I am currently looking for a 126 to purchase as a daily back and fourth to work runner.I drive 38 miles each way to work - 85% highway.I've been looking at a few used diesels but what I know about them you could fit on the head of a sewing needle.So now I am looking for opinions and advice.In a perfect world I would like 20-23 mpg. and reliability.Your imput is appreciated.

As a daily driver (but not for long), I drive an '89 W126 560SEL with approx. 190,000 miles on it now. I've driven it since it had 144,000. The average mileage I get per tank (23 gallons) is around 13-14 mpg - I'd say it's 60/40 city/highway... about 270-300 miles/tank. Keep in mind, the car is maintained consistently (oil changes every 3k miles, etc). However, I'd have to add 2 quarts of oil after 1,500 miles. My driving habits are mostly mild/semi-fast since the car's is basically a cruiser.

I did drive it for a week on a highway run (60 miles each way) and averaged a whopping 20 mpg, givin me over 400 miles on a single fill-up. So, if that's any info for ya, I hope it helps. I'm not sure what kind of mileage you can get with the 420SEL/380SE and SEL's.

Runs great with no mechanical/electrical problems at all, everything works!... as I have great, trustworthy mechanics (not to mention reasonably priced) our family has gone to for nearly 15 years - independent M-B/BMW/Porsche specialists. A few known characteristics (of which has been corrected) of the 560's is the transmission seal (front) leaking after 120k miles or so; timing chain/belt tensioner gettin a bit loose; and a small head gasket leak (started a few months ago), but my mechanics said it'll be ok for a while longer - it's not that bad right now but, that's the next thing for me to do.

In the meantime, I'm looking to get a beater car (probably a 3-series bimmer) to get around in, as the 560 eats too much gas for me... and it's a ***** to find good parking with a big car - it'll become my weekend car.

You can check out pix of my ride in another thread here:

https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w126/131146-pix-my-ride-finally.html

I appreciate your imput yakuza.BTW your car is slammin' ! Go ahead and paint the bottom while your at it!

that mileage requirement means 3.0L gas or a diesel, non of the V8 cars will give you 20+ in mixed driving. I get 19-20mpg in mixed driving with the 300, highway maybe 23.

Schwarzwagen , thank you for your imput.Based upon your signature I would believe that any mid-80's to early 90's would have no trouble logging the miles.If the motors are properly maintained what can I expect to get ( miles wise ) before a rebuild comes into play ? Thanx in advance

I just rebuilt the top end of the motor at 205K miles. I believe the timing chain and valve guides need that kind of attention and think the previous owner did it at 100K but since I could not verify, with a bit of a head gasket leak, it was time. Otherwise, the only other thing I have spent money on is the climate control system and it seems that everyone on the board has had problems with that if the car is an 87-90 this year. I have seen more threads about climate modules and blower motors.

One thing that I am finding on all of these older benzes is the solder connections on different modules are going cold some just need just need reheated to make the modules good as new. Beats buying new modules.

Thanx for the imput.