1989 Mercedes SEC 560...

[lendaddy]

Anyone have experience? What's the skinny on this particular model? The goal here is a cheapish entertaining car with character, thanks.

**as a note the price of admission would be next to nothing so I'm more concerned about reliability and longevity of value. My initial searches speak pretty highly of the beast and again we're talking about so little money that it shouldn't even be considered in the equation.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Like buying a cheap used Porsche, there's a lot of expensive things that could go wrong. Similarly, when taken care of they run forever. Do some Google searches, there's several good sites dedicated to them. Very cool cars, I considered one some time back.

[VincentVega]

Neat cars, but... they dont handle, are pretty slow and are very thirsty. Built like tanks though, taken care of you'd have it until you were sick of it.

[lendaddy]

Thanks guys, I think I need a manual regardless the veh so this probably wouldn't work. But they do seem interesting.

[kaisen]

I remember there being two huge SEC fans here on Pelican. I'm sure they'll chime in.
W126 = best S-class ever, IMHO

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by kaisen

I remember there being two huge SEC fans here on Pelican. I'm sure they'll chime in.
W126 = best S-class ever, IMHO

Damn you

[VincentVega]

That's true, but...

I grew up with 123's and 126's. Drove and worked on a 500sel once in a while, a sec once in a while. Cool highway cars, just dont forget your gas card. Another strange thing is they arent that big inside, especially considering they are such big cars on the outside.

The long hood, solid vault like doors and an engine that makes decent power are nice. Did I mention they are thirsty?

[Dottore]

I got more blow-jobs in my metallic green 1989 560 SEC than in any other car I've ever owned.

I hope this helps.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by Dottore

I got more blow-jobs in my metallic green 1989 560 SEC than in any other car I've ever owned.

I hope this helps.

Road head is a beautiful thing.

[rdrr]

Unfortunately I never got any blowjobs in my SEC :-(. Don't let that deter you though!

I have owned one for the last 6 years or so, and they are very solidly built and very reliable cars. Handling is pretty floaty on standard suspension, but get some sport springs from Eibach or H&R, shocks to match, and 17s (I like the old AMG style) with 235s and the handling is much better. It will never be a 911, but for its size it is reasonably fun.

Notes on lowering: The H&R kit lowers an inch more in the front than the back and gives it nice rake. Eibach lowers the same amount all round which can give clearance problems in the back for wider tyres (eg 275). Also, you'll need a rear camber adjustment kit. There is a company in Australia (Kmac) that makes them.

Check for rust around the bottom of the rear window. The rubber seal there is notorious for leaking.

Things that have gone wrong on mine are:
Seat belt presenters - expensive to fix and a bit gimicky anyway, so I lived with it and disabled the other one.
One of the seat motors - expensive to fix so I'm living with it.
ABS sensors - failed but only needed a clean
Rust in rear suspension arm - expensive, but got off cheap with a used part
Sunroof guides broke - expensive and wasn't done right the first time. I will have to get this done again.
Leakage into trunk area from rear window seal.

Note that this is over 6 years of ownership, so it is really not terrible for a now 23 year old car.

These cars are thirsty! However, the low purchase price and great reliability mean low entry and low maintenance costs. I just put up with it.

They are also definitely more of a highway cruiser than anything else. They are not quick off the line, and even in-gear acceleration doesn't seem to live up to the approx 300hp. For my daily drive, this doesn't worry me much. Plus, it makes the 911 seem more fun when I drive it on weekends!

In my opinion, the styling on these cars is great. I get plenty of people commenting on it, and also on the fact that is one of the last 'real' Mercedes.

[lendaddy]

More good info, thanks. My Tundra gets about 12MPG so what exactly is the real world mileage on these? My old Range Rover got about 8-10.....ouch!

[daepp]

The president of our company had a 560 SEL 4 door. Impeccably maintained but needed an entire top end rebuild at 150K miles - just like our favorite cars, the valve guides were shot!

THAT was a very heavy car indeed!

[island911]

I'll suggest that a W140 is a better choice. --not to detract from the high build quality of the W126, but the W140 will have much better handling, and better fuel economy. It will also be more quiet and comfortable. ...these are the S-class' which replaced the W126.

In the W140 you have the S500 or S600 (a V12) in coupe form. Or, if 4-doors is okay you can get one with a straight 6 (S320) ...which is what my wife has had for the past 65k miles. Her mixed use mileage is around 20, with ~30mpg on the highway.

The market is super soft on these cars as well. People are terrified of such high-end MBz. (W126 or W140's) The secret is, the build quality, choice of materials and design are excellent. Sure, parts are expensive to replace, but they are MUCH longer lived - by design.

[ChemMan]

They are awesome cars. The w126's are one of the best mercedes built. The w140's are nice but a pain to work on.

[notfarnow]

I really like the old w126s... as everyone else has said, they probably are the best build Mercedes ever. However, they really do feel like an old car. I know people complain about the w140s, but holy smokes they are a HUGE improvement over the w126s. They feel SO much more modern and refined.

If my w210 kicked the bucket, I'd probably buy a 350sdl w140 if I could find one with a decent MB replacement engine.

[rdrr]

Not sure exactly on mpg as I have a 420 myself. I get around 13-17 in my car. My Dad has had a few 560s over the years and typically gets about 10-12mpg, I think.

I just returned from a trip to Germany where we drove the 560 and a 2005 S65 on a big tour of the country. The 560 consistently neededabout 15-20% more fuel than the 612hp 12 cylinder!

[slow&rusty]

Give me this any day (Euro 500SEC or 560SEC) over a W140 (which looks awkward, big and even obese from EVERY angle), I will take the 15mpg and the fact that a new Maxima is faster. Plenty quick (285hp) to keep up with traffic and be a great daily driver.

Last of the true vault Mercedes. Beautifully built and designed under the directorship of the visionary Bruno Sacco (MB Design Chief). Very easy to work on, Bosch CIS is reliable and lots of parts availability and excellent forum support. Cost of everyday maintenance is minimal, little things will break and wear out, but to be expected of any car that is 20+ years old. Owning one (in terms of cost \ reliability) will make Porsche 928 and (horrid) Jag. XJ-S owners blush. Trannys and engines never break.

These cars were not designed to compete with the 911 more like the (horrid) Jag XJ-S and the BMW 635CSi, these are Grand Touring cars with long legs that can cruise all day at 100+mp/h and not break a sweat. Very comfortable, beautifully built and have aged gracefully. Lots of spares available as they were built for 10+ years!

My very good friend has a 500SEC that has over 220,000 miles on his car and it sits outside in the 90+F summer and -30F winter and several feet of Colorado snow and starts every time and has never left him stranded.


This car is breathtaking...!


Life is too boring to drive boring cars! I egg you on to get one, very rewarding.
Yasin

[island911]

The point was, the W140 is even better.


. . .and styling packages are around for the w140 as well...

[slow&rusty]

Originally Posted by island911

The point was, the W140 is even better.


. . .and styling packages are around for the w140 as well...

Point taken...price that Wald body kit and Wald wheels..it is sobering!

[tabs]

Always did like the 560 SEC... But the 140 being newer would mean less worn out and thus my choice.