Winterbarge - 421,000 mile - Mercedes Benz w126 diesel
Discussion
Hello everyone, (THIS THREAD NOW INCLUDES MY 560SEL AND MY 420SEL - JUST KEEP SCROLLING DOWN)
My latest car is a 1982 Mercedes Benz 300SD Turbo Diesel with 125hp and 180lb ft torque. It has so far been a lot of fun. This model was only available in the North American market.
I purchased it from the third owner. The first owner bought the car in Southern Oregon, which explains the rust free state of the body, and drove it back and forth to his holiday home in Palm Springs. He took delivery in September 1982, and the service book is stamped up to 125,000 miles. Incredibly this mileage had been covered by 1986! The second owner, an elderly couple, had the car from around 1989 to 2009 and seemed to drive it just as often. Just before selling the car, they had the engine and transmission rebuilt at the Mercedes Benz dealership at 400,000 miles. The third owner, a Mercedes Benz mechanic bought the car and kept it in great shape. I bought the car yesterday with an amazing 421,000 miles on the clock!
Having owned a dozen Jaguar's in the past, and one Maserati, I can see why these Mercedes Benz's still are so desirable even after 30 years. It is just so solid. The chrome polished up so nicely, they must use a much higher quality plating than Jaguar! Everything works on the car, including the air conditioning, and the cruise control. All of the windows work as they should, as does the power seat adjustments. None of my Jaguar's have ever come close reaching this sort of mileage! (not even half of it).
There are a few paint flaws - namely clearcoat peel, and some stone chips in front which have led to surface rust. Apart from that, the whole car is rust free. The interior is leather and not MB-tex, the colour has faded. My plan is to re-dye the seats in the original dark blue. I also plan on re-spraying a few panels on the car, especially towards the front of the car. All of the original sound deadening material is intact, the floors are totally rust free, and the boot still has the original spare tire which has never been on the ground. All in all it looks great. It drives even better - most diesels of this age blow blue smoke - this one does not. Also incredible is that the engine does not leak or burn oil. The suspension still feels great.
Here are some photos.
I've challenged myself to keep this car until I reach 1,000,000 kilometres.
MP
My latest car is a 1982 Mercedes Benz 300SD Turbo Diesel with 125hp and 180lb ft torque. It has so far been a lot of fun. This model was only available in the North American market.
I purchased it from the third owner. The first owner bought the car in Southern Oregon, which explains the rust free state of the body, and drove it back and forth to his holiday home in Palm Springs. He took delivery in September 1982, and the service book is stamped up to 125,000 miles. Incredibly this mileage had been covered by 1986! The second owner, an elderly couple, had the car from around 1989 to 2009 and seemed to drive it just as often. Just before selling the car, they had the engine and transmission rebuilt at the Mercedes Benz dealership at 400,000 miles. The third owner, a Mercedes Benz mechanic bought the car and kept it in great shape. I bought the car yesterday with an amazing 421,000 miles on the clock!
Having owned a dozen Jaguar's in the past, and one Maserati, I can see why these Mercedes Benz's still are so desirable even after 30 years. It is just so solid. The chrome polished up so nicely, they must use a much higher quality plating than Jaguar! Everything works on the car, including the air conditioning, and the cruise control. All of the windows work as they should, as does the power seat adjustments. None of my Jaguar's have ever come close reaching this sort of mileage! (not even half of it).
There are a few paint flaws - namely clearcoat peel, and some stone chips in front which have led to surface rust. Apart from that, the whole car is rust free. The interior is leather and not MB-tex, the colour has faded. My plan is to re-dye the seats in the original dark blue. I also plan on re-spraying a few panels on the car, especially towards the front of the car. All of the original sound deadening material is intact, the floors are totally rust free, and the boot still has the original spare tire which has never been on the ground. All in all it looks great. It drives even better - most diesels of this age blow blue smoke - this one does not. Also incredible is that the engine does not leak or burn oil. The suspension still feels great.
Here are some photos.
I've challenged myself to keep this car until I reach 1,000,000 kilometres.
MP
Edited by MPoon on Friday 26th October 06:44
Edited by MPoon on Monday 19th November 20:28
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/Mxhz6en2.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/jF2NbuIf" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/jF2NbuIf.jpg)
You've got to love the old W126! They are a brilliant barge (I am a little biased when I say that though).
Have you thought about getting rid of those awful looking '5mph impact' bumpers and getting some nice Euro spec ones fitted?
I think with some TLC it will hit 1,000,000km no problems!
Have you thought about getting rid of those awful looking '5mph impact' bumpers and getting some nice Euro spec ones fitted?
I think with some TLC it will hit 1,000,000km no problems!
Even though it was rebuilt 21k miles ago, it's still overall a thirty year old car. I have never been able to get an 80's Jaguar running this well after a rebuild, although I am referring mainly to the Jaguar V12 5.3litre which I admit is completely different to a 5cylinder diesel.
For now, I am really enjoying the turbocharger - 45-70mph is achieved so quickly. It's almost as quick as my 2006 Jaguar XJ8 4.2.
This is my first diesel car ever, first Mercedes Benz I've owned as well.
For now, I am really enjoying the turbocharger - 45-70mph is achieved so quickly. It's almost as quick as my 2006 Jaguar XJ8 4.2.
This is my first diesel car ever, first Mercedes Benz I've owned as well.
Edited by MPoon on Friday 26th October 08:00
bob1179 said:
You've got to love the old W126! They are a brilliant barge (I am a little biased when I say that though).
Have you thought about getting rid of those awful looking '5mph impact' bumpers and getting some nice Euro spec ones fitted?
I think with some TLC it will hit 1,000,000km no problems!
I'm going to change the oil tomorrow ... using Shell Rotella T. This is perhaps the easiest oil change ever ... everything is so accessible. Very unlike a Jaguar V12! Have you thought about getting rid of those awful looking '5mph impact' bumpers and getting some nice Euro spec ones fitted?
I think with some TLC it will hit 1,000,000km no problems!
I'm going to keep the impact bumpers for now. I do like the Euro spec bumpers though. I have several other cars to drive (1969 Jaguar E-type - my summer daily driver, 2006 Jaguar XJ8 - my winter daily driver), so the w126 isn't high on my priority list for modifications.
Planning on keeping the 14'' wheels as well for the great ride ... very wallowy in the corners though!
Do you have any photos of your w126?
Edited by MPoon on Friday 26th October 08:04
MPoon said:
I'm going to change the oil tomorrow ... using Shell Rotella T. This is perhaps the easiest oil change ever ... everything is so accessible. Very unlike a Jaguar V12!
I'm going to keep the impact bumpers for now. I do like the Euro spec bumpers though. I have several other cars to drive (1969 Jaguar E-type - my summer daily driver, 2006 Jaguar XJ8 - my winter daily driver), so the w126 isn't high on my priority list for modifications.
Planning on keeping the 14'' wheels as well for the great ride ... very wallowy in the corners though!
Do you have any photos of your w126?
I actually love the earlier wheels, always remind me of Beverly Hills Cop!I'm going to keep the impact bumpers for now. I do like the Euro spec bumpers though. I have several other cars to drive (1969 Jaguar E-type - my summer daily driver, 2006 Jaguar XJ8 - my winter daily driver), so the w126 isn't high on my priority list for modifications.
Planning on keeping the 14'' wheels as well for the great ride ... very wallowy in the corners though!
Do you have any photos of your w126?
Edited by MPoon on Friday 26th October 08:04
Always happy to post pics of my old car, though it hasn't done the mileage yours has! It's an '89 car with on 59,000 miles on the clock.
bob1179 said:
MPoon said:
I'm going to change the oil tomorrow ... using Shell Rotella T. This is perhaps the easiest oil change ever ... everything is so accessible. Very unlike a Jaguar V12!
I'm going to keep the impact bumpers for now. I do like the Euro spec bumpers though. I have several other cars to drive (1969 Jaguar E-type - my summer daily driver, 2006 Jaguar XJ8 - my winter daily driver), so the w126 isn't high on my priority list for modifications.
Planning on keeping the 14'' wheels as well for the great ride ... very wallowy in the corners though!
Do you have any photos of your w126?
I actually love the earlier wheels, always remind me of Beverly Hills Cop!I'm going to keep the impact bumpers for now. I do like the Euro spec bumpers though. I have several other cars to drive (1969 Jaguar E-type - my summer daily driver, 2006 Jaguar XJ8 - my winter daily driver), so the w126 isn't high on my priority list for modifications.
Planning on keeping the 14'' wheels as well for the great ride ... very wallowy in the corners though!
Do you have any photos of your w126?
Edited by MPoon on Friday 26th October 08:04
Always happy to post pics of my old car, though it hasn't done the mileage yours has! It's an '89 car with on 59,000 miles on the clock.
10 years ago I was offered our Chairman's 1990 S500 for around £6k. One of my co-workers bought it and is still running it today (I didn't want a Maroon car!!). When he got it it was on 13k miles; now it is on 160k miles.
It's never been to a garage, never broken down or anything ever gone wrong with it and he just services it every 12 months at home.
It's as immaculate as yours. Lovely cars.
bob1179 said:
I actually love the earlier wheels, always remind me of Beverly Hills Cop!
Always happy to post pics of my old car, though it hasn't done the mileage yours has! It's an '89 car with on 59,000 miles on the clock.
Bob, the car looks great! Always happy to post pics of my old car, though it hasn't done the mileage yours has! It's an '89 car with on 59,000 miles on the clock.
I've decided I want to upgrade my woodtrim to the burl walnut trim.
OdramaSwimLaden said:
Good effort. I've always loved these.
10 years ago I was offered our Chairman's 1990 S500 for around £6k. One of my co-workers bought it and is still running it today (I didn't want a Maroon car!!). When he got it it was on 13k miles; now it is on 160k miles.
It's never been to a garage, never broken down or anything ever gone wrong with it and he just services it every 12 months at home.
It's as immaculate as yours. Lovely cars.
Cheers. It is just a 300SE, but I bought it as it was in gorgeous condition. I'd love a 500 or 560 and if I find a good one I may just sell this for a bit of V8 goodness.10 years ago I was offered our Chairman's 1990 S500 for around £6k. One of my co-workers bought it and is still running it today (I didn't want a Maroon car!!). When he got it it was on 13k miles; now it is on 160k miles.
It's never been to a garage, never broken down or anything ever gone wrong with it and he just services it every 12 months at home.
It's as immaculate as yours. Lovely cars.
Updates:
Just bought a 1989 560SEL as a parts car.
Here is the 560sel which even has the rear power reclining seats.
Put in the newer style headlamps from the 560SEL into my 300SD
Here are the results:
It was a pretty straightforward swap, took about 15 minutes each side at the hands of my gentleman mechanic...
Above: just showing the right hand side with the newer headlamps, and the left with the old style headlamp.
The new style head lamp came with a wash wipe system, but they didn't fit into this car which didn't originally have the wash wipe headlamp or panel below to house the wiper arm.
Below: the result
Tomorrow's project is to swap my 14'' bundt alloy wheels in favour of the 15'' wheels from the 560SEL.
future projects will also include repainting the car in Dark Blue, as you can see in these up-close images, the front end is heavily chipped and has a coat of surface rust.
Just bought a 1989 560SEL as a parts car.
Here is the 560sel which even has the rear power reclining seats.
Put in the newer style headlamps from the 560SEL into my 300SD
Here are the results:
It was a pretty straightforward swap, took about 15 minutes each side at the hands of my gentleman mechanic...
Above: just showing the right hand side with the newer headlamps, and the left with the old style headlamp.
The new style head lamp came with a wash wipe system, but they didn't fit into this car which didn't originally have the wash wipe headlamp or panel below to house the wiper arm.
Below: the result
Tomorrow's project is to swap my 14'' bundt alloy wheels in favour of the 15'' wheels from the 560SEL.
future projects will also include repainting the car in Dark Blue, as you can see in these up-close images, the front end is heavily chipped and has a coat of surface rust.
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