Goatman

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)?

Untertürkheim

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.

Goatman

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.

BENZITCH

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.

Goatman

And that has what do to with gas mileage????

Untertürkheim

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

Goatman

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.

Untertürkheim

What issues does the 380 engine have?

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.

Goatman

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.

Untertürkheim

The 380 timing chain issue is not that cut and dry. The issue was that the early (until 82 or 83) US 380 engines were fitted with a single-row timing chain that would stretch prematurely, although most have been converted to the double row chain used from 84 forward (this is a factory reccomended procedure, and the parts are therefore OEM). Either way, the M116/117 engines should replace timing chains every 100k miles (and I would at least check the M103 (300) chain at that interval, they sometimes need replacement), so this applies to all 380/420/500/560 engines.

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.

Goatman

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..

Untertürkheim

I do hope you enjoy it. The only weak point on the 300 would be the head gasket, and at 175k miles, perhaps the timing chain is worth a look.

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.

E150GT

I get about 16 mpg mixed in my 420sel