Mercedes "500SEL"

2fast4u · 17th April 2006, 21:41

Dear 500sel owners,

Just a couple of days back I had a test drive in a used 500sel and i am smitten by its handling, power, build quality and its interiors and planning to upgarde in a very big way from a 2.4ltr to a +5ltr engine i suppose. above all its at a tag of just 1.5lac (rupee approx. corelation to UAE) and its 1998 model.

Please let me know ur ownership views on this Best Selling Iconic model.

I would like to know
a) where I can get more info on this car.
b) whats difference between 500sel and 560sel
c) number of cylinders from base model to top of line
d) years of production the models have been since.
e) how is the maintenance part
f) the owner of the car says he gets an FE of 7 overall, is this right, its fine with me but something below 5 will be hard on my pocket.
G) any major parts requiring changes i mean something like ac compressor, water pump, fuel pump etc this is based on ur experince with such car.
any other info u wish me to know.

regards
and thanks

sajo · 17th April 2006, 22:20

Shouldnt it be 1988 MY if its a W126?

Mpower · 17th April 2006, 23:16

Its a 1988 S-Class basically. It was called S500 or S430 in 98.

Price is good, but will kill you in maintenance and service.

2fast4u · 17th April 2006, 23:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by sajo

Shouldnt it be 1988 MY if its a W126?

typo my mistake should read 1990
This car has hit my head and I am unable to resist the temptation of buying it. I am very skeptical of the price though for DHS 17K.
it has a V8 massive engine seems around 5ltr - engine bay is very clean and the Interiors are really really very very sexy. oooh i dont know what to say man just let me know what to check out. pls help soon. its fast and super super silent with the windows up.

2fast4u · 17th April 2006, 23:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mpower

Its a 1988 S-Class basically. It was called S500 or S430 in 98.

Price is good, but will kill you in maintenance and service.

its a 1990 model and 500sel is labelled on the trunk.
maintenance does that mean the routine oil change, brakes, etc
or something more. I usually go to the garages rather than the agents / dealers as they are rip off on the Labour charges.
Service is it the above or something more.

basically ive been driving a Jap Nissan and other than the monthend oil change, and basic servicing nothing much has been spent. I am willing to spend approx 8 to 10K IRs equivalent for its monthly maintenance. will this cost be accomodated in my budget.

2fast4u · 17th April 2006, 23:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by sajo

Shouldnt it be 1988 MY if its a W126?

Hi sajo,

i called up the dude he says it has a W140 and said W126 was old engine and infact his is 1991 model which was released in early 1990. also he said 140 is better than 126. let me know if its all correct info. the car has annual regd marked November.
also let me know where to site W140 on the engine bay. it should be there in his Vehicle Card but still would like to see it in flesh ( i mean marked on the engine body and not the badge which is under the hood).
many thanks

viper · 18th April 2006, 09:02

Hey 2fast,

I own a 1986 model W126 500 SEL since the past 2.5 years and have owned a similar W126 260 SEL prior to that for 8 years. If the car is in good shape and maintained well go right ahead. The price is perfect and you need not worry about anything. Mercs are rock steady and require no maintenance as such other than the routine servicing(oil/filters etc). I have spent not a single rupee on my car on any expense other than the routine items in the past 2.5 years. Of course I restored the car to immaculate condition the day I bought it. Complete suspension, brakes, oil, filters ac service etc.

FE depends on where you drive, traffic and the quality of fuel. If you intend driving in Poona expect 5-6 with ac and no more. I get around 5 in city and 6.5 on the highway driving in non traffic times like early morning.
Hope this feedback helps.

Viper

PS check the chasis card on the engine frame should be in the center near the bonnet lock position.

Beeman · 18th April 2006, 12:21

man thats cheap for any mercedes price. Are u sure you got the pricing right dude.??

2fast4u · 18th April 2006, 14:33

viper
thanks for the reply. i am based in abu dhabi and the car is in mint condition considering its a 15 yr old car, no signs of rust did a thorough check under fenders, undercarriage, tyres pirelli new again it has 5spoke alloys, getting 2 stepneys and some spares.

i wanted to know WHERE to look for the engine no if embossed somewhere on the block to make sure its the original and not some assembled stuff being done at Sharjah.

will check out the chassis card as mentioned.

thanks for the note on maintenance.

the only kind of negative point is the colour is Black which is what i love but considering the temperatures out here the paint absorbs so much heat u could fry an egg on the bonnet. is there any way i can divert this heat other than a paint change, its got an original job and i can see almost half a mile in it.

anything else i should check for.

2fast4u · 18th April 2006, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beeman

man thats cheap for any mercedes price. Are u sure you got the pricing right dude.??

yes buddy but considering the age of the car the price comes down but then it also depends on the condition of the car and ur goodluck timing for a right deal.
a camaroz28 twin turbo intercooled racetuned 1968 model sold for 40lacs approx Irs. and for 6lac u can get a 1999 / 2000 S500.see that.

Beeman · 18th April 2006, 15:41

ok good for you then........

islero · 18th April 2006, 20:08

Whoa. That sounds great value. I just love these old Mercs!!!

17th April 2006, 21:41	#1
2fast4u BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: pune / Bahrain Posts: 488 Thanked: 7 Times View My Garage	Mercedes "500SEL" Dear 500sel owners, Just a couple of days back I had a test drive in a used 500sel and i am smitten by its handling, power, build quality and its interiors and planning to upgarde in a very big way from a 2.4ltr to a +5ltr engine i suppose. above all its at a tag of just 1.5lac (rupee approx. corelation to UAE) and its 1998 model. Please let me know ur ownership views on this Best Selling Iconic model. I would like to know a) where I can get more info on this car. b) whats difference between 500sel and 560sel c) number of cylinders from base model to top of line d) years of production the models have been since. e) how is the maintenance part f) the owner of the car says he gets an FE of 7 overall, is this right, its fine with me but something below 5 will be hard on my pocket. G) any major parts requiring changes i mean something like ac compressor, water pump, fuel pump etc this is based on ur experince with such car. any other info u wish me to know. regards and thanks
	() Thanks

17th April 2006, 22:20	#2
sajo Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 2,625 Thanked: 1,153 Times	Shouldnt it be 1988 MY if its a W126?
	() Thanks

17th April 2006, 23:16	#3
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,409 Thanked: 1,730 Times View My Garage	Its a 1988 S-Class basically. It was called S500 or S430 in 98. Price is good, but will kill you in maintenance and service.
	() Thanks

18th April 2006, 09:02	#7
viper BANNED Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,773 Thanked: 19 Times	Hey 2fast, I own a 1986 model W126 500 SEL since the past 2.5 years and have owned a similar W126 260 SEL prior to that for 8 years. If the car is in good shape and maintained well go right ahead. The price is perfect and you need not worry about anything. Mercs are rock steady and require no maintenance as such other than the routine servicing(oil/filters etc). I have spent not a single rupee on my car on any expense other than the routine items in the past 2.5 years. Of course I restored the car to immaculate condition the day I bought it. Complete suspension, brakes, oil, filters ac service etc. FE depends on where you drive, traffic and the quality of fuel. If you intend driving in Poona expect 5-6 with ac and no more. I get around 5 in city and 6.5 on the highway driving in non traffic times like early morning. Hope this feedback helps. Viper PS check the chasis card on the engine frame should be in the center near the bonnet lock position. Last edited by viper : 18th April 2006 at 09:03.
	() Thanks

18th April 2006, 12:21	#8
Beeman BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Treasure island Posts: 335 Thanked: 2 Times	man thats cheap for any mercedes price. Are u sure you got the pricing right dude.??
	() Thanks

18th April 2006, 14:33	#9
2fast4u BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: pune / Bahrain Posts: 488 Thanked: 7 Times View My Garage	viper thanks for the reply. i am based in abu dhabi and the car is in mint condition considering its a 15 yr old car, no signs of rust did a thorough check under fenders, undercarriage, tyres pirelli new again it has 5spoke alloys, getting 2 stepneys and some spares. i wanted to know WHERE to look for the engine no if embossed somewhere on the block to make sure its the original and not some assembled stuff being done at Sharjah. will check out the chassis card as mentioned. thanks for the note on maintenance. the only kind of negative point is the colour is Black which is what i love but considering the temperatures out here the paint absorbs so much heat u could fry an egg on the bonnet. is there any way i can divert this heat other than a paint change, its got an original job and i can see almost half a mile in it. anything else i should check for. Last edited by 2fast4u : 18th April 2006 at 14:35.
	() Thanks

18th April 2006, 15:41	#11
Beeman BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Treasure island Posts: 335 Thanked: 2 Times	ok good for you then........
	() Thanks

18th April 2006, 20:08	#12
islero Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,574 Thanked: 13 Times View My Garage	Whoa. That sounds great value. I just love these old Mercs!!!
	() Thanks