Here's a Tour of a $150,000 Mercedes S-Class ... From 1991
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- Опубліковано 8 січ 2018
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The 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL was the flagship model of the S-Class model range in 1991. Today I'm reviewing this W126 Mercedes 560SEL to show you what you got when you spent the equivalent of $150,000 on a Mercedes-Benz S-Class in the 1980s or early 1990s.
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DOUGSCORE CHART: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/... - Авто та транспорт
Bro back then growing up, when your dad pull up in this, you're respected in the whole neighborhood
26 years and my father is still driving it, never thought for a second of selling it 😂
I’m in the UK , I like a caddy or a full size American but a benzito s class is in another league
True
G.A.M.A whole country
If you pull up in one of these today, you earn my respect.
*Doug slaps roof of 560SEL*
This bad boy can fit so many dictators.
78 likes and just 1 reply.
lol all in the floor board! Miss my teal 560sel.
Donald trump anybody?
@@shifty2755 i don't even support him but, he's not a dictator. If anything, he's a trash talker but no dictator
@@adamrichards2242 He's not a dictator due to checks and balances. He sure as fuck wants to be a dictator. He wants what he wants, without any input from anyone.
Doug DeMuro - You missed the fact that the windshield washer fluid is HEATED! Melts the ice in the winter.
I have one and I didn't know that. I was always kind of wondering why that stuff was warm.
@Munshat Rahman Heated washer fluid IS a feature, asshole. Excuse me, but someone just munshat on my rahman noodles. Hahahahahah!
I had that until one of the seals in the system failed and coolant started leaking into the washer fluid.
Munshat Rahman no one likes you
Cool feature back then, that im discovering interestingly enough is in most modern entry level luxury cars
One more detail I loved about this car.... the wipers on the headlights also have hidden water jets in them. It shoots washer fluid as it wiped down the lights. It's activated only when traveling over 40mph and you hold back the windshield washer stalk for 3 seconds. My dad was very proud of this car. Great video. brings back lots of childhood memories!
USA models only , which have non standard lights ; the others have little chrome jets in the bumpers because the standard lights have headlamps outboard and fog lamps inboard , hence the wiper sweeps a wider arc .
@@derekheeps1244 dry
Very nice
Doug: Features 3/10
WTF 🤦♂️
But.... Did they really?
Doug the type of guy to read reviews and columns on Auto Trader before getting into a car in GTA.
Do you not?
me Nope
@@-._._._-_._._.- 88888888888888888888888
😂
LMAO
Where's the AK-47 stored in this car?
smasila in the doorpanel haha
Nuke button in glove compartment and gulag preparation kit in the trunk.
In the trunk of course...with enough other guns so everyone in the car could have 2, plus some mortars and missile launchers. :P
Doug forgot to show us all the quirks and features of it :/
Remove the arm rest
08:43 Even Dog can miss some German engineering details
There are little dots in between the yellow and white lines in the speedometer at 45mph, 80mph, and 125mph.
Those indicate the max speed at which the gear will shift.
Also if you floor the gas paddle it’ll stop you half way and you kinda have to press harder to click a switch down there to give you more power. What’s up Doug!😎
WTF
best comment ever about details
& NO Much Likes WTF
It's called kickdown, it's in every better Mercedes as I know
Ooooooooooooooo
So that's why those lines exist.
Mercedes always had these quirks and features
Also, in D it's gentle, in 3 the throttle response changes and turns it into an animal.
@@G59METH Yeah, I have that click down throttle too, in my 1993 500SL. I constantly see online these R129 owners complaining about the 4-speed transmission not downshifting when necessary but I've never had a problem. Its more like a lot of people with early R129s don't know how to use their accelerator pedal properly so the car will give them the power they want when they want it. That trans is indestructible and incredibly smooth. The 5-speed used in the later cars -- and still used today, I believe -- is a good transmission as well, just NOT built to the same standard. I don't care what anyone says. I worked for an independent German Auto Service center between 2010-2012 and saw at least half a dozen of high mileage 5-speeds in there for a rebuild. Never saw a 4-speed in there, though...
My father had back in 2006. He once traveled in it while driving 120 miles per hour. He honestly thought that the car wasn't moving as fast and that he could open the door and just start walking from how comfortable the ride felt. Amazing car.
Man the condition this car is in is insane
Seriously. It's almost 30 years old!
These old Mercedes age really well. Quality materials
It's like new! Fantastic
I Liike
Lead base paint helps to
Don't know, but Mercedes models from the 80s, 90s and early 00s are the most beautiful for me. They have that something that I can't explain.
Aleksa Puzović I totally agree! I'm the same way the style from 80's, 90's & 00's are timeless designs!
Best car ever made. Still looks great over thirty years after it went out of production.
Amazing how this car still looks amazing, even the interior, for such an old car
It's not an old car... It is a Mercedes-Benz!! As here in Europe use to say; Mercedes-Benz, the best or nothing!!!
@@emiliorodrigues1924 exactly.. The best Or Nothing even in 1979
This car was available since 1979
That is because those 150 grand actually went into something....not into stupid gimmicks that quit working year by year until they stop providing spares.
@@emiliorodrigues1924 “used to say”
...unfortunately.
I found one for $900. I reeeeaaaalllyyyy want it
*update* got it for $500! Love the car
*update 2* wow this blew up. To all wondering, the car had a ton of problems, the biggest is not having reverse. I never really got to enjoy the car, as once I had begun, my daily driver, a Mercedes 190E, blew its head gasket. The 190E is in much better shape than the 560 was, so once I got a new daily, the 560 had to go. I only have room for two cars, and barely have the money to have two. I ended up getting $780 for her. You can see more on my channel
Gilbert G. Had any issues yet?
Legend!!!
Tell us how the maintenance goes
Seriously bro? How many miles? 200k?
Wtf? How? 7 months later im dying to know if it is still running without issues
God I miss these old Benzes, they were truly magnificent beasts.
I used to own a 560SEC. One of my friends would call me El Presidente while driving. The 4 speed auto only used first gear if you accelerate hard from a standing start. Otherwise it starts off in second gear. That is why Doug didn't feel much acceleration from the 300 horses.
Pretty much all automatics start I’m second gear actually
The W126 SEC was one of the most beautiful cars ever made, in my opinion. I got my hands on two as a teenager detailing cars - '83 380SEC and '86 560SEC. Got to drive both. Unreal!
@@managepay Wrong.
@@brittsaunders4621 bro it's not that great :/
@@Maximus20778 the SEC’s are on another level of beauty, they definitely feature one of the best rear window shear angles of any car ever
(The SEC is a different body shape to the SE/L)
I am slightly disappointed that you gave in styling 6. I think this era mb are most attractive ones. I would give at least 8.
Worse. He gave it a 5. Kids..
Styling. ..out of 10?
A 15
Yeah, he's a f'n idiot. This was swag, this was baller pulling up back in the day...it's front proud and slung back big front end was a big ole f.u. to the masses. Now over time it has become a little dated, but not much. For instance under the rear behind the rear wheel is a bit thin, but that is small change in the stunning overall design. Like someone else said "kids". And this kids opinion is about like azzholes, everyone has one, as shytee as it may be.
I feel this is a better car than today's.
@@KP-zi6jx yeah, „swag“ and „ballers“ is definitely what classic Mercedes where designed to appeal to.
Such people where definitely not appreciated in Germany in the early 90s..
Go into a german Mercedes Dealership with your rapper slang at that time and they won’t even sell you spareparts, nor a car, even if you hand them the money cash.
My buddy drove this exact car in highschool (mostly broken) our favorite thing was to change the horn sound back and forth while honking.. EEEEEeeeeEEEEEeeEEeeEEEEEeEEe
lol
You're the reason I come home for lunch at school
Odd Zilla Dude same I drive home from work on lunch to watch his videos haha
Thats weird
No. The reason you go home for lunch is to avoid getting swirlys from the football team
Why can't you watch Doug at lunch?
Truth
This is the best looking Merc ever. It still looks as amazing as it did when it first came out.
I drove one for 3yrs in 1994 and loved it, really was bulletproof of a car, never broke down or had any problems, Benz were so reliable back then.
Doug the type of guy to open a bag of chips with scissors.
And you both are the kind of people that do both of that stuff because you came up with it so quick to say on a comments section. I mean really. You probably just smelled your socks 20 seconds before posting that and you probably couldn’t get chips open so you used scissors so you could sit down and watch UA-cam.
Earth shaker TRIGGERED 😂😂😂
This is my favorite comment today
best one yet
Scissors are used to cut the packets of chips & other foil packed products when making TV ads. Just watch for that neat open top...
Doug's the type of guy to make a movie, and keep the green screen as the background.
Wave Man Mike omg 😂😂😂😂😂
lmao
whait, what?
Doug's the type of guy to give his thanks giving dinner a doug score.
Man your head looks like a german whole wheat bread that was proofed in a basket.
Interesting hairstyle for sure..
The headlight wipers come on only in the following conditions: with the headlights on, the wipers on, and using the washer fluid jets.
Joe I was looking for the answer to this! Now I wonder if it is true? 🙂😇 Wish someone would confirm!
14:00 Douggy, my man, drive through I-10 Alabama to Florida at night, when the bugs hit like rain, and this little wiper on the lights is worth GOLD.
I'd like to see a secondary dougscore that judges cars relative to their time periods
He's too ignorant
@@jonathanjones770 thats just too much work, you'd need to do a lot of research about cars from that period to make such a dougscore relevant. Besides if you'd buy one, you're buying them now, so a comparison to modern cars is all you really need.
@@Grunt_007
Yeah- exactly. It'd be too much work for him cuz he'd actually have to learn about cars.
And as far as needs go, no one NEEDs any kind of dougscore, but it'd be nice if there were a secondary score for cars relative to their time period- it could even be a relatively small scale added to the dougscore
The horn thing is hilarious
MikefromQueens ion
My dad loved doing the dual horn w/ the button on that thing. What a great car.
I bought a used 1989 560 SEL in 1991 after my broker said the key when buying a car of this caliber is never buy a new. As most are leased they're in excellent condition...perfect I'd say. The difference between the 560 SE and SEL is 6" which works out to be about $1,000 an inch. The 6 month old 300SEL was my 1st choice but I decided on the 560 V8. I heard bad things about 420 SEL so it was logical. I bought the SEL for painted in custom teal for $22,000 cash which was a steal with 28,000 pampered miles. It had a built in cell phone and the newest sound system from Sony including boombox and cellphone booster. CD changer with remote control. This stuff was all top end because the guy was in sales like I was and definitely made an impression on clients. The car is so quite almost airtight that even sitting in L.A. traffic seemed to keep everyone chill...less unhurried. I never had one single issue with it everything worked perfectly for the 15 years I owned it. My ex had a 2006 EClass and all it had was computer problems. Piece of garbage is what I decided on all new Mercedes with all their electronics. I get more compliments on it most saying, " that's when Mercedes stood out, with that long hood, huge stately front end grill all made in still made in Stuttgart. I was rear ended once on the 405 San Diego and one month later and $13,000 later I had new rear end perfect paint match. In the meantime Enterprise rent a car who dealt with higher end cars gave me the choice of which car I wanted to rent in the meantime so since the Lexus GS just came out recently I picked that one. What a blast that rocket was. 4 yrs after that a truck somehow crunched my front end. His insurance decided to just paint everything but the back. So a paint job that would cost $10,000 I got from accidents. I still grieve my favorite car to this day and I've had many. If you want a wonderful touring car that won't give you a lot of problems buy what was the dream car of many during 80s and up to 1992, the flagship.
Still see a lot of these on the roads today. Cars as well made as these old MBs are worth holding onto
Some other cool features you missed. The headlight switch has two positions to the left of off; first position turns on only the right parking and tail light while two clicks over turns on just the left side parking and tail lights. The purpose here is to use the least battery power possible to safely mark the car if you have to park on the side of a dark country road at night.
Another cool feature is the fact that the windshield washer fluid reservoir is heated with engine coolant as is the base of the windshield, but only on the right side because that is where the wipers will deposit snow when they are in use. The snow will get melted by the coolant flowing just under the windshield.
Another neat feature is that the windshield has a heated wire running around its perimeter. The wire sticks out on each side when you remove some trim. If you have to remove the windshield, the mechanic hooks the battery up to the wire ends and the heat created softens the glue holding the windshield and makes it possible to remove it without breaking it.
By the way, the headlight wipers also have washers and should work when you activate the windshield washer with the headlights on.
You need to check the horsepower rating; I believe the US version only produced 239 hp, at least in my 1988 560 SEL. The engine is best appreciated when you step on the gas to accelerate from about 70 mph to 100 mph or better. It makes the car a great interstate highway cruiser. Mine has 198,000 miles on it at present and the seat is comfortable for fifteen hours nonstop.
I use my W126 every week for long trips. With four snow tires on it, it is no problem driving in snow despite rear wheel drive. How many we’ll used thirty year old cars are you willing to drive at 90 mph for an entire day? I do mine.
Thanks for highlighting what many Benz guys say is the best car they ever built.
Kenneth Taub hey got a question, our 90 560sel has a vibration when driving/cruising between 55-65 mph, does yours do that too?
In the six years and 70K miles I have had mine, I have detected vibration from time to time, including a vibration that disappeared if you went faster than the speed at which it was felt, just as you describe. I have replaced a few suspension components over the years as needed, without doing any major overhaul of the suspension. While the W 126 is very durable, it is not immune to wear and tear. I have replaced a tie-rod end, a ball joint, a motor mount and transmission mount, along with some other suspension parts that I can’t remember at the moment. I assume you checked that the wheels are balanced properly.
My key to owning this car is to have the resource of an experienced independent Mercedes mechanic who knows all of the ins and outs of the model and who charges less per hour than even the chain stores. He also knows when to use an OEM part vs. when it is safe to buy an aftermarket part or even a used one.
Doug is quite high in his estimate of the value off higher mileage examples; plenty are available for $5000 and less. This poses a problem for owners because even less than major repairs exceed the value of the car. I have spent a total of $21,000 for the purchase of the car and all repairs and maintenance over the time I have owned it. Not cheap, but considering the sticker price of mine was exactly $70,000 when it was new in 1988, not terrible either. The days of a non collector using a W126 as a daily driver has probably passed. It has never been my only car, but it has been very reliable and a pleasure to drive. On the open road, it is like a locomotive on rails going down the interstate at 85mph and supremely comfortable for a full day of driving.
Kenneth Taub I drive my 32 year old rwd ford for up to 15 hours a day 7 days a week. I have nowhere near 20k worth of maitinence and repairs though...
The parking light on one side is mandatory in germany, all german cars have it, on my volkswagen you turned it on using the turn signals with car powered off
prettyrickyd47 it’s not supposed to do that, check your tires, this car floats, I have driven mine at 120 mph without feeling the road
A new video from doug, today is a good day
It´s funny that Doug had not noticed an interesting detail about the doors on this car when you close them (specially the back doors). They sound as if you were closing a bank vault. That beautiful sound is unique and those who have owned a Mercedes-Benz from that era will always remember it.
yes... that is why I prefer the older benzes than the new. The new ones have no class....
The W126 was the peak of Mercedes luxury. Build like a tank and you felt so safe driving it. I had an '83 380SEL. An interesting feature was the central locking system controlled by the drivers door key. It had a vacuum pump in the trunk that locked/unlocked all locks except drivers door. After mine got 20 years old the rubber seals vacuum servos started leaking and it quit working.
The starting noise is only in USA models. In Europe, we have that noise only if we turn off the car, leave the headlights on and open the driver side door.
You guys always have the coolest cars!
No the starting noise is only if you start it with out your seat belt done up. MB was trying to train you to put your seat belt on first.
It was funny watching him not know how to use the radio fader (he only moved it back and forth half way) or the headlight washers. He also missed some of the other cool features.
SpenserRoger well how do you use headlamp washer
SpenserRoger Like what features?
like what? and how do you start the headlamps wipers?
+Doug DeMuro , usually those headlight washes wash every 3 windscreen washes when the lights are on. Also the round key is the "service" key which should (at least in the EU) only open the doors/ignition and the glove box/trunk if they are not "in the horizontal lock position" (you can lock them and turn they key horizontally to remove it for that state)
kapiosk thank you. The only answer I scrolled through these comments to see.
I tried about 15 times to get the headlight washers to work. I thought it was every 3 also. Just didn't happen!
Doug DeMuro Der headlampwashen nein fünctionen. That's my pig German for the day.
They headlights should be turned on though, works find on mine :P
This is gorgeous! I have an '89 560SL with only about 50K miles on it. This era of Mercedes speaks to me, and the '91 SEL is still my favorite sedan. They are becoming increasingly harder to find parts for, but such a joy to be inside of and to remember that time when cars were overbuilt without the accountants weighing in.
Traded our Silver Spur for this 20 years ago.
235,000 miles later: still the best car I’ve ever owned
Serious question: where do you get yours serviced?? I'm in the market for one
Now THAT is a testimony!
This car refuses to age, I mean, they started developing the W126 in the mid 1970's and by 1991 it still looked brand new. And while by no means does it still look current, it does not look like a car that first went on sale almost 40 years ago.
You finally added in your intro slide without interrupting yourself in the video
yes, lol, I observed that too
Hey Doug, another great review, thanks. Info for you regarding the keys. The square shaped key is the master key and fits everywhere. The oval key is the valet or service key which will not work on the trunk or center storage bin. It can only unlock the door and start the car.
When you pulled out of the parking area you were actually already in 2nd gear. That's why it felt slow even at full throttle. However there is a button underneath the gas pedal and when you push a little harder to activate it the car will downshift to the lowest possible gear and really move quick. Oh and it has an electronic speed limiter at 155 mph which I have tested several times.
Keep up the great work.
You can select first gear manually by taking the lever all the way back to B or 1 ( depending how your quadrant is labelled ) then you can return the lever to D and the car will move off in first without needing to use full power or kick down ; useful if towing a large caravan or heavy trailer . These are great cars for towing with , especially if you have the all round hydropneumatic suspension which most 560s had .
Yes, we called that floor switch behind the accelerator pedal the "kick-down button" - relative to American cars, the pedal was stiff but a healthy "stomp" even at speed dropped gears and the thing surged forward in the smoothest way - I did this in my Dad's 560SEL and mom's 560SL in the 80s a LOT, and left even sports cars of the day behind...
The 126 SEL was an amazing car. Quiet and smooth, and JUMPED when you punched the accelerator. From the '81 Euro-spec 500SEL I once detailed, to the '83 380SEL a family friend owned, to the ''85 500SEL a car detailing client of mine bought new, to the '91 560SEL that same client bought for his wife...to this day, I have rarely encountered a vehicle of such quality, superb style, class and longevity.
My grandfather had one almost identical to this (other than maroon colored) new in 1991. I loved that car. It always felt so special. One thing his car had that this doesn’t was rear footrests. Like large, hard, triangular wedge shaped cushions for your feet. As a young boy, the rear legroom was so long I could never reach them!
Ben your grandfather was some ruthless dictator from Africa?
Ben? Ben Gaddafi?! How are you mate! long time no see!
Lazu Gheorghe
No ruthless South African drug dealers from Lethal Weapon 2
Diplomatic immunity!
Ben hi
Your grand father was a nigga
My dad drove one of these back in the day. I learned to drive in it. This brings back so many memories. These cars had a very distinctive smell. That smell popped in my head as soon as I saw the interior. That start up buzzer...Had forgotten about that. Thanks for the memories...
Was your dad a Drug Kingpin or a Dictator?
@@joseantoniomartinez2176 Now that you mention it, he could be a bit of a dictator at times.....haha
My grandad had one the buzzing sound definitely brought back a memory from my childhood 🥹
Mine smells like old car lmao
The German car smell!!
Great vlog as always! My father had one of these, a 1984 500 SEL. I miss it alot! You forgot to mention two things. The rear window defroster, and the vacuum powred central lock. Our 500 came with an electric radio antenna.
Thank you , well done. Cars like this were substantial. It is nice that you appreciate that. You are very good at your job.
Best Mercedes ever made, also the last of the hand-built Mercedes.
Brat Cafe
Note. The 129 SL-Class where also handbuilt in Bremen by selected staff...
Doug is the type of guy to judge a 30 year old car by modern standards.
agree with your comments & this is not correct
agree with you . he is just looking for the empty half of glass .
EXACTLY, WHAT A FUKIN MORON!!!
I just take his scores with a pinch of salt
totally correct, i couldn´t express myself better
Still a beautiful car.....and YOU can actually do most of the repairs and maintenance.
It’s when Mercedes was Mercedes.
African taxi dude
@@Engineering_Rebel ⁵
im scared of the vacuum system
@@goldendog7440 not really, that was the w123
Just a quick correction: the 560SEL for the North American market (like this one) only had 238 horsepower. The 300 horsepower Doug is referring to was only available in Europe.
Doug only knows about the quirks and features, he doesn't know shyt about anything else when it comes to comes mechanics of cars
Doug the type of guy to teach his Uber/Lyft drivers their vehicle's quirks and features.
Hell yea ! 😂
Y’all just live for these weird ass comments huh
Had a 1986 500 SEC coupe. It was a great car. Built like a tank and trouble free. Would love to have it back. I think those old benzes would last for ever. I remember riding in an old Benz cab in the Middle East. 500,000 miles and still going strong!
The old Benzes are the best. My family drove them exclusively for many decades. 500,000 miles was a common thing and never shrugged at.
To me the rating in this video was unfair
For me Doug lacks of respect for the model history too. The importance has to do with the fact that the W126 was the leader in the luxury segment by a mileage - from 1979 to 1992 (14 years!), and because when the model change came, many W126 owners kept their car because they trusted it more than the massively shaped new W140.
I have to write my own collumn here in the comment section in regard of my 1987 560 SEL to mention what Doug is missing here.
No, nothing to do with being a segment leader, which it wasn't by the end of it's run. This car was supposed to end production in 1989, with the W140 coming out in 1990. But when the E32 750i came out with it's V12, that forced Mercedes to put a V12 in the W140 which pushed production back by 18 months which resulted in this car being made until 1991 and the W140 coming out in 1992.
The late 80's SEC, was the coolest Mercedes ever. They were built like a fine Swiss TANK. Big Bold and Powerful.
As a kid, my neighbours in the late 80's had the base SEL of the time, the 280, religiously maintained. I was a passenger in it on many occasions, and in my memory it will always be the best ride ever.
We finally have my grandpas 1990 560SEL. 48,000 miles nearly on the dot. Bought brand new in California, and it’s home to us in Texas. God it’s so good
This car looks so damn classy! I love it when I see one on the road
Kenny Chu Drives better than it looks!
Had a 1989 420 SEL with 600,000 kms on it, the thing still ran like new. These cars were built to last. They had a presence on the road and are even to this day the ultimate boss cars.
This video was super nosalgic for me. Growing up, my dad bought one of these in 2003-2005ish when I was a kid. I can still remember the smell of the car like it was yesterday.
I used to think it was the coolest thing with the automatic reclining bench seat and heated seats. I'd love to climb in the front seat and play with all of the buttons, especially the headrest button. I remembered debating a family member of mine who also owned a very nice Mercedes that my parents could go faster because the speedometer went higher.
Honestly, I didn't think of this till now, but this may have been the car that got me into cars because of how unique it was at the time.
Wow memories 😍
This was the first can I ever sat or was taken in to in my life.
My dad had it when I was born ❤️
I use to open and close the back compartments, but our car also had the rear window curtains and did we not love them so much.
This is one of the best designs ever. It's classic. 5/10 is just unacceptable.
Mateusz Wojtkiewicz acceptable
its a classic but its ugly
agree...i love it 8/10
ugly? its beautiful
it's simple, that makes it beautiful! it doesn't have crazy lines. just a quality simple car
Doug the type of guy to go to Costco and try to negotiate for a better deal on free samples
Baldo Rangel why did this make me laugh so hard
MOAR SAMPLES PLEASE
K this was a good one
Three quirks and features of Kirkland hors d'oeuvre sampler pack
😂😂😂😂😂😂
Best S class series ever made. Easy to maintain, great build quality.
They rust like crap
@@Maximus20778 that's good, crap doesn't rust.
@@guenthermichaels5303 yeah a w126 does rust that's why I see them in junkyards mostly
Nice vid man I am a SClass private chauffeur. I wish i had this one for special clients 😄👍🏻. The right mirror has remote control for parking. So that you can prevent hitting the curb with your right rear wheel. In the current SClass you can program this in memory just like your seats memory feature. So when you put transmission in reverse the mirror will go down and in to show the curb. ✌🏻
The most beautiful design S Class of all times . I’ll pic this one instead of today’s softy S Class with all the features inside. Bruno Sacco was the best designer of Mercedes Benz. Respect !
Was far more aerodynamic than most crap around in 1980, when it was introduced.
Reuben Binyamin The w100 s class was also very beautiful.
Bruno Sacco was a good designer but don´t forget his mentor Friedrich Geiger . Even more respect.
Id pick a w140.. With the cancelled, secret w18 engine.. That sound must be the best ever..
this is ugly as fuck lmao u just nostalgic
"Snow Chain Mode" is actually ASR (Acceleration Slip Regulation) "defeat" button. Yes. This car had traction control. In 1991. In 21st century terms...it tunes the "nannies" down so that the car is not as hypersensitive and can work in concert with-not against-snow chains. It only works at low speeds (~25 MPH) and turns the traction control on full strength once the car is underway.
it appears to me that you have one of these W126 cars according to your profund knowledge (If you didn't took it out of wikipedia/w126wiki).
Which model of W126 do you own and drive?
auandi I don’t...actually have an A124 and it had available ASR with the exact same button on dash. I am also a Section President for MBCA and know folks with these vintage Benzes. I could geek out 🤓 for days over these seemingly “simple” cars.
Thank you truly thank you
Yours faithfully,
Roger
My dad used to have one. It had 21k miles. Damn great memories. Thanks
Four years after this video was released I think the 560 SEL has become a rarer sight on the roads (at least in the UK) and in my opinion today it has a much higher "wow" quotient than Doug has given the car in 2018. In assessing older vs newer cars the potential for all those modern gadgets in the newer cars to break and, cost a lot of money to repair, should also be considered.
In addition that the classic button design can not be beaten. I do not want an ipad in my car...
We still see some of them in Paris, it is still a very classy car
Doug is the type of guy to not choose scenic locations for shooting a video
i think thats okay, atleast i can focus on the car
why would you want a view to distract you from a hunk like Doug
What?! THERE ARE TREES
Damn...forgot about those.
To clarify i have no problem about Doug doing these tours in these type of places.
In fact, it makes the videos more... unique.
lol exactly.. all you need.
I had one of these cars, and If I remember correctly, you push in on the wiper control lever to make the windshield wipers and the wipers on the headlights wipe, simultaneously, wiper fluid sprays out on both headlights and the windshield. They don't work for rain like the windshield wipers, only during cleaning.
I have a 2018 S Class. I love seeing all the differences and similarities in this one and today. Thanks for the video
I bet the w126 feels more rigid and planted than the new ones....
My grandfather had this exact car and I use to borrow it in high school...this was a great car and ahead of its time.
I have a 1988 420 SEL. I'm the only owner and its in great condition. I love it!
Andrew S sweet!
Try contacting doug so he can review it XD
How old are you?
My dad had a 300SE. I loved the shit outta that car!
Me too
Fun useless fact: In Lithuania this car has a nickname of “Landsbergis” . Because In 91 when Lithuania got its independence from soviets our Prime Minister Vytautas Landsbergis got this car as a gift from German Minister of foreign affairs as a start of a new relationship between the two nations...
scream2207 after Mandela was released from prison, Mercedes Benz SA gave him a metallic red 500se. Must've been one of the last W126s made, apparently the lines workers came up with the the idea and worked gratis.
I love your videos especially for classic cars. Thank you so much.
I had the same chassis 1990 420SEL. Definitely the king of the highway !!
I rented a 1990 Benz 190E back in '91 when stationed in Germany. Steering on those was really smooth and light at low speed, and automatically tightened up at high speeds. The faster you went, the tighter the steering got. Had a factory phone and everything. I called the States one night with it, epic for 1991! Good times!
That's hilarious, thanks.
Applejack971 how much cocaine did you do yo make up that story.
although the 190e was the cheapest model they made back then,..
it was "cheap" because it was so small, it was made to compete with bmw's 3 series.
in which it failed horribly :D
Only the North American models made that noise upon start up. The European models don't make any noise. I guess they decided that you guys need it.
ours never did but I always had my seatbelt on and the door closed. I loved how the dials moved when you turned the key
therealnightwriter doug needs to get Ak,Ed
The snow tire button, is for specially for wheels fitted with winter chains if the chains were needed to be used in heavy winter and fitted quickly on wheels then that button inside the car raise a bit the suspension so the chains on the wheels will not rub to damage the inner body fenders while driving and also this car featured a quite large sunroof that Doug forgot to mention anything about.. ;)
No. This switch turns off the traction control system (TCS). If you go faster than 40 km/h it will turn the system on again.
Well i have seen a similar model in a near town grave-yard i did check it out because there i saw many other interesting models and when i ask the man to show me this car too and when was turned on pressing that similar button would just raise the car a bit higher 5-8 cm.. so i guess that maybe the switch was re-worked to serve a different purpose ? i don't really know but it looked like original..
Great video, Gorgeous Mercedes Benz!! Thank you so much!!
My grandpa had a ‘86 560 SEL. I loved that thing so much, it was so smooth. The car came with 380,000 miles, though, so it wasn’t the best, but I would kill to still have it.
Doug is the type of due that can't sleep at night after this video because he can't figure out to get the headlight wipers to work.
probably its true
Or the buzzer to buzz when turning off the car.
Finally a decent "Doug is the type of guy."
But honestly I like to know everything about my vehicles too. A driver who doesn't know how to operate their lights or when to use them shouldn't be driving.
I believe you have to be moving and they wipe at a set interval with the windshield wipers
I had the 420SEL version of this car and the headlight wipers didn't work and my mechanic told me YES I can fix them but they will quickly break again.
doug the type of guy to give ford model A a 1 out of 10 for not having airbags and satellite radio
hoopah troopah yeah doug score is the most useless shit ever, he gave 1/10 to the ferrari 250 gto for acceleration
Nedeljko Vujović ya...you're a shithead. Go drive Yugo. lol
Sorry Doug there are more key features 😊 then you thought. This car has two separate keys but not one for the ignition and one for the doors and the trunk. There is a key for everyday use for all locks in the car. The trunk can be locked with the ordinary key so that it remains locked but the door locks will work as usual. And the second key (with rounded plastic on it) operates the door locks and the ignition lock but not opens the trunk and the glovebox. So you can leave the car in the workshop with the service key and the personnel will not be able to check out your stuff.
“Medium Air” 🤣 This is why I love his channel!
Doug, i sold a 1987 560SEL in 2013 and this car had two independent rear seats with indepentent seat controls. It also had an air suspension that could be controlled from the driver seat. So what i am saying is; There were better equipped 560SELs built. Fantastic cars!
E. Fourie you had the 2x2 seating package in your 560. Very very rare option and the suspension was hydraulic using a nitrogen gas balls at each strut. Love my 560 sec
Hi Christopher, yes this car was something very unique indeed. The kilos (miles) on it, was also insane. It is now in a museum in Germany (the Purchaser), where i know it belongs. Left Hand Drive vehicles aren't that popular here in South Africa, therefore it didn't sell here. We got E40,000 for it from Germany. We were happy.
That’s cool I had a 1987 300SDL and I wish I never sold it. I miss it so much because it was really reliable
Yes sir my father had a 300sd which the w126 same but a diesel engine than I had two of them 300sd 500sel and a 00 sl500
OK, then tell us how and when these little lamp wipers turn on?
Since I’m an Iraqi I really started liking Doug much more, everything he talked about the old dictator was so true.. if you drive such a Benz back in the days then you got everyone’s respect.. saddam always had his with curtains
8:35 the reason seat belt lights are up there because it makes it easier for the policeman drives behind you to see if u had your seatbelt on or not. all older volvos has the same too.
Crazy engineers
@@smartjoe5258 kinda snitches too :)
Thanks for mentioning the gas pedal! I drove one of these for the first time a few days ago and that was a strong first impression with me too. The car did accelerate very well, you just had to put your foot in it real good.
Do not forget, it was mechanical throttle, no computer throttle crap...
Yeah me too
If you use the sprinkler with the light turned on, the small wipers operate. If the light is turned off, there no use for them.
Sorry for my bad English.
I owned a 560SEL, the headlight wipers (therefore also washers) operated simultaneously when using the windshield washer which caused the windshield wipers to wipe. It had nothing to do with lights on or off, it was washer/wiper for the windshield that did washer wiper for headlights.
@@KP-zi6jx Interestingly mine will only wipe the lights when they're turned on AND the windschield washer ist used. I am from Germany and my car is the German version with slightly different headlights. Now i have to go, drying the excess flood from that damn washers on my garage floor. Have a nice day!
Greetings Doug, your reviews are a lot of fun - thanks. Just so you know - The reason for the Headlight wipers, dead slow throttle pedal action and what you assumed was lackluster acceleration from a stop are all related. The W129 is not a 'world' design like contemporary cars. It is a true 'German' car. German winters are long and feature plenty of muddy slush - even on the otherwise beautifully maintained Autobahns. Headlight washer/wipers dispense an antifreeze solution (propylene not Ethylene) and wipe away the liquefied muddy film. - a very useful safety feature over 100mph in the dark. Next, when accelerating from a stop on ice, you will find the heavy, slow ratio accelerator peddle is ideal. Lastly, the sluggish acceleration: By default, the 560SEL always starts out in 2ND GEAR, not first. Again, control on ice. European market versions have an 'S' or Sport switch on the console next to the shifter allowing 1st gear start 'mode'. This must be for the two weeks each year Germans call summer.
US Models use the 2nd start feature as much for fuel mileage and cheating the emission test curves than anything, and do not have the Sport switch. In order to launch a US model in first gear you must shift into low while stopped. You can them place the shifter back into drive and when you launch, a first gear start will occur. Alternatively, you can mash the accelerater hard enough against the floor to activate a switch behind the peddle. This will not result in a true low gear start, but the transmission will downshift to low after a few revolutions of the wheel at launch. When starting in first gear, and with the 560's fantastic limited slip axle, they don't do smokey burnouts, they just hook up and yank you into hyper-speed. It is a very low 1st. Regardless, without a 'Long distance comfort and calm at high speed category' you won't be able to fairly judge the W126 design. For high speed work IMHO, heavy mechanical steering with a fixed, conservative ratio beats modern electric systems hands down. so do either firm or classically sprung seats. I have both classic and contemporary MBs in my collection. I can't fairly compare any of them, but I marvel endlessly over their contrasts. Cheers.
Doug: Meh acceleration is still 1/10
His Dougscore is silly SMH
Thank you for the explanations! We forget they were made for other markets with other weather patterns lol
THANK YOU for pointing out the acceleration/2nd gear start (and ALL of the info you shared!)... I was going NUTS when he was complaining about it, thinking a car guy should KNOW that, or at least do some research first. That lack of knowledge completely invalidates his "score" because relative to other vehicles at the time, the 560s were FAST and smooth with supremely impressive powertrains to those of us not jaded by American V8s. In the 80s, many people had no clue as to the value of MBs, but those who DID know would salivate over them, esp the SEL, SEC and SL models. I learned to drive in mom's Town Car, at age 15 in 1985, but by 17/18 was regularly driving her 560SL and dad's 560SEL - much older men would approach me at gas stations wanting to climb behind the wheel just to "feel" what it was like to be *IN* one of these fine machines! The true "bank vault" build and attention to safety qualities made me a Benz owner for life, now with a beloved W222 S550 as daily driver, and awaiting my new weekend ride, a just-ordered 2023 SL55. I have owned 12 MBs in the last 20 yrs, AMG and regular, and believe very much in the tagline, "Das Beste oder Nichts"!!! (aside... coolest MB experience so far was a 2010 3 day AMG Driving Academy stint behind the wheel of the SLS gullwing at Laguna Seca Monterey... heaven!)
@@BrainFuck10 YES, very much so. He seems to bring today's "perspective" to these classic vehicles; reality is that when driven against other iron of the day, like Caddies/Lincolns, the SEL was next-level smooth/refined/fast, especially in 1st gear starts, unlike the default 2nd gear start he did not bother to research to know was the case here. Argh.
My dad had a diesel one just like that. It was so nice. That is a very well maintained one. Looks brand new
We bought one of those off of the showroom floor in downtown PDX in 1991. Fantastic car. Was rear ended on burnside and it was totaled in 97’ and we bought a new white one to replace it but that black and grey 91’ was the best!
I love the W126, the design is timeless.
In my opinion, the W126 is the most beautiful S-class ever built to this very day.
I am actually thinking the whole video that it looks much older than from 91 like from 80' or so
+Mi.7o because the w126 model came out in -78 or -79. I have a 1988 260se w126 myself
It’s even more beautiful when it’s the eurospec’d W126 as opposed to the American spec’d version. The Americans really fucked up the car.
+Samuel Chattergoon like those awful headlights. mine is eurospec. but its pretty standart with not many options. Its even with manual gearbox which i think is a good thing
The "E" stands for "einspritzung", which is the German for injection. Audi and Mercedes were using it in the 80s while BMW was using the more international "I". I'm so glad found someone even better than I about the automotive details. As a kid in the 80's I was collecting brochures and memorized every details...
Very nice car Doug! Next please do a video on the mighty BMW E32 750iL, another great car from the late 1980s.
25:08 it makes that sound if the headlights are on and drivers door is open when car is turned off. As a past 500e owner you should have known that.
I had an 87 s class and an 88 e class and 08 e class. And the older Mercedes were the best cars ive ever driven or owned. The driver mirror is manual so it can never fail or die because u dont really need a passenger mirror u can just turn ur head. The driver mirror is more important. And the noise is to remind u to buckle up there is a seatbelt indicator light that comes on at eye level where the switch on the roof is for the sun roof. And every car came with a first aid kit. And they gave u a winding lift kit for flat tires which makes modern pump kits a joke today. They really sat for months and weeks making sure it was engineered as best as humans can and that is why i love the old Mercedes they really were the best cars mankind could produce
I believe , Mercedes stopped producing real quality cars after around 97-98 . E-Class being the best example of the mishaps that started coming out of the factory .
Doug the type of guy to buy a happy meal eat the toy and play with food.
Talha Haider and keep the bag, cut the eye holes and play several roles
"Look at me, Slender Man!"
"... Boogeyman!"
"I'm a Shia La Beouf, but I'm famous- he knows me, that's why he's taking it on the camera since third character!"
Funniest comment yet
lol
yep, finally lol'd at one of these
Talha Haider Welp, it's healthier than the food
I think the headlight wipers operate on a certain number of times you activate the spray wash on the main windscreen, something like 10-15 sprays then the headlight is washed.
A family friend owned one of these in the 80s. I think it cost £50,000. That was when you could buy a house for £50,000. The thing is he never bought a house and now he’s retired and living in poverty. There’s a lesson there somewhere.
Wow your friend is a complete idiot
Honestly I prefer the quirky old car videos to the new exotic supercar videos (not that I won't watch the latter)
WillieWonka928D I'm just waiting for the day someone gives him a Pagani Huayra, my god is that car a piece of art and that gear stick, just wow, it's a piece of modern art in a car, but otherwise yea I live these old daily cars
I agree. They are much more interesting.
Matt Flores till then, you'll have to relish yourself with Spyker gear lever instead
//The Redstone Torch\\ //AVB/\TRT\\ Haha that suffices for now, that car is beautiful as well though I prefer the 2008 C8 Aeilron
Jaguar E-Type woupd be an interesting one as wel as I know he loves some toggle switches on the dash haha
One of the pinnacle of luxury sedans bar none for its time. So good that it cemented the S-class as the premier luxury sedans even as of today, where the 7 series, A8, LS, XJ, Panamera and Quattroporte can only dream of the sales numbers Mercedes makes with the S-class.
That's pretty much why Mercedes is still the king of premium brands and will always be. Yeah Maserati, Jaguar and Porsche may have even more "luxurious and exotic image" but S-class is alone at the top in this segment.
The buzzer when you start the engine is the low oil pressure alarm. My dad's Benz cargo truck had the same thing in the 90's, hilariously.
Nothing is more comfortable than big Mercs from old days, robustly built cars with high quality materials that really lives up to their slogan of " BEST or NOTHING".
Junky DIY guy shame the accountants got involved and completely trashed their reputation
This S class to me is the best S class ever, but the Lexus LS 1990 just blew this away in every way imaginable i have to say. I was in both at the time, my dad had this s class and the generation after this and an uncle of ours had the Lexus LS of the same year.
Samson Okoro lexus lol..
MotoExtremeTV Lexus make good cars don't diss
they still rust pretty bad...