Confused about a Benz I saw today...
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From: Honolulu
Confused about a Benz I saw today...
Earlier today, I had to go to my piano teacher's house for the second Sunday in a row (usually she has it at her mother's house, which is closer to where I live).
It was even more enjoyable because they have 2 Benzes. One is a W124 300TE - I've seen that before because that's the one my teacher drives. The other one got me worried, however. It is clearly and plainly a W126 sedan. But when I walked around to identify the badging, it read 500SE. Normally, this wouldn't have caught my attention, but then I got to thinking -- when in this generation did M-B sell a 500SE in America? I'm so used to seeing 300SE sedans, esp. in brilliant silver, on the roads, but this one has thrown me off guard. Can anyone help?
It was even more enjoyable because they have 2 Benzes. One is a W124 300TE - I've seen that before because that's the one my teacher drives. The other one got me worried, however. It is clearly and plainly a W126 sedan. But when I walked around to identify the badging, it read 500SE. Normally, this wouldn't have caught my attention, but then I got to thinking -- when in this generation did M-B sell a 500SE in America? I'm so used to seeing 300SE sedans, esp. in brilliant silver, on the roads, but this one has thrown me off guard. Can anyone help?
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From: Derbyshire, England
W126 500SE
The 500SE (4973cc - 240bhp@4800rpm) was available from the launch in 1979, although I doen't know whether it was offered on the American market or not. In 1985 it was replaced with the 560SEL (5547cc - 300bhp@5000rpm).
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Heckflosse, thanks for the info. I was thinking the same thing myself - not sure whether it was sold on the American market or not. I know there was a W126 500SEL, later replaced by the 560SEL...........but seeing 500SE just confused me!!! 
PS I'm pretty sure it is a US car, i.e. not imported Euro-spec or anything.
PS I'm pretty sure it is a US car, i.e. not imported Euro-spec or anything.
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ML
Originally posted by cjileong
...........but seeing 500SE just confused me!!!
PS I'm pretty sure it is a US car, i.e. not imported Euro-spec or anything.
...........but seeing 500SE just confused me!!!
PS I'm pretty sure it is a US car, i.e. not imported Euro-spec or anything.
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From: Atlanta, GA
1983 300SD Champagne/Palomino
The 500SE was not available in the Amercan market. We got the 300SD and 380SEL at launch. Later the 380 was changed to a 500SEL. And the 380 became an SE. A 500SE was not available to U.S. buyers at dealers.
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Could it be a 500SEL, where the "L" has gotten lost? From what Moxieman says, they apparently did sell the 500SEL here.
I have no knowledge of this class at all, just posing a practical answer. Wouldn't be the first time badging has been altered...
I have no knowledge of this class at all, just posing a practical answer. Wouldn't be the first time badging has been altered...
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From: Honolulu
I thought of that myself, but the badging looks intact.
Also, the dimensions of it (I have a somewhat untrained eye, so I wouldn't trust myself on this) makes it look like a standard-wheelbase.
So I'm not really sure.
And, no, I'm not going to ask her. :p
Edit - Yes, I am aware of the 500SEL that was sold in the W126 generation though. I've seen a few of those among the droves of 560SELs here in Hawaii.
Also, the dimensions of it (I have a somewhat untrained eye, so I wouldn't trust myself on this) makes it look like a standard-wheelbase.
So I'm not really sure.
And, no, I'm not going to ask her. :p
Edit - Yes, I am aware of the 500SEL that was sold in the W126 generation though. I've seen a few of those among the droves of 560SELs here in Hawaii.
