The Mighty SEC. Pictures, Ownership Stories and Tips.

The Mighty SEC. Pictures, Ownership Stories and Tips.

Author
Discussion

cornershop

2,136 posts

195 months

Thursday 13th April 2017
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Btw - sec day at the MB brooklands on 4th June. Members only can display their car but all peeps welcome

Stegel

1,950 posts

173 months

Thursday 13th April 2017
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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

1,950 posts

173 months

Thursday 13th April 2017
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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.

bmthnick1981

5,310 posts

215 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
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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.
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.


bmthnick1981

5,310 posts

215 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
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PS - Just ordered a copy of the Crowood book. Thanks for the heads up.

Stegel

1,950 posts

173 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
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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).

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

bmthnick1981

5,310 posts

215 months

Wednesday 19th April 2017
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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).

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
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.....



tobinen

9,184 posts

144 months

Wednesday 19th April 2017
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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.

Stegel

1,950 posts

173 months

Wednesday 19th April 2017
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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.



sim16v

2,176 posts

200 months

Saturday 6th May 2017
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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.
Sounds interesting.

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?

Stegel

1,950 posts

173 months

Sunday 7th May 2017
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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.

sim16v

2,176 posts

200 months

Sunday 7th May 2017
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Thanks,

I wonder how far away i'd have to park without joining whistle

erics

2,659 posts

210 months

Wednesday 10th May 2017
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cornershop said:
Btw - sec day at the MB brooklands on 4th June. Members only can display their car but all peeps welcome
How can one become a member? I tried searching the internet about this day and membership and could not find.

Would like to bring my 560 sec.

Stegel

1,950 posts

173 months

Wednesday 10th May 2017
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TR4man

5,208 posts

173 months

Friday 12th May 2017
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Most days in the works car park near Birmingham, I covet this beauty as I walk past.






Stegel

1,950 posts

173 months

Friday 12th May 2017
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TR4man said:
Most days in the works car park near Birmingham, I covet this beauty as I walk past.





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.

erics

2,659 posts

210 months

Sunday 4th June 2017
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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!

Lowtimer

4,286 posts

167 months

Monday 5th June 2017
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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...

Stegel

1,950 posts

173 months

Tuesday 6th June 2017
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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.

r129sl

9,518 posts

202 months

Tuesday 6th June 2017
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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).