W126 buying tips
Discussion
After seeing a few readers rides and i've always liked them after numerous bad guys drive them in films + a guy at work has a 70's 450 6.9 sel.
I've found a '81 500sel for £2000. seems cheap, too cheap? at that price it isnt going to be perfect but so long as its useable daily and wont bankrupt me then im all good. I dont do a vast amount of miles and my previous BMW was averaging 24 mpg.
I've read a few guides and they mention the normal things.
Things of note, check if its had the double timing chain mod - what is this and how do you check?
Its an '81 car so an early one. does it have the hydro suspension? From my reading it appears that it could be optional? It has a cloth interior.
Any tips would be great.
I've found a '81 500sel for £2000. seems cheap, too cheap? at that price it isnt going to be perfect but so long as its useable daily and wont bankrupt me then im all good. I dont do a vast amount of miles and my previous BMW was averaging 24 mpg.
I've read a few guides and they mention the normal things.
Things of note, check if its had the double timing chain mod - what is this and how do you check?
Its an '81 car so an early one. does it have the hydro suspension? From my reading it appears that it could be optional? It has a cloth interior.
Any tips would be great.
£2,000 is too expensive unless it's mint.
It won't do 24mpg.
They all have double-row timing chains.
It doesn't have hydro-pneumatic suspension.
Look for rust, neglect, missing trim, body damage, good history, come on, you know what to look for. Proper tyres on these early cars (205/70 VR 14) cost an awful lot of money.
It won't do 24mpg.
They all have double-row timing chains.
It doesn't have hydro-pneumatic suspension.
Look for rust, neglect, missing trim, body damage, good history, come on, you know what to look for. Proper tyres on these early cars (205/70 VR 14) cost an awful lot of money.
They're at the bottom of their value curve at the moment- they're big heavy cars with big engines, so not at the top of most shopping lists.
Check for timing chain rattle on the V8s, plastic chain guide can break- you'll hear the chain slapping around on start-up if it has.
Expect around 20mpg tops on the V8s, dropping to around 16 around town.
As with all old Mercs, buy on condition and history. A lot of car for the money imho.
Check for timing chain rattle on the V8s, plastic chain guide can break- you'll hear the chain slapping around on start-up if it has.
Expect around 20mpg tops on the V8s, dropping to around 16 around town.
As with all old Mercs, buy on condition and history. A lot of car for the money imho.
There is a buyers guide available if you join the w126 club - http://126-sclass.com, quite a useful place for getting info in general.
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