1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD Acceleration, Cold Start, Walkaround, and POV Driving w/ Impressions
For the longest time, the OM617A powered W126 S-Class was regarded as a smoky, stinky slab of metal that was birthed in response to the fuel crisis of the ‘70s for the North American market. They were marked as largely worthless - cars that people used as shoe-string commuter vehicles in the mid 2000s during the rising prices of gasoline during the Global War on Terror.
Only recently have these come into vogue with the rise of Saccoism and as retaliation to the proliferation of technological complication in new cars as OEs embed planned obsolescence into every facet of the modern automobiles. Gearheads are now seeing how precious these cars are as everything can be serviced, rebuilt, and kept on the road for not a lot of money.
The cat is finally getting out of the bag on the W126 as good engineering becomes timeless. Timeless items become collectable. Collectable items become valuable. The only device tougher and more reliable than a 300SD is a blacksmith's anvil.
This particular W126 is a unique example in many cases including 41 years of ownership with the torch being passed on to a new steward who was determined to keep the originality of the car but also make this turbodiesel run and operate as it did when new. With records dating back to day one chased with a labor intensive, two year mechanical restoration, this W126 will give the future owners another four decades of service with ease. There’s not a lot of Mercedes-Benzs that are almost 50 years old that can reliably be used as a daily driver. This appears to be one of the few.
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Amazing car, and are so excited to see your love and enthusiasm for the 126 cars. I had a 1983 in light ivory over blue I bought in 1991 for 1,500 when I was in college. Simply loved this car and drove it everywhere. It was what a true saloon class Mercedes was meant to be. Nothing drives like it. Remembered the first time I replaced a tail light bulb and when I saw the tail light had a plug allowing you to remove the whole unit I fell in love. Engineering at its best. Thanks guys for keeping this love alive and keeping stewardship of this beauty!
The right-hand-side front wing is absolutely repairable by a good PDR tech, so don't worry about it. That damage lets the car down far more than even in the worst-case scenario new paint would. A really nice condition W126 300SD. Hopefully, my Mercedes from 2018 with only 26,800 km (16,650 miles) on the odometer now looks this good at 43 years old.
Nice vehicle! I’ve been in love with the w123 but you’ve got me thinking. 😊
I love my 300se w126
It was a real joy to watch your video. Thank you for taking the time making it. I have a 300SDL, but I love those 617s. Greetings from Germany, Marlon
You can silence the creaking from the doors by putting grease on the door sil where it meets the door panel. Works for me and others.
A well experienced paintless dent removal guy will not damage the original paint, if this was mine I'd have to dents taken care of.
very nice
I love the 126. Do you sell your cars or know where to pick one up?
Hi, is this a like series 1 car with this weird sealed beams headlights and this railed(?) rockerpanels? I know facelift models have flat panels but dit they have european style headlights i dont know. And was there a facelift diesel model?
@keenaneugenio2704
5 күн бұрын
This is a first year production of the W126. They moved to different headlights in 1986 along with smooth lower cladding.
Funny as hell,Honda Civic,Accord, Prelude had near perfection in their stampings, Mercedes gaps and irregularities very close to American low standards then. Let's not forget about the ride,they ride like pickup trucks,wanted a way smoother ride then Jag XJs and rear wheel drive peugeot: 504,604,and 505 thumped on any Benz.
@AlienLivesMatter
8 күн бұрын
😂 lol in your dreams
@dmcnamara9859
8 күн бұрын
@@AlienLivesMatter No. Family had a new W123 300D turbodiesel then,rode like crap. Next door neighbor ( airline pilot) had a Lorinser 500SEC ;rode like crap too. Paint quality on his coupe was so atrocious,he had his painter repaint it to the standards of his Ferrari,same guy stripped his bronco and made it Ferrari, Glass Smooth. Yes,Honda Stampings for decades have been the envy/ benchmark which other car makers fail at mostly.
Love it mate , i miss my X Japanese 83 280se LHD that I had here in Western Australia, funny to drive as we are RHD roads .