W126 260se

[abecketts]

Being new to the forum and also new to appreciating the quality of older mercs I wondered if the more knowledgable could fill in some gaps.

I've been considering a W126 as my next acquisition and a mate locally recently acquired a F reg 260SE I thought that UK models started with the 280 followed by the 300, is the 260 a UK rarity or imported?

I loved the ride and silence but I found the engine underpowered for the size of the car. It also had an alcantara interior is that common on these?

Any insights appreciated.

 

[grober]

Some 20,836 were made between 1985 and 1991 if that's any help. A comparatively rare model compared to the contemporary 3 litre 6 cylinder model. If its RHD its probably a kosher UK CAR?? but this model was designed for certain restricted markets. The 260 and 3 litre are basically the same single cam design whereas the twin cam 280 was from an older generation of engines from the W116 cars

 

[BlackC55]

The 500 and 560 are the ideal 126's

 

[abecketts]

Some 20,836 were made between 1985 and 1991 if that's any help. A comparatively rare model compared to the contemporary 3 litre 6 cylinder model. If its RHD its probably a kosher UK CAR?? but this model was designed for certain restricted markets. The 260 and 3 litre are basically the same single cam design whereas the twin cam 280 was from an older generation of engines from the W116 cars

Thanks for the info, of the cars produced how many came to the UK is that known? I have a feeling my mates theory that this is the only one in the UK is going to be blown away.

 

[alexander patie]

i have never seen or heard of a 260 126, seen all the others though. it must be fairly rare.

 

[stwat]

i have never seen or heard of a 260 126, seen all the others though. it must be fairly rare.

Me neither. It must be very underpowered too. The 126 is not a light car!

 

[grober]

Many manufacturers faced with this performance issue of "little engine in big car" increase the rear axle ratio to compensate. This goes some way to address acceleration problems but limits top speed and ironically sometimes results in poorer fuel economy!

 

[James Rothwell]

There is a nice F-reg 500SEL for sale on Pistonheads for not much money at all, think it's up for £800 ONO. Looks in fairly good order, needs a bit of spend on paint but that would be worth buying I should think.

Whatever W126 you get, it has to be a LWB...

 

[219]

The 260 was a 'poverty spec' version normally used as taxis on the continent , as already said the UK range started originally with the 280SE , the M110 engine being a carry over from the previous W116 range , along with the 380 and 500 . A little later the 280 was replaced by the 300 which had the M103 single cam engine which was much smoother and more fuel efficient than the old M110 . The 2.6 litre unit is also the M103 but at only 166 bhp is very much underpowered for the 126 body which weighs something like 1700 Kg . The 2.6 does well in the 190 bodyshell and is just about OK in the W124 but will be positively lethargic in an S Class .

The V8 engines were updated too - the 380 being replaced by the 420 , the 500 stayed on and the 560 came in at the top .

I'd echo what Olly said , the bigger V8 engines are best suited to this model - while there's nothing wrong with a well specced 300 , there's very little difference in fuel consumption : I routinely get 20 mpg with my 500SEL and can eke out 25 mpg on a run , having run 300's in the past I can tell you they only do a couple more mpg in the real world - mind you the 280 , besides being less refined , is actually THIRSTIER than most of the V8's .

The main reason you will find a lot of the six cylinder cars around is because they were significantly cheaper to buy new , these cars had a lower standard spec and the cost conscious buyers tended not to option them up - you are much more likely to get leather , air con and all the other toys on one of the larger models which would have probably been bought by a large compNy for a director with all the option boxes ticked then maintained regardless of cost .

Now that these cars are 20+ years old the values are similar for all models so you're as well seeking out a better specced car .

I've had my 500 just under a year and have done 16,000 trouble free miles .

Good luck .

 

[Roger Jones]

"Whatever W126 you get, it has to be a LWB"

Each to his own. In profile, to my eye the SE is perfectly balanced and the SEL isn't.

I get about 25 mpg (long-term, fully documented) from my 300 SE. I have driven a 500 SEL and got 22+ mpg on a steady long trip. I think its fair to say that the handling of the 300 SE is a little more nimble with its lighter engine. The relatively simple 300 will be somewhat cheaper to maintain and easier on tyres. I find its performance satisfactory for a car of its type. Nevertheless, I don't deny the attractions of the larger engines. Don't forget, the more extras there are, the more there is to go wrong.

They are all prone to corrosion at the base of the rear window (get in the boot and look upwards for it) and at the wheel arches. Also, at some point, the bumper chrome will go. Mine's just started (1992 car), darn it. It is horribly expensive to replace, although it does come up on eBay. The window brightwork also deteriorates and, being anodized aluminium, does not respond to anything but expensive replacement.

There's a very good model history and buying guide in the English section here:

Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse Club e.V.

where they conclude with "[FONT=Verdana,Arial][SIZE=-1][FONT=Verdana,Arial][SIZE=-1]Most importantly, we wish to guard you from financial illusions. There are plenty of examples of people who bought a car cheaply and also expected cheap maintenance!"

They are great cars.
[/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT]

 

[nick mercedes]

Being new to the forum and also new to appreciating the quality of older mercs I wondered if the more knowledgable could fill in some gaps.

I've been considering a W126 as my next acquisition and a mate locally recently acquired a F reg 260SE I thought that UK models started with the 280 followed by the 300, is the 260 a UK rarity or imported?

I loved the ride and silence but I found the engine underpowered for the size of the car. It also had an alcantara interior is that common on these?

Any insights appreciated.

HK import?

Or ex embassy car?

If it's a lovely car and the only thing that puts you off is the 2.6 engine, buy it and drop a 3.0 engine in there (straight swap).

 

[manalishi]

If you can put up with driving a wedding car, there's a pretty well specced 300SE listed at merc5eller for (IIRC) £1500

 

[abecketts]

I'd like to thank everyone for their input/views and advice, i'd erred on the cautious side thinking the middle sized engine i.e. a 300 would balance economy and adequate performance along with a well respected engine. However many of you have suggested trying a 500 or 560, i'd discounted them on fuel grounds so i'll go and look again at the larger engines. As for SE or SEL i don't know, having owned a classic range rover I think the LSE works with the doors being almost the same size but does it work for the merc? Thanks again.

 

[alexander patie]

for my money i would be very happy with a 300se or sel. although the fuel consumption is only slightly better, they are easier and cheaper to maintain and actually perform very well. i do know of one that has now covered 475,000 mls on its original m103 engine!!! much of that was towing a classic sports car around europe. incidentally a customer brought in a nice one in today that he recently bought from charles ironside, a very nice, clean low mileage car.

things to watch for are the full hydraulic suspension, usually problematic and very expensive to fix, rust (as said) and anything oily smoky and worn out!! also don't bother with the ageing m110 280, a noisy under powered engine, and thirsty to boot.

 

[mattc]

incidentally a customer brought in a nice one in today that he recently bought from charles ironside, a very nice, clean low mileage car.

Ivory paint and java trim by any chance?

 

[talbir]

The 260SE is rare, but the best short wheelbase w126 has to be the 560SE....and it is the rarest of all w126 models only offered in Germany and Switzerland i believe, only 2180 built.

The w126 needs a big engine....no better than the 5.6 litre with 300bhp. But a 560SE cannot be found in the UK....unless you get a 300SE and remove the engine and replace with a 5.6 unit and add SLS etc.


cheers
talbir

 

[manalishi]

A 300SE that seems worth a look: 1990 Mercedes-Benz 300SE Pearl Grey Metallic on eBay (end time 16-Sep-09 17:54:39 BST) - it's another that proves decent spec is available without V8 expense.

Pearl grey is a great colour - better than wedding white, and more practical than funeral 040 black.

 

[219]

The 260SE is rare, but the best short wheelbase w126 has to be the 560SE....and it is the rarest of all w126 models only offered in Germany and Switzerland i believe, only 2180 built.

The w126 needs a big engine....no better than the 5.6 litre with 300bhp. But a 560SE cannot be found in the UK....unless you get a 300SE and remove the engine and replace with a 5.6 unit and add SLS etc.


cheers
talbir

Hmmm , I quite like my 500SEL for space and comfort , but if I wanted a W126 for handling and performance , and just for myself , I think I'd go for a 560SEC , rather than seek out/create a 560SE .

Mind you , it would be nice to have both !