I am considering buying a 560SEC and was wondering what pitfalls there are with these cars... ie engines/suspensions etc. I own a 300SD so am familiar with the general stuff on these 126 series cars... Thanks for any advice
Aside from the obvious you should know that its rear suspension is hydro-pneumatic. That means there's an engine mounted hydraulic pump, rear leveling valve and two nitrogen chambered shock absorbers in the rear. Not terribly expensive to fix but you should know how it works.
Its only point is to keep the car level, regardless of rear end load - same system is installed in the 560 SEL sedan (but not the 420 SEL which has a conventional suspension).
I have an 86 sec, have put lots of money and time into it. It is a classy looking car and cost over 60k new. But it is a very complicated piece of machinery, lots of things to go wrong. Some things you can work on yourself and EBay is a gold mine of new and used parts. I had to send the speedometer to Texas to have the odometer repaired. Bought a used cruise control actuator on EBay, also new armrest cover and steering wheel cover. The car has lots of power, but you will get about 14 mpg on high test. $$$$$$$$$$
Where in Texas did you have your odometer repaired? I have a 1990 560 SEL that doesn't record the mileage accurately (records low).
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