hence my OCD worry!). I got between 10 and 15% (varied by part) from the dealer. They mentioned the bolts but I declined - I think you (or someone on your SEC thread) previously said they were poor and unprotected so it will be zinc plated (or even stainless) slathered in Dynax or Waxoyl. I've just finished rebuilding and refitting my rear bumper after having it painted and replacing 2 of the 3 chromes. If you are doing the same I would say do away with the crap and ungalvanised MB catch bolts and just use some galvanised m8 nuts and bolts to refit the chrome to the bumper, that's what I did and then I coated the whole lot in waxoyl.
I just need the centre front chrome to finish off my front bumper now.... expect that will cost me £300+
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