Untertürkheim

Ah, no offense intended by not mentioning the amsoil, I usually do not bother since it is not easy to come by for most. Well then, with unrestricted access to good fluids you will be able to keep that car running for a long time.

With that I6 you will be able to feel a weak cyl.

Goatman

Cool. Thanks for your time.


Should I just ask if the fuel injectors and fan clutch have ever been replaced? I don't seem to remember hearing of a test for either.

Supposedly all the power options, (telescopic steering wheel, windows, locks, tilt & slide sunroof, seats, antenna, and leather seats w/ memory) all work. Also, according to thw owner, the climate control system works great, strong heat & ice cold AC.

Untertürkheim

You will know if the fan clutch is going because the car will run at proper temp until you are slow or stopped, when it will start heating up.

You can ask about the injectors or seats, but as long as the car is running well, you are probably fine. Roughness or other issues are often a result of a vaccuum leak, which can be the injector seats.

If you really want good fuel economy, put a 3,07 differential from a 81-85 300SD on the 300SE, it is just tall enough to give you good fuel economy while still allowing the car to move.

Goatman

Good to know! All the SD's from those years had 3.07's?

Untertürkheim

81-84 300SD have 3,07 while 85 models have 2,88

RogerJones

There's a good general W126 buyers guide and model history here:

http://www.s-klasse-club.de/gb/index.html

Get into the English section and click on the W126 button.

Things I've fixed on the 300 SE I bought at 129k miles 40+ months ago:

* head gasket and valve-stem seals
* flex disks
* rotors/pads
* dampers
* radiator (installed a Nissens at one third of the price of an MB OEM one)
* brake support link and ball joint (front)
* gearbox and engine mounts

I did this on acquisition with long-term ownership in mind. I've little doubt that I could have avoided most of it and the car would have carried on leaking and rattling gently for many miles, but . . .

P.S. My long-term fuel consumption is 20.45 miles per US gallon. I'm a gentle driver.

Goatman

Passed on the 300SE.... Too little info and history, too many questionable repairs...

Untertürkheim

Hmm, no records of even the larger work? Is there anything presently wrong with the car?

In any case, how is the search going?

Goatman

The current owner bought it from a used car dealer, but he knew the previous owner lived a couple blocks from him. He claims when he (current owner) bought it, the head was "shiney" and he assumed it was replaced. The previous owner was supposed to provide all the records to the new owner, but never did. He said the car burns a slight amount of oil, but less than a quart between changes.

The car was also cheaply repainted at some point and the clear coat was de-laminating off the roof, hood, and trunk. No radio, drivers seat was ripped (no big deal), the car stumbled when cold started for a second, and the trans clunked a little in between P-R-D.

The mechanic this owner had working on the car had closed over a year ago and he hadn't done anything to it since. The oil and trans fluid were clean and the car rode and handled nicely, but too many unanswered questions..


What I've learned so far is that I like the W126 cars better than the 300D type cars I originally looked at, but that these are very hard to find, with the exception of the 420/560 SEL's, of which there is a TON of kicking around Massachusetts. I'm not sure given they're gas mileage, they're worth purchasing. I already have two trucks that get the kind of fuel mileage these cars get.

I have a couple of e-mails out to a few of the 420 owners that claim they have records. I also contacted the member here out in NY that has the 380 SE. That's a 10 hour day at least and the price is high given the paint situation.


I guess I should hold out for a clean SD or SDL, but damn they're hard to find and when they're found, every moron on the planet pays for them like they're amde of gold...


In short, this may take a while.

Untertürkheim

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-...=p4506.c0.m245

Goatman

An hour ahead of you...

Goatman

I stopped watching that SDL. The 90-91 SDL's I guess were problematic. Made the "don't buy" list over at the MB Foums even..

Untertürkheim

So that nice 380SE sold...to you by chance?

Goatman

Nope. Wasn't really all that interested. 4 hour drive each way.

Untertürkheim

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/902437284.html

Might be a winner?

That M110 twin cam is a GREAT engine, and you can still do the diff swap.

Goatman

My search is over. Bought a 87' SDL today! Picking it up probably next weekend. Maybe it'll be this week if I can sneak away!

sun wu kong

I've had a 1990 300 SE since 1997 got it used. It needed a new radiator, the new one had a metal brace inside one of the hose fittings. Its been thru several batteries, one starter and a flex joint. It uses oil a bit but at 200000 plus miles runs strong. Im having trouble with the headlights not staying on so I'm running the fog lamps all the time.