I purchased this 760 GLE work of engineering excellence right during the time in its life when it needed someone caring like me the most.
The power antenna and stereo cassette had died.
The small console lights were just about all burned out.
The front seat heaters didn't heat and both front seat recliner cables had failed.
The only interior wear was in the front seats though, and the body didn't show a speck of rust throughout.
The paint on the hood and roof had oxidized, but was fine everywhere else.
After conducting a standard tune-up on the engine it ran far beyond my expectations in quality performance, and the transmission was strong. The engine didn't leak any oil and the transmission only a residue's worth.
The only annoying thing I experienced from the engine was the tapping of valves when I would first start it up in the morning.
Gas mileage suffers heavily averaging between 15-18mpg.
The car performed surprisingly well for its size and weight.
When used for passing, the engine would down-shift and jump into the 5,000 rpm range without hesitation, hold for a few seconds while a high pitched whistling sound occurred (maybe from the electric blower singing under the air intake box), then slingshot you ahead with enough force to bark the rear tires and snap your head back and suck your whole body into the left side of your seat.
Top speed far exceeds 120mph. For example, it didn't shift into overdrive until the speedometer reached between 110-115 mph. When it shifted the rpm's were around 4,800. I didn't want to break the needle after it jumped to 120mph so I backed off, but you can figure (with the rpm's to spare) it could probably do around 30 mph more.
With the new overhaul in progress, this car should easily last another 10 years before retiring in my car museum.
I'm buying one of these cars tomorrow and after reading your review, I can't wait!!
I bought an '89 760 turbo sedan with 96k miles on it. 64k were put on its first 13 years, then only 32k put on its last 13 years before I got it.
It was driven here in California by an older gentlemen, and is virtually like new, only the cruise control switch and the A/C needing a refill didn't work.
It had a loud whine in the turbo when it wound up, but some slick 50 added to the oil cut that out after it worked its way into bearing after two weeks.
After I get some performance parts from ipd, this will be my dream car and the last one I purchase for many years.
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