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Mercedes 420SEL

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Old 02-13-04, 09:42 PM
  #16  
LexRX
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I won't be buying this particular one after having looked closer at it. Howerver, I am not opposed to buying one in the future. I'd love to find a black one and but the AMG 18" monoblock wheels like the one in the pictured on the previous page; however there's something not quite right about having wheels+tires worth as much as the vehicle

DJ Sprinkles, you're right, the rear suspension does sag on many of the W126 chassis Benz's. For some it's the hydromatic syspension (hydrolics) gone bad - a bad seal not able to hold fluid. It is noticeable when the hydrolic rear suspension is shot when the ride is low and very bouncy. Many have a regular suspension that is more than adequate and more desirable on these older Mercs because of increased reliability (fewer parts to fail with time). Another issue includes the doorlocks that use a vacuume system that is prone to failing. Owning one takes the proper knowledge and love the vehicle, that's for sure.

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Old 02-13-04, 10:08 PM
  #17  
Buttercup
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The 1986 420 sel was my first car. I had it for almost two years (now my sc is the 2nd). We didn't do much maintenance, only oil changes. The only problems were: creaks here and there, alternator died, radiator blew, and one time I was driving 80 and I hit a bump on the freeway and the steering wheel vibrated so badly my Pioneer CD player stopped. My dad took it to the dealership and they fixed the problem, but after a few months we got new tires from Wheel Works and the vibration is there at 65 mph. I took the car back twice and they tried to balance the wheels but that didn't help. A dynamic balancer would probably have done it. Oh and the shocks are very worn. The current mileage is 144k. I wouldn't blame the car though, we bought it 2 years used and my mom mainly drove it and would rarely warm up the engine. Then I drove it and I plowed through corners and that probably upset the wheel/steering balance.
Other than that the car is nice. All my friends wanted to go in my car because it has the most leg room. Now no one wants to go in the back of my sc.
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Old 02-13-04, 10:14 PM
  #18  
nthach
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i used to drive one, until some soccer mom in a Civic rammed me. If you change the timing chain and rails every 60K, use Mercedes coolant, and all that, it'll treat you well.
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Old 02-14-04, 12:13 PM
  #19  
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VIP? Buy a Junction Produce kit.
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