W126 comparison

[Michel]

Michel, your 380 arrive yet? Do you still have the W140 also?

Welcome back Bryce,
Yes, the 380SE is at the factory and we’ve hardly had time to look at it.
I’m planning to work on it tomorrow.
And yes the W140 is still there because of the fact that I’ve been working from home since July last year.

 

[Michel]

Here it is!

 

[c107]

Welcome back Bryce,
Yes, the 380SE is at the factory and we’ve hardly had time to look at it.
I’m planning to work on it tomorrow.
And yes the W140 is still there because of the fact that I’ve been working from home since July last year.

Sounds good.
be interested to see some pictures when you're working on it tomorrow.

You also have the opportunity to photograph the first three generations of S-Class together (W116, W126, W140)

 

[Michel]

You also have the opportunity to photograph the first three generations of S-Class together (W116, W126, W140)

I like your thinking

 

[c107]

Yesterday I happened to drive a 380SEC. Its been many years since I drove a 380, and I don't recall ever having driven a 380 SEC before. Was probably an SEL.

I had always remembered them having good performance, but even with that I was still left pretty impressed with the performance off the line, especially as compared with the later 420. Not just off the line performance, but pickup from say 40-90km/h is very good also. This was an Australian car with the 3.27 rear end. I really struggle to work out why a 380SE/L is half the price of a equivalent 420.

 

[Patrick_R]

Sounds like a good bargain if you can get one?

 

[Michel]

Sounds like a good bargain if you can get one?

There are plenty of 380SE and SEL models advertised from $4k to 10K in decent condition.
I got mine for a song... clean and original, but not running.
Two mechanics could not find out why... It was the hose from the fuel thank that had a hole

 

[Patrick_R]

Love a quick easy fix Michel.
Is it running well still?

My FJ40 had a cracked solder joint where the fuel pick up tube joins the base plate of the pick up, didn’t cause it to stop, but caused fuel starvation.
Idled beautifully, revel well while stationary, but driving and then requiring full throttle, no go.

 

[Michel]

Love a quick easy fix Michel.
Is it running well still?

My FJ40 had a cracked solder joint where the fuel pick up tube joins the base plate of the pick up, didn’t cause it to stop, but caused fuel starvation.
Idled beautifully, revel well while stationary, but driving and then requiring full throttle, no go.

Running great so far although I still need to overhaul the back brakes that are sticking a bit.

 

[Patrick_R]

That should be a nice little job Michel.
Maybe just sticky slides?

 

[Michel]

That should be a nice little job Michel.
Maybe just sticky slides?

Not sure Pat, I can drive it for about an hour and then the oil boils and the pedal goes to the floor.
'After a while (when the oil cools down) I can drive back home safely.
Need to give it to my mechanic and let him have a go.

 

[Patrick_R]

Ouch,
That’s scary when the brake pedal disappears.
Only experienced it once in exactly the same method you described when I first started driving.
Yes, I really do know the meaning of pooping your pants after that

 

[c107]

Not sure Pat, I can drive it for about an hour and then the oil boils and the pedal goes to the floor.
'After a while (when the oil cools down) I can drive back home safely.
Need to give it to my mechanic and let him have a go.

I've had that in a few benzes. Always been calipers that have siezed up due to lack of use, mostly rears.

 

[Michel]

Ouch,
That’s scary when the brake pedal disappears.
Only experienced it once in exactly the same method you described when I first started driving.
Yes, I really do know the meaning of pooping your pants after that

It'll stop, but takes a long stretch...