S-Class (W126) 1979-1991: 300 SE, 300 SEL, 380 SE, 380 SEL, 420 SEL, 500 SEL, 560 SEL, 360 SEC, 500 SEC, 580 SEC, 300 SD TURBODIESEL, 300 SDL TURBO, 350 SD TURBO, 350 SDL TURBO

car that has been in long term storage

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Old May 30, 2008 | 08:53 AM
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jimsaco's Avatar
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car that has been in long term storage

Another "opportunity" -- a 1986 (I think) 300SDL that has been in storage 13 years.

Good news -- low mileage and wear/tear.
Bad news -- ???

Opinions welcome.
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Old May 30, 2008 | 12:57 PM
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From: NY/NJ
2012 W212 E350 Bluetec
Originally Posted by jimsaco
Another "opportunity" -- a 1986 (I think) 300SDL that has been in storage 13 years.

Good news -- low mileage and wear/tear.
Bad news -- ???

Opinions welcome.
I'd be a little wary. Has it literally sat in storage for 13 consecutive years? Never been driven, or started? And why?

Have you seen it yet? I wonder if it is even titled, it's obviously not registered. Is it Euro import or US spec? Will you have trouble titling it?

For starters, I'd think all the fluids would need to be flushed and changed. Not sure what happens to seals and such after sitting for 13 years. Or the electronics, HVAC, etc.
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Old May 30, 2008 | 05:16 PM
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Originally Posted by 1985mb
I'd be a little wary. Has it literally sat in storage for 13 consecutive years? Never been driven, or started? And why?

Have you seen it yet? I wonder if it is even titled, it's obviously not registered. Is it Euro import or US spec? Will you have trouble titling it?

For starters, I'd think all the fluids would need to be flushed and changed. Not sure what happens to seals and such after sitting for 13 years. Or the electronics, HVAC, etc.
To answer #2, diesel S-class cars were US market only until 1996.

If the car starts and drives, I would just change all fluids and filters, and lubricate all rubber (although most may need replacing, unless storage was somewhat climate controlled).
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Old Jun 5, 2008 | 12:34 PM
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From: Harpenden, Hertfordshire, England
1996 W124 E320 Coupé, 1990 W124 300E twin turbo, 1991 W126 300 SE, 1984 Ford Capri 2.8i
I had to store a car for 13 years because a back problem prevented me getting into it. It came to life remarkably easily, with only a stuck clutch inhibiting its first few seconds on the move. My mechanic changed all the fluids. It had been on axle stands, so the tyres were OK, although I changed them almost immediately -- even rubber that's been out of sunlight for 13 years is not to be relied upon. The car? A 1984 Ford Capri 2.8i, which is still running happily 14,000 miles after being re-awakened.
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