Comments: 1-15, 16-18
The mechanism that holds the driver's side door open broke (as in the bracket broke off), but I doubt this is Mercedes' fault.
I'm beginning to think the car was in an accident due to some paint over spray on the body cladding on the driver's side. This would explain why, when I took the door panel off to replace the bracket, one of the retaining bolts was missing. It wasn't rattling around in the bottom of the door or anything, it just wasn't there. So, either someone at a body shop or at Mercedes forgot this bolt, leaving only 2 bolts to hold it in place. Because I have no way of knowing why the bolt was missing, I cannot fault Mercedes for it.
The only other problem is that the bumpers have faded. This problem is not unique to Mercedes though - it is extremely difficult to get paint to stick to urethane.
Before I start talking about the car, it should be noted that while I've only had the car for 5 months, my dad owned it for 3 or 4 years, and my grandfather bought it around 1990, so I know the car pretty well.
Given this car's age, its performance is outstanding. The U.S. spec model is rated at ~8 seconds 0-60MPH, 140MPH top speed. I haven't tested the top speed, but I can tell you that mine easily keeps up with a Mustang GT to 100MPH. While not explosively fast from 0-~40mph, once it hits 2nd gear, it is a very, very fast car, especially given its 4200lb weight.
Handling is decent, although again, you have to keep it in perspective. Given the car's near-20ft. length and 2-ton+ weight, it handles very well.
Continuing on the subject of performance, the car is an outstanding sleeper. People don't seem to notice the "560SEL" badge, or at least they don't know what it means, because they tend to be real surprised when it turns out that that huge Mercedes is a lot faster than they thought it was.
In terms of build quality, the thing is built like a tank. Everything on the car, from the trunk lid to the window switches just feels solid. The doors don't click shut, they thunk shut. The term "bank vault" may be overused, but it's an accurate description of the car's build quality.
I find the interior to be very comfortable. The seats are firm, and there's a good reason for this - they are designed to keep you awake and energized on long trips. The dash layout is outstanding, the air conditioning produces colder air than my grandparent's 2003 S600 does, and the automatic temperature control is smart enough to not turn the heater on full blast before the engine has warmed up. In terms of features, it has a lot of what newer cars do - power front and rear seats, seat heaters in the front and the back, power windows, sunroof, etc. Unfortunately, it does not have a CD player (we're talking about a car from 1986 here!) and the stereo is horrible by today's standards, although it does all right considering that all it has to work with are 2 3.5" dash speakers and 2 6.5" rear speakers...
People don't give Mercedes enough credit for their tremendous engineering prowess, which is present everywhere in the car. Even the shape of the taillights has a purpose - the channels in the lens are there to blow snow and ice off of the lens. The door handles, too, are shaped the way they are for a reason. Their shape provides the maximum amount of leverage possible for opening the door after an accident. It's details like this that show just how much thought Mercedes puts into their cars.
My only real complaint is the gas mileage. The EPA rated it at 14/16, but with the way I drive, 12mpg is more realistic. This, combined with it's need for premium (because of the 9:1 compression ratio), makes for expensive fill ups.
Finally, there are a few potential problems with the 560SEL that you should be aware of if you're in the market for one. The 560's engine puts out just about as much power as the transmission can handle, so the transmissions tend to die around 100,000 miles. The timing chain should also be replaced around 100,000-150,000 miles as a precautionary measure because if it fails, you'll be needing a new engine. Finally, the 560SEL has a self-leveling rear suspension, which can be very expensive to fix if it needs it, so you should be sure that it has been maintained properly.
This person's experience is very similar to mine. I've had over 30 cars in my life, and four others were Mercedes. It's possible that the 560 SEL is the best car in the world. (This is not meant to be hyperbole.)
I have two friends who are Mercedes Benz mechanics. They both agree. "Don't get a new one. Even with 285,000 miles, the 1986 S class is better." I love the looks of the new one, but I'll stick with the tank like reliability and raw power of my '86 560 SEL!
Bought my 1986 560 Sel 3 1/2 years ago. Car had wreck title but only 76,000 miles. Three trips to Florida from NY, the Car has run and performed beautifully. Problems experienced are unique, chrome plated wheels peel causing air leaks loss and flat tires twice a year. Air flow sound from poor door alignment somewhat annoying but considering the bargain price I paid for car, inconvenience tolerable. One problem which is driving me bonkers is alarm system. Alarm works off drivers door. When alarm is set, horn alarm goes off so I put an intercept switch in to stop alarm from sounding off. If I leave horn switch off, lights will blink and horn will sound for five minutes. Can't set alarm without horn setting, very annoying at night when neighbors asleep.
Being a doubting individual, I had to max out the tach and speedometer. While in Canada, took car to 160 MPH. Same feeling as ride on Concord Jet.
Great car, preparing for next trip to Florida. Also have 79 450SL. Wish I never bought this car. Fun toy, but all MB's expensive to maintain. Car has only 85,000 miles, had to replace entire front end, rework heads and needing most likely install cat converter if car does not become exempt form exhaust test.
If you read this note soon (12-22-03), can you provide me feedback as to what viscosity oil has proven best for you..
Honk if you eyeball another 560 SEL on the roadway, never know who may behind the wheel. Final question, any good parts supply source? Need an a/c compressor w/clutch and condenser, automatic antenna, emergency brake light switch, passenger side window switch in console (light out), heat switch console - works but doesn't light, clock for 79 450 SL which I am told is part of tach.
Later..........
Well, its been almost two years since I wrote my initial review of the 560 here (pity you can't edit your own reviews or I'd just do that instead of commenting on a review I authored) and the car is still flawless.
It now has 143,000 miles on it, and just had a MAJOR service done on it last summer. The engine is essentially new/rebuilt from the block up. The heads were pulled off an '87 parts car and rebuilt. The timing chain and guides were replaced. All the rubber tubing under the hood was replaced, as were the head gaskets and the seals on the valve covers.
The front brake pads and rotors were replaced at the same time, as was a faulty oil pressure sender. All of the vacuum hoses were replaced as well. The parking brake cable broke last December, and was replaced shortly thereafter.
I upgraded the stereo to 4x6" Pioneer 3-ways in the dash and 6.5" Pioneer 4-ways in the rear, with 2 12" Polk GNX-124 subs @ 200w RMS each in the trunk... it sounds great.
Anyhow, if anything, the car is better now than when I got it (thanks to the work that was done on it). The engine is smooth beyond words... the best description I can give is the following: I can balance a quarter on edge on the air cleaner with the engine running, rev it to the 6000rpm redline, and bring it back down to idle without knocking the coin over. I kid you not. As unbelievable as that sounds, I'm dead serious.
It's also faster than I pegged it as being in my original review; I've since obtained a copy of the July 1987 issue of Car & Driver, in which they road tested the 560SEL. The performance specs Car & Driver got are as follows:
Time to Speed:
0-30mph 2.6s
0-40mph 3.8s
0-50mph 5.3s
0-60mph 7.0s
0-70mph 9.3s
0-80mph 12.0s
0-90mph 15.5s
0-100mph 19.6s
0-110mph 25.6s
0-120mph 36.7s
Maximum Test Speed: 140mph.
Standing start 1/4 mile: 15.5s @ 90mph.
Roadholding (300ft diameter skidpad) : 0.78G.
That's faster than most cars on the road today, and it's fast enough to keep up with a Mustang GT if the guy in the Mustang doesn't know how to drive. You'll notice that the car really excels at accelerating from freeway speeds UP though- for instance, 10 seconds to go from 90-110mph; 20 to hit 120. That's very, very impressive.
I took mine to the drag strip last fall... my best run was a 15.7 @ 88mph, but my reaction time on that run was 0.45 seconds; with a halfway decent reaction time it would've run a 15.2 or 15.3.
So yeah, two years on and it's still as solid as ever. Still a fast, reliable (although things have broken it has NEVER left me stranded), and safe car. If you can find one that has been well cared for, and you can afford to maintain it properly and keep it filled up with premium, it will reward you with years of reliable service and driving pleasure. And it's STILL a better deal than any new car with a MSRP of <$35k. :D.
I own a 560SEL which I recenty bought at auction. I was impressed with the red leather interior and all the extra little features like a telescopic steering column. The car had 214,00 miles on it, but the car was rust free, has a good paint job and on the whole was reasonably maintained.
Thanks to user articles like this I WAS ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER A LIST OF JOBS POSSIBLY NEEDED. FindinG A RELIABLE MECHANIC WAS EASY - MY BARBER KNEW OF ONE. So as per many others, I had a new timing chain as well as head gaskets installed. I had new brake pads and exhaust installed, I had work done on the steering as well. two weeks later the car came back blowing cold air, runs very smoothly and is very tight and quiet.
My mirror joy stick keeps falling into the console and the rear left controls on the door keep falling out of thier socket... how does one remedy decaying switches?
The original person who started this particular review is a legend! Thank you very much for your input, tech knowledge and general thoughts. I have been confused as to whether to purchase an '89 BMW 750il or an '87 560SEL (Talk about direct competitors!). You've convinced me to buy the 560! Thanks!
Yes, I couldn't agree more. I have been debating for a week now to buy one that's for sale and after reading these comments I think I will. I know that it's TWENTY YEARS OLD, but it is so tempting. After driving an Audi 100CS Qauttro(488,000KM - Canadian, Eh!) for 8 years, I love German cars. I think I'll take the plunge!!!
Anyone please advise - I'm planning to buy a 500sel Mb for 4000$ with only 55000km. I saw it in the ad only. Is their any automatic transmission in this model? Cause I prefer only automatic. Thanks in advance.
I bought my 560SEL from an auction. I am taking it home to Africa (LIBERIA). What will be my problem in Liberia?
Please help me.
Gbor.
I wish that I had read your review two years ago before I bought my 560SEL, particularly the part about transmissions giving out after 100,000 miles.
I bought a very well-maintained 560SEL with 106,000 miles in 9/2006 from its second owner. I assumed that it needed nothing. Big mistake.
Since then, I have put in a re-manufactured transmission, new valve seals, alternator and battery, brakes, a/c repair and a repair to the automatic climate control.
On one hand, I've spent a lot of money. On the other hand, the resulting vehicle is a heck of a car. Powerful, magnificent heating and cooling in the passenger cabin. Long distance driving is nice, and it handles well in traffic as well.
Gas mileage is, well, what you expect. I am pleased to be getting 19-20 mpg now on the highway. She doesn't use oil. Starts and runs well. When things are working, she is an engineering marvel.
Simply the Best value out there today for used (high end) Luxury rides. I am now over 355,000 miles and am loving every Mile!!! My car is a 1989 560 SEL.
I have a 86 Mercedes SEL, bright red in almost perfect condtion at 85,000 miles. I did not buy it new but have had it about 10 years. One thing has always puzzled me -- the horn only works when the ignition is on. I discovered this at one of my car inspections a few years ago. I am surprised that this was not mentioned in the Users Manual. Are they all like this?
I own a 1987 420 SEL, which has been meticulously maintained for its whole life.
Unfortunately at 300K a small problem came up with lubrication on the top end of the motor; these things happen. Anyway I decided to put in a 560 motor and now I am really happy unless I accidentally push too hard on the gas pedal and the rear radials chirp between whatever gears I am in. My wife has a lead foot also.
We love the car and I have just taken the plunge to have the wheels redone (blasted and repainted) and to have the entire car repainted, even though the original paint was still in good condition.
Anyone looking for a safe car should look at one of these cars. Yes repairs can be expensive (maintenance is cheaper), but when I buy a part for this car it generally has a very long life.
I lay awake thinking about how comfortable this sedan is, and I do push it on the freeway. It does something that I can't explain. This is a piece of art, and it produces peace for me. To feel safe is to be human, and to be comfortable and moving along at a pretty good clip is fun. Oh and when an eighteen wheeler is passing you won't feel anything.
I recommend a Mercedes trained mechanic if you can (afford one). I have been enjoying mine for about three years now with minor mechanical issues; window motor, kinked washer line, installed new hood liner. Nothing major (and I do drive it all the time).
I recommend this car to anyone who is prepared to really love having it. If you treat this car well you will not want to look at another. Most of the reviews about these older S class cars are correct; I don't believe the ones that are negative. If you get a car like this that has been maintained and is checked out by a good mechanic, you will be pleasantly surprised.
This car is really fun to own and take care of, and when driving it, a calm comes over you like no other. The engineers of this car thought of everything and they they made it work.
I had a lift kit installed on the rear springs to level out the body and improve the alignment of the rear wheels. I thought the body was sitting a little low in the rear, but now it's perfect.
I also just found out that one of the two storage compartments on the rear deck is intended to hold cigars. That's awesome.
This is a truly great car, and I recommend it to anyone who is on the fence. Be careful racing other 420s tho'; it might be a hibernating 560 waiting to blow your doors off.
Excellent car; the only downside which bothers me is the changing of the rib style tail lights to the non desirable smooth aerodynamic style in the triangular shape.
The rib style tail lamps has always been a mark of refinement towards any Mercedes Benz
The newer body styles,changes the entire look and appearance of the Mercedes, as a result of these two major changes, I just don't buy the newer class anymore, I stay with the 1986 to the 1990 -- 560 SEL when they are gone they are gone.
After this I don't focus on Mercedes any longer, unless the body style and the taillights comes back, just like they did with the Volkswagen Beetle and the Austin Mini Cooper.
I just bought mine as a transportation while I save for a new car, but in to the point now that I really don't want to get rid of it, and I am planning on spending the money on fixing it up... It's really fast for the weight and the torque is outstanding, the quality is more of an industrial machine... suspension like a truck and handles like a Bentley... and looks like a mobsters car... I can truly say I am in love.
Can someone let me know how much was this car selling for back in 1986? And what is the price range these days?? My dad is about to buy one and would need these info...