Mb56091

Ok i'm interested in two cars. I wonder which is better. There is an 84 500SEL and there is a 1991 300SE. Which one is better in relation to repair costs and reliability. I already know the 500 has a more powerful engine than the 300.Thanks

abhatti55

If I were you I would go for the 300SE, you'll sacrifice power, but make it up many other ways. The '91 should have a newer look with the updated rocker panels, better updated interior, better sound system, tilt sunroof, adjustable steering, headlight washers, dual airbags... We own both cars and both are special in their own way. The 500 had that old school look and V8 sounds great, but the 300 is just a great daily driver cause it gets a better fuel mileage and seems to be a city car.

Mb56091

But the radio is broken in 300se but the 500sel with 116000 is for 3k in nice condition. The 300se is nice to but it has 125000 miles for 4k so which is better of the two

abhatti55

I think you can get those Becker radios on Ebay for under $100, I have had to buy a couple in the past. Our 300SE has 260k miles on it and is still running strong, the only major service was the head gasket, water pump, and thermostat. Other than the usual wear items and things like brakes and suspension components which would be similar for both cars. You may need to drive both to see which you like better, I would go for the 300 mainly for the comfort features, also the shorter wheelbase looks better to me. I don't know what your price range is but obviously the ultimate W126 would be the 560sel, preferably a '90 or '91. I am partial to the 300SE because I have been driving it alot more lately. Also, what color are the cars, my 300 is silver and still cleans up like a charm vs. the 500 being dark blue is completely faded.

420 SE

They are really two different beasts!

1 long wheel base and V8, 1 short wheel base and i6, one early generation fuel system, 1 later generation.

I would be more interested in the service and maintainance records and history of the cars, a poorly maintained car is going to cost more in the long run even if 'newer'.

Of course, you could always just buy both

harkgar

If fuel economy is not a major concern then buy the biggest engine you can find. The car is heavy and the fuel consumption between the 420 and the 560 is neglegible. Power difference 38 horses.

Mb56091

Well my uncle has a 89 560Sel and my father has a 91 560Sel. Both have a black Benz with tint. So i'm trying to get one for myself. Also the parts for their cars are expensive and the 500sel's parts are also quite expensive while the 300se parts are a bit cheaper. The only difference in the 500sel and the 300se is mainly that the 300 has chrome rims and the 500 doesn't. But both 300 and 500 are black. Also I am wondering about a late 80s 450SEL is that any good compared to these cars

nomad

300SE would be the wiser choice
I think you mean a 420SEL as the 450SEL ended around the end of the seventies at the conclusion of the previous S-Class model the W116
The 300 will be more refined and modern, easier on the pocket too

Looks nicer as well with it's updated body styling

egxpimp

500SE is the best one