Tag Archives: W126
We have written a lot about the Mercedes W126 S-class (you know, when we get around to writing at all!), but for me that’s largely because they are among the best luxo-barges ever produced. Modern enough to offer an excellent driving experience, and old enough that they’re not entirely bogged-down with technology certain to strand you in some catastrophic symphony of warning lights. Besides, they are so completely logical in their engineering and design – my Dad always referred to his as fitting together like a Chinese puzzle – that even incompetent hack mechanics like me can wrench on them. This pretty 1985 500SEL in Fort Worth, Texas comes with a little bonus surprise of its own. There weren’t many options available on U.S. market cars, but this car has one of the coolest ones. Find it here on eBay with a buy it now price of $9,995 or best offer.
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2 Comments | tags: 1985, 300SD, 500SEL, 560SEL, BMW 745i, Four-place Seats, German Cars, Mercedes-Benz, W126 | posted in Totally That Stupid
I’ve been considering returning to a two-door as my daily hack. Almost five years ago, my grumpy lower back immediately complained about installing our newborn son and his car seat into the rear compartment of my 1991 BMW 318is. A four-door was in order, and we soon found our rusty-but-trusty 1995 Mercedes-Benz E320. Now, said munchkin is able and (usually) willing to climb into his car seat by himself. The Benz is just fine for now, but it can’t hurt to consider a replacement that might need some work before being pressed into daily service. Continue reading
2 Comments | tags: 318is, 635CSI, 996, BMW, E320, EG33, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi 3000GT, Nissan 300ZX, Porsche 911, Subaru SVX, Toyota Supra, W124, W126 | posted in Totally That Stupid
In my never-ending but casual quest to replace my W124 Mercedes – quite possibly one of the best cars ever bolted together by those wacky yet stoic Germans – I find my interests run from sensible to… less sensible. I like a mid-size sedan for my daily grind, preferably with a manual transmission and somewhat modest options. It should be strong and safe for the kid. While coddling is not necessary – indeed, it’s distracting – I do at least want it to be nice to me. I value some level of entertainment, even on my short commute. Continue reading
13 Comments | tags: 750i, 750il, BMW, M70, Mercedes-Benz, V12, W126, W140 | posted in Totally That Stupid
My dad taught me early on about hardtop coupes. He was a big fan of the pillarless car, be it a two-door or a four-door. We had a ’69 Pontiac LeMans A-body coupe when I was a little kid in the early 1970s, and years before that my folks had an old hardtop Pontiac Bonneville wide track. I remember vividly when the Mercedes 126 coupe was released – I was 10 years old and three times a week I took a bus by the local Mercedes dealer. As soon as I got the chance I went to the dealer and told them my dad had sent in in to get a brochure for him. Truth was that I went in to get it for myself in hopes that maybe I could talk him into buying it. Economic realities were not at the top of my skill set in 1981, but a boy could dream. And my dreams looked a lot like this Mercedes 560SEC available here on eBay in Carlsbad, California which has met its reserve.
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Leave a comment | tags: 300SD, 560SEC, BMW 635CSi, Bruno Sacco, C126, German Cars, Jaguar XJS, Mercedes-Benz, Pillarless, Pontiac LeMans, S-class Coupe, W126 | posted in Totally That Stupid
I’m pretty sure that there is an unspoken cap of four vehicles on my fleet. Well, we’ve had five before, but only when there was a decisive exit strategy for one of them. Beyond that, my W140 S600 has been at the shop for about four weeks now for a new rear main seal, valve cover gaskets, and to trace a mystery battery drain that only happens when I lock the doors (!), so my automotive cash situation is tentative to say the least. Otherwise, I would have bought this grey market beauty already for the paltry $3,000 that the seller is asking. Show me another car that exudes presence the way that the W126 does, has working windows, sunroof, aircon, and a rebuilt motor and transmission, and rare perfect velour upholstery that has been covered since new. You can’t, can you? Find this one here on BenzWorld in Phoenix, Arizona.
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4 Comments | tags: 280SE, 380SE, 420SE, 500SE, 560SE, 7-series, BMW 728i, BMW 732i, BMW 735i, BMW E23, Euro-spec, European Headlights, German Cars, Grey-market, M110, Mercedes-Benz, W123, W126 | posted in Totally That Stupid
This will not turn into a Mercedes-Benz versus BMW war. This is not some point/counterpoint concerning which large German sedan from the 1980s is a better – or worse – idea. I’m not going to get into a pissing contest with my blog mate over the fact that W126 Benzes will always be tubby cars best suited for extremely large German banker managers. Or, in the case of the 280SE, assistant bank managers. Continue reading
5 Comments | tags: 733i, 735i, BMW, E23, Mercedes-Benz, W126 | posted in Totally That Stupid
