1989 500 SEL bumpers

[M_A_Z_Z_I]

Welcome all and hope that you will be able to help me.
I bought a 1989 500 SEL (just under 600 pounds) as a project to restore it and I first thing i need to change are the bumpers or maybe not the whole bumper but just the chrome parts if possible...
Any idea where can I find these and how much are they I found one on ebay for nearly 265 pounds which is nearly half of what I paid for the car.
Also I think it might need a new A/C compressor because when I switch it on there is a grinding noise coming from under the bonnet and the engine rev. is going down for a moment
Anyone experienced similar problem?
I am new here and english is not my first language so please forgive me.
if you can just text me pls with any info you may have 07882932191
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks Guys
Martin

 

[coalville126]

Welcome!

I'm afraid bumper chrome for W126s are frighteningly expensive. A complete new set front & rear would probably set you back twice what you paid for your car.

 

[M_A_Z_Z_I]

so maybe I should start thinking about breaking it down rather than restoring and selling for parts as well...
what would the best thing to do bc I am new with merc..
any comments are more than welcome people

Thank you

 

[M_A_Z_Z_I]

C'mon people anyone please ?? I am sure there is somebody here who knows anything about bumpers or can say a word or two whether I should sell it or keep it and restore it

 

[neilrr]

Good used ones are hard / impossible to find.

 

[Watchcame430]

Id stick a saved search in ebay on the off chance. Bottom line is resorations cost, thats why the car was cheap in the first place. It costs a lot to restore any car, especially prestige cars.

 

[mejermy]

More of the same advice on the bumpers I'm afraid. On the compressor - take it off and check the bearing. Mine (248000 miles and owned from new) was making a dreadful noise and simply replacing the bearing with one from a bearing specialist did the trick.

 

[coalville126]

If your car is good, bodywork wise apart from the bumper chromes, you could choose to repair and colour code them instead as a cheap fix. It's inoffensive and doesn't look out of place IMHO unless you were familiar with W126s. While it won't win any prizes at a show, it tidies up a daily runner. Beats having crumbly, rusty trim pieces anyday.

 

[arfan786]

hi mazzi

As the guys have stated already the chrome bumper strips for w126s are hard to find i was looking into the route having the chrome replated etc but i am trying to find if that is possible.

Also if you need more help re w126 sel then i would also recommend the w126 s-class forum there are some nice guys on there too and are nuts about about w126 sel and sec i am sure they will be able to help you.

 

[ianrandom]

Yup there was a recent thread there about this. Mercedes 126 S Class Club - Welcome

Advice will be similar to the guys above. EBay is your friend..

 

[Marku]

Try Mercman in Cornwall I got a part from them for my 116 by return which I had literally looked for the world over and been promised by some who then never delivered. They have parts for nearly all Mercedes and were really helpful. They have a website that you can send a query and prices are very reasonable.

 

[dsan]

First things first, you dont buy a mercedes and think you'll do a cheap restoration, thats why fords and vauxhalls were developed.

W126 bumper chrome is available, depends which bits you need. They are expensive, see point above.

Chas at sec shop down in kent might have some, google his details and call. Retrodave is also a very useful [email protected]