johnrh
Part of things
Posts: 958
|
|
|
Inspired by all the RR people who run old stuff every day, I have been on the lookout for something more retro to replace my 1998 BMW daily driver.
I've always liked old Mercs, although I've never got round to owning one. And I thought that a good MB stands a decent chance of being reliable transport... so I have been on the look-out.
I wanted some power (without modifying - this isn't another project). I also like air-con and ABS, so that drew me towards the w126 S-class.
Well, I've found one and bought it! It's not perfect, but I think/hope that it's a good one. No photos yet, but I'll post some when I've collected it.
1986 500SEL 90k miles FSH Almost no rust Good spec
It is late 86, so with a bit of luck it will turn out to be an 87 model, which I believe would mean higher compression and more power. I didn't get the VIN so I can't check yet.
First job: it urgently needs new tyres (sidewalls perished from age/lack of use) so I will tiptoe home very slowly and gently, then get them replaced ASAP. It also has the wrong wheels fitted. I've found a set of the correct type on ebay, so I'll fit them at the same time.
I'm not planning many mods for this car - probably just LPG and decent audio. Some serious rust-proofing will also be a priority!
Photos next weekend!
John
|
|
Last Edit: Feb 8, 2010 6:44:07 GMT by johnrh
|
|
|
mirafioriman
Posted a lot
My next project.......
Posts: 1,361
|
|
|
Looking forward to the pics. Here's mine (420SEL)
|
|
|
|
|
1986 Mercedes 500SELBenzBoy
@benzboy
Club Retro Rides Member 7
|
|
Superb cars! I'v never managed to fathom the engine specs of early and late V8's - the water is muddied further by there being various US-specs too. I've got an early 5.0 V8 going in my W115. I have no idea what power it makes but I'm sure it'll be fun! ;D Looking forward to seeing photos, it sounds like you've got yourself a real pearler!
|
|
|
|
johnrh
Part of things
Posts: 958
|
|
Feb 11, 2010 17:48:40 GMT
|
Looking forward to the pics. Here's mine (420SEL) Sorry for the delay - been away for a few days. I forgot you had a w126. It looks good; have you had any trouble with it? Anything in particular I should look out for? Cheers John
|
|
|
|
johnrh
Part of things
Posts: 958
|
|
Feb 11, 2010 18:03:38 GMT
|
Superb cars! I'v never managed to fathom the engine specs of early and late V8's - the water is muddied further by there being various US-specs too. I've got an early 5.0 V8 going in my W115. I have no idea what power it makes but I'm sure it'll be fun! ;D Looking forward to seeing photos, it sounds like you've got yourself a real pearler! Well, I know a few things that are wrong with it and no doubt I'll find some more, but I do have a good feeling about the car. As for specs, I was going from Wikedpia - no guarantee it's right of course. For the w126 5.0 it gives 1986MY: 220 hp and 264 lb·ft 1987MY: 249 hp and 288 lb·ft Either will do me fine, but nice if it's the quicker one! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W126Another surprising statistic; it's certainly no Lotus but it's not as heavy as I was expecting at 1655kg. Top of the range Mk5 Golf is over 1600kg! Collecting on Saturday, so photos on Sunday if I can find the camera, which is hiding just now. Cheers John
|
|
|
|
mirafioriman
Posted a lot
My next project.......
Posts: 1,361
|
|
Feb 11, 2010 20:18:12 GMT
|
I would say it is closer to 2 tonnes. We have a 2.1 tonne 2 poster ramp at college and it lifted it but only just! Does it have flat or ribbed side panels? If it has flat ones it is the later model. Some changes included smaller steering wheel, bigger brakes, 15" wheels instead of 14", different interior trim and the uprated engines with a slightly different injection system (KE jetronic rather than K jetronic)
|
|
|
|
johnrh
Part of things
Posts: 958
|
|
|
I would say it is closer to 2 tonnes. We have a 2.1 tonne 2 poster ramp at college and it lifted it but only just! Does it have flat or ribbed side panels? If it has flat ones it is the later model. Some changes included smaller steering wheel, bigger brakes, 15" wheels instead of 14", different interior trim and the uprated engines with a slightly different injection system (KE jetronic rather than K jetronic) Mine has flat side panels like yours, and 15 inch wheels (but the latter are non-original). So that's likely to mean a 1987 model? It was registered November 86 I have got a set of the correct wheels (like yours) and these will go on, refurbed and with new tyres as soon as possible. Maybe the weight quoted in wikipedia is for a "base" version, (perhaps available in theory to the Geman market, but never actually built) with no electrics, sunroof, a/c, radio etc. Anyway, mine has all those things fitted, so it's not going to be a lightweight! Cheers John
|
|
|
|
johnrh
Part of things
Posts: 958
|
|
Feb 13, 2010 17:03:16 GMT
|
Hi, It's home. It ran perfectly, but it does have some "lack of use" faults such as wooden, grumbly brakes. Actually, it's better than I thought. I don't think I've never said that about a car purchase before! I'm in a rush now - I'll update more tomorrow - but here's a few photos after a quick wash when I got home: I think the same private plate has been on since new I think the wheels have been retrofitted from a later w126... I don't think they are original for 1986 but I stand to be corrected! Original mats, driver's heel pad is worn Seems to be the original spare, unused from 1986 Rust under driver's door needs to be fixed. Others are perfect Small dent under rear lamp Rust bulge on o/s/r wheelarch. Others fine. I paid below the magazines "condition 1" price and got the private plate thrown in, so I am very pleased with it! More exploration tomorrow. Cheers John
|
|
|
|
mirafioriman
Posted a lot
My next project.......
Posts: 1,361
|
|
Feb 13, 2010 20:59:26 GMT
|
Looks like a nice example. I would say it had steel wheels originally looking at the spare. You are right the wheels fitted now would not have been fitted in 1986 to it. It would have had 'flat face' alloys (the same as on mine.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
looks amazingly tidy, must be amazing to waft around in like a lord needs more:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Looks like a nice example. I would say it had steel wheels originally looking at the spare. You are right the wheels fitted now would not have been fitted in 1986 to it. It would have had 'flat face' alloys (the same as on mine.) IIrc alloys were standard on 500s .I've seen 420s with hubcaps but never a 500
|
|
|
|
johnrh
Part of things
Posts: 958
|
|
|
looks amazingly tidy, must be amazing to waft around in like a lord needs more: For once, I won't be modifying much, just some very subtle touches. I love the standard w126, but in my eyes the modified ones never look quite right... a bit tacky. Here's the VIN decode: I guess the April 86 build will mean the earlier lower compression engine, but the LSD is good compensation. VINWDB1260372A22**** Model 500 SEL Chassis 1260372A22**** Engine 117965 22 005521 Transmission 722311 02 730818 Order 0 5 867 00076 Delivery date 23.04.86 Dealer Pakistan (867) Interiorleather pebble (275) Paint929nautical blue metallic (ñ 01.01.1984) Options 221 left front seat, electrically adjustable (ñ 01.11.1978) 222 right front seat, electrically adjustable (ñ 01.11.1978) 256 rear axle with limited-slip differential (ñ 01.11.1965 ïî 30.11.1991) 412 electric sliding roof with tilting device (ñ 01.07.1983) 461 Instruments in miles 507 outside rear view mirror, right and left, heated (electrically adjustable on the left) (r.h.d.) (ñ 01.10.1983 ïî 31.03.1989) 532 automatic antenna without radio set (ñ 01.01.1963) 543 sun visor with vanity mirror, illuminated, left and right (ñ 01.11.1978) 570 folding armrest front w202/210 stowage box front with armrest (ñ 01.04.1970) front folding armrest w202 - housing at front with armrest 580 air conditioner/Tempmatic (ñ 01.11.1982) 592 heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (laminated glass), band filter green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, laminated safety glass - tinted strip (ñ 01.01.1972) 606 headlamp wiper unit, oil for rear axle with limited-slip differential in canisters and containers and mounting for customs license plate (ñ 01.08.1971) 615 lamp unit, asymmetrical l.h. traffic, and front and rear door courtesy lamps like 610, and with type 107 bifocal bulbs 611 + 613 (ñ 01.11.1978) 677 tropical battery (ñ 01.06.1965 ïî 30.11.1991) 877 reading lamp in the rear (ñ 01.11.1963) Cheers John
|
|
Last Edit: Feb 21, 2010 17:25:03 GMT by johnrh
|
|
johnrh
Part of things
Posts: 958
|
|
Feb 21, 2010 18:06:26 GMT
|
Update
I've done about 700 miles and the car is going better and better. I really like driving this car! We went down to Birmingham last night to see friends, and on the way back today in the snow, the LSD and ABS worked perfectly.
Last week, I checked all the levels and found the ATF was very low. It needed over 2.5 litres to bring up to the mark! I don't know why, because it doesn't seem to be leaking. Anyway, the auto box is now much more responsive and the delay engaging gear from a cold start has gone. I'll be getting a full gearbox service done in the next few weeks.
I hope the low fluid has not done any damage. It drives nicely, but there is a slight whine when in Neutral or Park - perfectly quiet in Drive and Reverse.
The brakes are much better now, strong and responsive, However, it feels like a disc is warped and there's a very slight pull to the left on braking - getting gradually worse I think - so fairly soon I'll replace discs, pads and fluid - and carefully inspect and clean everything else.
When I first tried a flat-out acceleration, I was surprised how fast it is - really flies from 20 to 70. There was lots of black smoke the first couple of times, indicating that it's just been pottered around for a long time. That's all cleared now.
It is averaging 19.5mpg, which is not fantastic but better than I had expected for a big, automatic, old-tech 5 litre car.
I changed the oil and filter yesterday. It looked OK but it was probably be thinned and diluted by petrol from lots of cold starts and short journeys. When I collected the car, it had only done 126 miles since its last MOT in August. I'm going to run it for a few weeks, then change the oil again, hoping to flush and clean it out.
I was surprised by oil filter prices. I was looking to buy on line but I couldn't get exactly the right type (there are several slightly different filters for different years, for some reason). But they were all £7 to £10 plus postage. I called at the local MB dealer and got a genuine filter for just £6.15.
I have also: Replaced the wiper blades (quite tricky... the bonnet is in the way). Washed and waxed the bodywork Cleaned the interior and glass Ordered new air filter Got some genuine MB rubber mats for the winter Ordered some new number plates (mine are cheap, wavy ones) Bought the correct alloys, currently being refurbed, and new Continental tyres for them
I also replaced the spark plugs and leads yesterday. The throttle response is nice and crisp now, but it still seems to misfire slightly for about 2 seconds after a cold start. Maybe they all do that? I have never owned a car with mechanical fuel injection before.
I have bought rustproofing materials. I have some days off in March so I'll do a thorough job then. I will remove bumpers, side cladding and lamps to clean and protect behind them, as well as wheelarches, underside and box sections of course.
On Monday, it goes in for LPG conversion.
I have found a highly recommended MB specialist nearby, so the second oil change and a general check-over will be done there so I can get the service book stamped and keep up the FSH. I'll probably get them to change the diff oil as well; it's messy without a ramp.
All for now.
Cheers,
John
|
|
Last Edit: Feb 21, 2010 18:08:11 GMT by johnrh
|
|
mirafioriman
Posted a lot
My next project.......
Posts: 1,361
|
|
Feb 21, 2010 19:30:59 GMT
|
Glad it is going well......
Make sure you get the proper diff oil, the LSD uses different oil. I would always recommend using genuine service parts, they are often reasonably priced.....
|
|
|
|
will
Posted a lot
Posts: 4,023
|
|
Feb 21, 2010 19:36:41 GMT
|
Tidy
Top marks sir
|
|
|
|
mclellanmac
Posted a lot
Hand me the hammer and the WD40
Posts: 1,178
|
|
Feb 21, 2010 19:40:43 GMT
|
Thats a Beauty Love the W126, You need to get a mate to drive and sit in the back, pretend to be a War Lord, or some sort of Tin Pot Dictator! lol
|
|
Mercedes 190e, Lovely
MK4 Golf GTi 20v Turbo, Dull, but always works!
|
|
|
|
Feb 22, 2010 19:22:46 GMT
|
Very nice 126, love the color combo:)
|
|
Last Edit: Feb 22, 2010 19:23:43 GMT by 500eguy
Johnny B
|
|
johnrh
Part of things
Posts: 958
|
|
Feb 23, 2010 21:11:17 GMT
|
Very nice 126, love the color combo:) Thanks... and welcome to the forum, by the way John
|
|
|
|
johnrh
Part of things
Posts: 958
|
|
|
A quick update...
The LPG conversion is nearly finished and I'll have it back Wednesday or Thursday.
On Saturday, I'll be fitting new discs and pads all round, new brake fluid and carefully cleaning/freeing off calipers.
Next week I have some time off work; dismantling the Merc for very thorough rust-proofing.
Cheers
John
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
That looks great ( well done on getting the reg plate too!)
The wheels are most definitely off a 90s car and it should be running 15inch flat face alloys
I just bought a W126 to for a song!!!
|
|
|
|
|