SEC buying advice

[bartoni79]

Hi,

Im looking to buy an SEC ( i think they're great) preferably a 4 litre rather than the 5litre powerhouses. Im going to be doing about 60 miles a day. Whats a good mileage to buy, Id like to keep it until it dies...

What is there to look out for and are they really expensive if stuff goes wrong. Also how often does stuff go wrong?

I have a 93, E220 at the moment and it drives really well and is mechanically sound... are the SECs as reliable? And lastly whats the fuel economy like. I think mine does about 30ish to the gallon as it mway driving that i do..

btw Is the SEC classed as a classic car?
How much is a good amount to pay - ive seen them for 2k but are these likely to be a money pit and whats the resell value after say 25k miles if i need to sell it?

Anything else anyone can think of wuld be great..

Thanks

 

[television]

yes the 126 is one of the nicest and best built cars going,, the coupes are worth more than the saloons,, fuel consumption similar to what you have now,, it does need the 3.8 or 4.2 engine for they are quite heavy but beautifully turned out

Wait for some more answers,, the main thing is a good body

 

[bartoni79]

might be being naive but whats the difference; i thought an SEC was by default a coupe?

 

[hardtop]

classic insurance will be £100-200 & parts can cost £££££ go for a hi spec avoid cloth int ect

 

[television]

might be being naive but whats the difference; i thought an SEC was by default a coupe?

You are correct the SEC is the coupe,, I just missed that bit

 

[bartoni79]

How much for a decent one? 4-5k?

 

[telletubby]

If you interested I know of a widow who is selling one. The best colour (blue/black) with beige hide, correct original spec and wheels and warranted FSH 89K.Dry stored.
Any snags? No, except that its a 500, rather than a smaller engine and it's in France but I could get some photos if you're remotely interested. I've had three of these wonderful cars in my time and had little or no problems, though admittedly I sold the last one eight years ago before coming to France permanently. I'd love to buy this one but unfortunately it's impossible to register a car of that engine size with the French as they charge you a small fortune. I can't give you the fuel consumtion in mpg but according to the makers figures at 90kmph a 420SEC uses 8.7litres per 100km, rising to 10,7litres per 100 at 120kmph. Urban is 15,1. The figures for a 500SEC are 8.8litres, 11.1litres and 15,8litres. By comparison my 300 W124 diesel averages 8.5. It is interesting that there's not that much difference between the 420 and the 500. I'm afraid I don't have figures for the 380. Hope this helps.

 

[telletubby]

I should add that this 500SEC is of course RHD and UK regd.

 

[simon_wall69]

The fuel economy of all of the 126s is about the same. My old 280se did about 22mpg and my 560sel does about 18mpg on average. Possibly has something to do with the v8s having fuel cut off on the overrun and such.

Recon parts are reasonably priced and I would expect to get pretty much all of my money back in 25,000 miles as the cars are at the bottom of the depreciation curve.

Check all the usual things; the main problem will be rust: can be prevalent around the boot and where the rear window drains. Electrical gremlins tend to rest with electric aerials, electric head rest adjustment and sometimes sunroofs. Other than this they tend to be fine.

Buy a car with working air con and with leather otherwise you will struggle to sell.