Mercedes-Benz W126 1985

[Nishan.dj]

Hi Guys,

I am looking for a Mercedes Benz W126 (1985) car & found very few on web as well as papers. Though they seem good I don't really know much about the things I should look for especially they are bit old as in 1980's. Generally what I know is to look for corrosion and mechanically smokes..etc like that. But relevant to this car,

Could anyone help me to know more about Mercedes Benz W126 when it comes to buying one such as what things I should check other than regular things that we normally see.

And some says its really expensive to maintain such vehicle but I really need advice from anyone who have/had such vehicle or at least having experience about their maintenance. So really appreciate if you can share some details.

Finally, if it doesn't violate the forum rules, please share where I can get the repairs done as not every mechanic can repair this kind of vehicles, and what would be the fast wearing parts and give some idea about cost of replacement too.

Thanks and appreciate your replies.

[The Don]

I've had to delete the attachment as it displays an advert from another site which we don't allow. Your question obviously is still valid and I hope you get a good response.

My take is, if its your first Mercedes, go for a common model like the W124 as maintenance is always going to be easier. There are Mercedes specialists but most general tasks can be attempted by most skilled mechanics.

But if you are in a budget, think twice. They are very well built vehicles, but however well built they are old cars now and will require TLC from time to time. Never buy a Mercedes or any premium European brand because it is cheap.

[Watchman]

Based on Nishan's past posting I think he's smart enough to see/study something and figure out what to do with a car mechanically. And this generation of Mercs were more or less all mechanical with a few electrical components here and there; but nothing electronic. Not 100% sure of the w126 though.

Another good bet is a W123 which would be of similar vintage and easier on the pocket with fairly simple maintenance. I learnt my mechanical ABCs on a W123 myself. Parts aren't that expensive as for newer models. And if you're interested I happen to personally know a dearly loved W123 240D for sale

Edited February 9, 2015 by Watchman

[VVTi]

The 126 is a beautiful vehicle. I wont mind owning one myself, but it wont fit in the garage...

There are quite a few out there and some in loving hands. Send a message to Milindu or MiniAce... they will know very well what the pros and the cons are of a older Merc.

I'd say go for it, life is short.

D*MO actually looks after the older girls very well and at very competitive prices too.

Edited February 9, 2015 by VVTi

[Nishan.dj]

My take is, if its your first Mercedes, go for a common model like the W124 as maintenance is always going to be easier. There are Mercedes specialists but most general tasks can be attempted by most skilled mechanics.

Another good bet is a W123 which would be of similar vintage and easier on the pocket with fairly simple maintenance. I learnt my mechanical ABCs on a W123 myself. Parts aren't that expensive as for newer models.

Thanks guys,

Could you please reply why you have mentioned W124 & W123 are better? How can I decide which one & in terms of what? Thanks and appreciate your reply.

[The Don]

Thanks guys,

Could you please reply why you have mentioned W124 & W123 are better? How can I decide which one & in terms of what? Thanks and appreciate your reply.

I can't speak for Watchman, but I think the reason why he mentioned the W123 is because that model did not have a lot of electronic aids, which made it age better and easier to maintain when older. As you know until after the W124 era Mercedes did not make cars to budget but made them the best they could, so they are very solidly made machines.

Electronics are usually the problem areas as cars grow older and contacts and circuits start to decay.

I mentioned the W124 because it is the last of the above era of cars, though later models had various electronic enhancements such as ABS, Airbags etc. You can still find loads of W124s on the roads for finding parts etc will be very easy. I hardly see W123s anymore.

[Watchman]

Don explained well why Mercs till the 124 were considered so good. The most complex electrical parts are probably relays on these.. We've owned a w123 for over 2 decades and I dont recall any major repairs outside of wear and tear. The water pump was changed sometime around 1999 I think. The 240D engine is a pleasure to drive long distance. In fact the w123 feels more responsive when driving than our current w210 E250 (also diesel). And yes the w210 has had its fair share of 'electronic' problems.

Back on the 123/124, parts arent that hard to find frankly. Places like avinda are fairly well stocked there ARE non-OEM parts (even body parts). Plus ebay! Last year someone turned into our car and busted the front signal light and the fender's beading Cost of both parts (Thai made) together was less than Rs.3000 at Avinda over the counter (not pre-ordered). I was actually quite shocked, cos even a used signal light on a jap car would cost more than that in Delkanda.

Naturally I have a bias towards the w123 hence I'd say go for it but based on Nishan's budget he can easily go for a W124 which would be nicer in some ways.

[Crishan]

Based on Nishan's past posting I think he's smart enough to see/study something and figure out what to do with a car mechanically. And this generation of Mercs were more or less all mechanical with a few electrical components here and there; but nothing electronic. Not 100% sure of the w126 though.

Another good bet is a W123 which would be of similar vintage and easier on the pocket with fairly simple maintenance. I learnt my mechanical ABCs on a W123 myself. Parts aren't that expensive as for newer models. And if you're interested I happen to personally know a dearly loved W123 240D for sale

Watchman, you know any 124 with an auto tranny up for sale?

[Nishan.dj]

And if you're interested I happen to personally know a dearly loved W123 240D for sale

I tried to pm you but it seems you are not able to receive messages. I would like to inspect. How can you give me the contact information. ? Thanks a lot.

[Twin Turbo]

The W126 is one of Merc's last over engineered cars built to a stranded instead of a budget. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmBhNqelbN8

Having said this, finding a good usable example will be hard as most have been converted to diesel and auto's to manual etc.but having a century of engineering heritage behind them keeps them chugging on our roads with basic maintenance done with chewing gum, strung with wire and a prayer,... and the dealer has priced themselves away from customers.

It's not recommended as a first car not because of the costs but it's sheer size making it very difficult to drive and park in Colombo.I once parked my W124 so far away to my destination in Bambalapitiya so far away that I took a taxi to where I was going to. :-).Needless to say, Now I take my wife's Charade!

Stick to the specialists in parts and maintenance mentioned here and you'll be ok.

.

[Watchman]

Watchman, you know any 124 with an auto tranny up for sale?

Sorry buddy.. Don't know of any.

Check with S_N, he was looking for a w124 before he turned a 180 degrees and went with complete opposite of a reliable, well engineered and practical sedan. :D

[Devinda_Z]

Sorry buddy.. Don't know of any.

Check with S_N, he was looking for a w124 before he turned a 180 degrees and went with complete opposite of a reliable, well engineered and practical sedan. :D

Did some looking myself before i did much the same as S_N did, be it with something which has set of characteristics far removed from the Big Cat....

Couldn't find a W124 for sensible money at the time

However after much toil and a readstrip to Galle, I did come across a lovely W123 in Nugegoda which i might have the number lying around for if you're keen - no idea if it's still up for grabs though

[Crishan]

Sorry buddy.. Don't know of any.

Check with S_N, he was looking for a w124 before he turned a 180 degrees and went with complete opposite of a reliable, well engineered and practical sedan. :D

Wonder what he went for.

[Devinda_Z]

Wonder what he went for.

spmething with 4 more cylinders, 2 less doors and no roof!

[top tip]

Most of the w126 cars in sri lanka are converted diesel ones so you won't really have a feel of a company assembled merc. What also comes with conversion is vibration since the engine mounts and dampers are different of each type.

Unlike the w124 or w123 the w126 has more electronic gadgets. As for my experience of owing a w124 the electronic bits in a merc isn't as realiable as the mechanical bits of the car.

Finding spares for a w126 Is gonna be hard since this model is less available in sri lanka. And for cars such as the w124 parts could be swapped with models like w123, w202, w210. But not in the case of the w126.

So my best advice for you is to go for a w124, w123, w201 whoch are much common and has better fuel economy and much easier to maintain.

[Nishan.dj]

Most of the w126 cars in sri lanka are converted diesel ones so you won't really have a feel of a company assembled merc. What also comes with conversion is vibration since the engine mounts and dampers are different of each type.

Unlike the w124 or w123 the w126 has more electronic gadgets. As for my experience of owing a w124 the electronic bits in a merc isn't as realiable as the mechanical bits of the car.

Finding spares for a w126 Is gonna be hard since this model is less available in sri lanka. And for cars such as the w124 parts could be swapped with models like w123, w202, w210. But not in the case of the w126.

So my best advice for you is to go for a w124, w123, w201 whoch are much common and has better fuel economy and much easier to maintain.

Thanking you for posting your first reply to this thread which I started.

It is actually good that you spoke the truth of Mercedes because you own one.

I went to see 2 cars which are W126

Both advertised on AL as I remember but was not good as they appear on pictures.

Simple and little things were forgotten to repair and that had made the whole car not worth for the amount. ( Of course I pay a little high if the condition is better. These might be repaired but should be good in quality)

Why I went for the merc is because I like bigger cars. ( of course within a budget too) and getting an old car and restoring it is not possible at this time because I had done a J44 restoration for longer period of time. Another older vehicle to home will make me be killed by my wife LOL )

[Supra_Natural]

Most of the w126 cars in sri lanka are converted diesel ones so you won't really have a feel of a company assembled merc. What also comes with conversion is vibration since the engine mounts and dampers are different of each type.

Unlike the w124 or w123 the w126 has more electronic gadgets. As for my experience of owing a w124 the electronic bits in a merc isn't as realiable as the mechanical bits of the car.

Finding spares for a w126 Is gonna be hard since this model is less available in sri lanka. And for cars such as the w124 parts could be swapped with models like w123, w202, w210. But not in the case of the w126.

So my best advice for you is to go for a w124, w123, w201 whoch are much common and has better fuel economy and much easier to maintain.

And why exactly are you replying to a thread that has been inactive for months?

[Supra_Natural]

Most of the w126 cars in sri lanka are converted diesel ones so you won't really have a feel of a company assembled merc. What also comes with conversion is vibration since the engine mounts and dampers are different of each type.

Unlike the w124 or w123 the w126 has more electronic gadgets. As for my experience of owing a w124 the electronic bits in a merc isn't as realiable as the mechanical bits of the car.

Finding spares for a w126 Is gonna be hard since this model is less available in sri lanka. And for cars such as the w124 parts could be swapped with models like w123, w202, w210. But not in the case of the w126.

So my best advice for you is to go for a w124, w123, w201 whoch are much common and has better fuel economy and much easier to maintain.

And why exactly are you replying to a thread that has been inactive for months?

[Supra_Natural]

Most of the w126 cars in sri lanka are converted diesel ones so you won't really have a feel of a company assembled merc. What also comes with conversion is vibration since the engine mounts and dampers are different of each type.

Unlike the w124 or w123 the w126 has more electronic gadgets. As for my experience of owing a w124 the electronic bits in a merc isn't as realiable as the mechanical bits of the car.

Finding spares for a w126 Is gonna be hard since this model is less available in sri lanka. And for cars such as the w124 parts could be swapped with models like w123, w202, w210. But not in the case of the w126.

So my best advice for you is to go for a w124, w123, w201 whoch are much common and has better fuel economy and much easier to maintain.

And why exactly are you replying to a thread that has been inactive for months?