The Mighty SEC. Pictures, Ownership Stories and Tips.
Discussion
cornershop said:
That book looks good -is it a buyers guide or a maintenance type book? His buying guide PDF from his now defunct 126-sclass website was the best guide I think I'd read for any car.
The first section is a buyers guide but the majority - 170 odd pages - is maintenance related. He only outlines tasks like timing chain and cam oiler change, but has lots of guides on trim removal, lubrication (wipers and check straps for example) and tasks like sunroof maintenance which probably rarely get done on most cars. Highly recommended. Stegel said:
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+
http://www.mercedes-benz-parts.co.uk/index.php?opt...
But my experience of ordering in this way is that after the order is placed they email and say the price has gone up !
I used to use Genuine Auto Parts (http://www.genuineautoparts.com/) and make some small savings but it seems they have been off line for some time now.
bmthnick1981 said:
Thanks Stegel, yes the part I need is a1268854874 I think. It is priced at £298.08 here;
http://www.mercedes-benz-parts.co.uk/index.php?opt...
But my experience of ordering in this way is that after the order is placed they email and say the price has gone up !
I used to use Genuine Auto Parts (http://www.genuineautoparts.com/) and make some small savings but it seems they have been off line for some time now.
I clicked on your link - price is now £463, which is the £429, less 10%, plus VAT, so you were right! (eta- just noticed it's an Inchcape site - the local independent dealer group no longer offers parts discount, the local former MB owned dealers, now owned by an HK company, only offer 5% so I'm dealing with Coventry, which is also Inchcape). http://www.mercedes-benz-parts.co.uk/index.php?opt...
But my experience of ordering in this way is that after the order is placed they email and say the price has gone up !
I used to use Genuine Auto Parts (http://www.genuineautoparts.com/) and make some small savings but it seems they have been off line for some time now.
I bought a few bits and pieces from GAP, but they have been "rebuilding their website" for some months now.
Edited by Stegel on Tuesday 18th April 23:40
Stegel said:
bmthnick1981 said:
Thanks Stegel, yes the part I need is a1268854874 I think. It is priced at £298.08 here;
http://www.mercedes-benz-parts.co.uk/index.php?opt...
But my experience of ordering in this way is that after the order is placed they email and say the price has gone up !
I used to use Genuine Auto Parts (http://www.genuineautoparts.com/) and make some small savings but it seems they have been off line for some time now.
I clicked on your link - price is now £463, which is the £429, less 10%, plus VAT, so you were right! (eta- just noticed it's an Inchcape site - the local independent dealer group no longer offers parts discount, the local former MB owned dealers, now owned by an HK company, only offer 5% so I'm dealing with Coventry, which is also Inchcape). http://www.mercedes-benz-parts.co.uk/index.php?opt...
But my experience of ordering in this way is that after the order is placed they email and say the price has gone up !
I used to use Genuine Auto Parts (http://www.genuineautoparts.com/) and make some small savings but it seems they have been off line for some time now.
I bought a few bits and pieces from GAP, but they have been "rebuilding their website" for some months now.
Edited by Stegel on Tuesday 18th April 23:40
Inchcape Oxford has not updated their on-line prices for ages, so when they order from the factory and use the latest MB price file, they can't proceed unless they make a large loss. A126 885 48 74 is indeed £429 retail + VAT
Pretty sloppy and unprofessional IMO. No idea on the legal standpoint.
Pretty sloppy and unprofessional IMO. No idea on the legal standpoint.
bmthnick1981 said:
Indeed, I placed my order at £298 and it has now been cancelled. Not sure I can stomach £463, might see if I can get my existing piece refurbished for less.....
If it's anything like my car, it will be rusted through from the underside and I doubt it can be rescued, or at least not cost effectively. I am certain that somewhere in the depths of the website there will be an E&OE clause to cover this, but not good practice.
Stegel said:
cornershop said:
Btw - sec day at the MB brooklands on 4th June. Members only can display their car but all peeps welcome
Yes, I'm a member and have seen details. Not yet sure if I'll go, but sounds good. I'm working on a replacement SEC and if the stars align by the end of the month I should have one.
My sister is only 10 minutes from Brooklands so I'd like to attend.
What club do you need to be in?
sim16v said:
My sister is only 10 minutes from Brooklands so I'd like to attend.
What club do you need to be in?
The Mercedes Benz Club. The Gazette (monthly magazine) alone is well worth the subscription, plus members receive the bi-annual (I think) Mercedes Benz Classic magazine, produced in Germany, which again is worthwhile. What club do you need to be in?
TR4man said:
I've spotted that parked up twice from my office window in Birmingham city centre - it looks to be in really good condition (and rather better, at present, than my car!). It is in part responsible for rekindling my SEC interest and leading to me buying one. What tyres do you guys fit to your 560sec's?
My 43k km car has kumho solus 215/65r15 but i hate them with a passion.
Originaly it had pirelli p600 215/65zr15. With the correct speed rating since the car is good for 160-165mph.
I know bc the spare wheel has never been used and the factory tyres sits in the boot.
I am after something good quality. Any advice very welcome!
My 43k km car has kumho solus 215/65r15 but i hate them with a passion.
Originaly it had pirelli p600 215/65zr15. With the correct speed rating since the car is good for 160-165mph.
I know bc the spare wheel has never been used and the factory tyres sits in the boot.
I am after something good quality. Any advice very welcome!
They're not cheap, but you can get Michelin XWX in that size, with a VR rating.
I don't think any independent road test ever got a 560 W126 or C126 over 150 mph true, so I wouldn't worry about a VR speed rating. In any case, when the XWX was new, VR was simply "anything over 130" so covered Ferraris and the like.
http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/215-70vr15-mi...
I don't think any independent road test ever got a 560 W126 or C126 over 150 mph true, so I wouldn't worry about a VR speed rating. In any case, when the XWX was new, VR was simply "anything over 130" so covered Ferraris and the like.
http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/215-70vr15-mi...
R129sl kindly posted some MB information on the MB Club forum when the issue was raised there:
A switch to 225/60s does bring up Continental as a possibility, as I too am not particularly keen on switching to Kumho tyres. Note MB recommend W rating, which following a discussion with my insurer (Footman James) is now important, even if the car cannot get, or is ever likely to be taken, to that speed.
As an alternative I'm contemplating a switch to 16" fifteen hole alloys from a 129 SL which brings in all sorts of mainstream W rated tyres.
A switch to 225/60s does bring up Continental as a possibility, as I too am not particularly keen on switching to Kumho tyres. Note MB recommend W rating, which following a discussion with my insurer (Footman James) is now important, even if the car cannot get, or is ever likely to be taken, to that speed.
As an alternative I'm contemplating a switch to 16" fifteen hole alloys from a 129 SL which brings in all sorts of mainstream W rated tyres.
Lowtimer said:
They're not cheap, but you can get Michelin XWX in that size, with a VR rating.
I don't think any independent road test ever got a 560 W126 or C126 over 150 mph true, so I wouldn't worry about a VR speed rating. In any case, when the XWX was new, VR was simply "anything over 130" so covered Ferraris and the like.
http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/215-70vr15-mi...
I had my 500 SEC fitted with a 5.6 engine and had it off the clock (160mph). It would sail through 150. Interestingly, the speedo was dead accurate throughout its range (according to a sat nav GPS, anyway).I don't think any independent road test ever got a 560 W126 or C126 over 150 mph true, so I wouldn't worry about a VR speed rating. In any case, when the XWX was new, VR was simply "anything over 130" so covered Ferraris and the like.
http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/215-70vr15-mi...
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