[W126 Coupe] Cost of Ownership

[Chris]

Cost of Ownership,

I was really referring to these cars in general but I will comment further.

Jonathan Hodgman said:
"I haven't a Clue as to what I spend on my car's per year." I do not have
this luxury because I frankly do not make enough money not to pay attention
to this issue.
"I'm just glad that such a small contingent of the US realizes how wonderful
these cars are thus keeping their purchase price quite reasonable." The
problem with this is that many people will buy them who cannot afford to
maintain them. They will end up rotting in backyards and driveways. I pass
an SEL in this state every time I visit my brother.

Gary Peck said:
"do you have all the past service records" Near as I can tell, YES! The car,
a 1988 560SEC, was delivered on 4/30/88 and was serviced at Dana Motor
Company in Cincinnati. I have 25 invoices from this M-B dealership with the
last one dated 2/16/2000. $12, 857.86 spent on service there by the good
doctor who was the original owner. There are no service records for the next
19 months, the car changed hands in this period. The next owner spent
$2178.92 on service in about one year at a Blagois International Car Service
in Columbus. With a couple of other charges recorded by dealers the total
from delivery to 11/1/2004 is $15,210.60. I bought the car for $4000 in
December and have since spent about $1500 which includes tires.

"how many miles on her" 112,800 right now

"what needs to be done" I had some work done for me as I don't have the
facillities to work on a car during the winter. I've flushed the cooling
system, serviced the transmission, new battery, front shocks, fuel filter
and tires, oil change and replaced the timing chain rails and tensioner. I
plan to replace the accumalators next along with the rear brakes and the
differential gaskets and fluids while I'm back there. This is work I will do
myself. After that I will move under the hood for a tune up, I just haven't
planned all of that out yet.

"post some photos" I will post some pix on the web for all to see but you
will have to wait a day or two. I don't have any saved just now.

The car is in pretty good shape. The interior is nice and everything under
the hood appears to be in order. It does however have some rust along the
belt line, again this is something I will repair myself. A repaint is just
down the road so that will be another big hit to the budget.

My question again is what do all of you budget annually to maintain your
coupe?

Regards,
Chris Schafer
Millersport, Ohio