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PointedThree :  Sedan Forums : W126 S,SE,SEC,SEL,SD,SDL Class : Decommissioned the 500 SEL

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Decommissioned the 500 SEL
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Posted 9/4/2006 10:44 PM
jdc1244

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Decommissioned the 500 SEL

I canceled the insurance and won’t be renewing the registration. I pulled the battery today to use in other 126 should that battery fail. She’ll be moved from the front of my property with the other cars to the back where my shop is.

I frankly can’t afford or justify the expense to fix the engine at this time. The M117 is also the least fuel efficient of my engines and with gas prices the way they are the SEL was already driven on a much reduced schedule when she finally refused to start at the end of June of this year. The good ol girl knew she could not bring me back home so rather then leaving me stranded in a shopping center parking lot somewhere she had the good sense to not start at home.

Oh well.

That her body and chassis are rust- and accident-free compels me to keep her, at least for the near future. I’ve been toying with the idea of buying a new engine as the current one is near the end of her service life, another reason to not put money in an engine with these miles. Sad thing is the engine ran fine above about 1200 rpm. She pulled very strong and was very responsive on the open road. The engine burned no oil. There is truly nothing like a Mercedes V8.

I’ll have a look at her this winter when the weather is cooler and there’s less rain. Perhaps I can source some good used injectors and find all the leaks.

I’d also like to get a 300 SD 126, perhaps to replace the 500. I must confess the idea of caring for a 617 rather then a 117 is appealing in that 617s need little care.





#43004
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Posted 9/4/2006 10:54 PM
zeq

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Re: Decommissioned the 500 SEL

You own a workshop?
#43009 - in reply to #43004
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Posted 9/4/2006 11:27 PM
jdc1244

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
RE: Decommissioned the 500 SEL

"Workshop" only in the American context: a place where I have my tools and parts and work only on my cars.
#43015 - in reply to #43004
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Posted 9/5/2006 12:45 AM
Dieselburns
Expert




Date registered: May 2006
Location: New York, Long Island
Vehicle(s): 78' MB 300D 87 Chief Cherokee
Posts: 2251
2000
RE: Decommissioned the 500 SEL

Well I wish to say the same thing for my 240D....

#43028 - in reply to #43015
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Posted 9/5/2006 1:20 AM
Marsden
Classic MB




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Capital City USA
Vehicle(s): Mercedes-Benz
5000
RE: Decommissioned the 500 SEL

Sorry to see her "go" JD, but when it's time, I guess it's time.

Your love for your beautiful old cars is truly inspiring.

I envy you your workspace and one for me is in the works

#43036 - in reply to #43004
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Posted 9/5/2006 2:02 AM
Nutz
Expert


Date registered: Apr 2006
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Posts: 2026
2000
Re: Decommissioned the 500 SEL

Okay,is she able to make a trip from Florida to Alaska? It's a euro right?
#43044 - in reply to #43036
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Posted 9/5/2006 2:34 AM
jdc1244

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
RE: Decommissioned the 500 SEL

No, it's a US car but it does have the rare and cool SEC type rear seats for sedans option, one reason why I'm not keen on parting with her just yet. Yes, Nutz, she'd make it to Alaska provided she'll start.
#43048 - in reply to #43004
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Posted 9/5/2006 7:09 AM
Nutz
Expert


Date registered: Apr 2006
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Posts: 2026
2000
Re: Decommissioned the 500 SEL


Ah bummer,it's an US model!
#43077 - in reply to #43048
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Posted 9/5/2006 5:21 PM
nomad

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
RE: Decommissioned the 500 SEL

I'm shocked and a bit sadened
There aren't many 1st-gen 500SEL's around anymore (or 500's of any kind), so it's getting lonely
At least it's nice to know you haven't totally given up on her
Such a shame though
#43147 - in reply to #43004
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Posted 9/5/2006 7:14 PM
jdc1244

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
RE: Decommissioned the 500 SEL

No, I've not given up - again she runs fine except for the rough idle and now not starting. Had her up to 100 mph in early June.

I think I just need some time-out and wait for cooler weather.
#43168 - in reply to #43004
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Posted 9/5/2006 9:18 PM
1996_S500

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
RE: Decommissioned the 500 SEL

JDC, I am very saddened to hear that your 500 SEL will be out of service for a while, however, I completely understand your situation. I hope you get the 500 SEL back up and running.
#43207 - in reply to #43004
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Posted 9/5/2006 9:42 PM
jdc1244

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
RE: Decommissioned the 500 SEL

1996_S500 - 9/5/2006 9:18 PM

JDC, I am very saddened to hear that your 500 SEL will be out of service for a while, however, I completely understand your situation. I hope you get the 500 SEL back up and running. :)


Thanks.

It's a bummer to turn in her tag but there's no point in paying insurance and a renewal fee. Time and a safe place to store her are on my side while I consider my options.
#43222 - in reply to #43207
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Posted 9/5/2006 10:22 PM
1996_S500

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
RE: Decommissioned the 500 SEL

jdc1244 - 9/5/2006 6:42 PM

1996_S500 - 9/5/2006 9:18 PM

JDC, I am very saddened to hear that your 500 SEL will be out of service for a while, however, I completely understand your situation. I hope you get the 500 SEL back up and running.


Thanks.

It's a bummer to turn in her tag but there's no point in paying insurance and a renewal fee. Time and a safe place to store her are on my side while I consider my options.


yea, that is definitely true. Especially since you already have a fully functioning W123 and a W126. I hope you decide to keep your 500, and eventually repair it, but if you do decide to sell it, Please buy another W126, as you are very knowledgeable about them, and I am sure you will find a nice example if you decide to part with your 500 SEL.
#43228 - in reply to #43222
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Posted 9/5/2006 10:39 PM
jdc1244

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
RE: Decommissioned the 500 SEL

Thanks again.

I was thinking this might be for the best in the long run. I can take my time to address other issues as well while trying to fix the engine.
#43230 - in reply to #43004
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Posted 9/7/2006 5:29 PM
zeq

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Re: Decommissioned the 500 SEL

ahh I see. Any plans for a newer Merc? Like the W140 or W202 etc?
#43498 - in reply to #43004
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Posted 9/7/2006 7:45 PM
jdc1244

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Re: Decommissioned the 500 SEL

zeq - 9/7/2006 5:29 PM

ahh I see. Any plans for a newer Merc? Like the W140 or W202 etc?


No, I'll stay with the pre 91 cars.

#43541 - in reply to #43498
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Posted 9/7/2006 10:29 PM
1996_S500

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Re: Decommissioned the 500 SEL

jdc1244 - 9/7/2006 4:45 PM

zeq - 9/7/2006 5:29 PM

ahh I see. Any plans for a newer Merc? Like the W140 or W202 etc?


No, I'll stay with the pre 91 cars.



that's cool. They are much more solid, and less maintenance. I completely understand why.
#43584 - in reply to #43541
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Posted 9/8/2006 4:17 AM
zeq

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Re: Decommissioned the 500 SEL

The cars are solid but maintenace to keep it going is still expensive.
#43657 - in reply to #43004
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Posted 9/8/2006 10:04 AM
1996_S500

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Re: Decommissioned the 500 SEL

zeq - 9/8/2006 1:17 AM

The cars are solid but maintenace to keep it going is still expensive.


all mercedes have a lot of maintenance. Even W140.....
#43708 - in reply to #43657
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Posted 9/8/2006 10:52 AM
zeq

Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Re: Decommissioned the 500 SEL

1996_S500 - 9/8/2006 10:04 AM

zeq - 9/8/2006 1:17 AM

The cars are solid but maintenace to keep it going is still expensive.


all mercedes have a lot of maintenance. Even W140.....


That's why many people says the W140s or any other old mercs are cheap to buy now. But they don't understand the expensive maintenance. When something goes wrong, They say the car is POS.
#43725 - in reply to #43708
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