1990 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 560 SEL review from Australia and New Zealand
"One of the best cars ever built. I could afford a brand new one - but why waste the money?"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The air conditioning compressor failed and needed reconditioning.
The vacuum operated air vent bellows in the dashboard failed, requiring replacement.
I have another 1986 version of the same car (560 SEL) and these are common problems with the W126 vehicles. Otherwise there are only the normal day to day things like brake pads, etc.
General comments?
We have 2 of these cars. The other one is a 1986 build vehicle which I have owned for 11 years and which now has 220,000km on the clock. Given the outstanding build quality and reliability of the older car, I could not resist buying the 1990 example when it came up for sale – with a genuine 14,000km on the clock (despite being 10 years old at the time).
I have since travelled a further 50,000km in the car.
It is in virtually brand new condition. These cars were probably the most over-engineered Mercedes ever built – that is why in real terms they were the most expensive. The result is a car which is incredibly reliable. Occasionally little things wear out – but in 11 years of owning both cars, neither has ever stranded me – except when I left the lights on and flattened the battery.
The 560SEL is huge. Incredible rear leg room and excellent interior finish – although a little sparse by some standards. Ride is firm, but that is good, and the handling is excellent given the fact that this is a 2 tonne family saloon.
It goes like the clappers. It normally accelerates starting in 2nd gear and moving up through to 4th. However if you are in a hurry, put your foot hard on the floor and it will select the little used 1st gear, and the car jumps forward from 0 – 100 kmh in just 7 seconds. Effortless. That is very good even by todays standards.
It looks good too. Much better than the 1990s model which followed it, and more “classic” Mercedes than the most recent ones. It does of course have a reputation for being the car of choice for just about every mafia boss and 3rd world dictator for several decades.
The fact that Mercedes built this chassis for 12 years (1979 to 1991) is testimony to the quality of its engineering.
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| Comfort out-weights poor reliability |
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| 1990 - S-Class 300 SE 3.0 straight six cylinder The world's best car - but count mine out |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1990 |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2006 |
| Engine and transmission | 5.6 liter V8 petrol Automatic |
| Performance marks | 9 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 8 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 6 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 14000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 64000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Jaguar XJS |
| Date of Entry | 22nd December, 2006 |