I Bought a 1990 MERCEDES BENZ 500 SE! Full Tour & Review | W126

[@carloscanziani1644]

I understand you very well, all that memories of childhood. Great choice, congrats 👏👏👏👏👏

[@BobbyDrives]

Thank you! And I’m glad you share the same memories! I’ll be keeping this for a long time 🙏🏼 thanks for watching 😊

[@rotty2309]

The rear lights have grooves to keep them clean in snow and bad weather so that 50% of the light at a minimum from them is still visible

[@DanFontaine]

This is one of the most beautiful cars ever made

[@BobbyDrives]

Hey Dan, I couldn’t agree more! Ahead of it’s time and still is a beauty today. I love getting into this. Brings back a lot of memories ❤️

[@abbashussain6390]

If in circa 1980's you asked Porsche to conceive and build a Rolls-Royce, the MB W126 SEL would have been the answer. Power without the temperament, imperial but measured. Over-engineered & nothing wasted. Germanic to a fault but also elegant in ways that neither its predecessor nor successor could manage!

[@BobbyDrives]

Wow I love this comment! I couldn’t agree with you more. This is the epitome of luxury saloon cars and like you said, Rolls Royce could have equally made a luxury car like this but never would it be as reliable. Definitely an appreciating car and still drives amazingly! Thank you for watching 😊🙏🏼

[@livingproof78]

Very well said!

[@SantiMax1122]

Rubbish. RR doesn’t have thin little plastic cover in the boot but proper expensive carpet.

[@P.Galore]

I have been very happy with my 1990 420SEL since purchased in 2009. The car exudes quality and makes driving very special. The styling is iconic. The armrest is attached to the driver's seat - Mercedes didn't change it for you folks that drive on the wrong side of the road. Your car looks to be in excellent condition- congratulations!

[@BobbyDrives]

Haha wrong side of the road 😂 thank you though, appreciate your comment. I absolutely love this car, brings back so many memories from when I was a kid. There’s nothing like it 😍

[@mercmush]

They also didn’t bother to put the markings for the auto transmission ( PRND ) the right way round for the UK market either ! Nevertheless I still had 6 of these back in the day and have mostly very fond memories of them all.

[@BobbyDrives]

@@mercmush haha I didn’t even notice the gear lever logo being on the opposite side! Thanks…will forever bug me now 😂

[@krh007]

Great find and you will love it. I am in Perth West Aussie & own a Euro 1989 560SEL that was a private import from the UK into WA in 1996. Midnight blue 904 and fully optioned - Orpho seats, Full hydro system (no coil springs) creme beige interior with full AMG wood wood package to doors, AMG instrument cluster, full AMG bodykit all 904 paint so car is all dark blue, AMG 3 piece forged wheels 17 x 10" on rear/ 8.5" front, AMG rear trunk wing (not lip). Its the +300hp version but has been modified with refurbed heads, AMG intake (modified air cleaner with larger left intake duct matching the right side), 2.65LSD diff. This one lowers itself 30mm @ 120kmh and struts firm up for high speed cruising. The only only option missing is individual rear seats package which i will be converting to as i now have all the very rare components to do the conversion. These W126 are King and once you own one you won't want to let it go. I also own a white Euro 87 500SEC high output ,full AMG package (full bodykit/3 piece AMG wheels etc, black interior full spec And i also own an 88 Euro black 560SEC full spec +300hp version that i have stripped down to convert to widebody as i have all the rare components for that build. Once your in your hooked for life especially the pre-merger models and especailly the W126 & W124

[@BobbyDrives]

Wow! I am speechless…I absolutely love your collection 😮 not only do you have the SEL and 2 x SECS, you have the highest spec versions of them! These are beautiful and timeless cars. I grew up with these cars as a kid, so am really happy to own one myself now 😊 I wish I could see photos of your cars. They sound awesome! And thank you for watching all the way from Australia 🇦🇺 🙌🏼

[@vornamenachname5589]

Very nice car and review. i own a W126 as 420SE myself and it is my childhood's dream car. Btw: the design of the rear lights is to prevent them from getting covered in dirt. The previous s-class (w116) had this too and they implemented it to all models of this era. and for being all analogue in the instrument cluster: there was a trip computer available for these cars, but i guess only for european models with km/h speedo only. It was called "Reiserechner" here in germany. it's a very rare option but offers even more information than most of today's trip computers in other cars.

[@RobertLeather]

14:15 According to a documentary I saw, they designed the lights like that so that if snow or mug got on them, you’d still see them working. Documentary was about the 500E which shares the same lights.

[@BobbyDrives]

Hey Robert, yeah a few people have said the same thing on the comments and now I think about it, it makes total sense! Ahead of their time ☺️

[@marcelpatel9017]

The lights were ribbed so if dirt got on them they would still be visible

[@eriks9417]

I miss the 80s. The W126 is king! You couldn't go wrong with an S, SE, SEL, or SEC!!!!!

[@BobbyDrives]

And it’s still the king! 80’s and late 90’s had a sweet spot in the car era 😍 built to last!

[@eriks9417]

@@BobbyDrives I gotta give props to the w124 sedan and coupe, too!!

[@altruistebikes5963]

For the instrument panel, don't go LED. They don't draw enough power, which causes the wires on the same circuit to heat up and cause electric troubles. The panel is actually lit up via a mirror, That mirror fades and that is the cause for the dim dash lights. That mirror can be polished and bring back all the brightness back.

[@cosmopolitanranks3996]

A very detailed review. Loved the colour . it is probably called nautica bleu

[@jeffgraham9210]

Lovely, like you I sat in the back of my dad's 280SE and looked down the bonnet as if it was a gun sight...jealous, love a W126 (even though I own a 5 and 6 series 😂)

[@BobbyDrives]

Haha glad you thought the same as me, from the back seat! 😂 funny you say 6 series. My everyday car is a 640d 👌🏼

[@uluibaut]

The grooves in the rear lights were to prevent snow and ice build up during winter.

[@mesfindesta155]

The rear light is designed to prevent snow to cover all back light , if snowed in heavy the grooves will be visible from the back , that means you get half the light in snow, that is why it is like that ,

[@nicolaecarjan8263]

14:14 The rear lights are made like that because they didn”t wanted to be fully covered in dust or snow , when it”s rains or in winter ! The inner side of the lamp remains uncovered of dust and you can still see when it brakes or the right signal or left signal !!!

[@PeterRoos]

Best car ever made.

[@BobbyDrives]

Very much agree with this. They’re built like tanks!

[@FleetAdmiral215]

Bobby ,Superb, what a beauty !! One of the greatest Mercs ever made, glad you're keeping it totally original . More videos, please

[@BobbyDrives]

Haha thanks bro! Glad you like it. Yep going to keep it original. I’ve been doing lots to the car but haven’t been documenting it. It’s so long to keep on top of recording etc, when you just want to crack on with the car 😂 but I do have some videos which I’ll upload soon! 🙌🏼

[@Hugo_Furst]

Having owned two 126 Mercedes, one new in 1985, the second in 2005 and current ride, I think the 126 was and is the greatest ride of all the Mercedes..The other day in the parking lot of a supermarket, a woman came over and said: "Now that is a real automobile". She was right, eh?😄🤔

[@immobilien]

The car looks great! I bought a 1991 300 SE back in the 1990's and still have it. It's Black Pearl with the same Grey Leather that you have. I just got back from driving it to the grocery store.....I love the car.

[@BobbyDrives]

Thanks! Glad you kept on to your one, don’t ever sell it. Black pearl sounds lovely! Every time I get in the car, it puts a huge smile on my face 😃

[@BomberFletch31]

This was my dream car when I was a kid. While my dad never owned one - or indeed, any car back then, they were very common around the streets of Hong Kong in the 1980s. I still dream of owning an S-class some day. I just haven't quite decided which generation S-class I want most.

[@BobbyDrives]

Hey! This has always been a dream car for me, my dad owned a few of them, so it makes it extra special 😊 so many memories. I think older the better 🙏🏼

[@jaynouby]

Actually, this car came with a cup holder. Well, not precisely a "holder" since it was kinda useless and only works when stationary but still..😅The glove box's door itself IS a cup holder, you can notice it here in 25:11

[@Dragon3514-m9u]

I have a 380sel and absolute love driving it.

[@BobbyDrives]

Likewise! Great choice of car by the way 😂. I haven’t driven mine in about 2 months, got a flat battery. Need to get it started soon.

[@andrewfitzmaurice7843]

I’ve always wanted one of these and with a big birthday coming up, I’m so tempted to treat myself!

[@BobbyDrives]

Go on! Treat yourself and get one. You won’t regret it!

[@BEGGARWOOD1]

Looks great . Couple of things . You missed the 300se with the beautiful m103 straight six . Not sure if the w126 ever came with double glazing ?

[@mercmush]

It didn’t come with double glazing that came afterwards with the w140 and was dropped from the w220 which just had two pieces of laminated glass sort of stuck together!

[@Thenameonthegraveisarchstanton]

@@mercmush yeah, he's enthusiastic enough but seriously lacking in actual knowledge of the car

[@mandyjuttla1424]

That is certainly a classic and appreciating car! Looks very clean as well. And thanks for such a detailed review 😊

[@BobbyDrives]

Thank you so much! It is a lovely example and I’ll be keeping at as original as possible! 😊

[@damian-795]

I have a W211. I always wanted a W126, it looks stunning and I just love em.

[@BobbyDrives]

Hey Damian, the W211 is also very nice. For me however, the W126 holds many memories of when I was a kid and always wanted to own one! Excellent, bullet proof car and just like you, I love them! 😍

[@douglasthompson9482]

I just subscribed. You have a beautiful car. Gorgeous in every way. I have a 1991 300sl…also gorgeous. These cars are for real. Opulent in every way. More than just a classic, a piece of history. Please keep that beauty. Best wishes from America 🇺🇸

[@BobbyDrives]

Hey Douglas, thank you for you wonderful comment! I agree with everything you say, it’s a beautiful car and I took it out for s drive last night. The smile it puts on my face is unreal - a truly happy place to be in! And I won’t be selling this ever, I just had a baby boy and I said to him, one day this will be his car ❤️

[@BobbyDrives]

I also love the R129 - I was debating between the two when I bought my one. A timeless and classic SL!

[@PJ-fr9ut]

What a beautiful car. Your review on this is brilliant. You really know your stuff 👌

[@BobbyDrives]

Thank you! And appreciate you watching 😊 I know these cars like the back of my hand 🤚🏼 😂

[@nicholaswoodward8191]

Its a lovely thing. I have a 123 series 200 basic spec but neat and a560 sel 126 series that was my fathers. I have driven the 560 from cape town to johannesburg and back several times. I honestly cant think of many modern cars I would rather do the trip in!. Enjoy her!!

[@andrewcooney2387]

The rear ridges on the lenses are for snow covered lights so you can still see the lights

[@SoBe80s.]

Omg I have the very similar 1990 560 SEL (Canadian) in that same color and I absolutely adore it! It is such an incredibly comfortable car to drive and handles very well considering its size. I feel like I'm the very fortunate guardian of history driving this magnificent automobile. I also have a 560SEC.

[@phillipchapman169]

I enjoyed your review. I myself have had an eye for the 560 SEL, but as you say they are few and far left.

[@TheOlliCologne]

Wonderful car.. Congrats! I just bought a 420 SEL from 1986 .. but with same memories like you :)

[@BobbyDrives]

Congratulations to you too! Fantastic, well built cars which are designed to last forever! Same with those memories too ❤️

[@nickg4104]

I found this to be fantastic. I would love it if you could do a video of how you repaired the wood trim that has raised around the gear shift. Beautiful vehicle.

[@BobbyDrives]

Thanks for the kind words! Yep I’ll get a video done on the wood trim. Didn’t finish it off as I’ve been working on other things. But picked it up the other day and started to finish it off. It will look great!

[@P.Galore]

The clips are not in. To fix: take out the ashtray insert, remove the two screws and take out the ashtray frame; lift the coin section from the front; slide the shifter wood forward then back so the clips go UNDER the vinyl console lip. Replace the coin section; replace the ashtray frame; attach with the two screws; replace the ashtray insert - done.

[@BobbyDrives]

@@P.Galore thanks for the tip. I actually removed the wooden console to get it lacquered again. Same with the gear knob. Looks amazing! Will be putting it back together soon…as you mentioned 🙌🏼

[@Peter-tk6rm]

Bruno Sacco designed Masterpiece 😍

[@goral705]

W126 was so stylish.

[@BobbyDrives]

And still is! I get more looks in this than my newer, shiny, everyday BMW 😂

[@mejbishow5297]

My favourite car, along with the w124

[@XclusiveAaron]

She's an absolute beauty mate, love it, enjoy it!

[@BobbyDrives]

Thank you! Appreciate the comment 🫶🏼

[@osirian8025]

Hello Bobby, how does this car drive in the snow in England? These are rear wheels drive. I live in south USA where no snow but I am expecting to move north which is snowing zone. I’m really wondering that European specs are rear wheels driving.!!

[@mrlover4310]

Absolute beautiful cars

[@BobbyDrives]

Thank you! 🙌🏼

[@davidperkins605]

Great to see you Bobby, what a fantastic car, super cool and better than money in the bank, im looking for a 190e 2.6 sportline, to replace the one i had 20 years ago..!! like you say, the prices are only going up.

[@BobbyDrives]

Hi David! Glad you appreciate these old gems. I grew up with these cars, my dad had about 5-6 of these and it’s what made me fall in love with cars. So many many years later, I decided it’s time for me to buy one and take a trip down memory lane! Absolutely awesome car, will never sell it. 190e are lovely, I call them the mini S Class! And the engine you are going for, are very rare! Good luck with it and like you said better than money in the bank💰 hope you’re well!

[@davidperkins605]

@@BobbyDrives I well thanks Bobby, still driving the e92 330d msport, hope you're well and take care mate

[@Thelondonscene]

I remember selling the last one based in Dartford Mercedes in 1990 and taking a lot in px for the 140….

[@BobbyDrives]

Wow you had it when it was new! Wish you never sold it?

[@Thelondonscene]

@@BobbyDrives I worked at Mercedes in sales, I didn’t own it personally. W126 was a well built car.

[@BlackhawkPilot]

I believe the W126 300d or 350d is the best model made. Had one since new with heated seats, reclining rear seats, front & rear HVAC, etc. Super cheap to run with very few maintenance issues in 350K miles (daily driver). Love it with parts still available (except some of the colored interior trim items). Would run 125+ mph on the Autobahn.

[@petersellers-dy9mm]

You cannot buy the diesel model's in the UK

[@westhavenor9513]

She's a beauty! Love the color. I own a '84 US-spec 500SEL. I think the proportions of the SE are much more handsome, and of course the Euro headlights and bumpers make a difference as well. However, I prefer the fluted body cladding on the Gen 1 W126 more than the smooth of the Gen 2.

[@Hugo_Furst]

SE is the best looking, I agree. Have owned two SEs..

[@charlesjeremiah111]

This was,is, and will be THE BEST OR NOTHING.👍🙏

[@BobbyDrives]

Couldn’t agree more you with you! Yes sir! 🙌🏼

[@M123OCT]

Here we are a year later - did you keep it? How's it going?

[@BobbyDrives]

Hey, yep still got and have been looking after it well. Full service, new tyres. New discs and pads. Had a lot of the wood internally re-lacquered. Leathers treated. All bodywork machine polished. Going to start replacing rubbers and grommets and more! Got a rust spot which I’m about to get fixed too. So, been a busy boy 😂

[@michaelarmellino8334]

Lights are like that so they illuminate better actually.

[@LarryBauer]

I've been debating about buying a 560SEL here in the States and your opinion is extremely valuable. Your passion is clearly visible for these cars. 14:20 I heard that the brake lights were designed that way so if snow built up drivers behind could see the brake lights. The handbrake is the style of the old Rolls-Royce days. The same for the temperature dials. On an editors note, try not to say "guys" so often. I probably counted 20 times.

[@BobbyDrives]

Hi Larry, thank you and appreciate you watching! Glad you can see my passion for these old beauties. Thanks also for compliment on my opinion. Appreciate the note on the “guys” bit. Will take more notice of it next time I film. Hope your journey on getting one of these goes well! 😊

[@mejbishow5297]

Nah. "Guys" is a great word. Me and my friend say it in almost every sentence.

[@mohammadcheema7375]

Beautiful car! The 500SE in blue with grey leather is probably my ideal w126. I’ve got a 1983 380SE and I think w126’s are a little underrated. The w123 (rightly) gets lots of attention but has anyone actually made the point that the w126 is the better car?

[@BobbyDrives]

Haha I love this comment! Thank you so much firstly, and secondly, you’re right! Love the w123 but the w126 was a milestone in terms of safety, technology and how it looks 😍 one of the best S classes!

[@mohammadcheema7375]

@@BobbyDrives no thank you for keeping another one of these milestone cars on the road. There’s so much I can say about the W126. It feels like it was designed and built by giants for us humans to drive around in. Hope you have many years of happy motoring.

[@martinsv9183]

Of course the w126 performance wise is the better car all around. But you can already in the w126 see some cheapening of some details starting to happen with that model compared to the w123 or w116. The w123 was a bit more "industrial".

[@Matthew-kk1po]

LOVED My 1991 350 SDL :-)

[@BobbyDrives]

Wow! Rare engine that is 😮

[@sunken-shark0943]

My dad had a 1988 500 sel and it was a real airplane back in 1990s. But for me the real and the most beutiful s class ever made was the w116 the first one from 1970s, like the 450 sel or even the 450sel 6.9

[@BobbyDrives]

My dad also had a 450sel 6.9 but I was too young to actually appreciate it. Whereas the w126 was more in my life when I was a kid. And like you said, it’s like a plane, I felt tiny in it! This is what I call a proper solid built car 🚗

[@Bizmyurt]

You wonder why they needed so many engines close to each other like 420, 500 and 560. Also 260 and 300.

[@ka-benz]

Nice Review.Thanks.

[@BobbyDrives]

Thank you for your kind words! 😊

[@kovalm3]

Yeah, that's a beautiful car. New sub here.

[@BobbyDrives]

Thank you so much! Appreciate you watching 😊 it is certainly a lovely car!

[@andrewcooney2387]

I own one same colour and the very same rust spot in the very same place

[@mrlover4310]

The real lights design like that due to Europe snowfall it would not stick to the lights.

[@BobbyDrives]

Thanks! Makes total sense 😀

[@brayanlopez6515]

Lovely car.

[@BobbyDrives]

Thank you! 🙌🏼

[@juanmontoya6622]

Awesome car. 👍Maybach is the only one to continue on its fine lineage. The rest of the Mercedes line up have gone Geely like.

[@BobbyDrives]

Great comment! These old mercs were something special and they don’t make them like they used to. Besides the maybach like you said. This merc is 33 years old and everything works! 😮

[@kingkreole9121]

I like the W126 SE more than the W126 SEL. 560 SE almost unobtanium.

[@AlienLivesMatter]

The 3.0L is the better reall world power train. If bigger numbers float your boat a newer amg is better in every respect.

[@BobbyDrives]

Thanks bro, appreciate your comment ❤️

[@MCWM8589]

I remember very clearly how they run smooth , they sit well on the road once you get them on open road they fly like bird .Mercedes has a;way been on a cutting edge with there car every other car is still playing catch up

[@Peter-tk6rm]

Awesome 👌

[@sayyedshubbaralmahfoudh9352]

افضل سيارة بل اطلاق في تاريخ السياراة.

[@helgijacobsen1497]

i owned a 190 looks much like this smaler version but mahonie inside d version i think it vas a diesel from 1988

[@joserasak]

double glazzed ? never saw in W126 that gear nkob should be changed ASAP. as for this 126 you did the best choice, its the best S class ever. beatifull and with lots of carisma. i sold my 560 SEL in 2010 with 50.000 kms and till today i regreat for that.

[@igoriakoven3665]

Very Good !

[@BobbyDrives]

Thank you, appreciate it! 🙌🏼

[@Nicolas-pw9hi]

Nice car

[@BobbyDrives]

Thank you very much!

[@DarkKnightwing75]

500SEs are rare because they produced a lot more 500SELs but W126s are anything but rare

[@georglehrl438]

Top class... I also grew up with my dad owning 3x w126. 2 x of them being 500SE and 1× 560SEL. The cool thing being prices are still low in southern Africa. Thanks for the content!

[@marc7983]

you're not going to lower it or put bbs wheels on it.......... thank fuk!

[@BobbyDrives]

Haha definitely not! I’m going to keep it as original as possible. Just had the wood inside re-lacquered too!

[@zh4418]

They were good cars, I love them but today they are just a big money pits.

[@martinsv9183]

The reason for the ribbed tail lights is that the inner part wont be covered by dirt or snow. So you will still see the light from behind clearly.

[@charlestimmis273]

Yes, it is best S class ever, no doubt...

[@BobbyDrives]

Hey Charles, thank you very much! Glad you share the same opinion 💪🏼

[@charlestimmis273]

@@BobbyDrives Had a 1985 500 SEL back in 2005 and now I have a 1991 420 SEL.. Most comfy and stable cars ever made....

[@wolfgangezeh2221]

Right choice. Fantastic car, and very much in my radar.

[@imissyoubasile]

"and it still works" 😅. Check a W223 in 24 years, not sure it'll still work that well. W126 (and w123 and W124) are masterpieces that will never be built again (conceptually).

[@invisiblemaninvisibleman2097]

I had an SE E REG….till I neglected it like a spoilt brat n didn’t put water in it n burnt the engine then sold it…wish I’d known… Silver beast glided on the M1

[@jasonjames5876]

👌

[@BobbyDrives]

Thanks bro! 🙌🏼

[@supafrancis]

80k miles is VERY low... most of those cars are well above 200k. I would throw a set of 20" or even 22" wheels on it and drive it only on special occasions. That will also keep the stock wheels looking like new which is a big selling point when it comes time. I can see you doubling your money in 5 or so years easily. Keep it under 100k miles and when you finally do sell it, it'll be one of the lowest mile examples around

[@invisiblemaninvisibleman2097]

Guzzler tho

[@BobbyDrives]

Proper guzzler!

[@peeticek1624]

Nice one, but no.. W140 is the best and the most legendary..

[@BobbyDrives]

Don’t get me wrong, the w140 was a very iconic car. However it’s a matter of personal preference.

[@MrRedcelica]

dude 280/380/500 first gen 300/420/500/560 second gen and you have gen 2.5

[@mercmush]

Second generation also had a 260 petrol and there were diesels for some markets like the US.

[@williammichel2103]

chwome gwill

[@BobbyDrives]

LOL this made me laugh! Did it honestly sound like that? 😂

[@Bashi88]

So which one your dad is, mobster or dictator..? 8-))))

[@keabot]

Pukka mate

[@BobbyDrives]

Thanks bro, loving your SEL too! Nice combo, that blue with the cream leather 👌🏼👌🏼

[@andrewcooney2387]

The e10 will wreck your car

[@joesaric1]

Turk again

[@jasonhall4734]

E10 shite