The MBZ 420SEL
#1
10-03-2010, 06:36 PM
The MBZ 420SEL
The 1988 Mercedes 420SEL
Silver metallic
Blue leather interior.
4.2 SOHC v8
Long wheel base
Body style-W126.
W126 developed i nthe mid 1970s-1979. Debut at auto show in 1979. First sold 1980 in Euro markets. 1981 in US markets. 1986 420 debut replacement for 380SEL.
Original W126 reception was viewed as styling was radical for the times and didnt fit with the current, at the time, Mercedes lines. By the end in 1991, one of the most famous and reconizable S-Class in S-Class history als the best seller of S-Class.
Stereotyped in 1980s movies as the car of choice for the bad guy especially of Chimese Mafia bosses amd Italian Mafia bosses.
Original design concept for the W126 included a grille flushed, like the frotn end of that debuted on the W140. Was thrown out as the final designers thought it was too radical for the times and made it' way to public eye instead on the W140s. (IMO good thing they did. The W140 front end in original pics had an odd look with the rest of the lines of the W126.)
W126 made as one of the most luxurious cars of the times yet, everythign was classic German fuctional. Interior with the best of materials and not much plastic can be found here, besides the buttons, the sun visor clips, nut covers for the seat bolts, the speaker grille covers, door panel clips, dash clips, center cosole wood clips, HVAC ducts an grille and few other pieces.
While most features are common these days,in the 1980s, 1986-1991 to be exact, the features in these cars was upmost class and to of the line. The W126 cost upwards to $75,000+ in the 1986. This is the days when the top Rolls was about $150,000 and the top Cadillac didnt break $30,000 hardly. By 1986 MBZ had drive airbag standard. Passenger side optional but very few people checked this block. Heated seats, power seats front and rear, ABS, Limited slip, optional trip computer very very very rare option, Presidental seating in the 560s (2 rear powered bucket seats in the back with center conole which sometime included refrigerator and wine glass holders.), optional power rear sunshade. And a quiet smooth running engine to boot wihout all the gadgets and plastic mufflers new cars require these days in the engine bay. One of the most advanced suspension set up for the 80s, but common style replicated today but none have perfected it as well as MBZ. 560s 5.6 engine put out anywhere from 270-300hp, measured at rear wheels. On paper, 560 was noted to put out 238hp which by these days is known to be under estimated (Euro tax rates is based on Hp and engine size.). 270 dont sound like much for a 5.6 V-8 but in compare the larget Town car engine of this time was putting out 150hp at the flywheel and the cadillac 5.7 was putting out 155hp at the flywheel in compare. The V-12 S-class today is what the 560 was in the 80s. A High powered four door sedan that can skoot your champagne driking butt and three golf buddies from 0-60mph in a good enough time to keep up with some of the best sports cars of that day.
W126 is it a good used car buy? Sure. You can find them from a running one from $1000 to near museum condition at $15,000+. Reagrdless of the one you pick, check it out throughly and know what you get into. The dealership mechanic is not your friend.
Currently known as one of the most elegant Mercedes to come out that German company. One of the last over engineered MBZs. The last traditional luxury cars. (Prior to the W140, luxury was defined by the amount of leather, wood, smooth quiet ride, prestige, style of body, and materials. This car weighed in at over 4500 pounds but was made with "light weight" high density steel. Most car makers ae just now starting to use this material more than 2 decades later.
Did you know: While Volvo is known for safety, during the W126 production life, it edged Volvo in safety crash ratings in every year it was produced. It was named the safest car on the road in 1986, 1987, 1988. Scored top insurance crash rating during it's production life.
Did you know: MBZ original plan was to continue the W126 till 1993-1994 then debut the W140(In developement since 87/88) under the new model lettering system (S420 etc.) Unfortunately Lexus came on board and BMW debuted E32 in 1987 and the battle was on W140 came about late 1991 in Euro 1992 in states.
Did You know: A 1994 W126 was made for Nelson Menela. Some say it was the last W126 to roll out of any MBZ factory. It was maroon in color 560SEL beige interior. Last word is it's still running.
Did you know: The W126 have the longest average life for a car in current history with an average road age of 25. Volvo follows close with 21. Mercedes overall is 23.
bought with 132,000 for a absurd good price april 2009.
Current 134,000.
Work done outside rouine oil/fluid changes.
Front end rebuilt-Guide rod mounts, tie rods, ball jonts, etc all rubber thingson front end.
Rear Shocks.
New Fuel pumps-both less than year old.
New Fuel line-From filter to feed line (Installed in process by Monday complete with new fuel filter)
Tires
Headlight door - right side
Tail light (assembly)-left side.
Silver metallic
Blue leather interior.
4.2 SOHC v8
Long wheel base
Body style-W126.
W126 developed i nthe mid 1970s-1979. Debut at auto show in 1979. First sold 1980 in Euro markets. 1981 in US markets. 1986 420 debut replacement for 380SEL.
Original W126 reception was viewed as styling was radical for the times and didnt fit with the current, at the time, Mercedes lines. By the end in 1991, one of the most famous and reconizable S-Class in S-Class history als the best seller of S-Class.
Stereotyped in 1980s movies as the car of choice for the bad guy especially of Chimese Mafia bosses amd Italian Mafia bosses.
Original design concept for the W126 included a grille flushed, like the frotn end of that debuted on the W140. Was thrown out as the final designers thought it was too radical for the times and made it' way to public eye instead on the W140s. (IMO good thing they did. The W140 front end in original pics had an odd look with the rest of the lines of the W126.)
W126 made as one of the most luxurious cars of the times yet, everythign was classic German fuctional. Interior with the best of materials and not much plastic can be found here, besides the buttons, the sun visor clips, nut covers for the seat bolts, the speaker grille covers, door panel clips, dash clips, center cosole wood clips, HVAC ducts an grille and few other pieces.
While most features are common these days,in the 1980s, 1986-1991 to be exact, the features in these cars was upmost class and to of the line. The W126 cost upwards to $75,000+ in the 1986. This is the days when the top Rolls was about $150,000 and the top Cadillac didnt break $30,000 hardly. By 1986 MBZ had drive airbag standard. Passenger side optional but very few people checked this block. Heated seats, power seats front and rear, ABS, Limited slip, optional trip computer very very very rare option, Presidental seating in the 560s (2 rear powered bucket seats in the back with center conole which sometime included refrigerator and wine glass holders.), optional power rear sunshade. And a quiet smooth running engine to boot wihout all the gadgets and plastic mufflers new cars require these days in the engine bay. One of the most advanced suspension set up for the 80s, but common style replicated today but none have perfected it as well as MBZ. 560s 5.6 engine put out anywhere from 270-300hp, measured at rear wheels. On paper, 560 was noted to put out 238hp which by these days is known to be under estimated (Euro tax rates is based on Hp and engine size.). 270 dont sound like much for a 5.6 V-8 but in compare the larget Town car engine of this time was putting out 150hp at the flywheel and the cadillac 5.7 was putting out 155hp at the flywheel in compare. The V-12 S-class today is what the 560 was in the 80s. A High powered four door sedan that can skoot your champagne driking butt and three golf buddies from 0-60mph in a good enough time to keep up with some of the best sports cars of that day.
W126 is it a good used car buy? Sure. You can find them from a running one from $1000 to near museum condition at $15,000+. Reagrdless of the one you pick, check it out throughly and know what you get into. The dealership mechanic is not your friend.
Currently known as one of the most elegant Mercedes to come out that German company. One of the last over engineered MBZs. The last traditional luxury cars. (Prior to the W140, luxury was defined by the amount of leather, wood, smooth quiet ride, prestige, style of body, and materials. This car weighed in at over 4500 pounds but was made with "light weight" high density steel. Most car makers ae just now starting to use this material more than 2 decades later.
Did you know: While Volvo is known for safety, during the W126 production life, it edged Volvo in safety crash ratings in every year it was produced. It was named the safest car on the road in 1986, 1987, 1988. Scored top insurance crash rating during it's production life.
Did you know: MBZ original plan was to continue the W126 till 1993-1994 then debut the W140(In developement since 87/88) under the new model lettering system (S420 etc.) Unfortunately Lexus came on board and BMW debuted E32 in 1987 and the battle was on W140 came about late 1991 in Euro 1992 in states.
Did You know: A 1994 W126 was made for Nelson Menela. Some say it was the last W126 to roll out of any MBZ factory. It was maroon in color 560SEL beige interior. Last word is it's still running.
Did you know: The W126 have the longest average life for a car in current history with an average road age of 25. Volvo follows close with 21. Mercedes overall is 23.
bought with 132,000 for a absurd good price april 2009.
Current 134,000.
Work done outside rouine oil/fluid changes.
Front end rebuilt-Guide rod mounts, tie rods, ball jonts, etc all rubber thingson front end.
Rear Shocks.
New Fuel pumps-both less than year old.
New Fuel line-From filter to feed line (Installed in process by Monday complete with new fuel filter)
Tires
Headlight door - right side
Tail light (assembly)-left side.
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