1983 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 500 SEC review from Australia and New Zealand
"Magnificent and handsome"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Nothing has "gone wrong". A pre-purchase inspection recommended new engine mounts, timing chain and tensioner, exhaust and a few other minor things - an extra $5,000 (Australian) to add to the purchase price of $24,000.
General comments?
This is my first big (V8) car. It is simply magnificent, reliable, cheap to maintain and very handsome. City fuel economy is reasonable (16litre/100km) if you can avoid heavy traffic. This is a great car for a do-it-yourself mechanic because apart from regular oil and other fluid changes it needs only a careful eye to watch over it!
All accessories still work after 19 years, unlike my Alfa (or any other car?).
Is the W126 series Mercedes best ever? When the company was still driven by engineering instead of marketing!
Warning - avoid rusted and abused imports with low mileage from Hong Kong or South Africa. These cars are made to be driven every day - the engines can last forever.
Recommended reviews
| Super car of the 1980s with lots of life left in it for the 2000s |
|
| 1979 - S-Class 450SEL 6.9 litre Shames newer Mercedes cars |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1983 |
| First year of ownership | 1999 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 5 litre petrol Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 8 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 230000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 273000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV |
| Date of Entry | 4th June, 2002 |