New here... my first MB

[john rh]

Hello there,

I live in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire and I've just joined the forum, after paying a deposit on an old Mercedes-Benz yesterday. Very exciting!

I've had various interesting cars, but I never quite bought an MB. I've looked at 3 in the past 6 or 7 years (280SE 3.5, 450SEL 6.9 and 500SEC) but none was as nice as described.

Anyway, now I think/hope I have found a good one. Certainly not perfect - but good. It's a 1986 500SEL which will be my daily driver (... my car rules are a bit different to most people - in my head this counts as "modern" and "sensible", although I don't think my partner agrees!).

It will be replacing my 1998 BMW 540i touring, which is a really excellent and enjoyable car, but it's slightly too modern/sterile for me to love it. I do like a bit of retro charm!

As well as the daily driver, I have a big project on the go with a 1973 Volvo 164. I'm doing a bodywork restoration, conversion to RHD, and lots of modifications including a supercharger. Details here if anyone wants to check it out (it's not a quick read!) 164RS project - Volvo Owners Club Forum

The SEL will be kept mostly standard. The only modifications I am considering are LPG and a modern stereo. Over time, I will be trying to work through and correct all its minor faults. It is not intended to be a concours car (e.g. it will be thoroughly rust-proofed) but I'd like to get it to A1 condition or as close as possible.

No photos yet, but I'll post some when I have collected the car next weekend.

I know I will have lots of questions for the experts on here. In fact, I have a couple already, which I'll now try to post in the right section.

Cheers

John

 

[wxmclk]

Welcome John. Sounds like you are going to be busy.

 

[EDZ649]

Welcome John, look forward to seeing some pictures of your new aquisition

 

[dokalj]

Welcome John and to the world of MB

 

[john rh]

Hi,
It's home. It ran perfectly, but it does have some "lack of use" faults such as wooden, grumbly brakes.

Actually, it's better than I thought. I don't think I've never said that about a car purchase before!

I'm in a rush now - I'll update more tomorrow - but here's a few photos after a quick wash when I got home:

I think the same private plate has been on since new

I think the wheels have been retrofitted from a later w126... I don't think they are original for 1986 but I stand to be corrected!

Original mats, driver's heel pad is worn

Seems to be the original spare, unused from 1986

Rust under driver's door needs to be fixed. Others are perfect

Small dent under rear lamp

Rust bulge on o/s/r wheelarch. Others fine.

I paid below the magazines "condition 1" price and got the private plate thrown in, so I am very pleased with it!

More exploration tomorrow.

Cheers

John

 

[chiefski26]

nice

 

[grober]

Looks a good un! Wheels certainly not the originals which would have been 15 square hole alloys. Normal size 205/65R15 while the 5.6 litre MODELS ran 215/65R15,s I believe. As a long wheelbase car does it have self levelling rear suspension?

 

[JasM]

Welcome.

You've bought yourself a very nice car.

 

[umedc]

nice car:bannana:

 

[john rh]

VIN decode

Can anybody help with what 461 means?

Seems like no self-levelling... or is this a standard feature on the L?

I guess the April 86 build will mean the earlier lower compression engine, but the LSD is good compensation.

Cheers

John

VINWDB1260372A221884
Model500 SEL
Chassis1260372A221884
Engine117965 22 005521
Transmission722311 02 730818
Order0 5 867 00076
Delivery date23.04.86
DealerPakistan
(867) Interiorleather pebble
(275) Paint929nautical blue metallic (с 01.01.1984)
Options
221left front seat, electrically adjustable (с 01.11.1978)
222right front seat, electrically adjustable (с 01.11.1978)
256rear axle with limited-slip differential (с 01.11.1965 по 30.11.1991)
412electric sliding roof with tilting device (с 01.07.1983)
461Unknown code
507outside rear view mirror, right and left, heated (electrically adjustable on the left) (r.h.d.) (с 01.10.1983 по 31.03.1989)
532automatic antenna without radio set (с 01.01.1963)
543sun visor with vanity mirror, illuminated, left and right (с 01.11.1978)
570folding armrest front w202/210 stowage box front with armrest (с 01.04.1970)
front folding armrest w202 - housing at front with armrest
580air conditioner/Tempmatic (с 01.11.1982)
592heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (laminated glass), band filter
green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, laminated safety glass - tinted strip (с 01.01.1972)
606headlamp wiper unit, oil for rear axle with limited-slip differential in canisters and containers and mounting for customs license plate (с 01.08.1971)
615lamp unit, asymmetrical l.h. traffic, and front and rear door courtesy lamps
like 610, and with type 107 bifocal bulbs
611 + 613 (с 01.11.1978)
677tropical battery (с 01.06.1965 по 30.11.1991)
877reading lamp in the rear (с 01.11.1963)

 

[grober]

461= instruments with mileage reading and English lettering. Pakistan origins may explain its relatively rust free condition

self levelling is code 480-489 I think

 

[john rh]

461= instruments with mileage reading and English lettering. Pakistan origins may explain its relatively rust free condition

self levelling is code 480-489 I think

OK thanks, that makes sense. Does the fact that levelling is not listed as an option mean that it is not fitted?

ABS is not listed, but it IS definitely fitted - so I presume standard equipment for the intended market is not shown.

Could levelling be standard fit on the 500SEL, like ABS? I'll have a look under the back later today.

John

 

[BaldGuy]

Interested in your Volvo build John... will be following that also as a boy i always wanted one of those Scimitars.... Whats the plan for that?

 

[Frank O' Phile]

Welcome to the Forum, John.

Good choice of car, that is my kind of daily driver.

 

[john rh]

Interested in your Volvo build John... will be following that also as a boy i always wanted one of those Scimitars.... Whats the plan for that?

Hi, thanks

The Scimitar is now sold... brief spec:
1970 SE5
4.6 efi TVR V8
TVR engine management
Extractor manifolds & custom made 2x3 inch exhaust system
Borg Warner T5 manual gearbox
Wilwood venilated front discs
Rear disc conversion
Wilwood master cyls with adjustable front/rear bias
Fully adjustable coil-over suspension
Full body restoration and respray in VW silver-green


The Volvo...
1973 164E

Done so far:
Converted to RHD (95% done)
Comprehensive suspension upgrade (springs, dampers, bushes anti-roll bars, geometry) (90% done)
Bodywork restoration, original green-blue metallic (60% done)
Modifications to accept 17x8.5 Super DTM wheels (70%)
Full interior restoration, inc sports front seats (50%)
Engine rebuild (25%)
Fit supercharger and air-to-air intercooler (10%)
Fit mappable engine management ECU (fuel & ignition) (0%)
Fit custom-made extractor manifold & system (0%)
If needed, upgrade to Ferrari 328 front brakes

It's a long-term project, so don't hold your breath. But it will get there in the end!

Cheers

John

 

[BaldGuy]

That Scimitar sounds awesome.....

 

[buccal]

Welcome John, your new purchase looks like a good one!

 

[grober]

OK thanks, that makes sense. Does the fact that levelling is not listed as an option mean that it is not fitted?

ABS is not listed, but it IS definitely fitted - so I presume standard equipment for the intended market is not shown.

Could levelling be standard fit on the 500SEL, like ABS? I'll have a look under the back later today.

John

There were 2 forms of self leveling available 1. automatic rear only hydraulic with nitrogen spheres and 2.front and rear hydraulic with 3/4 manual settings
I think that self levelling was only standard on the 560 engined models but many SEL's were fitted with this extra cost option so that's why I asked.
this is a good introductory site. W126

 

[john rh]

Update

I've done about 700 miles and the car is going better and better. I really like driving this car!

We went down to Birmingham last night to see friends, and on the way back today in the snow, the LSD and ABS worked perfectly.

Last week, I checked all the levels and found the ATF was very low. It needed over 2.5 litres to bring up to the mark! I don't know why, because it doesn't seem to be leaking. Anyway, the auto box is now much more responsive and the delay engaging gear from a cold start has gone. I'll be getting a full gearbox service done in the next few weeks.

I hope the low fluid has not done any damage. It drives nicely, but there is a slight whine when in Neutral or Park - perfectly quiet in Drive and Reverse.

The brakes are much better now, strong and responsive, However, it feels like a disc is warped and there's a very slight pull to the left on braking - getting gradually worse I think - so fairly soon I'll replace discs, pads and fluid - and carefully inspect and clean everything else.

When I first tried a flat-out acceleration, I was surprised how fast it is - really flies from 20 to 70. There was lots of black smoke the first couple of times, indicating that it's just been pottered around for a long time. That's all cleared now.

It is averaging 19.5mpg, which is not fantastic but better than I had expected for a big, automatic, old-tech 5 litre car.

I changed the oil and filter yesterday. It looked OK but it was probably be thinned and diluted by petrol from lots of cold starts and short journeys. When I collected the car, it had only done 126 miles since its last MOT in August. I'm going to run it for a few weeks, then change the oil again, hoping to flush and clean it out.

I was surprised by oil filter prices. I was looking to buy on line but I couldn't get exactly the right type (there are several slightly different filters for different years, for some reason). But they were all £7 to £10 plus postage. I called at the local MB dealer and got a genuine filter for just £6.15.

I have also:
Replaced the wiper blades (quite tricky... the bonnet is in the way).
Washed and waxed the bodywork
Cleaned the interior and glass
Ordered new air filter
Got some genuine MB rubber mats for the winter
Ordered some new number plates (mine are cheap, wavy ones)
Bought the correct alloys, currently being refurbed, and new Continental tyres for them

I also replaced the spark plugs and leads yesterday. The throttle response is nice and crisp now, but it still seems to misfire slightly for about 2 seconds after a cold start. Maybe they all do that? I have never owned a car with mechanical fuel injection before.

I have bought rustproofing materials. I have some days off in March so I'll do a thorough job then. I will remove bumpers, side cladding and lamps to clean and protect behind them, as well as wheelarches, underside and box sections of course.

Tomorrow, it goes in for LPG conversion.

I have found a highly recommended MB specialist nearby, so the second oil change and a general check-over will be done there so I can get the service book stamped and keep up the FSH. I'll probably get them to change the diff oil as well; it's messy without a ramp.

All for now.

Cheers,

John

 

[JasM]

Glad to hear you are enjoying it.