The Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC: The Car That Owned the 80s

[@thomasconnolly7452]

I bought an 87 back in March through Hemmings. Great service history and well preserved with 99k miles. I love that car.

[@hemmingsmotornews]

Thank you for the support! Im glad you're enjoying it.

[@charlesb7019]

We owned an 87 for 15 years. Outstanding automobile. Fantastic to drive!

[@steviewaichulis]

I have a 560SEC daily driver since 2017. It's great. :-)

[@JPD617]

Always been one of my favorite cars! The 560SEC AMG is easily one of the coolest cars ever made......

[@arslan2010ish]

@@JPD617 No such thing as a 560 SEC AMG officially. There were AMG cars that were pre-merger but you need to know the difference. It’s significant.

[@JPD617]

@arslan2010ish Actually, there is such a car. It was brought out in 1990. Had a 6.0 liter with different cams throttle body and a more stout transmission. There are some other differences as well. But yes, it was Pre-merger.

[@gnws6]

I always liked those -- the pillar-less coupe part of it was the cherry on top.

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Absolutely - timeless style.

[@mikemintun1587]

My favorite care of all time. I had a 1990 model in Nautical Blue with Ash interior, A magnificent car, either in town or on long trips. Supremely comfortable in all circumstances. I believe that the only option was the rear sun shade, which mine did have. I adored this motorcar!

[@commandertopgun]

Stunning classic Mercedes Benz 560 SEC, AWESOME VIDEO. I have always loved these, and I can now afford them with ease.

[@charlesdalton985]

To me these can be summed up in one word - presence. It commands attention, just by being. Thank you for the deep dive and look into them ~ Chuck

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Yup - they definitely have a feel to them that few new vehicles can match. Plus the build quality is on another level.

[@charlesdalton985]

@@drivebigmuscle8080 Regarding the build quality - I had no idea it was that good until your walkthrough. Holy mackerel! Thanks again ~ Chuck

[@greggcrannage740]

Dalton’s car from Road House

[@davidparkin9017]

I have the same philosophy except from the rival. I drive M54s, better known as 1999-2003 BMW 5 series with the inline six cylinder motors. I have a 1999 528iT with 268,000 miles which I just took on a 4,000 mile road trip from Florida to Quebec and back for the third time in twenty years, and I have a 2003 530i with 130,000 miles that I have only had for five years that feels like new. The 528iT sounds and drives just like it did twenty years ago. Both averaging 25 mpg, thank you very much.

[@yamahaxs6501]

Such a shame that today's Mercedes has strayed so far from what these cars represent and were. Luxury now means you stuff the most new tech in a package devoid of styling and presence. That new tech is fine for the first owner, but gets outdated very quickly and the cost to repair will make the cars scrap after 10-15 years. It's this way with the entire automobile industry, but the high end luxury cars are the pinnacle how bad it is.

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

You are 100% correct.

[@rahulmandala4930]

It sucks to see indeed. Mercedes back then were about that dignified luxury. Subtle, understated even, but the elegance was one of---if not---the BEST! The luxury in which these cars were bestowed with and the longevity to which they endured millions of miles with made them one of a kind.

[@robertwalters58]

I have had a 91 for the last 12 years, I imagine I'll have it another 20. 140K and looks and runs like new.

[@anastassiosperakis2869]

The exterior styling is a HUGE HIT. Far better than any other S class based coupe before or after.

[@hemmingsmotornews]

Did you have on yourself in the past that you enjoyed? Or still have one?

[@davebarron5939]

When Merc was building some of the best auto's of all time.

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Agreed - it's a sin they've lost their way.

[@svenschulz5130]

The 560 SEC was very popular in Europe too - especially in Germany!

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

I bet - and the euro bumpers looks great on these cars.

[@Uc9uE3pKsS6uQ]

C126 Exoten Club

[@jammer96]

Patrick Swayze's car from Road House except his has aftermarket wheels. He kept the actual car used in the movie (2 were used) until he passed away. Also had a Delorean. Cool guy!!

[@howardmckenna]

A wonderful car that just screams quality. Always been one of my favourites.

[@TLGIII]

Had a 90 300SE. Was like riding on a cloud. Hope to get another 126 one day.

[@hemmingsmotornews]

It's a dream for many! Hope you get another one soon.

[@notme3151]

that is the best shape I used 1985 it was 500 sec then 560 1990 it's marvellous car especially for chasing ...

[@johanvanrooyen6650]

I owned a 1992 300SE W126. I always yearned for a SEC, but the 300SE was just as good. Wow, I miss that car.

[@hemmingsmotornews]

When did you last own your '92 300SE?

[@arslan2010ish]

The 560 SEC in Europe was a 300 hp car. It wasn’t an option. It’s the way it came.

[@1995RangeRover]

Still love 'em ❤

[@iiyapimpdaddy1791]

Im glad you’re back on youtube. You have a way of making videos that is different. Greatly appreciate you

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Thank you - and we've got a lot more to come!

[@AtheerDawood-bt9wr]

There's a bit push to try to make these popular again.

[@bigprocrastinator]

I know there were generations between these two, but to me this gen S coupe always felt like a direct design line to the 250C

[@starkparker16]

I like the look at the undercarriage. Cool video.

[@georgeskiener7709]

Magnificent, I had a 420 SEC

[@ItsTimePictures]

The Euro's are a different animal and preferred. I own one. But these are insanely expensive to maintain and fewer and fewer mechanics know how to wrench on them. Also, a first gear start mod switch is mandatory! I call it rocket mode because it's just dull without. Another also, there are after market rear swaw bars available that transform the cornering.

[@RUfromthe40s]

i bought from my father a 500SEC all in black with wooden trim inside ,manual off course, had already a 550SE from the 80´s a four door car now called S-class and a canadian SD diesel that i never had seen one, with american finishings like the front lights and the bumpers and four orange lights in each front or back side panels, in 94 bought a 600SEC V12 that in 96 they changed to CL600, if memory doesn´t fail me as later ended up buying a BMW 850 V8 the finest coupé at the time , no wonder no one liked the Z8 , you could rent one with iron racing wheels to drive in a circuit also a hard top version, but i prefered the 850 always ,the Z1 is being sold now for a lot of money as no one liked it allthough it had a nice driving quality with the door going down and up i drove 1.6 or 1.8 not sure as i only drove that one from a BMW dealer when released, Mercedes coupé are my weakness already have some 9 cars from diferent years , the first is a 280CE bought in california by a portuguese family living there with diferent front lights like seen on the topless one, when i first looked inside i thought it had manual gears but no just coming from the ground of the car a shifter in black with a white round handle but was automatic, my first car was a 280S with the shifter coming from the side of the steering wheel column and was a 68 .

[@TireSlayer55]

560 SEC, yes please! I'll take mine with a supercharged M113k AMG V8 swapped in, of course...

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

of course... 😁

[@paultucker1272]

It'd need to be an AMG (or Lorinser) 560SEC for me. No self respecting drug dealer on Miami Vice would be seen in anything less.......and boy, did that TV programme have an impact on me lol.

[@ChristerByklum-q5p]

Very few in Europe looked at Audi as a luxury car in the 1980’s. It was a car for those who wanted a 4x4 in a sedan, or estate. And couldn’t afford the 300E/ TE 4-magic that was probably twice the price of an Audi 100 Quattro. The Audi V8 was so niche it was almost into Maserati Quatroporte in rarity on the roads, but not really in prestige. Most of the Audi prestige has come since 2000 as a luxury choice.

[@777jones]

True, but Audis in the 1990s were beautifully made. Every one. The 80 and 90 included. It was jewelry level.

[@davidarter6271]

I have just bought one of these. Having driven it, I wouldn’t buy a new car again.

[@TheMuzikall]

90-100mph all day? More like 120-140mph all day if you can afford the petrol✅

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

... and avoid the speeding tickets.

[@Obi-wan_Jakobi]

Holy crap, the horse power numbers sound kinda laughable knowing that in EU they were making up to 300KM

[@BuiltToRace_com]

7" wide rims on the V8's

[@JacobTab_S7_Plus-sg4ju]

The World best football player ever Diego Maradona had one of these So you know it is the top pick.🎉 So sad Benz don't make cars like this anymore those day you paid more to get it unbadge Today it is all Dubai style where it all about noise and NOT the old Benz silent luksus.

[@7Eightyone]

Top drug dealer car in the late 80's

[@sannissansanjuan5074]

Its the German Chevelle

[@Hirthirthirt]

Not true, the 560 was very popular in Europe...not an american Model.

[@ericlocastro220]

13 hides? Really?

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Maybe 14?

[@lawrenceralph7481]

Lots of expensive repairs. Tend to be neglected. My sister in law owns two older MBs and a Rolls. All are neglected, parked, eyesores and in need of a junk yard or a lot of attention.

[@hemmingsmotornews]

That's a shame! Have they thought about doing a potential restore?

[@Ben-bs4od]

The last Mercedes S class with the classic box shape before they ruined it. It's been hideous ever since. Looks like a cheap Ford or Lincoln now. Blech.

[@MeowTubee]

Great cars and praise is deserved. But holy crap. These cars do not deserve to be in the $15k range. At that price it's competing against pristine and more luxurious 1990 BMW's. This car is really not that fun to drive. It's fun to own and work on. But it has the muted and numb steering feedback that early Mercedes were known for. It was revolutionary in that it could dampen shaking into the wheel back in 1981. But, all cars do that now. And the seats are way too floaty. You just feel disconnected. If you really want one, then get it. But it will very likely disappoint you after a few years of ownership. $15k into a Porsche 928 or even the W124 300CE Cabriolet would be a better choice. Those two are not the same kind of cars, but you'll get more bang for the buck and less owners remorse if you're wanting that "timeless" ownership this presenter is describing.

[@theotherpaulmitchell]

As a BMW and an SEC owner, I have to disagree with your points here. And $15K won't get you much of a SEC nowadays; prices have jumped significantly beyond that. Why? Because the market recognizes value and quality.

[@vettezeppelin]

Clearly you do not understand the appeal of such a car.

[@detonator2112]

The only 90's BMW that is comparable to a 126 SEC is the E31 8-series. They've said that the values go up and blahblah. They never did. You can still buy them at 15K range. Sure it's a good looking classic but it's a horrible to car to maintain... and it weighs about as much as a church. Definitely not any more exciting to drive. These old Benzes last forever and are still relatively simple cars.

[@MeowTubee]

@@theotherpaulmitchell the Bosch fuel injection system is finicky. BMW did the smart move in the mid 80s to utilize the MAF early on. It's a far superior system and easier to diagnose. Some of the worst condition SECs are priced at $12-15k minimum. That's outrageous. You can hardly find a mechanic who wants to work on these without costing ridiculous sums. It's probably why the pristine examples are nearing $20k. I stand by what I say. An investment in a similar Porsche 928 with equivalent upkeep will have higher returns in enjoyment and resale. These SEC prices need to come back down to earth.

[@theotherpaulmitchell]

​@@MeowTubee My BMWs were no less maintenance than the SECs, usually more. And I've never had an issue finding a mechanic for vintage Mercedes. Anyone who thinks a 928 has similar upkeep to a w126 Mercedes is simply wrong; a 928 has noticeably higher upkeep and commensurately more expensive to do. I've owned 93 cars and been there and done that.