MB 1991 560 SEC

Yeah, I know a 560 SEC is not the same as a 280SE 3.5, but... but, 30 grand can make up for a lot of sins. Your thoughts?

Dale

 

They drive,ride,go big...because they are.
The 3.5's didn't feel as solid,and the a/c not so hot,er cold,Mom's wasn't anyway. Her 450sel was a big improvement,but the 560sel was another big step up. Her 500s was not,a step up,more sideways but not up.
Link to the one you've found and I'll tell you what I think..and compare it to mine,or try.
Cheers,RE

 

SECs are good GT cars as you can cover lots of miles in comfort, but they are big. If it is $30k, I'd rather spend that on a SL55, CL55 or W211 E55/63.

 

Thanks. I may take you up on that some day.

No, what I meant is that a good SEC is easily $30K cheaper than a good 280 3.5 coupe. The main value difference is that the 280s where apparently the last of the coach built MBs. Thus, a 280 3.5 will hold its value, whereas a SEC will bump along the bottom for a long time.

However, once of the best MBs I have ever owned was a 2006 C55. Man, what a car. I used to give F360s fits on runs.

Dale

 

Love the SEC. Good looking car in nearly every way.

 

They are terrific grand touring cars. Comfortable, relatively firm ride (compared to most peers of the same era). Get a good quality ppi as they are not cheap to fix (nothing like a F-car, but still it ain't no Honda). Buy a low mile well maintained example if at all possible.

 

i love all the late 80's 560 cars. much better built than the new crap.

 

Yep. Makes my left nut happy.

 

the two door big body coupes depreciate just like the fcar v12s...... sounds like you've had plenty of experience...

 

280 3.5 is the real last of breed, old Mercedes as we know it. The Bracq thing, and all that follows. 560SECs are nice, comfy and totally 80s. Shame for US big bumpers, otherwise I love the shape.

 

Bracq thing????

Dale

 

Paul Bracq Paul Bracq's designs? - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum the designer. I was refering to the hecklosse designs and the general design language of Mercedes models during that era (Pagode, w100). They are regarded by some as the pinnacle of MB in terms of design, hence value of 280SE w111 will keep growing.

 

Thanks! I'm aware that the 280SE's were the last of the last. And I have come very close to buying one, but I live in Texas, and it gets awful hot here.

I have owned two SELs, and have always had my eye on the last of the SECs. Forgive me for being lazy and not looking this up, but these late W126s did not have air shocks, right?

Dale

 

Well, it wasn't that hard to find. According to Wiki - In the US, rear-leveling was standard on both the 560 SEC and the 560 SEL,

But it must work because I never had a problem with mine.

Dale

 

Love 500 SEC's especially with AMG monoblocks and darker colors. There was a sharp one in Roadhouse with Patrick Swazey.

 

Me either,or on any of the four others family and/or friends had..but 3.5's or 6.9's now those puppies what been known to sag..but I heard Monroe air shocks is a fix,har...
Cheers,
RE

 

I think one of the designers of the 1980's Mercedes was interviewed in the past year or so in Automobile magazine. He said the one thing he would change on the 560SEC is the door handles, and in fact was thinking of custom designing door handles for his personal 560SEC. Personally, the door handles don't bother me.

I love the 1980's-early 1990's Mercedes- to me they are the last of the breed....once Lexus came on the scene it was impossible to continue to make bank vault cars that were made to last forever and still compete. The decision for a high end sedan buyer in 1989 was spend something like $74,000 1989 dollars on a 560sel with 228hp, or get a lexus LS400 with 250hp which was 90% of a 560sel for basic intents (in that it was a smooth, large, quality V8 sedan) for $38,000. Now, people knew the 560 was built better and with more solid materials than an LS400, but the price difference for many (if not most) was enough to go Lexus, and the rest is history. The Mercedes were, and still are high quality cars, but they are not built like they were because it would probably cost $150,000+ for a V8 (non AMG) S class today vs. $60 or 70K for a LS460 or whatever the model is now. I knew the specs, prices and models of the cars when I was young better than now The old Mercedes were heirloom cars- many people kept them for decades in the family...unfortunately the business model today is make a car that someone will lease for 3 years, then the car gets sold as a pre-owned car where it lives a few more years, then the electronics and air suspensions give way and the car hits the scrap yard. An old benz feels so nice and was built/designed with such care that you just want to keep it going forever, whereas the new benz's have lost that (in my opinion anyway). Don't get me wrong, I'd love to find a clean E63 one of these days when it's time for my now 13 year old BMW sedan to be replaced....

I like the old Mercedes so much I almost bought a 1995 e320 wagon as a "toy" that could actually be used with the family...found one last year by me with low miles (about 65,000 miles), but I don't have garage space and would hate to leave it outside. I did test drive it and it drove very boring, but solid, which is exactly the way they drove new. The S class is the same way- the 420sel and 560sel even start in 2nd gear unless you floor it off the line, which can make it feel a little lethargic, but it will cruise down the highway at 100+ and leave you non-fatigued after a full day of driving.

I still to this day love the dash and interior design of the last of the original e class cars (that 1995 wagon was the last model year for the W124 class) and the 1980's-early 1990's S class. And the materials and solid thunk of the car door closing. The equivilent sports car with that sort of build is an air-cooled 911 (I had 3 thus my Ferrarichat name )

Now if you want a "special" 560SEC, find one of the AMG hammers

 

No air shocks on 500 SEC, right?

 

This thread sucks without pictures. You cant talk SEC's with mere words... Mmmm, now this is what I'm talking about.
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Amen! hmm, AMG hammer style!

 

They're two completely different cars.

I think you can choose between 1980s excess and very graceful tradition.
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^^^
That's beautiful,Matt.
And that black amg may have been Satish's..he did all the bells and whistles on that'un..a beast. Where'd that pic come from,Ted?
Cheers,
RE

 

Not keen on the narrow body AMG from the previous page. Prefer a bold widebody AMG. Om nom nom.
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Aww, man. That makes my heart break. If only, if only...

Dale

 

I was just thinking that it's about time I get my 6L out on the road again.
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