1991 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 300SEL from North America - Comments

Plastic side of radiator cracked, requiring entire new radiator ($900 at dealer).

A/C blower stopped working, requiring replacement.

A/C control unit started sending cold air when warm air desired (and vice versa), requiring replacement.

Transmission became slow to shift into reverse, requiring many new parts and gaskets.

Upper control arms on front suspension are shot at 150K miles. Time to replace.

She goes through brake pads, but that makes sense for such a big, heavy machine. (Don't ignore the brake-pad warning light until it goes off, which it does eventually. Then you'll be buying new rotors, too, as I did -- once.)

An amazing, fast, solid, comfortable, high-quality, well-designed car! Absolutely in love with it after all these years. Wouldn't dream of a new S-Class -- too forgettable and not enough "Mercedes-ness" anymore.

Quality of materials and fit is better than anything new. Glossy wood. Unbelievably fresh-looking leather after 155,000 miles. Feels like you could stand on the open gas flap. Door hardware and latches that are almost "over-designed." Glove box door lines up perfectly with dash. I could go on and on.

Quiet details continue to impress after seven years of ownership, such as wood trim on the dash that "wraps" around ends of dash, where it's only seen when doors are open. A turn-signal lever that is weighted perfectly. Simple, push-button switchgear that has a positive, solid feel to it. Even the chromed trim around the doorhandles where you insert the key is elegantly beveled and sculpted.

Rear legroom in my long-wheelbase W126 is positively generous, even when front seats are moved back. Everyone gets ample legroom in the stretch S-Class. First comment any backseat passenger makes!

The 3-liter six-cylinder engine is smoother than most V8s. It's a little slow off the mark (this is a big, heavy car!), but once she's wound up, there's power on tap. Silky smooth (a cliche, but true) and very, very quiet.

Brakes and steering a dream, with just the right balance and feel. I've never been afraid to fling this one around corners, despite its size.

A grand presence when parked or moving. I think Bruno Sacco and M-B got this W126 absolutely right in the aesthetics department. There's an absolute "rightness" to the lines. For such a physically big car, the folds and contours of the body make it appear remarkably light and agile. Same goes for the inside styling. Nothing jarring or zoomy or overstyled. There's a real Mies van der Rohe ("Less is more") quality to every line and surface.

Can you tell I'm in love? Nothing like approaching this authoritative, diplomatic machine, slipping onto that perfectly supportive seat and slamming that door. Thunk! Nothing sounds like it! Twist the key and glide away in all that leather, wood, solidity and absolute elegance.

I absolutely agree. That car you have there is, in my opinion, the last over-engineered MB.

I once accidentally slammed my fingers into the door frame of my 300SE. My fingers looked like they had come out of a cartoon after I managed to get the door back open. You could only imagine the pain and agony that followed after. Those cars are almost TOO solid.

Anyway, I have three examples. I have a 300SE, a 300SDL, and a 350SD. I never plan on getting rid of any of them. You just cannot replace them, plain and simple. The long wheelbase model is definitely the best choice for road trips, but it sure is hard to park, isn't it? Not too different in length compared to my full-ton 3500 extended cab 4x4 pickup truck.

Ditto here, I have an 86 300SE...96000 miles, sweet as a nut... and bomb proof, I know where I'm hiding when the big war starts... I love the car... total class, no pretentious rubbish like in many modern cars.. my mates dad had a 560 SEL and he enjoyed racing 911 drivers!!!

I think its the most well proportioned car that Benz have ever built..

I always liked my dads old 240TD though...

I agree whole heartedly with your comments. I have a 1991 Blk/Blk 300SEL with 211,500 miles on it. I just had the single roller timing chain, tensioner, and guide rails for the timing chain and oil chain replaced by the dealer for $1300. I purchased it from my father, who also kept every record for the car. I am planning on having the car repainted due to its exposure to the Chicago-land road salt.

I have been working on the car little by little and trying to bring this German “uber-wagon” back to pristine condition. It really is the perfect car for long car trips. All of that steel, smooth ride, and I still get 390 miles to the tank at 85MPH.

Here is the short list of what I have put into it.

Mono-Valve

Rotor, Cap, Wires, Plugs, Ignition Wire Cover

250,000km Grill Badge (nice to have, from the Classic Center)

New Hood Latches

Accessory Drive Belt.

My Wife and I are never going to sell this one, and plan on going for the 1,000,000 mile mark with it.

I love my sel 300 on a 1992 j, only had for a few weeks she has 183 k on the clock with fsh an every mot,she also runs on lpg an I get about 270 mls for 28 pound and best of all she only cost me 1200 pound.

I just bought a 91 300 SEL (in May/09) with 91,xxx miles. It was from an estate sale (elderly widow) who, apparently didn't drive it much (5,000/yr). The car is mint! The service book is stamped every 5,000 miles by the same MB dealership. Parts that have been replaced along the way by the previous owner include exhaust, alternator, radiator. Total cost to me...$4,350. As a comparison, according to Kelly blue book, for that money I could also get a 13 year old top of the line, excellent condition, 90,000 mile Toyota Corolla, or a 9 year old Honda Civic. I'll take the MB thank you very much!