Discussion
I'm looking for an S-class. Budget is about £2500 and I've been looking for a W126 300SE, on the basis that running costs will be (a little) lower than for a V8. However, I've always preferred the looks of the W116 to the W126. Are they getting on a bit now? There are plenty of W126s around, and even some actually quite nice cars too amongst all the neglected rusty ones, but 280SE W116s are much thinner on the ground. If I can find a nice one, is the reliability and parts availability as good as the W126? And do they still make good daily drivers? I'm looking at doing 15-20,000 miles a year.
74merc said:
There's no reason why you couldn't run one of these as a daily driver. Bear in mind that the M110 engine in the 280SE has a reputation of being thirsty as the V8s. There's a guy on mbclub.co.uk selling a W116 right now.
I had a W123 280TE with the M110 and it was much less juicy than my W126 500SEL...Thanks for the thoughts. I realise that even a 300SE will be not be that economical, but it's the small difference between "a bit juicy" and "dipsomaniac petrol fiend" that will make the choice justifiable to her indoors! I think I'm veering towards a 126 at the moment, simply because there are more to choose from and I need to replace my current Saab asap.
tog said:
Thanks for the thoughts. I realise that even a 300SE will be not be that economical, but it's the small difference between "a bit juicy" and "dipsomaniac petrol fiend" that will make the choice justifiable to her indoors! I think I'm veering towards a 126 at the moment, simply because there are more to choose from and I need to replace my current Saab asap.
If memory serves me I was getting ~26-7mpg from the 280TE, 22-3mpg from the 500SEL.If I was having another W126 it would be a 560SEC with air suspension. Gunmetal with red leather please.
Have you considered a W124? An E280 with the 5-speed box might suit you rather well...
I run a W126 300SE, great car and I would say it's a bit easier to maintain than a V8 as well. The W116 280 is a cracking car as well, one of the best engines MB ever made, but you are right in saying there are not many around these days and they do suffer badly with rust.
I know a MB club member who is selling a W126 280SE manual. Full service history, looks to be in great shape. If you are interested let me know and I can send you his details.
Norm
I know a MB club member who is selling a W126 280SE manual. Full service history, looks to be in great shape. If you are interested let me know and I can send you his details.
Norm
For what it's worth I'd go 126 every time,85 facelift on being the best bet.
300SE is the one,bullet proof engine,fair selection to choose from.Condition is more important than mileage,don't be scared of stuff up to 200k.Repair/maintenance invoices are always good to see of course.
116 is becoming a rare & delicate beast these days,more a classic than a daily.Rust a serious issue,so it's either an ongoing project for not much or top dollar for a nice one.
420s always seem a little ignored & therefore cheaper & not much more thirsty,driven sensibly,than the 300.AND have the V8 noise!
Personally I'd avoid anything 280 twin cam.Reliable yes but noisy,quite high maintenance & thirsty.
300SE is the one,bullet proof engine,fair selection to choose from.Condition is more important than mileage,don't be scared of stuff up to 200k.Repair/maintenance invoices are always good to see of course.
116 is becoming a rare & delicate beast these days,more a classic than a daily.Rust a serious issue,so it's either an ongoing project for not much or top dollar for a nice one.
420s always seem a little ignored & therefore cheaper & not much more thirsty,driven sensibly,than the 300.AND have the V8 noise!
Personally I'd avoid anything 280 twin cam.Reliable yes but noisy,quite high maintenance & thirsty.
fluffnik said:
tog said:
Update - I've just bought a 1988 300SE. Dealer demo and then one owner from new, and only 95,000 miles. Seems very tidy and honest, and I pick it up next week some time.
Post them pics!
Yes, I like the colour a lot too. Grey leather inside as well. It is very clean all round, no rust on the body and only some slight bubbling just starting to appear on the rear bumper side chromes. So far I think the biggest fault I can find is that the leather on the rear seat is a bit squeaky on bumpy roads!
It's been fantastic thus far. I've had no big bills at all. The only things to have gone wrong are the rotor arm which failed and took the dizy cap with it, and a section of exhaust has been replaced. The exhaust place couldn't believe it was still the original factory exhaust on there. I've put about 25,000 miles on since last year, and (since May this year when I got an app on the phone to record it) have averaged 22.3 mpg, with not much spread - tank-by-tank the worst is 20.4 best is 23.5. This is a bit juicier than I'd hoped, and makes me think I'd get a V8 next time for more pace at little extra fuel cost. It's not slow, but it certainly no rocket ship. Apparently the 300 has a shorter final drive to make up for the reduction in torque compared with the V8s, so the economy isn't as better as you'd expect. All in all a brilliant car however, that has been a pleasure to own. It gets lots of comments that it's a cool old car from clients and friends. I see plenty of them if I visit London (or any big town really), but here in rural Wiltshire there aren't many about so it is an unusual beast. The only downside has been that my wife, although liking the car, doesn't like actually driving it - the slushy auto gearbox is more of an issue for her than the size, as she loves my Bristol which is much faster and sharper to drive.
It's technically for sale at the moment, but its replacement, a tuned Saab 9000 Aero, has turned out to be not substantially more economical (~25mpg), less reliable, and massively more expensive to insure, so I think that will be resold and I'll go back to the Merc.
It's technically for sale at the moment, but its replacement, a tuned Saab 9000 Aero, has turned out to be not substantially more economical (~25mpg), less reliable, and massively more expensive to insure, so I think that will be resold and I'll go back to the Merc.
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff