Low vs. High Mileage Mercedes W126 Trans and Idle Driving Comparison

[@D0wNhiLL]

Really nice seeing all three parked up. Must be even better sight in real life.

[@RBeam6]

I wish I'd lined them up more evenly spaced. Does look nice as is. So rare to see even one of these "in the wild" these days.

[@monk3yboy69]

Have not seen one here in the UK in ages…

[@CaptainInsano-go6vo]

Are all 3 W126 u have 420 sel's??

[@rbruce63]

What an awesome collection of classic Mercedes sedans! I hope that you can enjoy them much!

[@roycerammadhan7208]

For what it's worth, it helps that the video is shot in a serene environment. I always love the S-Class in whatever generation.

[@protestagain]

Live in Europe, but I had a US MB W126 420 SEL 1990 black metallic with oxblood leather interior, like yours, and two front airbags. I remember when I started it, I had to keep an eye on the tachometer if it started, because it went so quietly when idling and starting. Remember to kick down for 50 miles then it got wheelspin, what a fantastic car. Now I want a short W126 420 SE. They were never sold in the US, but here in Europe they were quite common.

[@Jamesmatthew44]

you somehow put me in the passenger seat of these reviews . your cars are super mint!

[@RBeam6]

Thanks! And really appreciate the comment. I had hoped to put together the pieces for another type driving video today but decided I wanted to get a little fancier and use two cameras so probably won't be able to do it until next Sunday morning.

[@habsom1406]

Oh man you live in a gorgeous part of the world, with luscious green trees and foliage everywhere and uncongested wide smooth roads, it's bordering on 'paradise'. I loved going for a drive in the Benzez. I always wanted a beige interior but ended up with a 300TE the same colour combination as yours, Smoke silver (gold/bronze) exterior and red interior and now I prefer it, it's sort of serene and soothing. Your cars are whisper quite until driven with gusto and even then, they're mighty refined. Yes, keep the low mileage one, it'll put a smile on your face each time you drive it, they don't make them like that anymore, 'enjoy'! 😎👍

[@RBeam6]

Thanks. It is really pretty around here this year. We've been getting a lot of rain and then a lot of sun. Makes it hard to keep the cars clean but also makes for some really nice driving. People just love the red/burgundy interior when they see it in person. I'm thinking about pulling the top headliner pieces out of my parts car and having them done in Alcantara (or something like it) red/burgundy that matches the rest of the interior. Swap them out with the existing pieces and see what it looks like.

[@ctlightrides7544]

@@RBeam6 there is also a possibility of painting them with the original MB interior Paint, Farbcode(s): (Paint Codes) 177, 207, 267, 277. It looks superb in the R129 1. Facelift (1996-1997).

[@RBeam6]

There's also a place that makes dyes for leather, cloth etc color matched to the factory color codes ... which is something I considered. I've used them before and they work well. Really like the look of Alcantara, though, and since it's just those two pieces that have to be done might not be all that pricey. Have a while to think on that, though. Need to knock out the more important projects first.

[@keithmartin1328]

Those cars look so good. This reminds me when I was a kid a neighbour got one of these cars new, in August 1987. It cost him around £32k at the time and everyone in the close came to have a look at this fabulous car. It had air con,electric windows etc. Things which many cars in England didn't have at the time. They really don't make cars like this anymore. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@RBeam6]

Thanks for sharing your story. Truly did mark the end of a era and you see a lot of stories like yours.

[@urischwartz6711]

These really do last forever

[@SupremeKid98]

This channel needs more views! Awesome video… could watch twice!

[@RBeam6]

I might be a little biased but I completely agree😀. Guess I should spend more time begging folks to like, subscribe and all that. I really do want to do a 0-60 faceoff with these two cars next weekend and if I do there will be a video. Yes, I know, these cars aren't even remotely fast but curious to see how they compare and I have one of those Dragy boxes I bought when I got my Panamera Turbo tuned I could use. Thought it might be kinda funny.

[@brettcrawford8878]

I have a 280 se. It had foam sound deadener glued onto underneath of bonnet which held dampness causing bonnet to rust through in spots from underneath. Ripped it off and scraped the metal clean then sprayed fish oil on bare metal. Then painted underneath of bonnet with white enamel paint. Purpose of which was to stop the rust to protect bonnet. So if you have foam sound deadener on underneath side of bonnet of any of your Benz's you should know it will almost certainly cause them to rust from underneath unless it is removed and any visible rust treated to stop it chewing at the metal.

[@RBeam6]

Good advice. I've yet to tackle putting new hood pads in these but I have the actual pads and have prepped/cleaned the surface on the red car ... inspected it on the silver car. Luckily, no rust. Just waiting until I have the time not to rush putting the new pads in. I've watched some how to vids and it looks like the kind of think that could unnecessarily agitate me if I entered the project in the wrong state of mind.

[@zerrygaming192]

wow, how clean these cars are

[@RBeam6]

Thanks! And they aren't even really super clean right now since I've been focusing on the mechanical bits lately. Have plans for some little cosmetic tweaks to both of them over the next month or two so check back if you're interested in that type of thing.

[@كنانكنان-ظ4غ]

ف

[@V8freaks]

That wine red interior looks awesome! I'm from Germany and am looking for a nice 300SDL, they weren't offered here in Europe, it's a hard search so far ... Nice cars you have there! God bless you! Marlon

[@RBeam6]

Much appreciate, good luck with your search!

[@alexandrebeinotti3359]

Nice video and cars. I also have a 1990 W126 and love it. Greetings from Brazil.

[@RBeam6]

Thanks, they really are great cars. Folks seem to have liked seeing this video of the cars "in action" so I'll probably post some more similar to it fairly soon.

[@alexandrebeinotti3359]

Great man. Keep going.

[@samazhar6067]

These all are my dream cars! I wish one day I'll be able to buy atleast one! :) ❤❤💯

[@bhigdaddymark]

Are all three cars 420SEL? I had an '86 420SEL that I bought it with 124K miles on it in 1994 and I absolutely LOVED it. Few maintenance issues just minimal normal wear and tear things. The only issue that I had which was monumental and annoying was the crap air-conditioning which was significant since the car was black with a black interior and I live in FLORIDA where in May through August it's hotter than a dog's breath especially in scorching June, July and August so the constant inability to cool was an annoyance for sure. Other than that, it was a dream to drive, big and spacious comfortable interior, the prominent scent of the leather than filled your sinuses, great and smooth engine and that bullet proof ZF transmission, it was a joy to drive until the gas prices doubled in 2009 really angering me so I sold it in 2010 with 350K miles on it not having one day or minute of trouble with the transmission. Now I miss it and regret selling it. I'm hoping to replace it with a 1991 300SEL or a '91 560SEC. THANKS for bringing back some fond automotive memories for me. The W126 was the best S-Class as compared to the junk Mercedes-Benz is selling now. I'm subscribing to your channel. Thanks again.

[@RBeam6]

Thanks for the sub! Yes, all 420s. We've had some pretty hot days lately and the AC has been .... pretty good ... on mine. They don't give that big blast of cold I'd like when first getting in a hot car but keeps things comfortable when I'm stuck in traffic.

[@Sawubona2007]

Surprisingly interesting video, thank you for sharing.

[@RBeam6]

Thanks. I love these Mercs and think these are nice looking examples so figured there would be some interest. I've been happily surprised by the level of interest, though.

[@Visionery1]

Fine selection of cars! I can't remember when last I saw a house (locally) where one can actually walk up to the front door, these days one is kept out by high walls, electric fencing and forced to communicate via intercom.

[@AlienLivesMatter]

A transmission that shifts harder when worn is much better than the alternative. Genius engineering. I love my 300se. Wear them out properly.

[@keabot]

Excellent review 👍🏽

[@RBeam6]

Much appreciated. Hoping to continue doing more vids like this and improve upon them as I go.

[@martinjackson565]

Check the modulating pressure on the gearbox it’s vacumn operated and adjustable on the side of the box

[@monk3yboy69]

Red 1990 Cream interior ..oh yes .Perfect combo

[@MrRjnr]

Great videos on this channel! Is there a shop in your area that will work on these cars?

[@thatoneporscheguyok5300]

would you recommend a 300SE as a first car?

[@RBeam6]

For one of your kids that's about to or just gotten their license?

[@zahimiibrahim3602]

Definitely not as a first and only car. You need experience with older cars and spare parts will be an issue. Get something any mechanic knows how to fix with easy to find parts. Sounds boring but if you need size and comfort a Toyota Avalon or Lexus RX350 makes more sense.

[@AlienLivesMatter]

If they are interested in it yes, if not. no

[@monk3yboy69]

Stunning neighbourhood. All those trees. In the UK, we would have chopped them all down ages ago. Which of these gorgeous cars is your favourite

[@RBeam6]

Most of the city is like that. Seems to have always been an unwritten rule to preserve as much of it as possible. Can make things a little dicey when a big storm comes through (big branch blew across the street to land on the hood of my truck a few weeks ago) but I think it's worth the tradeoff. Silver car is easily the best sorted. Very low mileage, very well maintained and the burgundy interior is really gorgeous in person. The red car looks great from a few feet away but it needs a full paint job to be "right". The beige interior doesn't have quite the wow factor as the burgundy but it's oh so nice for driving around in on a nice day with all the windows and sunroof open. Black car is just fun. People love it and starts a lot of conversations but it needs a lot, interior and exterior, to get it in the shape I'd want it to be. After I finish the little stuff I'm doing to the silver car I'm going to pick one of the two others to be my next project ... not sure which yet. So, I guess, long term TBD. Right now I guess it would be the silver car since I'm having fun working on it more right now.

[@jimmyfleetwood1118]

I live with far too many trees in Cal. It's an absolute joy when they're removed! Light! Warmth! Cleanliness! Dryness!

[@tsportmichael]

I would look into Vacuum leak, I had a 126 euro spec that did the same thing.

[@ctlightrides7544]

All of them are beauties. A red/red combination would be the absolute moster ;) 15 Years ago I owned the 300SE (Manual gearbox!) darkblue/grey. Most beautiful Merc Limos of all time.

[@RBeam6]

I was actually looking at a red/red along with the silver/red I ended up buying. Silver/red car was a little bit better of a car but mainly the guy selling the red/red was kind of a **** and I liked the other guy so I ended up getting the silver car. Are you in the US? Manual trans is a rare thing in these parts.

[@ctlightrides7544]

@@RBeam6 Nope, Greetings from Hamburg Germany. You can run theese at 120 Miles all trough Germany from Hamburg to Munich. The engines are Autobahnfest as we say it here. Means, they are able to run at high RPMs for hours and hours with no issues at all. @ beeing a kind of a ** - Yeah, important part of the Hobby is spending time with nice people.

[@masafarmi7709]

Smooth sailing.

[@oneiblind30]

Does it have a thermal fan?

[@dominicpeter5112]

Checked the vacuum hoses to the transmission ?

[@RBeam6]

That's on my list to check along with something I saw on one of Pierre Hedary's videos. Unfortunately my actual job has been busy enough, of late, it's intruding into the time I can spend playing with my cars.😥 Hoping I'll be able to get under it to check this weekend.

[@habsom1406]

@@RBeam6 My 300TE W124 has an access panel in the carpeted footwell against the transmission and I recall opening it and messing around with it many years ago to soften/ harden the gearchanges. Don't know if that helps at all!

[@shitsugane]

Sooooo beautiful!

[@RBeam6]

Thanks!

[@brownsound071]

Nice video! I have a 1985 300SD that's alternator and battery are fine, but it will still not maintain a charge and must be jumped. Do you happen to know what step one to diagnosing this would be?

[@RBeam6]

Thanks! Wish I could help but I'm a total newb at this stuff. Until 4 or 5 years ago when I got interested in cars like these I'd always had new or new-ish cars so never really had to wrench on things myself much. So I'm just at the beginning of the learning curve but pretty excited to learn.

[@ivanmartinezgarcia5973]

did you replace the Voltage Regulator, small black box in the back of the alternator?

[@brownsound071]

I have not, thanks for the tip I will do this and let you know!@@ivanmartinezgarcia5973edit: My mistake, I actually have changed that out already. The brushes were worn out quite a bit on the previous one, so I thought this would work for sure. Unfortunately, it still has the same problem.

[@eliasloozen7948]

Hi, time ago I tested a w126 300. Very clean car with many options and the suede interior, but.... the ride was terrible, although the engine seemed to be smooth. I walked away from it. Gearbox tuning was messed up I guess.

[@oceantrolls7332]

Beautiful vehicles especially the red. What are your thoughts on the 300SD from the 80 and 90s. I really want to own one soon. Best always.

[@RBeam6]

Unfortunately I don't have much experience with the diesels but the folks that love them REALLY seem to love them. Are you a member of the Benzworld forums? That's the best place that I've found for questions about the older Mercs. They have things broken out into sub-forums for the various platforms which makes it easier to search and they're fairly active so you can get answers pretty quickly.

[@MrRjnr]

I own a 1980 300SD....great car!

[@AAJandfam]

Where in VA are you?

[@RBeam6]

Charlottesville. Are you in VA?

[@AAJandfam]

@@RBeam6 Yes. I went to school in Lexington so I’m familiar with the mountains. I’m from the Suffolk area though. I have an ‘89 420 SEL just like your burgundy one and also an ‘81 280 SE, ‘83 380 SE, ‘90 560 SEC, and ‘95 E320

[@monk3yboy69]

I’m jealous ….where do you store these cars? How often do you get to drive them? That’s what keeps me from getting more cars……storage and use .

[@RBeam6]

@@monk3yboy69 Same issue for me. I really only have room to comfortably accommodate 4 cars and I currently have 6 if you include the parts car which I keep trying to motivate myself to get rid of but keep finding little bits and pieces on it that I need. So I need to thin the herd a bit.

[@MrRjnr]

@@AAJandfam brilliant collection

[@bobl78]

every changed the transmission fluid and carefully check the vaccuum system for leaks.. theye have a VERY big and complex vaccum system as everything is operated by vaccum.. lots of lines which may leak after 40 years. The first cars shifts a bit too early at full throttle , that can be adjusted I think on the modulater at the transmission Don´t know about US models but in Europe around 1988 they brought new engines, so these might have slightly different power even though they are both 420s 145k is not high milager for a W126

[@zahirihaz731]

Solid and classy. Is it running on a 722.3 or 722.4 auto transmission? 4 speed?

[@RBeam6]

The silver car is an 87 so I think it would have been the 722.324 and the red car, which is a 1990 would be the 722.355. Think the only thing available in the US was a 4 speed auto.

[@PApauloantonio]

Hi "amigo"! What's the name of your city? Im asking because I think is a beaultiful city.

[@RBeam6]

Thanks. Been getting a lot of rain this year so everything is very green. Charlottesville, VA.

[@PApauloantonio]

@@RBeam6 thanks, my friend!

[@dexburwell]

- secondary air injection pump or relay ?

[@RBeam6]

Hadn't checked that yet. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@neps4th]

I'm suspecting EGR valve on Red Benz.

[@Salman-sc8gr]

Before your transmission gets sabotaged with coolant perforating through radiotor silly idea "cooler" disconnect pipes from radiator and fit a stand alone cooler in front.

[@tommasbolton3408]

I would like to see the marune color car.

[@AAJandfam]

When you do the lowering video, I assume you will use the h&r springs, please go into some detail on safety and purchasing as I will be undertaking the same on my SEC which does have sls but they make springs for that difference.

[@RBeam6]

You know, I thought for sure I'd be doing the H&R but lately I've been considering just cutting the stock springs. The idea always seemed a little Neanderthal but people that know a lot more than I do seem to think that's the way to go if you want to bring it down a bit to get the looks and a little lower center of gravity while retaining the general feel of the factory suspension. If I had an SEC, though, I'd almost certainly go the H&R route ... maybe different shocks. Don't know if you saw the video I did this weekend after I put the new wheels on but I took the car down a twisty road so the suspension would settle before taking the "after" pics. It was just a quick drive (didn't do a video of it) but think it's already taken the car in the direction I want. More planted feeling but no real negatives I noticed relative to dead stock. Regardless of which way I go I'll be doing a video on some twisty roads before the springs (just the wheels/tires being different) and then again once the springs are done ... offering my opinions on the changes with both.

[@AAJandfam]

@@RBeam6 The wider wheels and new tires probably made the ride feel much better than before.

[@ericlocastro220]

Are you in NOVA?

[@RBeam6]

No. Not too far from though. I'm in Charlottesville. You in VA?

[@ericlocastro220]

Arlington

[@azimutnorth8570]

Nice.🎉🎉🎉

[@Bamsebrakar2011]

You need an on board assistant 😊

[@RBeam6]

Not sure how many replies I'd get to that classified ad. Seeking assistant willing to work for nothing and must be on call 24/7 for whenever I'm in the mood to do a video.

[@MrRjnr]

@@RBeam6 😆

[@lusarshameli7057]

Must be nice.

[@ХасанКаракизов-м8ю]

👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌❤

[@Rick2010100]

Once a guy explained me why the 420 is better than the 500, but i forget the most of it. I only remeber that the 420 is not just a dowsized 5l, it has a more modern engine design. And that the 5l ha smore in common with the older 3,8l V8 than the 4.2l V8.

[@RBeam6]

420 has a bit more power than the 500. Think US spec 420 was a little over 200 and US spec 500 was 180 something ... I think. Euro versions were higher but believe it was still 420 > 500. Also think it was with the 560/420 models they switched to the ke-jetronic fuel injection but someone with a broader knowledge of this era Mercedes would know better.

[@Rick2010100]

@@RBeam6 The 300/320 SE had a V6 and ca. 185 hp, the 420 had a V8 with ca. 220 hp the 500 had a V8 with 250hp.

[@RBeam6]

@@Rick2010100 Those are the European specs, right? Haggerty has the US W126 500SEL listed as 183 and US 420SEL at 201.

[@Rick2010100]

@@RBeam6 I think some one at Haggerty mixed there up the KW and hp figures. There was also a engine change in that time from M116 to M117, the older models with the rifled side plank have the M116 and the later models the M117 wich had even a bit more power. 185 kW, 252 hp; 248 bhp with CAT and 180 kW, 245 hp; 241 bhp as US version.

[@RBeam6]

@@Rick2010100 Thanks for the clarification. Most of the specs sites you pull up don't give US vs EU numbers so hard to tell what's what somtimes. Think the Haggerty numbers just stuck in my head because I was using the site a lot when I was car shopping.

[@alimaklole5058]

How much like this😢😢

[@W123W116]

Nice ones! Compare this German spec 1980 500SE, pre Energy concept, with new timing chain. 0-100 km/h in the end (4 speed automatic) kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXzZl6Cda66iaaM

[@Rok-rm9og]

😯

[@Peter-tk6rm]

6 × W126 😂 Having 6 high maintenance Wives.

[@colinfairhurst8949]

Put the paper down! You wrote it, you should be able to remember it!

[@RBeam6]

Good point. I'll go back in time and have a talk with three weeks ago me.