Thought id stop by and say hello.. new to the forum. Reason I joined is because I am thinking about purchasing an older MB, say 86-91.. they seem to be very reliable and trust worthy if taken care of like anything else. I currently drive a 1995 cadillac deville with 120,000... (im a college student cant afford new luxury so im stuck with the old classics.. which is ok seems the old ones are the most reliable anyway) I'm not sure if I should even sell my cadillac because it has a 4.9 in it and seems to be very realiable aswell. I just like the look of the 300SEs or 420SE. I'm going to be doing some research on these models, any suggestions comments?? Thanks!

Joel

 

Hey welcome I am also a college student 21 years old and my 86 300sdl was my first car and i liked it enough to get another W126 the 89 560sel IMO the W126 is the best recent Mercedes based on my preferences. U will not be disappointed however if u dont need the money i would keep the 95 Caddy also they are reliable cars as well.

 

too bad i can't spell right! "greatings" haha.. anyway, i dont think it be a matter or lossing money.. it would be just selling one car for another. I really like the deville, but I'm starting to get bored of it! What a lame excuse.. cars are really only transportation.. sometimes a hobby, I'm an airplane mechanic so I like to dink around with mechanics. There is a 1990 300SE in my area for a fair price has 150000 or so ($2000 or so).. was smoked in and the a/c doesnt work.. compressor probably or out of refigerent not sure haven't looked at it, it also needs a new muffler I guess. Is the timing chains only a worry to the V8 on the 420 and 560? Is the W126 just the 420s and 560s or does it include the 300se and 300sel? Its interesting on how each type can have a longer wheel base.

Joel

 

All 1981-1991 USA s-class models are known as the W126 these include

88-91 300se
88-91 300sel
81-85 300sd
86-87 300sdl
1991 350sd
90-91 350sdl
84-85 380se
81-83 380sel
82-83 380sec
86-91 420sel
84-85 500sel
84-85 500sec
86-91 560sel
86-91 560sec

I am not real familiar with the engine in the 300se or 300sel but from the info i have they are different engines the 88-91 300se is a 103.981 the 88-91 300sel is a 103.940.