380 and 420 SE/SEL owners come on in!!!!!!
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From: MA
1987 SDL; 2001 Chevy 2500HD CC, 8.1L, Allison special order; 1970 GTO LS2, 4L60E, under construction
380 and 420 SE/SEL owners come on in!!!!!!
Anybody that owns one of these feel like sharing what you get on the highway with it? Any known problems typical to the car(s)?
Last edited by Goatman; Oct 25, 2008 at 03:31 PM.
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Just to let you know, the 380 will use a bit less fuel obviously, but I believe it can also use regular.
Either one will get about 20 on the highway if in top-tune, possibly 22 with the 380 with all the right coaxing.
Either one will get about 20 on the highway if in top-tune, possibly 22 with the 380 with all the right coaxing.
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From: MA
1987 SDL; 2001 Chevy 2500HD CC, 8.1L, Allison special order; 1970 GTO LS2, 4L60E, under construction
Sweet! So virtually no difference between the 300 and the 380 as far as mileage goes... Its amazing what gearing can do for mileage!
There are several 420's for sale up in this area ana I think a couple of 380's too...
I may go for a 420 just because they are a bit newer.. I'll have to see how nice they are.
There are several 420's for sale up in this area ana I think a couple of 380's too...
I may go for a 420 just because they are a bit newer.. I'll have to see how nice they are.
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From: Mercerville New Jersey
1991 560SEC Teal 1989 420SEL Ice Blue 1984 500SEC White
I have a 89 420SEL and a 91 560SEC
If buying 89 is the start of the last changes for the w126 series.
Look for dual air bags though.
If buying 89 is the start of the last changes for the w126 series.
Look for dual air bags though.
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Have you seen this offering from one of our members?
https://mbworld.org/forums/mercedes-vehicles/265888-fs-w126-mb-380se-s-class-only-66k-miles-nj.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/mercedes-vehicles/265888-fs-w126-mb-380se-s-class-only-66k-miles-nj.html
Thread Starter
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From: MA
1987 SDL; 2001 Chevy 2500HD CC, 8.1L, Allison special order; 1970 GTO LS2, 4L60E, under construction
I did. Price is a bit high. Its a 380, which seem to have some issues motor wise, and its a SE. Plus its 200 miles away. I do like the car, but between the drive and the price, I never e-mailed the guy.
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I assumed you wanted an SE because of the 300SE you were looking at, and I would reccomend one unless you normally have very tall people in the back.
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From: MA
1987 SDL; 2001 Chevy 2500HD CC, 8.1L, Allison special order; 1970 GTO LS2, 4L60E, under construction
I'd prefer a SEL, but the SE that's local here is just as nice as that one (according to the owner) and he's asking $2550... Its a 1990, with traction control and all the options. More miles, but if its been taken care of, its just a number.
I thought the 380's had issues with the timing chain? I figured when they upgraded and updated to the 420, they probably solved most of those type of issues..
I'd rather have the 6 for gas mileage, even though the 8 is close to the same. I know me, and my foot would be in the 8 more often.
I thought the 380's had issues with the timing chain? I figured when they upgraded and updated to the 420, they probably solved most of those type of issues..
I'd rather have the 6 for gas mileage, even though the 8 is close to the same. I know me, and my foot would be in the 8 more often.
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I'd prefer a SEL, but the SE that's local here is just as nice as that one (according to the owner) and he's asking $2550... Its a 1990, with traction control and all the options. More miles, but if its been taken care of, its just a number.
I thought the 380's had issues with the timing chain? I figured when they upgraded and updated to the 420, they probably solved most of those type of issues..
I'd rather have the 6 for gas mileage, even though the 8 is close to the same. I know me, and my foot would be in the 8 more often.
I thought the 380's had issues with the timing chain? I figured when they upgraded and updated to the 420, they probably solved most of those type of issues..
I'd rather have the 6 for gas mileage, even though the 8 is close to the same. I know me, and my foot would be in the 8 more often.
I have driven all iterations of the 126, and for the driver the SE is much better than the SEL (which is why nearly all 126 in Europe are SE). Those extra 6 inches make the car much less nimble, and it is only for the rear passengers, the car are identical except for the rear doors.
The 300 will be the most efficient not only because of the displacement, but it is a much newer engine design, the M116/117 was developed in the 60s while the 103 was a mid 80s design. Also, the 300 makes nearly the same HP as a 420.
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From: MA
1987 SDL; 2001 Chevy 2500HD CC, 8.1L, Allison special order; 1970 GTO LS2, 4L60E, under construction
Cool. Then unless there is something major with the 300 that is local, I will most likely go with that.
I have already contacted a couple of local guys that have SD parts in search of a 81-84 differential, per your suggestion as well.
Thanks..
I have already contacted a couple of local guys that have SD parts in search of a 81-84 differential, per your suggestion as well.
Thanks..
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That engine is really a good one, people think that the car is underpowered but it is simply a matter of a differently shaped torque/power curve. Of course, the 3.46 differential was made to compensate for that, but the gearing was too low for me, 85mph is about 4k rpm, and hearing the engine so loudly while cruising on the highway was just annoying and wasting gas. The 3.07 should bring it down to about 3500, which from my experience driving that car, would be ideal. Not to mention, in Europe the 300SE was offered with th 5 speed manual were the top gear was 0.82:1, making top gear drive 2.82:1 with the 3.46
From what you have said, that 300SE does sound like a very nice car! Post some pictures if you can of whatever car you end up in.
Last edited by Untertürkheim; Oct 27, 2008 at 10:12 PM.
