450slc rip

[01alam]

Whilst on a weekend in Bath, some nutter crashed into my 450SLC! The 450SLC ran superbly from London to Oxford and from Oxford to Bath - absolutely amazing, with sunroof open, it was fantastic.

Now the car has been classified as a total loss by the insurance company, I was tempted to take it back, but have been told it would cost over £10k to get it done up again, which is not ideal.

What amazes me is that the person who hit me actually left his/her car 100 yards from my car and ran away! Mine was hit in the back end, but the Mk4 Golf clearly suffered much worse than me. It is amazing how tough these old Mercs are!

I am looking at a new car now, either get another 450SLC or thinking about a W126 300SE or am thinking about a XJ6 3.2, any views? Are W126 as tough as the SLCs?

 

[grober]

W126 cars are bulletproof if they have been looked after. However they do have a rep for rust so inspect any prospective purchase very carefully. They are slightly more complicated electronically then your SLC (PROGRESS??) but nowhere as complicated as present day cars which means many specialist garages can fix them.

 

[MPG]

I've done 8k miles in a W126 in the past 9 months. Other than a service & a new set of tyres, nothing to report. Bodywise the front wings & rear parcel shelf can rust owing to a fault in the design of the rear screen seal so check that out. Also take a look at the condition of the bumper chromes as they tend to bubble from the underside upwards - if you can see bubbling the chrome is beyond salvation. Similarly if the window brightwork looks cloudy learn to live with it or replace it. Quite simply it isn't chrome but anodised aluminium so no end of metal polishing will bring it back. Afraid I have no knowledge to offer on the straight 6 engine, but if it's a V8 you need to check on the timing chain history & the valve guide oil seals which tend to harden after about 100k miles. Other than that just remember to check every switch and button works - the seat switches can sometimes be a little frail. If they aren't working then Mercedes will charge you over 100 quid each for them - in this instance German eBay is your best friend.

 

[Big_Jon]

I would highly endorse an X300 XJ6.

I had one (1996 XJ-Sport) and it still breaks my heart that I took the money and ran when I was made an incredible offer for it (it was 50k, FJSH) last november.

Common faults to look out for are electrics (make sure everything works), disconnected air-con (they do it so you dont know if it works) and poorly repaired rust. Interiors dont wear very well and you could look at a 70k car and think the drivers seat had done 170k on some examples. Thats the way they are.

Also feel for any diff problems when test-driving them, if they have been abused diff-judder is common.

A well looked after jag will do 250,000 without missing a beat.

 

[nick mercedes]

Whilst on a weekend in Bath, some nutter crashed into my 450SLC! The 450SLC ran superbly from London to Oxford and from Oxford to Bath - absolutely amazing, with sunroof open, it was fantastic.

Now the car has been classified as a total loss by the insurance company, I was tempted to take it back, but have been told it would cost over £10k to get it done up again, which is not ideal.

What amazes me is that the person who hit me actually left his/her car 100 yards from my car and ran away! Mine was hit in the back end, but the Mk4 Golf clearly suffered much worse than me. It is amazing how tough these old Mercs are!

I am looking at a new car now, either get another 450SLC or thinking about a W126 300SE or am thinking about a XJ6 3.2, any views? Are W126 as tough as the SLCs?

If you like SLCs how about a R107 SL?

 

[jaymanek]

Yep the SL is a much nicer car.. No offence but ive never thought the SLC was a looker...

They are very tough.. someone went into the back of me a day after I bought my SL.. heard an almighty thump.. got out to find his ford focus bumper in several pieces.

Couldnt even find a scratch on my car anywhere.. the bumper had not even bent its brackets. The rubber surround on the bumper was not even marked!

So I let the chap go.. then i drove up the road and it was soon evident that there was some damage - My exhaust middlebox had sheared at the joint!

Nothing as solid as 80's MB's IMO.

 

[219]

My condolences on the loss of a nice car .

A 126 is probably not quite as solid as a 107 , but good cars nonetheless . I bought my 500SEL last October after looking at numerous rusty examples - the one I have is not perfect with just the beginnings of rust in the parcel shelf area , two new genuine MB front wings and two small bubbles on one rear wheelarch due to an unsatisfactory previous repair ; with a minor parking scratch on the same rear wing present on the car when I bought it , I'll get that panel painted at some point . Mechanically the car is fine and I've put just over 10K on since I got it - just did an oil change last months and new discs/pads this weekend . I have had a few minor niggles sorting out switch illumination , still have to locate the light source for fibre optics leading to some of the switches - apparently in beside the heater somewhere , glued back some wood trim which had peeled off - but basically a sound reliable car which hasn't missed a beat . Also looking out for a better set of mushroom leather seats , preferably post facelift style and with individual rears as in the 560 .

The doors definitely don't shut with the same solid think as a 107 , or a 116 for that matter which was contemporary to the 107 . When the 126 replaced the 116 they shaved quite a few pounds off although the shell is claimed to be just as rigid .

If you do get the chance to salvage your SLC it could be worthwhile as good used 107 parts can be sought after . For example , Silversaloon on here is restoring an SL and has advertised looking for bumpers , chrome , body panels - a lot of parts from your car will fit an SL and would be helpful to restorers rather than seeing the car crushed by an insurer . What category of write off was it ? Maybe someone would fancy restoring it although SLC values are not that high .

Maybe you'd fancy a W126 SEC coupe as this is the spiritual successor to the SLC ?

 

[bolide]

Bear in mind that, if it's a no-fault accident, the driver of the other car can be made to repair your car whatever the cost and without involving your insurers

Have a look on Honest John's website regarding no-fault accidents. Claiming from your own insurer may well be a mistake. Claim from the other driver and let him pass it to his insurers if he wants to

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[219]

Bear in mind that, if it's a no-fault accident, the driver of the other car can be made to repair your car whatever the cost and without involving your insurers

Have a look on Honest John's website regarding no-fault accidents. Claiming from your own insurer may well be a mistake. Claim from the other driver and let him pass it to his insurers if he wants to

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

That depends on the other party having money/insurance .

The uninsured driver who wrote off my 300TE-24 looked as if she didn't have two pennies to rub together , likewise the husband who turned up to collect her .

My car was so badly damaged with twisted bodyshell due to side impact that I wouldn't have wanted it repaired , though it would have been nice if I'd been able to make them pay for a pristine replacement TE from Nick . Can't sue people who have no money , though , and the fact that in the case here the other party ran away makes me smell a rat .

 

[SilverSaloon]

If you do get the chance to salvage your SLC it could be worthwhile as good used 107 parts can be sought after . For example , Silversaloon on here is restoring an SL and has advertised looking for bumpers , chrome , body panels - a lot of parts from your car will fit an SL and would be helpful to restorers rather than seeing the car crushed by an insurer . What category of write off was it ? Maybe someone would fancy restoring it although SLC values are not that high .

the trim parts (chrome etc etc) in good condition fetch quite a bit. definatly worth trying to get the salvage back and selling on the parts and weighing in the rest; depending on whether you can be bothered though....

 

[01alam]

Thanks all,

When I went to see her, I had to yank the door open, the roof section was twisted, as far as I can see, it would need the chassis to be stretched, new real panels, new boot, new bumper, new sill, new roof section. I actually think £10k was a rather optimistic estimate on the part of the field mechanic...

I have never thought about claiming the other insurer, my first instinct was to try and see where my car was, as it was towed to a compound over night.

Thanks for all the advice on the W126, after owning the 450, I think I would stick with a smaller engine... the R107 is a good idea, but I use the 450 as a daily car, might need something a little more practical.

Not keen to get into the W210 route as they are quite good value, but not very well built? I am thinking about a W124 300E (12V not 24V). Are they good?

Thanks very much

 

[bolide]

am thinking about a W124 300E (12V not 24V). Are they good?

Just try to find a good one! I tend to steer people towards the E280/320 as they're newer and generally have fewer miles

I've been keeping my eyes open for saloons recently and they are thin on the ground. Estates & Coupes are easier to find with a good mileage & spec

Estates have a big advantage with the self-levelling suspension - they ride brilliantly well. The saloons, coupes & cabrios can't approach their wafting ride unless they have the (rare) optional self-levelling that is standard fitment on estates

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[219]

If it is fuel consumption that is steering you towards the smaller engines , do bear in mind that the later V8 engines are MUCH more economical than the early 350/450 units .

With the earlier engines I doubt you'd ever see better than 15 mpg , but with a 420 or 500 you can easily attain 20 mpg and more on a run .

I've had several cars with the M103 12V unit : 300TE W124 , 300SE W126 and 190E 2.6 and can vouch for the reliability of this unit ; likewise the 24V M104 variant as fitted in the 300TE-24 .

Although I prefer the earlier 3 litre version of the 24V unit over the later 2.8/3/2 versions due to my own good experiences with the former and various friends problems with wiring looms on the latter , I am forced to agree with Nick that these days you are more likely to find a clean example of the later , facelifted W124 models than an earlier one . When choosing one of these cars nowadays , condition is everything - never mind spec , colour ....... just get the best one you can find . With the 280/320 budget £400 for an engine wiring loom , easy enough diy swapover .

The six cylinder units will again give slightly better fuel economy than the later 8 cylinder units - I got typically 22-25 mpg overall with my 3 litre cars and crept into the high 20's on a run ; the 190E 2.6 was slightly better again due to it being a lighter and smaller car .

Actually , as a daily driver , a good 190E 2.6 is one of the nicest cars you can buy - these are very well made , comfortable , handle well and are very smooth and relaxing to drive with the 6 cylinder engine , best with an auto box . Usually , the 2.6 models , being top of the W201 range are quite well specced . I only changed mine for the SEL after we had a baby last year and needed something bigger - room in the back seats of a W201 is a little restricted although 4 adults can travel in reasonable comfort - but try fitting an infant carrier in there ! The 2.6 is still in the family as my sister now drives it .

Good luck with whatever you choose .

 

[kingkong]

I have a 1992 W124 300E pre-facelift with the 12V engine - I came to this from a 1983 W123 280E.

I would agree that you must buy on condition rather than spec or age. I saw some real dogs before I purchased mine. I paid £995 for mine with 83,000 on the clock, mostly main dealer and indie service history, 10 months MOT, aircon, sunroof, 8 hole alloys, electric windows and rust free. Other than routine servicing I've only paid for a new CD head unit, air con regassing and two new tyres. The car is so smooth and understated, yet can hustle and shift if necessary is S mode, and it looks and feels like the proper £37,000 luxury car that it would have been back in 1992.

I would imagine that, in this economy, you could probably find one for less.

Thanks,
KK

 

[01alam]

Thanks a lot for the comments, it has been very helpful. I might actually look at a newer W124 280E. I am actually wondering, whilst I am browsing today I saw a W210 with a plate instead of a radio on the dash, was a radio an optional extra for these cars and are these equiped with speakers and wired in? Thanks

 

[s600vxr]

I love these big old models but you dont see them very often.