Have you guys ever seen a W126 in European basic configuration? No AC, no Airbags, no center arm rest, no cruise control, no electric seats, not even power windows. It's amazing all the stuff they gave you Americans as standard features.
@@verdemugurel4mai You are most likely Romanian? The Dacia was not that bad...basically a Renault 12. Way better than the Trabant most Eastern Germans had at that time.
@@wp8022 you got it bro.... What I wanted to express is : for that era Mercedes was far away with the tech they put on the cars, in comparsion with other European cars. My neighbour had an 350 SEL (diesel i think) in 1996 and he had a "bird tail" on his trunk...lookalike a limousine
I don't really have any negativities for this beautiful car. I had a 1989 300SE ascot gray exterior/gray interior (2009-2015 2nd owner) and used it as a daily driver with no disappointments. The Becker Radio was not that difficult and confusing to use I read the owners manual and familiarize myself with the operations. Unfortunately, I had to replace that car with on 5/30/2015 to something new because of the tough regulations in passing smog in California and also the car which had 188,000 miles needed some attention. Overall, I enjoyed ownership of the 300SE. Thank you all for reading!
This car was everywhere in its glory days in CA. I looked up the spec and unbelievably, it was only 400lbs heavier than a BMW e46. That is before the next S-class W140 got heavier by at least 800lbs.
The Mercedes W126 was extremely well built car, and reliable. Saddam Hussein drove around in the Mercedes W126 560SEL. It was the official state car, and dignitaries were chauffeured in it as well. You still see the Mercedes W126 all over the world, and especially in the middle east. I personally do not like the American version of the W126 because of the headlight.
I was lucky in that a previous owner had swapped out the US headlights on my '84 500SEL for Euro ones. Really looks nice. The US bumpers don't bother me much like the ones they had on the W116.
Back when Mercedes used to guarantee their cars for 30 years, as opposed to know where they appear to offer more of everything for much less, but you'll be having major issues with them from around 3 years. Different car from a different time.
best S class design ever, i miss my 560 SEL . very solid and confortable. 6 cilinders are not the best engine for 126, 500-560 were the best to this big car.
W126 were fabulous vehicles at their inception but these were already quite dated by 1990 - sluggish transmission, ho-hum interior, etc. The original Lexus LS400 (and even the BMW e32) were like a leap into the next century.
0-60 in ONLY 9.6 seconds. $52K in 2023 is $127,400 about what you pay for a low level S class which is better in every way. Maybe we shouldn't complain about how expensive cars are today.
If the S-Class of the last 8 to 10 years were only in sight of the built Quality that we once had you might be right but so it will be much more than 130,000 Dollars that you have got to spend to have these cars still on the road at 30 Years …
I’d gladly pay for a Mercedes with slightly fewer luxury features, but is much more durable. That’s what this car and all the other 80s era Mercedes were like. Jaguar and Rolls Royce sedans were much more opulent, but far less reliable than this W126.
the high revving engine is abit annoying...with only 4 speed auto....just like e32 730i.....120km/h ....rpm is at 4000...its buzzing....its missing a 5th gear but still prefer e32 730i as it has more room....
Have you guys ever seen a W126 in European basic configuration? No AC, no Airbags, no center arm rest, no cruise control, no electric seats, not even power windows. It's amazing all the stuff they gave you Americans as standard features.
That's called a taxi over there. They're everywhere! At least in 1988 they were when I was there. 😆 🤣 😂
My dad in 89 drived a Dacia 1310.😂😂
@@verdemugurel4mai You are most likely Romanian? The Dacia was not that bad...basically a Renault 12. Way better than the Trabant most Eastern Germans had at that time.
@@wp8022 you got it bro....
What I wanted to express is : for that era Mercedes was far away with the tech they put on the cars, in comparsion with other European cars.
My neighbour had an 350 SEL (diesel i think) in 1996 and he had a "bird tail" on his trunk...lookalike a limousine
@@verdemugurel4mai Yes, that's true, Mercedes was far ahead of almost every other car brand. The old Mercedes are still wonderful even today.
One year later the Lexus LS400 arrived and really shook up this end of the market
For a while, yes, but the S-Class took over again a few years later. Only old guys by the LS nowadays, too bad.
The LS 400 went into production in May 1989. so you'd be wrong about "1 year later"
@@nwezetx1 The LS 400 was introduced as a 1990 model year car. The 1989 Mercedes in the test was first available in 1988
Passenger’s airbag in 1989. Now that’s impressive.
Even better that this was 1988.
I don't really have any negativities for this beautiful car. I had a 1989 300SE ascot gray exterior/gray interior (2009-2015 2nd owner) and used it as a daily driver with no disappointments. The Becker Radio was not that difficult and confusing to use I read the owners manual and familiarize myself with the operations. Unfortunately, I had to replace that car with on 5/30/2015 to something new because of the tough regulations in passing smog in California and also the car which had 188,000 miles needed some attention. Overall, I enjoyed ownership of the 300SE. Thank you all for reading!
I just bought a 1990 300SE .In Australia.Absolutlely love it.,
This car was everywhere in its glory days in CA. I looked up the spec and unbelievably, it was only 400lbs heavier than a BMW e46. That is before the next S-class W140 got heavier by at least 800lbs.
I'm surprised they didn't make note of the dead bolt on the trunk lid.
maybe cos they're not just trying to show how clever they are
I miss the 80s! These were great cars! Better than anything MB makes today.
The Mercedes W126 was extremely well built car, and reliable. Saddam Hussein drove around in the Mercedes W126 560SEL. It was the official state car, and dignitaries were chauffeured in it as well. You still see the Mercedes W126 all over the world, and especially in the middle east.
I personally do not like the American version of the W126 because of the headlight.
Good news the euro lights are an easy swap.
@@compu85 I agree. I was just pointing that out in regards of the looks.
I was lucky in that a previous owner had swapped out the US headlights on my '84 500SEL for Euro ones. Really looks nice. The US bumpers don't bother me much like the ones they had on the W116.
129k in today's money. I picked a wagon version up in 07 for $800 and it was a great rig
Wagon version of S doesn't exists, or did I misunderstand you?
2:59 John: THE SAME CANNOT BE SAID HOWEVER FOR THE 100 WATT BECKER CASSETTE STEREO! LOL
Back when Mercedes used to guarantee their cars for 30 years, as opposed to know where they appear to offer more of everything for much less, but you'll be having major issues with them from around 3 years. Different car from a different time.
19 mpg highway ?with a overdrive trans seems very low.
Passenger side airbags, in 1989! Mercedes is always ahead of the safety / automotive technology game....
This was already available in November 1988, but even Lincoln had a standard passenger airbag in 1988.
best S class design ever, i miss my 560 SEL .
very solid and confortable.
6 cilinders are not the best engine for 126, 500-560 were the best to this big car.
back when they had less problems
I have an '88 300SEL.
They should have tested the 1990 and newer after the facelift
W126 were fabulous vehicles at their inception but these were already quite dated by 1990 - sluggish transmission, ho-hum interior, etc. The original Lexus LS400 (and even the BMW e32) were like a leap into the next century.
$141,280 in 2024 dollars. That's insane. You can buy a 496 hp S580 for $130,000 today.
S580 is junk after 6 yrs.
Build quality was much higher on the W126. That's why it's more expensive when adjusted for inflation.
Best Merc🙂🤪
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👌💯
0-60 in ONLY 9.6 seconds. $52K in 2023 is $127,400 about what you pay for a low level S class which is better in every way. Maybe we shouldn't complain about how expensive cars are today.
except that 2023 s class won’t be driving in 30+ years…
If the S-Class of the last 8 to 10 years were only in sight of the built Quality that we once had you might be right but so it will be much more than 130,000 Dollars that you have got to spend to have these cars still on the road at 30
Years …
I’d gladly pay for a Mercedes with slightly fewer luxury features, but is much more durable. That’s what this car and all the other 80s era Mercedes were like. Jaguar and Rolls Royce sedans were much more opulent, but far less reliable than this W126.
the high revving engine is abit annoying...with only 4 speed auto....just like e32 730i.....120km/h ....rpm is at 4000...its buzzing....its missing a 5th gear but still prefer e32 730i as it has more room....
More like $180,000
thats $129K in 2024
Stodgy. Always an old man's car.
That's because it will still be there when you're old.. the question is will the owner be there with it?
In 1989, I was 18-19 yrs old and wanted one of these. I just act old and continue to! 😆 🤣 😂
@@eriks9417I’m a millennial and I drive an LS430 😂 👴🏼. I’ve always liked relatively stodgy cars.
@@DrCharlesMontague I like being slow n floaty. I have no interest in today's stiff bumpy sport sedan. Sounds like you have a nice ride!!!
@@eriks9417
Same age. I still want one well sorted.