The w126 Market a Fad or Brand New market ?
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- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- This video is about w126 Market or Fad? Pierre talks about this new phenomenal with you and any thoughts you have please leave in the comments below.
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Thank you for this video. My father retired in 1989 and bought a new 1989 MB 300SE. He wanted the shorter wheel base and the straight 6 which is pretty much bullet proof. He paid $51,000 out the door or approximately $107,000 by today’s adjusted dollar. He did several road trips for the first 25 years and then the car just sat around in his heated garage under a car cover. The car is in pristine condition. The interior actually looks and smells new, hard to believe but true. The exterior is in great shape, no body damage, shiny paint, no rust but one major problem. The car sat around for the past 5 years with no use. Flat tires, no fluid change, dead battery, leaking shocks, dead AC and no heat. The engine mounts were shot, the water pump bearing seized and the car was pretty much left for dead but was still in LIKE NEW condition everywhere else. My dad is 94 now and has different priorities but did not want the car sold. With only 100,000 miles on her, I decided that it was time to resurrect her. My dad handed me the title and keys and said that he was glad that she would be remaining in the family. The flat bed came and off she went to my local Mercedes Mechanic, Eagles Nest, Syosset, Long Island NY. These guys are true MB experts, NOT cheap but fair, far more fair than the dealership. Two rules I had, number one, do the right job the first time and number two, only use OEM or superior parts. Everything that was required to bring the car back into original factory specifications was performed. I would list the parts here but honestly I think I would bore your readers so I will refrain from it. The car is a master piece but cost me over $10,000 to get her to where she now is. The only aftermarket thing I did was to add a set of AMG looking wheels and Michelin tires that improved her stance and handling. The car runs like new, will cruise all day long at 100MPH effortlessly and should have low maintenance costs moving forward. I have already had offers of more than double what I put into the car so at least I know that the money spent was NOT a mistake, not that I wish to sell her. Eventually she will go to one of my children and who knows where from there, maybe to grandchildren. The point is that these are NOT disposable cars like so many of the cars that are being built today. They were not over-engineered and were built like tanks which they should be, given their initial selling price. Personally, I think these cars are future collectables especially since many of them are no-longer on the roads. Everywhere I go people swoon to the car and praise it with compliments. When I drive down the road, look down that hood at that gorgeous three pointed star, listen to the rumble of that straight six, and watch that great gauge cluster, all the cares and worries in the world just seem to fade away into my rearview mirror where they belong. So what do I think of my W126? - “Pure Perfection”……
You are a righteous son of your father, you did the right thing when you took care of this jewel. The feeling of those around you and their reaction while driving on the roads is true. I also feel that. I have a 300 SE 15 years ago and I still have it with me and use it on a daily basis. Surprisingly, I bought a 560 SEL in very excellent condition and a few miles,, I do not like modern cars, including modern Mercedes, I feel lucky and privileged to own these gems
I would love to see pictures of your 300 SE! I hope that your father is in good health and good spirits! Mine is 96 years old this 14th of July!
The W 126 Mercedes Benz is one of the best Mercedes ever made !!!!!
How many kilometers does a car with a W 126 Mercedes Benz 3000cc diesel engine work on 1 liter of diesel?
NO DOUBT, W126 cars are going up in value, because every other S class after that is another level d o w n .
They have surpassed the low point in their value curve and people are seeing that they weredesigned and built better
i agree...they have all gone downhill from the 126.
@@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753
More BLING in exchange for less reliability , durability, serviceability.....
I wouldn't have it any other way , it now makes my collection of cars worth gold.
Thank You, Mercedes Benz INC
@@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753 👍👍👍
Exactly! Especially when compared to a W140 (almost always rough as dog shit) or a W220! Both of those are just galactically sub par. The quality appeared to return in the W221/W222 era (I had a W221 AMG) but even still...there’s a distinctive “feeling” to the W126 chassis. The new cars can’t replicate it or match it because EVERYTHING is lighter, thinner, made of plastic, rubber or aluminum instead of steel, leather and wood. The cars weigh the same but it’s not due to increased durability. It’s due to the massive installation of electronics and mechanized systems.
It is just time, they are reaching a collectible age and I agree with others that the W126 was the last of the great and reliable S-Class line. I bought my 88 420 SEL two years ago for 2K, great interior and no rust, but the a/c and heater didn't work, and the odometer stopped at 180,000. Changed the oil twice. That is it. Daily drive the thing snow and shine. Still rides like a dream.
did you check your timing chain yet? the timing chain waits for no one.
Thanks for the tip! I will check it out soon. The service records were spotty after around the 150,000 mile mark (head gasket was replaced then, but no record of a timing chain replacement).
W126 is a great car, easy to work on. Value should keep rising.
I have seen the w140's sell for alot more the last few years
How many kilometers does a car with a W 126 Mercedes Benz 3000cc diesel engine work on 1 liter of diesel?
I just purchaced a 1983 SD300. 185K miled true 2nd owner car for the last 35 years, Garage kept, and STUNNING! Zero Dash Cracks, and always a South Texas Example of what a rust free example SHOULD be! I am Happy to welcome her home to nmeet he sisters! 1979 300D, and a 1983 300D. My first foray into the W126 chassis, however I an quite pleased with snatching her off the market for $8,000! I am NOT in this for the cash, this W126 will be the last car I own, and quite a good one I would like to think!
Included in my collection of cars are an 89 560 SEC (C126) and 1990 560SEL (W126). I honestly feel privileged each time I drive these gorgeous, timeless classics. They always make my day as I enjoy the smell of MB leather (not that cheap stuff they call leather today) and being surrounded by the acme of quality!
Great models... I have a 500SEC. Arctic blue with navy leather... I will never sell this car. I want to add a W140 to my collection, 600 😀
Had 300SE for some years , love it so relaxing to drive and comfortable, cool cruiser. No problems yet, in my view its about time the prices came up.
keep taking care of it
1989 300se is the ultimate configuration of the w126.
Not having the known timing chain length shortcomings of the v8’s.
Better weight distribution F:R and the same power to weight as the 560sel.
Aesthetically the short wheelbase 4 door has the most pleasant lines and proportions while also being more structurally rigid than the coupe.
If you plan on driving your w126 the 89 300se this is the one to get.
By more than a country mile.
SWB 4 door 👍👍
the 300se is an awesome car...good balance, nice high revving engine...give me 2 of them...one stickshift, please
Martin Gård I wholeheartedly agree about the stiffness.
The swb is 6” shorter than the lwb, hasn’t got the heavy reclining rear seats (30kg) and is lighter than the coupe.
Sprung front end with hydro sls rear, the lower overall weight makes much better use of the Michelin XM2 tires.
Even assuming engine weight equity, it’s significantly better balanced.
135kw 89 300se swb
=~98w/kg
155kw 420sel lwb
=???
182kw 88 560sec coupe
=104w/kg
For all the downside of the V8 LWB or coupe a few points higher power to weight doesn’t make a considerable difference in straight line speed or acceleration.
As per the reviews of the day.
The 3.6 diff gear means it spins up revs quickly and I like the auto box.
Burying the foot into the accelerator gives a pleasing kickback, rev and launch forward at highway speeds while being predictable enough to do the same entering apexes of twisty mountain roads.
The 89 300se is the goldilocks of the w126 generation.
Massively undervalued, frequently overlooked and regularly misunderstood.
Mine has palomino leather, on midnight blue and a glass tilting sunroof.
Martin Gård I heard there is only like 10x 560se in existence.
Love the gun analogy. It's only becoming more and more true.
haha thank you Jack. Now get back to work and quit watching this garbage on youtube
Yes sir. Copy that.
I think ppl see more and more how expensive is to service modern car with
bunch of sensors and "Perfect" parametars car need to drive it. Its like plastic fantastic pieces of crap. Then ppl realize that old MB of 80's or 90's are better then today cars, yes they are tend to rust, they are not fuel efficient, but mechanicaly are better then newer ones. Personal i drive Citroën C5 from 2010 with Diesel engine and i have no problems with electric in car, some my fellas have. Thats the luck to not have problems. One Day my next car will be w124 or W126 diesel thats for sure.
thank you for this very insightful comment.
I like that you make videos without constantly trying to sell people things and information they can source themselves for free if they actually put the effort in and search for it. Your enthusiasm for classic benzes is likley second to none. 😎
I bought a black in black 1990 560SEC with around 90,000 miles. It looked decent and had the typical cosmetic issues. Completely clean and solid with no rust as a southern car. Did have to replace all the wood trim interior and replace the nitrogen chambers. After that, swapped the Bosch euro headlights in, period aero replica wheels. Paid about $24k for it. Probably should have paid less but I was more interested in a clean body than anything else.
I like to use and drive my classic daily, I now have an MGB roadster can be driven daily but has been a troublesome car everything can break down.
I bought a pristine low miles 280CE after regetting selling my low miles 500SL 33 K English miles, the soft top had never seen the sun.
Though performance not as good as the former, I am growing to like the 280 more each day, it really have some good points over the 107
I've liked the 126 since it came out, I have know owners who said they are very good
I think its worthwhile to get a good one , spend some money to perfect it, and use it as much as one can ( U can only enjoy and get your money worth by driving it as much as possible, no dolls in a cupboard for me)
Just observe other motorists on the streets most are driving boring cars, and not enjoying
I enjoy every minute in my classics
Cheers
I just finished a transmission swap on a 1987 420 SEL and once I got it running and shifting properly thanks to your videos I think it's definitely my favorite S class I've owned, and I've had a w220 and multiple w140 chassis previously. I appreciate all the detailed information you put out, it's extremely helpful for home gamers like myself.
Interesting Pierre. I believe the current valuations are justified. My 87 420SEL is absolutely one of the nicest, best rides I’ve ever experienced-and I’ve had two Bentleys.
You know my car...anthracite over burgundy leather; 18,000 miles. If anyone might be interested, I need to make room for my 6.3 that you’ve almost finished.
haha Bill....the two have to reside together
Interested
I say that if you’re going into the Mercedes-Benz world and don’t want to spend a lot of money AND/OR don’t want to suffer on complicated electronic issues, then get a W126. Even “overpriced” (for what it used to cost) it still delivers a LOT for what it costs to own and maintain.
It was my first classic car 6 years ago (the car was in family for about 15 years then, the first Benz I knew in depth). I’ve paid R$16000,00 (about 7k USD back then) and I’ve spent more than R$25k in it (servicing it myself) and have not a single drop of regret. I will have other Mercedes but the manual white on blue 280S will stay with me forever. It reminds me of so many good moments in my youth and now... And never broke down. Absolutely love that last example of old Benz philosophy.
Rafael, I hope more people follow your example. Keep up the good work!
Here in New Zealand, W126s are still cheap to buy. I paid NZD$7000 (USD$4600) for a really nice 60,000 mile '89 300SE, which seems to be the higher end of the market here for a saloon. A key factor in values here seems to be an abundant supply of W126s - largely due to an influx of used imports from the Japanese market in the 2000s. Like other countries, the SECs are worth more here - but not a lot more. A very nice late 80s, silver-with-blue-leather 90,000-mile 420SEC recently sold for around NZD$15,000 (kicking myself for not jumping on that one!). And a super tidy left-hand-drive 50,000-mile 500SEC languished unsold online for NZD$11,000 for months (now wishing I'd grabbed that one too!). Most W126s however, seem to be cars with cosmetic and/or mechanical issues can be bought for as little as NZD$1000. My hunch is that once these cars leave the market, values for tidy, low-mileage cars will really start to move. Time to rent a warehouse and go on a W126 spending spree!!
Over the ditch, it's a different story. On Car sales at the present there is but a handful of good low mileage 126's. These seem to be going for anywhere from $20k to $30k. Decent SEC's however are garnering 3 times these amounts.
My first and only is a 300sd, got it for nothing and it's a constant struggle to keep it going. . it's always broken, but I started with 207k. The car is awesome, I love it, just super. Tricky to figure it out and it's hard to find a mechanic but. . still, I think, the 126 is awesome!
if you have questions, email me! mbownersforlife@bellsouth.net
As an owner of a 420se euro grey market , a 420sel , a 500sec pre merger amg , a 560sel , a 560sec 822 optioned euro , I can say that these cars are very hard to beat and very reliable . Not to mention the feel of being able to hit a cement wall at 70kph and being able to walk away …… I thank my father for cementing the love for 80’s benzes
I'd love to have a w126. My stepdad's best friend has been driving a red 1983 300SD since 1995 and its the only car he's had since he bought it in 1995. He picked it up from a little old lady in Florida who was the original owner for a song and he has kept the car in great shape ever since. the are some of the best build cars, ever. I'd love to pick one up as a weekend cruiser/post apocalyptic car. These are some of the best cars in automotive history.
The W126 is the newest real Mercedes you can buy. From back when they made them to truly be the best cars regardless of how much it costs. Now every car is build as cheaply as possible and none will run without electronics. We need to save them all.
I have a 1982 300sd and a 1987 300sdl. Never stopped restoring.
Wow. The audio quality jumped substantially from one day to the other. I’m really pleased.
I traded a working motorcycle for a smoking barely shifting 300SE. I got the worse end of the trade, but I knew if I left it in the kids hands it would be scrapped in 2 years. It smoked like hell and didn’t shift right. The sunroof was in the trunk and there was a rust hole with golf balls falling out. I’ve already replaced the sunroof and grill as well as missing side skirts. Fixed the door that didn’t close. Next is the muffler and exhaust that the kid said just needed to be soldered on. Mind you this kid is a PhD working at the london school of economics creating climate change policy. I’m keeping this piece of art on the road and alowly refusbishing it. I’ve got the valve seals and tool and plan to do that as soon as this cold breaks ( it was -3 here in PA) this week. Furthermore, I got the car in long island (3 hours away), but the original ‘90 owner lived less than a mile from the house I grew up in when the car was new; I consider it a good omen.
I just got GIVEN a 1 owner,
I’ve been trying in vain to find a car as nice as my ‘88 560 SEC; Which I owned way too late in its life cycle. I think it had around 175K miles on the clock. Bought it cheap and then ultimately spent well over its purchase price trying to bring it back. I realized that if I had started with a nice example it would last me eons. Now have a W-221 and quite like it, but it doesn’t have the class of the 126, which were arguably the finest cars of the twentieth century.
Thanks for your video! I have a 91' 350SDL that had 104k on it when I bought it in Nov 2016. Looks like new inside and the exterior is in very good condition. While I have put a good sum of money into her because of a fuel injector issue, and brakes etc., she runs like a top and looks great! She's got 123k on her now and runs like a top!
the 350sdl is a great car. I hope you enjoy it for many years. change the oil every 2,000 miles
@@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753 I have been changing every 4k with Mobile 1 OW40. However, I will change more often based on your recommendation.
just use a 15-40 diesel oil. mobil one doesn't seem to do anything for these engines
@@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753 Many thanks for the advice!
Mercedes Classics with Pierre Hedary wow, why change the oil so frequently???!!?
Great video. I bought my first W126, a 1987 300SDL, when I was 19. I'm pushing 43 now, and I've been driving them ever since. It was 9 years old with 146K on it, and I bought it from the original owner. It was like new, inside and out. Back then, (1996), I paid $15,000 for it. About a year later the market dropped, and I could have bought it for half the price. I've regretted selling it for 20 years, lol! I was young and dumb, and decided I wanted something newer, and traded it for a W140. Biggest automotive mistake I've ever made, buying a 1992 300SE W140. Sold that one with 101K on it and I was happy to see it go! I later bought a 1984 300SD with 580K on it, just out of curiosity, to see how long it would run. 752K on it now, and it's parked due to an overheating problem. (Blown head gasket is what I'm thinking....) I've owned well over twenty 300SD, 300D, 300SDL and 240D cars over the years. W123, W126, and one 1987 W124. Anywho, I am making a 6-hour round-trip this weekend to pick up a 90% restored 1983 300SD with 132K original miles on it. I agreed to $6250. I drove it and crawled under it, looked it over, last weekend, and it's super-nice. In all these years, it's the most money I've EVER given for an old SD. To me, it's a lot of money to be spending on a 36-year-old car, but at the same time, it's a lot of car for the money. I love my 2001 E320, but there's nothing like an old W126 SD. Did I get ripped off? I hope not. It's going to be a daily driver (in good weather). Thanks for your videos. I've just now discovered you, and I'm looking forward to watching your channel. Thanks!
That comment was really helpful to me, going to look at an Australian delivered 420SE, has the equivalent of 149k miles on it. I've had a W140 and frankly it was a beautiful nightmare. W126 might just be the best one for me.
@@TheRoyalAlbatross I love that. "A beautiful nightmare". That's exactly what the W140 was. Mine was bought new by movie actor Joe Pesci's agent in NYC. Black on black. Beautiful. But a total nightmare. Nothing beats the W126. Love the W123 too, though. Both great cars. Best wishes and good luck with your 420! Hope it turns out well!
I've had a couple W123s and I think they are a wonderful little car. It's the car that has led me to the W126. It's like a big W123
@@TheRoyalAlbatross Definitely. W126 is easy to work on, just like the W123. Best wishes, my friend.
@@gravytrain416 to you too sir
I love my old mercs if price goes up good if they go down I couldn’t give a fuck I love my old mercs ,that simple
I don't care much for pricing, I just love the Merc I have because how it sounds, how it drives, how it makes me feel.
Yep
Personally, I think the high prices are being driven my car flippers. Keep in mind that the 126 chassis is my favorite, prefering the 300SE and 300SEL for extremely durability and lower maintenance costs of the inline 6 cylinder. Nonetheless, even with low mileage, $25,000 plus seems a bit high for me. I think it would be a smart move to buy one from an owner who has cared for his car over a long period of time that might have higher miles so you don't get hit with such a high selling price. There will always be people who are willing to pay exorbitant amounts of money for pristine condition cars but what's the fun in that. Roll up your sleeves and do some of your own work to save one of these cars. Anyone can buy a car, fewer can make the commitment to keep one on the road long after others have given up on it.
i agree...long time owners often sell the best cars..usually through an estate
Pierre ... I totally agree the W126 have been taken for granted in the past. This car is one of Bruno’s favorite designs I have owned several of the diesel in the past, but I have fallen in love with my 1991 560 sel. I will try to keep this car forever. & thank you for your advice !!
that's awesome! what color is your 560sel? how long have you owned it?
Mercedes Classic with Pierre Hedary mine is the white 560 sel with blue interior that you reviewed in Oklahoma City . I also had 2 Sd’s and 1SDL. All of which were awesome cars.
ohhh Hi Tony!!
We love it we have a 1991 560 SEL
Here we are 3 years later. Prices are still going up and these awesome cars are still under-appreciated.
My 97,000 mile 1989 W126 560 SEL in Spruce Green with Palomino leather is just about the most perfect car I’ve ever owned. Paid £2,300 for it in December 2016. Cost £1,000 to get exhaust repaired and I’ve had 25,000 miles of trouble free motoring all over Europe. Just consumables like shock absorbers and fuel injectors and battery changed.
Hi... 560 : vs : 420 why is the 560 less popular ? love this channel... better than the northwest coast channel...cheers Pierre !
I own an '88 300SEL - it is a pleasure to drive. Compared to a modern car it is missing the infotainment system - but also it is so much more roomy inside (this is the SEL so back seat too is huge) without being an SUV.
And even at 25,000 - 40,000 this is a comparable price to many new cars so if it is in new car shape that price seems fair.
W126, I love them, but low milage... forget it! Everything thats kork or rubber you must replace it. I'd prefer a car around 35 years with 250k km perhaps even 300k .
Damnit before this video was even over I was on craiglist looking for 1. My wife is going to kill me or you Pierre if she finds out LOL
haha you can hide it at my shop
...Like a secret bank account one spouse hides from the other!
You're the head of your household, you can buy whatever car you want :-)
Mine was my first car I have a 89 420 sel I have had it for 3 years and yea it went up in value I got mine 1500 with q145k miles on it 2 owners and no rust damage jumped on it only issue is window clip replacement and gas other then that amazing car easy to work on your self just research working on it before you do and DONT BUY IT IF YOU DONT PLAN ON WORKING ON IT or it will cost you
Just bought a W126 109?000 miles … looks gorgeous & it is going to be a daily driver since I only drive 3,000 miles a year maybe more now to Walmart & the doctors. I love it but damn a gas hog, and getting to daily driver expense
I love my 560SEL!
I own 3 1991’s with ASR. The Best Car in the World
Definitely on the way up, Have a 560SEL and 300SD in the heated garage. Will keep them, as they are both best car I ever had.
my kind of guy! keep up the good work!
Got a 300sel 90 with no engine, spent 200 for the car and 100 on a good block and 800 for all geniune gaskets and oe level rings and all bearings, guides ect, did the head my self at work, I now have a beautiful 290k Mercedes wouldn’t trade it for anything
nice work! I am very pleased to read comments like this.
Any ideas or suggestions on places I should list my W126 560SEL for sale? I am looking to sell my family's one as I am trying to save up for a down payment on a house. Wish I could keep my family's 560SEL but life priorities come first.
Hey Pierre, I love hearing great things about the W126 class. Thank you for making this video. I’ll always keep my 420SEL in top condition, of course with your mechanical talents. See you soon...
Haha I guess I'm about to make a new friend!
Nah, you already know me...I’m the elusive guy from Titusville with the smoke silver 420SEL.
Hi Rich! a new user handle!
the same thing that made some guy spend $85,000 for my 300SD in 1985 is what makes it just as valuable today - esp when you consider that those 1985 dollars cost almost 2-1/2 dollars a piece today. Markets are driven by scarcity. Quality is a scarce commodity nowadays. My Stanley 750 chisel is worth 10 times what it sold for in the 60's. Because it's still does what it was built to do. Hard to say that about a cell phone or a laptop - eh?
The Bruno Sacco gem W124 is another timeless classic and so well-built! The W124 may be considered less old world classic but it's equally well-built, sportier and handles better.
Its hard not to be objective in this topic being an owner of a 300SD. But I'll try. I think it's an understanding of a certain type of person who wants to own one of these cars but not work on it aka not drive it. Kind of a collector thing. I sure hope they are worth what there selling for! Not that i want to sell mine but sure is nice to know i can and make a good profit. Thanks for all you do!
you're welcome Kevin!
Bought my W126 300SE 6+ years ago. They were going for peanuts at the time. Seller couldn't afford the gasoline expense. Been looking for another almost non stop since then. The number of not trashed W126's for sale on Craigslist has been in decline. Now it is rare for them to appear for sale at all in my area.
if you email me I can help you find another one that needs a good home. one of our subs has a clean euro 300se. mbownersforlife@bellsouth.net
When a Kia or Hyundai sedan is over $30k, the w126 in excellent condition with ANY amount of mileage should bring good money.
we have a 1986 300sdl with 278k miles and runs stronger than the day we bought it a little over a decade ago
Condition and color combo make the price of the car. If the car has a high mileage but has been properly maintained and driven, well, it's still a handsome car that people want.
Mileage is one thing, but maintenance and condition are the real things.
As a proad owner of a 91 300SE which I drive daily I can say that this car fits my needs perfectly. I doesn't talk, bitch, or buzz....it just drives perfectly.
Absolutely a bubble for the SEL's. Especially 420's. Without the Grail color combo a nice SEL is simply not getting the $$$ desired the past Spring and now into Summer. For the SEC's the big gun buyers want sub 100k mile 1990 and 91's and that's it! Prior to 90 they need to be peach and won't command as high a price. This is based upon what I am seeing on eBay, BAT and elsewhere. By the way, the final two years are also far more desireable for the SEL's because of the updated interior.
I have my 1985 Euro 500SEC insured for 15 G's with Hagerty and they have zero problem with that because it was a 1 owner car (I have all service records) and has just now passed 100k miles. I will up the value to 18k at renewal since I bought mint BBS wheels and that value should be fine for years to come. One thing is for certain: I am not selling! I hope it lasts me into and through retirement, which is about 20 years from now.
I miss my euro sec but it was a project to far gone. I'm surprised that the 420s have taken off vs the 560 sel. The 560 has the trick seats, sls suspension,the biggest engine with the most power, and was the best version of the w126 when new. Strange to me. I bought my 1989 560 sel in silver with blue interior for 2300 because I feel that the market will still be solid for late series 2 560s
i'm curious to see how your prediction plays out
Too much plastic, too heavy, requires a lift to perform maintenance on the suspension. Leather tears, rear window delaminates, sunroof requires demontage to get it going. But I can't stop loving it...560 SLC! I do like the AMG fenders upgrade and would love the rest as well...dream on.
Hi Pierre! Where did you buy the velour material for the 300SD?
You are the best Pierre!
Thank you! I have one pretty good one w126 420SEL
Love the videos. Would like more photos of the cars being discussed for us novices.
300E 300CE with monoblocks, 90s Benz S500 and the 2000s 220 S500 along with the first body E55 still, and I repeat, still look good till this day. If I had the space on top of the vehicles I have now I would take the plung on one.
yes they do. Monoblocs can make any sacco era benz look good
Just bought 1990 560SEL with 192k miles for 2,500 bucks!!! car needs some minor work.. sellers did not know what they were selling!!! I drove it to local MB dealership to pick up parts for work i am doing to it and the staff ran out to see it.. manager offered me 12k for it on the spot!!! W126 is the best!
Best classic German pistol to stick in glove box of your W126 ? How about Mauser Hsc in 9mm Kurz? Manufactured from 1940 to 1977.
I have had many 126 300sd's .... I just never fell in love with them.... I much more prefer w123, w116 300D/300SD (Om617) I have jlust put so many miles on them, I will forever be an owner of at least 1 :)
well, at least you take good care of your cars...I hope
Looking at an 84 300 cd. Issues:
Trans slips, rear window won’t go all the way up, ac intermittent,tach inop, vacuum system suspect, rear antenna inop. Body interior ok 254 k miles. Ball park value what day all???
I’m a newb. TIA
I think that the W126 has a classic style, I do have a 380-SEC and I love it. The interior replacement cost is holding me back cause is so expensive, but one day I will buy it... the newer models seams to be so complicated...
Hey I've done interiors on w126 before both coupes and sedans. Your 380, you can get a used interior out of a newer 560 sec and swap it all over. Great upgrade using all factory fitted parts and is cheaper than getting the current seats reupholstered and never looking quite right!
supply of used interior parts is drying up
does yours have the double row chain conversion?
@@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753 for coupes for sure but I still find stuff sometimes. But the w123 interiors are a dying supply
@@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753 true and it very sad because there is time you will have to move on as I am speaking for myself.
I have a 300sdl and a 350sdl so i hope the market goes up though i dont plan on selling them. IDK Y they are gaining maybe people are coming to their sinces.
velour prices are RIDIC!!!!!! like three times what I paid for my 280SE 126
I have an 87 w126 with 97k miles-560 SEL. Needs a little work, maybe a lot cosmetically. I love it, but am looking to sell; not enough time to work on it.
bring a trailer!
In 2002 took a decent 91 560sel on trade with 100k miles and paid $5000 for it. The owner of the dealership was so pissed I almost lost my job over it. Wish I had that car now!
there are plenty of them out there!
My question though is what is your thoughts comparing the W126 300sd compared with a 1986 or 1987 300sdl? I love my 1981 Mercedes 240d with a 4 speed manual but how much bigger is the W126 300sd or the 300sdl.
i will answer this in a future video
hey kermit, I've one 2-300d, 2- 300cd 3- 300sd and currently own 1986 300sdl. Upgrading to w126 from w123 is the difference from coach to first class. The ride is awesome. 300sd might be a little easier to work on because its the five cylinder vs 6 on SDL. Might be me just getting used to it. Terrific forever car. handle like a sports car rides likes a boat. Milelage in my sd was 20city 28 hwy. sdl just sightly less. sdl has six extra inches in the back seat and a quieter engine. Definitely a limo feel. I love Mb diesels . Most of my cars were beaters except for my first sd and my current. I put lots of miles on most of them and almost always sold the for what i bought them for or more. Interiors in the 126 are much more comfortable . Don't know how you've been able to stay with a 240. 126 will cruise on the hwy at 80mph all day long. Good luck
I have a 1985 500SEC with 90k on it. Im hoping the value will go up. Seems to be in pretty good shape although not perfect.
Your lucky day is coming!
I think the 126 is really going up in value. Well mostly the coupes. We got my 89 sec for 2800 and now i see them sky rocketing to like 10k-20k. Even with around 170k miles. Even 210k plus models are still upwards of 8 atleast. I think it would be worth it to just buy a few and sit on them for a few years
Ya not even just the low mileage ones. The market is just going up in general. Unless they're absolute turds
The SEC is definitely the most desirable of the w126 series, here in Europe especially the UK they're really pretty rare, examples with 155 to 170000 miles are still fetching £20,000. In comparison a 300se or sel even,with that kind of mileage would only fetch to 2 to 5000 pounds. It's all about rarity and desirability,the sec looks aggressive and sporty, so that attracts younger buyers who are looking for that sporty look.
Guy Willoughby Ya its kind of similar here with the 4 doors being less valuable. Mine got me into a world of mercedes that i will never leave lol. I have an 86 560sec and an 89 560sec. Almost same color. Most of my friends give me crap for owning 2 of the same cars but they dont understand lol.
But ya the coupe is a lot more valuable. Even higher mileage models are selling for 15k+
In my opinion its the last good Mercedes Benz in regards to price, reliability maintenance cost, modification aftermarket. Hell, I believe you can easily get all the parts needed for a restoration online for a w126. Find one in good condition for a fair price and buy it.
What do you recommend for a great mpg and reliable commuter Mercedes with good legroom? Mine 97C 230 is getting due for a bunch of things and I’m thinking of just offloading it. I’ve considered us 300 D or 240 D. WDYT? I’m 65 and drive a lot.
it depends on where you live...but the 123 is a good car, as is the 1995 E300 or 1981-85 300sd
If you drive a lot get a W126 diesel. good milage, extremely comfortable and very safe. very reliable and just as easy to work on as 300d or 240 Btw 240 on the highway is murder. no power. Try a w126 and you'll never be satisfied with less
As the prices of the W123 kombi keep on climbing, the next one to go up in value will be the W14 kombi. They are cheap as chips (even the nicest ones), way more enjoyable to drive (have both models), a design that aged well...I dare to say a timeless and classless charm...and imensely more refined.
Diesel or petrol, for a practical, reliable, daily or weekend warrior...there is not much else to look.out for that is as good or with the potencial of rising up in value...
Oh...and then there is the G-WAGON...first series...
the diesel w124s are already expensive...I think you;re right
I love my 84 500SEL but, exterior trim items, especially headlight doors seem impossible to find. I've got this car for the long haul and want it looking as good as it drives. Any recommendations on where to find items, such as these?
for the headlights....you can convert to Euro lamps if you don't want to deal with the plastic headlight doors....but as far as the other items go, what specifically did you have in mind?
Any updates on w126 market
W126 is a bit of a fad however the price is slightly high. I think 25k is a fair price around the board for a clean example
Proud owner of a W126 -1988 560SEL and a 1996 W140- S320. I can see and feel the engineering that went into these cars and I still don’t understand, these cars are abnormal, 25 -35 years old and they drive so well. Next is probably a R107 -560SL or similar
My first car was a 126 - 380
SE. Completely run into the ground. I want it back. Any tricks for finding the good ones?
W126. Best. Period
The problem is that a perfect late 126 car with 100k miles can be bought for $5k. Those example selling in BAT will go down in value fast with every mile put on them. At the end of the day they built too many of them for the vehicle to appreciate substantially. I love my mint 90 420sel and enjoy driving it. However, it will never have a significant value.
Well done smart bloke good onya cob
Pierre, given the choice, which do you recommend the 300 model or the 320 cars. Thanks in advance. Great site!
300e/se/sel...these are the toughest and more mechanical of the two
Thank you Pierre, I would imagine the same holds true for the SL model as well correct. Thanks again love your site.
Profound insight as always Pierre. I would say the market is finally getting on point with the value of these really clean W126 cars....especially the diesel versions. They are the epitome of German luxury autos.
yes!!!
I have a 1991 300se 107k miles. I use it as my daily for now until I get a new car then I can use the Benz for the weekends and for fun. Runs perfect. I love everything about it. Only thing is the front windshield defrost air blower works but my ac doesn’t work, weird. I would love to change the headlights from the box American lights to the flush euro lights but I’ve been reading reviews and not sure if it’s possible. I would also love to switch the steering wheel for a wood steering wheel from another mercedes Benz model any recommendations on which wood steering wheels and wood shifter would be best? . Also switch the original black shifter for a wood shifter. That’s what I’m working with then it would be perfect for my taste.
all the wood stuff..wooden wheel, wooden shifter,,,is kind of junky...keep your original stuff. The wood shifter is hard to install as well...you can break the center support of your center consul. It sounds like you have an ac leak and a vacuum leak.....likely bad defrost actuator, center vent actuator and maybe even recirculation actuators. these are behind the glovebox.
Mercedes Classic with Pierre Hedary thank you for advice luckily I live in San Diego so the weather allows me to drive with my windows down without using the ac but I will definitely mention the new news to finally fix that problem to the good trust worthy mechanics that I found. As for the headlights? Keeping them original is best instead of the euro headlights?
Euro lights are good...don;t use Depo...use a preowned set of Bosch or Hella....
Anyone have any thoughts on a 1987 420 SEL that is listed with engine or valve issues? From its posting, it looks pretty nice but I am not sure what issues they have and for a first purchase W126 is it best to steer clear. Thanks in advance for anyone's
insight.
My first car is a 87 420 W126. Brought her in March when Covid started coming over here. Brought her for $950 with some issues. I'm telling you to steer clear if you DONT have a mechanic that knows about these cars from fender to fender. And if you don't care about the maintenance costs. My girl has some problems (mechanical and appearance). But my father is a mechanic and he hasn't and still isn't charging me any thing to work on my old Benz........ I'm lucky.
How many kilometers does a car with a W 126 Mercedes Benz 3000cc diesel engine work on 1 liter of diesel?
How many Fuel consumption in per liter of W 126 Mercedes Benz 3000cc diesel engine car?
HI PIERRE; I HAVE A W126 280 SE MANUAL 1984 W 32000 MILES MANUAL WINOWS AND CLIMATE CONTROLS. IS THIS A KEEPER?
I have a 1989 300se with 73500 miles on the clock, we live in the United Kingdom and obviously the biggest problem we would have in this country is bodywork problems, but according to previous owners this car has been garaged for most of its life, and isn't bad. We paid £7,500 for the car which was probably a little bit too much. But at the end of the day it's not yet a true classic, in the United Kingdom the car has got to be 40 years old before it becomes road tax exempt, and it is only when the car reaches 40 years of age that it starts to really go up in value. But I think a car is worth what you are willing to pay for it, and working on this car gives me a great deal of pleasure.. It's not just a financial investment it's a hobby. However I really do feel that the w126 is one of the greatest cars ever made, a well kept well presented vehicle with good bodywork still looks amazing, I really do not like the modern S-Class.
Guy Willoughby It sounds like you’re looking at this as a longer term ownership prospect. if it’s genuine car with low mileage I think as the rougher W126’s die out here in Britain, that price you paid might not be too excessive as the good examples get rarer. keep it for five years and i bet you won’t lose money on it....
@@Rooinek2 you are absolutely spot on, I actually got this car with My Father, who owned two of them as well as a number of w123 back in the 1980s. So this was kind of a father and son trip down memory lane, but also these cars are so easy to work on it's something we can do together at the weekends keeping the old girl on the road. We've had the car a couple of years now and we've only done 600 miles, so yes it's definitely a hobby with a possibility of making some money in the future.
ditto: Best car ever made
@@higgybob Hi Guy. I imported a rust free 1991 300sel from Singapore last year. I have been using it all summer and already clocked 7000 miles.
100 percent well said....the best car ever so of course people are realizing that...ive got mine
own a 1989 420 SEL & 1990 560 SEL
I don’t think the gas engine models are worth these prices, even at ultra low mileage. As for the diesels...the prices are probably justified for what you’re getting - even at 300,000+ miles.
Giggity
I have a high mileage, but gorgeous 1991 Mercedes W126.
In the last few yrs, I’ve had the transmission rebuilt, heads sent off.
New head gasket. Radiator. New battery. All fluids including, oil, transmission, power steering
Brake and coolant changed this year. Brand new Goodyear assurance comfort tires.
Brand new Mercedes Benz muffler this year.
I want to sell this car. Comment if interested. Thank you
My W126 sucks as it was ruined on the inside by some asshole who put a nice sound sistem in it.
don;t give up!