1990 Mercedes Benz 300SE W126 Review and Test Drive by Bill - Auto Europa Naples

[@xrmerkur]

Throughout my youth I knew when I saw one of these the owner had to be a wealthy entrepreneur. In my eyes Mercedes was as royal as Rolls Royce. All the nighttime TV dramas featured this car for the rich people. This vehicles design is a work of art that looks strong and powerful.

[@s.i2898]

xrmerkur yeah in the 1970s and 1980s rolls royce didnt have much on a w112 based 600. I agree with that.

[@jimolds2985]

@@s.i2898 loollf

[@TheTimeDetective42]

It was as royal as rolls. No-one had one. However they were always a neuveaux riches car. New Mercedes are commoner's cars.

[@charliepeebles2531]

Yes back in the day the W126 was definitely a symbol of wealth. These days when you see one on the road you know it's being driven by someone who simply appreciates a quality car.

[@xrmerkur]

@@charliepeebles2531 well said. those vehicles were made to be driven and repaired when necessary.

[@fjordking]

I had this same car got it from my dad with around 150 thousand miles I put another 200 thousand miles paint always buffed up like new it was so easy to fix many of the parts are just bosh you buy at any parts store. Seats leather always held up great. I would put nice studded tires on it for winter and 100 pound sand bag over the rear in the trunk, it was unstoppable. Few years ago it died a nasty death. Got T boned on the passenger side cops said they hit me at over 45 mph ran 4 way stop with a 1990's something ford areo star drunk with no insurance, I came out pretty good with just a sore hip and knee it did what is was designed to do protect the passengers. Insurance company totaled the car. Boy did I get screwed. Everything you said about this car is TRUE.

[@elvincuevas1727]

Did you had the very same 6 cylinders engine (M103) or the V8?

[@davionralph8315]

instaBlaster...

[@petergachucha4988]

@@elvincuevas1727 it is a 300 SE, it's 6 cylinder, the V8s started with the 380, 420 and the 500

[@ranekeisenkralle8265]

That's a real shame indeed. At that mileage it would have been eligible for the 500.000 kilometer badge from Mercedes (if they still handed those out at that time that is. Not sure)

[@genosho5574]

I currently daily drive a 260SE from 88 here in germany. Beautiful, reliable cars that are just timeless.

[@ranekeisenkralle8265]

Wohl wahr. Und immer ein schöner Anblick, wenn ich einen auf der Straße sehe. Nur der Verbrauch treibt einem heutzutage die Tränen in die Augen, möchte ich meinen.

[@MrStroller4u]

Classic Mercedes-Benz are true Mercedes, todays mercedes are just like a cell phone. Just bought a 1986 300SDL for my 40th birthday, i know it will out live me. We are just temporary custodians of this mechanical marvels.

[@ykshorts6649]

I'm 24 yo and i drive my dad's 1985 w123 240d and i love it

[@sonykroket]

We love you, Bill! Never stop!

[@solid1378]

My dad owned several of these 126 models during the 1990s and your knowledge is very thorough for these cars. Not many owners knew of Easter Eggs, such as the shifting gear all the way down then to D , to engage 1st start. Subscribed!

[@zachr5054]

These older S classes are the reason I fell in love with the Mercedes-Benz brand. Thanks for showing.

[@ifesanmiogundowole6456]

What a sound when the doors, bonnet and boot close!!! Pristine condition! Big up yourself gentleman!

[@ranekeisenkralle8265]

Given the mileage that's no surprise. Just 103.000 miles on it. That's nothing. Heck, mercedes even gave out plaques to cars passing 500.000 kilometers (a little over 310.000 miles) - that's how proud they were about the durability of their cars. Highest mileage I've seen on a Mercedes (albeit an older model than this) was north of 700.000 kilometers - and it still ran smoothly.

[@nathanofftopic]

You know the great thing a Mercedes is they are timeless. A well kept one will always look good. I have a 2014 E class and the average person would never know it was 6 years old and that I picked it for less than a used civic.

[@ouhkub]

one of my favorite cars for sure

[@stephenmugler725]

Love these cars and Bill's great reviews. These cars are missed by so many of us Benz fans.

[@JoesGoldenGarage]

my absolute favorite s class....what a beauty!

[@brianlee5649]

Mine too, I love the 126, 140, 220, 221 and 222 Chassis S-Classes.

[@matekochkoch]

I miss mine

[@seymorekuntz9152]

Amen!

[@georgedesouza8937]

I could listen to Bill all day. Class act. Hello from the UK

[@michaelmuellers2512]

My father had one, 300SE 9/88 in blue metallic with light grey seats and root wood. Sometimes I had the permission to drive it. All this comes back when watching the video. Such a beautiful car...

[@egold2071]

How lovely and proper that Bill's most popular video is of a W126 S-Class. 👌

[@nabilmat7696]

صباح الخير متتبعك من اقصى شمال المغرب هذه السيارة من احب السيارات على قلبي وفي التسعينات كانت هي وحش الطريق وملكته جمعت بين المتانة والفخامة والقوة

[@karlp8484]

The car is such high quality and tough, there's always a temptation for people to wind back the odometer. But Mercedes has thought about that too. If you wind back the odometer, you break a spring in the mechanism and the speedo will move in a jerky wavy manner, whilst still being accurate. If you see ANY Mercedes with a wobbly speedo, it means the odometer has been tampered with.

[@robskee510rn]

Mine does that, is that bad?

[@k9killer221]

@@robskee510rn Who knows? That's a mileage mystery you're going to find out yourself. Obviously, you don't understand the significance of my comment. Idiot.

[@MrPhotodoc]

I have an '84 240D that does that but it's not for that reason. The cable leading to the trans needs service.

[@BubbleDouble]

I have a w124, different car but they're similar. The speedometer wobbles, and the odometer has never been tempered with, still they're different models so who knows.

[@phoneitbuyitpickitup9212]

I have had 2 that do this, both with over 200k miles on them, to be fair they might have done 400k! They were a bit worn😂

[@bbbmw]

That particular car is my all time favorite vehicle.

[@dammitcarl1082]

My dad had this exact car in the exact same colour for 20 years. It was my childhood, loved that car

[@peterlemonjello1626]

That’s one of the best condition of this Merc I’ve ever seen. Very nice.

[@vixapphire]

Bill always provides the best commentary!

[@airenesivad2975]

5 and 7 series BMWs of the time had a similar vacuum set up for locks and climate system. Bill, Thanks for the peak at this lovely creampuff. My absolute favorite Mercedes too. Your channel is the best!!

[@patrickschoice2546]

This guy did a great job explaining, speaks well. Now it makes me want to look for a 300se.

[@timothyfinn905]

it was the last merc,before the accountants took over. all i remember it looked great in dallas with larry hagman.

[@BERNARDO712]

Isn't that the W140?

[@deheerKelder]

Liked it before even watching it. You are the best!

[@damian-795]

In my humble opinion , this is the best looking Mercedes ever made. This car is stunning and the right colour too. I have a w211 and live in the UK but I want one of these :-)

[@AVC-Works]

I just love the way you go in detail with these gorgeous Mercedesses... Always a bladt to watch :)

[@profoundgenius9726]

My family had one growing up in the mid 90s always felt like a boss riding in the back.

[@scottalston8670]

Your reviews are the best and your obsession with birds and mercedes are just awesome

[@davidpaul5055]

I have a black 89 300sel with 43k miles on it. I'm the original owner and yes it does drive like the queen mary but a I like the heavy steering. Garaged and covered in the garage. Always getting requests to sell when I take it out. An amazing car indeed!

[@zillsburyy1]

bill loves pop up headlights

[@triumphbonnt100]

Bill, I had a 1978 Mercedes 280SE...midnight blue with dark blue Mercedes leather...similar but obviously older than the '90 you are featuring here. Best, most solid vehicle I have ever owned. Drove it across Canada in 1986 and it never missed a beat.

[@luckyleaptour168]

Love Mercedes Benz W126

[@mohammedgangat5799]

I have the 1982 SE...,i am from southafrica.Beautiful cars....

[@kennethmarquis6840]

This was the most elegant model Mercedes made. I had a E320, best car I've ever had.

[@MichaelM69]

This was the same exact car my dad had when I was growing up and was the first car I ever learned how to drive on. It is long gone by now but man do I miss it every day. I can still smell the leather and wood interior like it was just yesterday

[@MrMachacker]

The headlight washers pump warm water onto the headlights to melt snow. Same with the tail lights, notched to prevent snow from covering them up during winter.

[@ndg49]

Owned a 1986 300SDL in DB904 (Midnight Blue) with a Cream Beige interior. Still mourn its loss (no one injured). Classic style which cannot be topped. W126 cars are terrific to own. Maint. is never expensive and parts are still available. They're easy to work on yourself. THey're heavy, so they don't get the best fuel mileage, but they run forever (properly maintained, as is with any car) unless they're totaled. But, there's nothing like cruising on the open road in one of these... rock solid. That old diesel of ours could cruise at 100mph all day long without you even getting tired.

[@archygrey9093]

Most modern sedans are actually heavier than these old Mercs, but they feel lighter as they are lower to the ground with stiffer suspension and perkier engines.

[@christianbugatticg]

Absolutely LOVE this one!! It clicks all the boxes for me if I wanted one of the nicest driving cars from the early 90's! Great job with the channel!! Bill from Competition Cars!

[@michaelleffler5219]

these cars age so well...

[@gedaman]

Michael Leffler I feel like they’re the most dated looking Mercedes-Benz along with the SL-Class from that era.

[@FrancePhil44]

The 300 with the M103 engine is so reliable ! It can last forever ! It's truly a wonderful car. The W126 is definitely the last best reliable Mercedes produced.

[@19jacobob93]

The W140 with the M104 that followed was probably the last best reliable Mercedes! The M104 was basically a near perfected M103 with DOHC and replaced the weak timing chains and soft valve guides.

[@nicolasroirand8011]

Bonjour , avec la w124 aussi .

[@ranekeisenkralle8265]

16:09 No wonder it is in such good shape. It only got a little over 103.000 miles on it. That's less than 170.000 kilometers. Back then Mercedes was still so over-built that you could (with proper maintenance) easily double or triple that without getting much in the way of trouble from the car. Heck, Mercedes even used to hand out plaques to cars which passed 500.000 kilometers - they were that proud about their durability. You can sometimes see those on oldtimers. Highest mileage i can recall having seen myself off the top of my head was in excess of 700.000 kilometers (around 440.000 miles) - and I have no doubt there are Mercedes with even more than that still running.

[@whatiswe]

OOOH WEEE that is a Sweet ride! i recently acquired an early model 1990 300SE that needs some TLC. That engine is amazing!

[@mickoholland1]

My dad had one of these a 91 model, same color and interior. It was the first car I learned to drive in 92, the worst thing about this car was the power, or lack of it. But genuinely going for a long drive with work it was super comfortable.

[@petergachucha4988]

The car was too heavy, had a lazy acceleration

[@bob808]

Brings back some fond memories of my 1985 380SEC :'-)

[@MV1912]

I'm in love of every single car that you show !!

[@bertranddeloye]

Absolutely classy car and review! Thank you so much for that! You deserve 5 stars ! Best regards from Pays-Basque in France Bertrand

[@kwakumanuasiamah7826]

A class of the century. unbeatable

[@warringtonfaust1088]

"Over engineered" My father was an engineer (rocket scientist) he frequently referred to the "elegant solution". That described what used the fewest parts and the least number of friction surfaces.

[@orlandoblanco8888]

Bill, I just love the way you go through explaining everything about the car...but what really takes the cake is your down-to-earth, come as you are attitude about the things happening around you as you are talking away. Long dong silver? When was the last time I heard that one? First LOL Then, your sister calls...you already know she called, but you had to comment that people who persistently call you (right away) should be put down. Second LOL. Idi Amin...escaping a coup in a V8 Merc? Which millenial is going to get that joke? Third LOL. You are just insanely entertaining and FUNNY!

[@nknasi]

agree with you on all counts, although I'm a millenial and I got the Idi Amin joke :)

[@therudeboy5280]

I support all sentiments here! One of the Best KZbin auto sales/reviewers by many standards...you had me at the leaf! LOL.

[@steveohanna7544]

Love your work bill. A big fan from Australia

[@davecurry8300]

Greetings from Sydney. Great video, great car.

[@tonedune3456]

I went to visit my aunt in the US during the 80s and she had an S class like this but the earlier turbo diesel model. We traveled 100s of miles to places in calif. Was Holiday of a lifetime

[@drluiggi]

Still drove my W124 300E, and like W126, but my favorite is W108/109. It would be very nice to present some of them. Always pleasure to see your presentation.

[@tomcavalli943]

I have never seen anything more beautiful! Wow!

[@jacquelinegrace3]

Thank you so much for an amazing tour of a BEAUTY!!💕💕💕 That was the best 26 minutes I’ve spent in a long time! I love your voice! I love the way you describe the car! I love the little incidental comments and stories! One day I hope to own one! 🙏❤️ Luxury and elegance at its best! Until I have my own ...I get to go for a drive, look at those beautiful lines, touch the leather, hear that golden door close sound and just walk around and gaze at it through your eyes!! thank you!🙏✨✨✨

[@jamesbowden4871]

At 9:00, I would fix headlightwipers very useful in Canada as well, especially on late-winter days when the headlights get covered in slush.

[@davidconde1521]

That bird is waiting to fly over and drop the bomb 😂😂 😂

[@abhayajoodha3113]

I've got a white European spec 300se, it's my first car, excellent bruiser!

[@TeoYankov1234]

Abhay Ajoodha Is it expensive to maintain ?

[@ladyyuna2000]

Beautiful 1990 Mercedes Benz 300SE

[@florianthomas7852]

The car Alfred Herrhausen was assasinated in by the RAF. Back then you knew that only the leaders of industry, heads of state and the wealthy few among us had a Mercedes s class. To me its the best s class model until today. (The W140 was awesome too.)

[@thomasharper4166]

Bill!You should do a competition on door thuds between your American doors and Mercedes thuds!Pretty much says it all!Love your shows!

[@TheMrBennito]

I have a bit of a crazy deflection, I guess. Or not? "What is it like under the hood". So when you opened the hood...wow. just wow. Jawdropper. That is just amazing.

[@243wayne1]

For the record- No accountants were harmed during filming. Thank you. Mgmt.

[@hashimhadi9256]

Beautiful and awesome car! Also I like how you comment! And I love your place! Thank for you sir! Im one friend from Iraq!!

[@davidparkin9017]

Straight six cylinder motors are the best. Large displacement, even better.

[@tedjensen8841]

Another enjoyable review. Thank you

[@jonathanreyloza9829]

Bill is the best !!!! Santa Ana California is where I am from.

[@Olph1]

That’s beautiful. This and a W140!

[@jpsabbey]

🤣...You and your birds!...Another entertaining and informative video. Great model merc too 👌...PS...Nothing infuriates me more than someone calling more than once before i return their call. A friend called me 9 times in a row recently!...We are no longer friends!

[@rehmanelahirehmanelahi254]

Its jewel came from heaven

[@haddachali2879]

Definitely the most beautiful and luxurious car in the world

[@kramsenoj1]

The condition for the miles was astounding!

[@philippm.1271]

nice video, thanks! just a small comment about one thing you said: "Germany is very cold" - nope its pretty warm here thanks to the Gulf Stream. 30°C in the summer is normal and in the wintertime we have most of the time a little bit over 0°C ... ok some days are extremely cold with -5° or even -10° but that's really rare. Just my small comment on that ;-) thanks :)

[@gavincolgan1827]

It’s cold to most people in the US, especially in Florida where the summers are 40C+ with around 20-25C being about the low for winter. But yes, for its latitude DE is not very cold because of that.

[@lorenzomoore6398]

I love these.....Had an chance to drive a 86 300 SE.

[@МихаилИванов-в2в]

*Всем владельцам Mercedes здоровья и благополучия ! 👍😎 Были W201,W140, теперь W124, 86 г "рождения".*

[@MercOne]

100K miles and it looks new. Amazing quality. I drove one of these early on and new Mercedes was for me.

[@jaycole2777]

I don't know about y'all but I'm just sitting in my 300 SE cheesing watching this video😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@fazilamzirf8887]

Now that is cool. Hope you still have it.

[@loboestepario-cl]

I'm watching with my 60k miles 1990 300 SEL sitting in my garage, ready to go anywhere :D

[@lexuslife9751]

Thank you bill for another great video!! Gorgeous Mercedes, I love the acres of beautiful wood and leather!!

[@ajdexter4195]

What a beautiful car.

[@johnpalmer5131]

This in my opinion, was when MB was at their pinnacle. I owned and 300 SDL in the late 80 and it was the best car I ever owned.

[@carsyoungtimerfreak1149]

Lovely car! The M102 is the 4 cilinder of the same era. And Citroens are designed by engineers too, only they are French, they are different. Yet that did brought us some marvelous cars like the DS and SM :-)

[@مشاريالعنزي-ش2ث]

😍😍والله فخامه المارسيدس سيده المواتر

[@randolphduke]

I love that Palomino leather interior. I wish they still offered it. I don't understand why they ever went away from it. It was a much nicer color than the cream beige or whatever they are calling the current version of it now.

[@Channel5YouTube]

Hey Bill, any chance you remember what camera you shot this on?

[@AaronRandolphChen]

This is also my favorite Mercedes S Class. Like you, I prefer the SWB version. The 3 liter in-line six is a really lovely engine too.

[@donaldwilson2620]

That song on the radio was "Bringin on the Heartbreak" by Def Leppard.

[@mikebuantu9466]

I like the way you put it..."all cars are designed by engineers except the Citroen"..very true!!

[@Cccc-ky4vq]

Gorgeous that's the nicest one I've seen terrific shape

[@thebulgarianguy8461]

The ribbing on the taillights actually creates small vortexes which keep them clean.

[@cruiser6260]

Never see them around now, but back then I always thought it was to make it stronger, harder to break

[@mysteryman2475]

Beautiful, BEAUTIFUL car!

[@kenarts11]

Can you do an in-depth review of the W116?

[@michaelbenvenuto8713]

Yeah bring back that soothing intro music

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

The song on the radio was Def Lepperd. Also the fuel gauge needle was moving back & forth rapidly, during the road test. Nice car. Mercedes doesn't built cars like that anymore.

[@bonzoschlacendaker1057]

Bill, your reviews where do more for me? Then an hour with my therapist and a bottle of Valium! I know they're counterproductive. I love hood ornaments. Back in the day I had a 66 Continental convertible. It had fixed in place hood ornament. But considering the size of the object that The Pedestrian would have to deal with being God's to death would probably turn out to be a good solution. By the way It had an eighth body trunk. And almost tenth of a mile of vacuum tubing even if it had back Hume door locks as well. And in its age, they all went up at once and down at once. Just like a Marine drill hit the door knob button on the inside unlock. Get in sit down get the button locked in. Many fond memories in that car. Show my search goes on. Whatever I grind up with his gut to have a hood ornament. And let the 6,726.20 lbs. pounds of metal do its thing if somebody crosses paths with it. Keep up the great appraisals, who knows? One day in the future I may be handing you over some dead president's.

[@bodytolson7390]

Just bought an '89 300SE for like $500 and it is slick

[@nourdinamzian423]

What a beauty car from Mercedes. Das beste oder nichts

[@svenskaboi67]

The best or nothing!

[@johnnorvaisas]

Absolutely beautiful car

[@maliktaukenov7505]

Beautiful car. Hope to own one someday

[@michaeldean2447]

Love the 300se having owned one myself I can tell that gas light is about to pop on. I'm sure you'll make it home though.

[@Visionery1]

Where do you find these beauties!

[@victorvaughn2]

Bill! Your have the best videos!! But please please please bring back that awesome music you used with autohaus of naples.