Back in the "S class or no class" club: 1991 300SEL - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TylerH860 · #1 10-04-2009, 11:27 PM

After teasing myself with the perfumed inner thigh of the W126 last summer with a 350SDL, I knew I wanted to experience another one for long term, and preferably a drivable one. (I'm borrowed the opening line from one of the more literary adept on the forum, btw.)

I came across a brief yet well written craigslist ad last week, and after a few exchanges I knew it was worth looking at. On sort of a whim, the GF and I made a trip to Dallas, and stopped in Enid Oklahoma on the way back to take a look.

The previous owner is a 30 something lawyer who just moved from Oklahoma City after a divorce and job loss. She bought the car because when she was growing up the W126 was the standard lawyer's car, and she always dreamed of owning one. In the last few years, she spent over 4 grand catching up on deferred maintenance and a few big repairs, including a head gasket. After falling on hard times, she decided to sell. It was a first for me seeing a seller close to tears over it. The car came with a name too: Ingrid.

Ingrid drove home 2 hours comfortably flawlessly while the GF followed in Ol' Turbo. Other than being very dirty from sitting out for a few months and cracking center console wood, she is in fantastic condition. The dark gray with black leather color combo is striking.

I will have to sort out a few things though, but its a much shorter list than what I'm used to with old benzes. She does have a mild exhaust leak somewhere, and while not obtrusive it does give it a sort of embarrassing ricey sound.

I also feel a little vibration at high speeds and braking coming from what seems to be the front right brake rotor. The back driver's side window regulator is smoked, and the antenna mast was ripped off at some point. Everything else, including the AC, heated seats, and cruise control, work fantastically, and the fire sale price, nice cosmetics, and excellent service records more than made up for the shortcomings.

First things first, as always, will be a thorough cleaning. Ingrid is in need of a good clay barring compliments of the tree it sat nearby for the last 2 months. I plan on doing that tomorrow, and will take a thorough photo shoot then. Until now, this is all I have:

The sellers photos were from her old place that had a carport.

and back home:

E150GT · #2 10-04-2009, 11:54 PM

Very nice. I was at a mercedes dealership today and I am very depressed now. A nice W126 would cheer me up. Preferrably in a V8 though

ps2cho · #3 10-04-2009, 11:55 PM

I love it. I bet she'll come up fantastic with a little elbow work

TylerH860 · #4 10-04-2009, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E150GT

Very nice. I was at a mercedes dealership today and I am very depressed now. A nice W126 would cheer me up. Preferrably in a V8 though

You sank how much into that V8 of yours and want another? Masochism sir.

JimmyL · #5 10-04-2009, 11:58 PM

Wow, just as nice as you described, and hasn't even been cleaned and shined yet. The black interior is striking, and I think will be the cars best attribute.
Also not a bad name considering it is inherited. Your naming prowess is semi-legendary, but Ingrid fits quite well, and attaches the car to its previous life nicely.
I can't wait to see the "after" pics when she is clean, and also get a look at that evil gasser engine.

At least Ingrid will be less likely to mark your driveway......

BTW, you forgot the first part of the expression: "Lifted skirt and perfumed inner thigh"......

E150GT · #6 10-05-2009, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

You sank how much into that V8 of yours and want another? Masochism sir.

Yes it is. It wasnt the V8 that cost so much, in fact I never had a problem with the motor. I was all the little stuff that was bad. It would have cost me another fortune to get it back to where your new ride is.

1stimer · #7 10-05-2009, 12:05 AM

nice tyler. I really like the W126, too. I'm sure it will be an even better example when you are done with it. Enjoy!

tonkovich · #8 10-05-2009, 01:02 AM

ingrid? i love it.

(and the car too.)

curious about the performance / fuel economy tradeoff with six cylinder. them 126's be heavy cars.

TylerH860 · #9 10-05-2009, 01:11 AM

The M103-104 is a very capable motor that just screams when it gets to the redline like no other Mercedes motor I've experienced. There is plenty of go off the line, and in about any situation. The only real downside with this car is the high revving at highway speed, but the motor is so quiet that without a tach you'd never know. I don't really need another performance vehicle, and the simplicity/ruggedness of the motor is what attracted me to it. Its like a faster diesel engine without the diesel premium price tag that most have. I imagine I would be paying twice as much for a 300SDL with the same miles/condition, and not have all the later interior goodies.

E150GT · #10 10-05-2009, 01:18 AM

i would have to drive a 300sel to be sure I would want one, but I sure would opt for a 280sel.

TylerH860 · #11 10-05-2009, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E150GT

i would have to drive a 300sel to be sure I would want one, but I sure would opt for a 280sel.

The 280sel 5-speeds I've seen a few purchase recently really turn me on.

pawoSD · #12 10-05-2009, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

The M103-104 is a very capable motor that just screams when it gets to the redline like no other Mercedes motor I've experienced. There is plenty of go off the line, and in about any situation. The only real downside with this car is the high revving at highway speed, but the motor is so quiet that without a tach you'd never know. I don't really need another performance vehicle, and the simplicity/ruggedness of the motor is what attracted me to it. Its like a faster diesel engine without the diesel premium price tag that most have. I imagine I would be paying twice as much for a 300SDL with the same miles/condition, and not have all the later interior goodies.

Exactly, that reason is what made me go after a M103 W124 rather than a diesel W124. The diesels cost easily 2x what the gassers do in similar condition, and they usually have many more miles on them.

That W126 is my dream/ideal car!

Black on black! Drooool.

brainlair · #13 10-05-2009, 06:21 PM

That light gray grille is just screaming to be blacked out... It'll look so nice if you do, especially with the dark gray exterior.

TylerH860 · #14 10-05-2009, 07:13 PM

More Photos and a few videos: Weather didn't permit clay barring yet but it cleaned up nicely with a hand wash.

0-60

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHOn1fOw0jQ

Exhaust noise.

Sounds like a fart can.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOPEo7mXKpA

alabbasi · #15 10-05-2009, 07:19 PM

Nice score! I just picked up a 1991 560SEL this weekend. Also very dirty but I very much doubt that it will clean up as nicely as yours. Still.. I drove it 90 miles to my home without too much trouble. It needs work but to me, it's never any fun unless they do.

Here are some pictures: