Mercedes pickle: W124 260 or W126 300SE?

I saw two clean MBs for sale nearby. Both are at big new-car stealerships.

One is a 1991 (W126) 300SE with under 71,000 miles; they're axing 7,990 for it.

The other is a (iirc) '88 or so (W124) 260E with 131,000 miles; they're asking 4,990 for that.

I've always loved the 126s, but almost $8 grand is a bit steep. I much prefer the six over the V8s in the w126 for fuel efficiency and lower cost of ownership. I once drove a 300SEL, and it wasn't too much of a pooch; the SE would be even quicker. Thoughts? I currently drive an '03 Passat V6--manual--which has been reliable, but I'm bored of it.

Both of those seem really over priced. Like, easily more than double what they should cost.

Neither,

If you had to, take the 126 car. The 2.6s have oil pressure problems.

FWIW: I've owned several if each and I'd take a bus pass over either of those cars.

M030 wrote: If you had to, take the 126 car. The 2.6s have oil pressure problems.

Can you describe more? My wife's '89 190 2.6 has over 250k miles and no oil pressure issues.

Yeah, neither. Lol they are at least double the price they should be.

Aw, snap. I hate it when these cars fall into the wrong hands (M-B dealers who ask two and a half times fair market value because, after all, they ARE Mercedes-Benz of Maplewood).

Yeah, it sucks when that happens. If you like one car or the other, go in and over them half their asking price and leave your number saying that if they change their mind (because they WILL refuse initially) to give you a call. Don't haggle. Make an offer and walk. When they call, stick to your original offer and be polite. You may get it for a decent price that way. If they are an OEM new car dealer, they will have to sell it at some point and if your name is there and you have cash in hand, they could just give it to you.

That price is right, for a W126 560SEL with a mountain of maintenance paperwork, not a slow 300SE.

I have a decent 1995 E300 diesel for sale at a reasonable price. Shoot me a message for details. I am in the Fairfield County an hour from NYC in CT.

In reply to ccrelan: Thanks. Is that the wagon on your signature? It looks good.

As good long-distance cruisers as these are, distance could be a problem: I live in southern Minnesota.

Yeah, I paid $3000 for a 300SEL a few years back no way I'd go near 8 grand for one. And the fuel economy isn't really that great on the sixes either. Not sure how it compares to the small 8 but its not very good for a 6. I think I was getting high teens on the highway, maybe 20.

No, the car in my sig is a 3.6 swapped wagon. The 95 diesel is a sedan.

W126, but keep your eyes open for a better deal

In reply to JThw8:

I dont think the cost of owning the 6 vs the 8 is that bad either. Both have a timing chain that stretches and guides that like to fail after 20 years of use. The auto level on most(all?) of the V8 cars might add some dollars to upkeep, but that's about it.

They are both way, way overpriced.

I think the 6 cylinder diesel w126 looks interesting if you can find one without cylinder head issues. I guess the 6 cylinder diesels have an issue with cylinder heads so you gotta check the casting numbers. I love old mercedes but the cost of gas is a killer right now.