W126 SEL Questions
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I've just spotted a 500 SEL for sale, the Long Wheelbase one and wondered if there was anything different I should watch out for in addition to the normal stuff.
Are they stretched from the factory, or after production? Car is an '89.
Are they just stretched at the rear doors, or are they generally bigger all round ie: would a front wing from a standard S Class fit as a replacement or would it need specialist panels?
Anything else I should look out for? Do they have any weaknesses over the standard length W126 with regard to running gear etc.
Thanks
I've just spotted a 500 SEL for sale, the Long Wheelbase one and wondered if there was anything different I should watch out for in addition to the normal stuff.
Are they stretched from the factory, or after production? Car is an '89.
Are they just stretched at the rear doors, or are they generally bigger all round ie: would a front wing from a standard S Class fit as a replacement or would it need specialist panels?
Anything else I should look out for? Do they have any weaknesses over the standard length W126 with regard to running gear etc.
Thanks
I'm looking at one as well, although in 560 guise, to replace my Grand Cherokee. I think they're great cars, really beautifully engineered. The other half drives a 1984 W123 280te which she loves. It's done over 118,000 miles (not alot for a car that age I know) and mechanically it feels nicely run in, not worn out like some cars of that age.
The longer wheel base (SEL) cars were a factory build, not an aftermarket stretch. The extra length is from the B post (ie the rear doors) to provide additional legroom. So everthing from the front bumper to the front doors is the same on all models, the rear doors would be specific to the SEL but the rest of the back of car is the same as the SE.
I'm not an expert on specifics to look for but given the age of these cars, I would be checking for rust. Look in the boot underneath the back window for signs of leaking, bubbling paintwork all round and check the sills/jacking points.
The mechanicals are pretty robust, the big 5L V8 is not too stressed, same goes for the automatic gearbox. There are not too many computers to go wrong but check electricals (windows, sunroof, seats etc) to see what does/doesn't work. Parts are widely available, both from Mercedes and the like of German & Swedish.
How much is the one you're looking at?
The longer wheel base (SEL) cars were a factory build, not an aftermarket stretch. The extra length is from the B post (ie the rear doors) to provide additional legroom. So everthing from the front bumper to the front doors is the same on all models, the rear doors would be specific to the SEL but the rest of the back of car is the same as the SE.
I'm not an expert on specifics to look for but given the age of these cars, I would be checking for rust. Look in the boot underneath the back window for signs of leaking, bubbling paintwork all round and check the sills/jacking points.
The mechanicals are pretty robust, the big 5L V8 is not too stressed, same goes for the automatic gearbox. There are not too many computers to go wrong but check electricals (windows, sunroof, seats etc) to see what does/doesn't work. Parts are widely available, both from Mercedes and the like of German & Swedish.
How much is the one you're looking at?
Look for rust.
Wheelarches will be obvious. Wings are about £225 plus tax from Mercedes Benz.
Open the boot and slide yourself in on your back with a torch. Look upwards and check here for rust. It'll be costly to put right.
Exhausts are horrendously expensive for the SEL versions. Well, the much rarer centre sections anyway.
There's a lovely 300se in the Classifieds.
Wheelarches will be obvious. Wings are about £225 plus tax from Mercedes Benz.
Open the boot and slide yourself in on your back with a torch. Look upwards and check here for rust. It'll be costly to put right.
Exhausts are horrendously expensive for the SEL versions. Well, the much rarer centre sections anyway.
There's a lovely 300se in the Classifieds.
Thanks for the replies chaps.
This car is £1500 and has rusty front wings. But the bloke sounds like a petrolhead and has a Bentley Azure too. Jammy git!
Interior etc is immaculate. Rust on wings looks superficial... ie; the panel doesn't look distorted in any way, just rusty around the lip so I think i'll get away with a strip, rust repair, fill and paint on them. Hope so anyway. Worst case is that it'll cost me £450 on top for some new wings.
If it needs an exhaust at any time, I'll have something knocked up in stainless if the centre sections are expensive.
Sounds like a bargain. I've just got to figure out a way of getting 400 miles to view it
Drive back should be fun!
This car is £1500 and has rusty front wings. But the bloke sounds like a petrolhead and has a Bentley Azure too. Jammy git!
Interior etc is immaculate. Rust on wings looks superficial... ie; the panel doesn't look distorted in any way, just rusty around the lip so I think i'll get away with a strip, rust repair, fill and paint on them. Hope so anyway. Worst case is that it'll cost me £450 on top for some new wings.
If it needs an exhaust at any time, I'll have something knocked up in stainless if the centre sections are expensive.
Sounds like a bargain. I've just got to figure out a way of getting 400 miles to view it
Drive back should be fun!
I love these. Make sure it has the original MB 15 hole alloys and no chrome wheel arches.
Also, if you do need to get wings from MB they will also need to be sprayed, so factor in some more cash for that.
What colour is it? Does it have leather and climate?
If you do get it change the gearbox oil - this will improve longevity.
Also, if you do need to get wings from MB they will also need to be sprayed, so factor in some more cash for that.
What colour is it? Does it have leather and climate?
If you do get it change the gearbox oil - this will improve longevity.
Well I'm looking for something of that ilk. I've responded to ads for BMW 750il's, 540i's, Merc SE's, SEL's, S Class' and a few Jaguar/Daimler Sovereign S3's.
It ain't gotta be fast, I have the XJR for hustling. I just need a bit of comfort and presence around town when I don't want to leave the Jag out on the street.
Doesn't look like i'll have to spend more than £2k for a minter either
It ain't gotta be fast, I have the XJR for hustling. I just need a bit of comfort and presence around town when I don't want to leave the Jag out on the street.
Doesn't look like i'll have to spend more than £2k for a minter either
KingRichard said:
Hi Guys,
I've just spotted a 500 SEL for sale, the Long Wheelbase one and wondered if there was anything different I should watch out for in addition to the normal stuff.
Are they stretched from the factory, or after production? Car is an '89.
Are they just stretched at the rear doors, or are they generally bigger all round ie: would a front wing from a standard S Class fit as a replacement or would it need specialist panels?
Anything else I should look out for? Do they have any weaknesses over the standard length W126 with regard to running gear etc.
Thanks
Just buy it!I've just spotted a 500 SEL for sale, the Long Wheelbase one and wondered if there was anything different I should watch out for in addition to the normal stuff.
Are they stretched from the factory, or after production? Car is an '89.
Are they just stretched at the rear doors, or are they generally bigger all round ie: would a front wing from a standard S Class fit as a replacement or would it need specialist panels?
Anything else I should look out for? Do they have any weaknesses over the standard length W126 with regard to running gear etc.
Thanks
I have a 1986 500 SEC, the coupe version of the same car. It is a fantastic car. Mine has been well maintained all its life and it is an absolute joy to own and drive. It is fast enough (245bhp and 295lb/ft torque), rides extremely smoothly, handles precisely but most of all provides an enormous feeling of well-being.
Rust is best avoided. There are plenty out there with no rust. Aftermarket modifications are best avoided. No aftermarket supplier can match 1980s Mercedes-Benz build quality. Check everything works. For all the electrical system is simple by modern standards there are a lot of separate control units for just about everything.
There is nothing additional to worry about on a SEL.
The instantaneous way to spot a good one is by the tyres: a well-looked after car will be riding on four identical Michelin or Continental tyres. The owner of such a car has not skimped on its upkeep. Then look at the service history. There are plenty with detailed service histories: not just stamps in the book but long invoices with big numbers at the end. You do not want one of these cars with ten years' backlog maintenance.
In the case of the 126, the cliche really is apt: they do not make them like this anymore.
Rust is best avoided. There are plenty out there with no rust. Aftermarket modifications are best avoided. No aftermarket supplier can match 1980s Mercedes-Benz build quality. Check everything works. For all the electrical system is simple by modern standards there are a lot of separate control units for just about everything.
There is nothing additional to worry about on a SEL.
The instantaneous way to spot a good one is by the tyres: a well-looked after car will be riding on four identical Michelin or Continental tyres. The owner of such a car has not skimped on its upkeep. Then look at the service history. There are plenty with detailed service histories: not just stamps in the book but long invoices with big numbers at the end. You do not want one of these cars with ten years' backlog maintenance.
In the case of the 126, the cliche really is apt: they do not make them like this anymore.
MJK 24 said:
Look for rust.
Wheelarches will be obvious. Wings are about £225 plus tax from Mercedes Benz.
Open the boot and slide yourself in on your back with a torch. Look upwards and check here for rust. It'll be costly to put right.
Exhausts are horrendously expensive for the SEL versions. Well, the much rarer centre sections anyway.
There's a lovely 300se in the Classifieds.
Just make sure the rust is not terminal - my cossie 190e looked fine from the outside but had some fairly horrendous rust underneath and in the structure that is horrendously labour intensive to put right Wheelarches will be obvious. Wings are about £225 plus tax from Mercedes Benz.
Open the boot and slide yourself in on your back with a torch. Look upwards and check here for rust. It'll be costly to put right.
Exhausts are horrendously expensive for the SEL versions. Well, the much rarer centre sections anyway.
There's a lovely 300se in the Classifieds.
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