[W126 Coupe] RE: CHANGING INTERIORS

Sat Sep 10 14:20:20 EDT 2005

I was wondering if anyone else has replaced the interior of an SEC?

I want a grey interior in a car that has palomino (I think it is the right
name) in it.  My main concern are the door seals that run along the top of
the car.  I do not wish to have wind noise but overall I do not wish to
spend $2,200.00 to replace them!!  The guy that does my interior work said
that he would change over the interior for $800.00 which is a steal!

If you have any experience you are willing to share I would appreciate your
input.

Doc 

-----Original Message-----
From: mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com [mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com]
On Behalf Of mbcoupes-request at mbcoupes.com
Sent: Saturday, September 10, 2005 9:01 AM
To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com
Subject: MBCOUPES Digest, Vol 11, Issue 11

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Re: MBCOUPES Diesel Daily Driver (Tony Damar)
   2. RE: Rims (Axel Wulff)
   3. Propane fuel? (Mike R.)
   4. Re: Propane fuel? (Nathan Goodlet)
   5. RE: Propane fuel? (Mike R.)
   6. Mr. Tikket - Andy (Mike R.)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 10:56:01 -0700 (PDT)
From: Tony Damar <tonydamar at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Re: MBCOUPES Diesel Daily Driver
To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
Message-ID: <20050909175601.98105.qmail at web30609.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I know this is a few days late, but I haven't had the time to check emails
that aren't work related.  

On the topic of 300SD vs 350SD, the 350's had the connecting rods lightened.
The "timebomb" factor is if one is run with very low oil.  This goes back to
the whole "maintenance not design" issue.  My father is a huge Merc diesel
fan and this has rubbed off on me over the years.  From our mechanics'
points of view, the 300SDL (6cyl turbo diesel) is the best diesel from the
W126 line.  As a testament to this my father has an '81 (287K miles, still
runs great but is now for parts), an '83 300SD (<120K miles) and an '87
300SDL (164K miles).  The SDL was rear ended and totalled, but we're looking
for a 300/350SDL in need of an engine and tranny swap to buy.  I forget the
engine number, but the '86 & '87 300SDLs are awesome as are the '81 through
'85 300SDs.  

Dan, I'm assuming that the '90 300SD you reference below is actually a
350SD.

Rich, if I had to choose between a 300 and 350, I'd choose the 300. 

Just my $0.02.
Tony
ps Sorry if this has been covered, but I am only now getting to check emails
that are over a week old

Dan Stratton <stratton at illustration.com> wrote:

Yes, I'm familiar with both, I used a '82 300SD as my daily driver 
for 10 years (260K miles) - they are bullet proof, only weak area is 
the transmission (I replaced mine with a newer model trans), A/C and 
front sys stuff that is common to all 80's MB 126. The 350SD on the 
other hand is a time bomb. My friend (who I purchased the '82 from) 
had a '91 350SD and the engine went at only 85K miles - required a 
new long block to the tune of $14K. Another person I know from 
business had her '90 300SD (6 cyl) self destruct at 120K miles. Both 
happened within 3 months of each other. I would stay away from any 6 
cyl MB diesel from 85 - 93. From people I know and have heard from 
about 50% of 6 cyl diesels have had catastrophic failure.

Dan Stratton

> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 3 Sep 2005 00:15:11 -0400
> From: "RICHARD JAFFE" 
> Subject: [W126 Coupe] OFF TOPIC - 126 CHASSIS DIESELS 300SD VS 350SD
> To: 
> Message-ID: 
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> I'm thinking about getting a diesel as a daily driver. The issue is 
> whether to stick with the 3 ltr 5 cyl turbodiesel (these seem to be 
> pretty bullet proof) or go with the 3.5 ltr 6 cyl turbodiesel (1991 
> model year). One website mentioned numerous problems with the 3.5 
> ltr motor that MB did not acknowledge. Anyone have any experience 
> with either of these vehicles?
>
> Rich Jaffe

------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
-----
Dan Stratton dan at autoretro.com
560SEC, 300d, 220S Cabriolet, 220S Sunroof and others

The MB Coupes Website!
W126 SEC Mailing List
Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.

---------------------------------
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Message: 2
Date: Fri, 09 Sep 2005 14:48:22 -0400
From: "Axel Wulff" <axelwulff at hotmail.com>
Subject: RE: [W126 Coupe] Rims
To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com
Message-ID: <BAY104-F9F74FBBF6810C8DFD8632B1980 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

Did I mention a starter problem?

Man, our cars are heavy. I still have the imprint of the A-pillar on my 
shoulder.

Regards,
Axel J. Wulff

>From: "Sharan Bains" <sharanbains at hotmail.com>
>Reply-To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
>To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com
>Subject: RE: [W126 Coupe] Rims
>Date: Fri, 09 Sep 2005 14:00:28 +0000
>
>Yep - it's great fun...once that reserve light goes on, I'll travel 30 
>miles before filling up.
>
>All my cars do approx 15mpg round town, so running 30 miles once that light

>comes on means I'm left with approx half-a-gallon. The only time I got 
>caught out was with the 500SEC when I just pushed it a bit too far....but I

>don't worry too much as all my cars have the original MB reserve canister 
>in the spare wheel well.
>
>How's the M119 SEC ?
>
>talbir
>
>
>
>
>>From: "Axel Wulff" <axelwulff at hotmail.com>
>>Reply-To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
>>To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com
>>Subject: RE: [W126 Coupe] Rims
>>Date: Fri, 09 Sep 2005 09:14:42 -0400
>>
>>Talbir,
>>
>>Runnig your car until there is only 0.5 gallons left in the tank!
>>
>>You must enjoy living on the edge.
>>
>>I had to push my car across a parking lot (with a very slight incline) 
>>after the starter went. The tow guy just dropped it in the middle of the 
>>parking lot where my mechanic is located.
>>
>>Anyway, after pushing the car by myself about 100 yards, I am going to 
>>make sure I never run out of gas by refilling as soon as I hit the 1/4 
>>tank mark.
>>
>>
>>
>>Regards,
>>Axel J. Wulff
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>From: "Sharan Bains" <sharanbains at hotmail.com>
>>>Reply-To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
>>>To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com
>>>Subject: RE: [W126 Coupe] Rims
>>>Date: Fri, 09 Sep 2005 06:38:17 +0000
>>>
>>>The tank capacity is actually more than 90 litres on the w126 - on the 
>>>one occasion i did run my w126 500sec dry and ran out of fuel stalling to

>>>a halt....I pulled out of the reserve canister from the trunk (which 
>>>holds seven litres) and poured it in. Got me started and I drove less 
>>>than 1 mile to the nearest petrol station....where I was able to pour in 
>>>another 87 litres. And yes, the reserve canister was completely full in 
>>>the first place.
>>>
>>>So a total of 94 litres went in !
>>>
>>>Absolutely no reason why you cannot run until the last couple of litres 
>>>or so - the pumps are kept cool by the fuel, not lubricated by them.
>>>
>>>I always run a full two gallon's worth of miles after the reserve light 
>>>comes on (since reserve is approx 2.5 gallons). Not done any harm in 13 
>>>years....:-)
>>>
>>>What manual suggests running above 1/4 tank at all times ???? That's 
>>>complete trash IMO.
>>>
>>>talbir
>>>
>>>
>>>>From: "Shayegan, Richard" <rishayegan at davidson.edu>
>>>>Reply-To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
>>>>To: "Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists" <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
>>>>Subject: RE: [W126 Coupe] Rims
>>>>Date: Thu, 8 Sep 2005 17:48:00 -0400
>>>>
>>>>90 liters??? You must be letting your tank run dry before you fill up.
>>>>Don't these cars use the fuel to lubricate the fuel pump and thus should
>>>>avoid going below 1/4 tank if possible?
>>>>Richard
>>>>
>>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>>From: mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com
>>>>[mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com] On Behalf Of Sharan Bains
>>>>Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2005 5:25 PM
>>>>To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com
>>>>Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Rims
>>>>
>>>>$60 per tankful ! How lucky are you ?? !!
>>>>
>>>>I pay 90 gbp = 160 USD for a 90 litre tankful of Shell Optimax. OUCH !!!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>talbir
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> >From: Paul Samarin <pauls at sbcglobal.net>
>>>> >Reply-To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
>>>> >To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
>>>> >Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Rims
>>>> >Date: Thu, 8 Sep 2005 14:24:00 -0700
>>>> >
>>>> >I have spacers; Wheel Warehouse in Anaheim, CA did the whole thing.  I
>>>> >don't have the details.  I rub in the back when I hit a bump, but I
>>>>think
>>>> >I'm low on fluid in the levelers.  Haven't gotten around to that
>>>> >yet...haven't been driving very fast lately at > $60 per tankfull!
>>>> >
>>>> >Paul
>>>> >
>>>> >On Sep 8, 2005, at 1:36 PM, Hovsep Dovlatian wrote:
>>>> >
>>>> >>You dont have any problems with the front wheels
>>>> >>touching or anything.
>>>> >>
>>>> >>--- Paul Samarin <pauls at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>>>> >>
>>>> >>>I have 18" Lorinser D93s on mine.  Look and ride are
>>>> >>>great, but 17s
>>>> >>>would look just as good and give a little more
>>>> >>>cushion w/o sacrificing
>>>> >>>(I think) too much handling.  I have 8X18 in front
>>>> >>>with 235 x 40; and
>>>> >>>9X18 in rear with 275X35.  I really wish I had 10"
>>>> >>>wide wheels in the
>>>> >>>back with 285 x 40s on them.  IMO, perfect set-up
>>>> >>>would be 8 x 17,
>>>> >>>maybe with 225s instead of 235s, in front and 10 x
>>>> >>>17 in rear.  My car
>>>> >>>is lowered, but I have zero info on that...it was
>>>> >>>done before me.
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>>Photo:
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>http://www.mbcoupes.com/memberscars/S/paulsamarin/paulsamarin.htm
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>>Paul Samarin
>>>> >>>86 560 SEC
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>>On Sep 8, 2005, at 12:57 PM, Hovsep Dovlatian wrote:
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>>>I know this thread has been done many times before
>>>> >>>but
>>>> >>>>I just need to know what rimms fit and give a good
>>>> >>>>ride. Im thinking 18". Oh and please include a
>>>> >>>pic.
>>>> >>>>
>>>> >>>>Thank You,
>>>> >>>>Hovsep
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>>The MB Coupes Website!
>>>> >>>W126 SEC Mailing List
>>>> >>>Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>
>>>> >>
>>>> >>
>>>> >>
>>>> >>
>>>> >>______________________________________________________
>>>> >>Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.
>>>> >>http://store.yahoo.com/redcross-donate3/
>>>> >>The MB Coupes Website!
>>>> >>W126 SEC Mailing List
>>>> >>Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.
>>>> >>
>>>> >
>>>> >The MB Coupes Website!
>>>> >W126 SEC Mailing List
>>>> >Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>The MB Coupes Website!
>>>>W126 SEC Mailing List
>>>>Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.
>>>>The MB Coupes Website!
>>>>W126 SEC Mailing List
>>>>Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.
>>>
>>>
>>>The MB Coupes Website!
>>>W126 SEC Mailing List
>>>Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.
>>
>>
>>The MB Coupes Website!
>>W126 SEC Mailing List
>>Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.
>
>
>The MB Coupes Website!
>W126 SEC Mailing List
>Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.

------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 14:15:22 -0700
From: "Mike R." <mramay at att.biz>
Subject: [W126 Coupe] Propane fuel?
To: "'Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists'" <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
Message-ID: <200509092115.j89LFHqs012979 at radserv.lasvegas.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I just read a post on a benzworld forum from several propane/LPG users,
including one with an SEC. 

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1224976&posts=3

Nathan - didn't you post something a while ago about "converting" an MB to
use either gasoline or propane? Now that the oil companies are in the
"maximize profits, screw consumers" mode, maybe natural gas/propane would
make more sense for a daily commuter. I have an '87 560SEL that could use
this!

Is this a difficult conversion? Can I do a fill-up at a hardware store
propane station? I have a gas water heater and home heating system, which
means natural gas is already delivered to the house. What is needed to fill
up the car from that source?

Later,

Mike R.

(702) 494-8056

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Message: 4
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 21:39:24 -0500
From: "Nathan Goodlet" <nathang at texoma.net>
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Propane fuel?
To: "Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists" <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
Message-ID: <004201c5b5b0$dbd83b60$0201a8c0 at nathandell>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Mike
Natural gas is a whole different thing from LPG/propane, LPG/propane will
sit in a fairly lightweight bottle under 135 psi and remain a liquid, at
room temperatures. This means in a 20 gallon tank of relatively light weight
you can get a huge quantity of gaseous fuel. CNG/compressed natural gas does
not liquify, even at 3500 psi !!! and requires a very strong, very large
container, and a VERY hard working and expensive compressor, and A LOT of
energy is required to compress the gas required to run a vehicle even for
short day trips. CNG has been limited to use by local fleets, police cars,
UPS or post office vehicles.  Even then, without the increase of energy
density implicit in the state change to a liquid, a CNG vehicle is lilited
by significant weight of the tank, significant and costly work invoved in
compressing the gas to 3500 psi or more, and the fact that the fuel is not
at all dense, compared to a liquid state fuel.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Mike R. 
  To: 'Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists' 
  Sent: Friday, September 09, 2005 4:15 PM
  Subject: [W126 Coupe] Propane fuel?

  I just read a post on a benzworld forum from several propane/LPG users,
including one with an SEC. 

  http://www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1224976&posts=3

  Nathan - didn't you post something a while ago about "converting" an MB to
use either gasoline or propane? Now that the oil companies are in the
"maximize profits, screw consumers" mode, maybe natural gas/propane would
make more sense for a daily commuter. I have an '87 560SEL that could use
this!

  Is this a difficult conversion? Can I do a fill-up at a hardware store
propane station? I have a gas water heater and home heating system, which
means natural gas is already delivered to the house. What is needed to fill
up the car from that source?

  Later,

  Mike R.

  (702) 494-8056

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--

  The MB Coupes Website!
  W126 SEC Mailing List
  Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.
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Message: 5
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 20:10:28 -0700
From: "Mike R." <mramay at att.biz>
Subject: RE: [W126 Coupe] Propane fuel?
To: "'Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists'" <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
Message-ID: <200509100310.j8A3AMR7026107 at radserv.lasvegas.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Nathan,

OK, natural gas might be good for my BBQ, not for the SEC. 

Any benefits to doing a LPG/Propane conversion to a 560 engine? It does
sound like there might be enough energy there to have some decent results. I
could put a single large propane tank in the trunk, maybe a 40 pound bottle.
Unless I'm unlucky enough to have a problem like Ken Buck, getting
sandwiched between to 18-wheelers, the LPG tank should be fine up against
the gas tank. It shouldn't be too hard to seal the passenger compartment
from the trunk, the rear speakers would be the biggest holes. Monkey S**T
would take care of the rest. I could make a blow-out panel in the bottom of
a side well in the trunk just in case. 

Have you seen a US MB running LPG?

Thanks,

Mike R.

  _____  

From: mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com [mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com]
On Behalf Of Nathan Goodlet
Sent: Friday, September 09, 2005 7:39 PM
To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Propane fuel?

Mike

Natural gas is a whole different thing from LPG/propane, LPG/propane will
sit in a fairly lightweight bottle under 135 psi and remain a liquid, at
room temperatures. This means in a 20 gallon tank of relatively light weight
you can get a huge quantity of gaseous fuel. CNG/compressed natural gas does
not liquify, even at 3500 psi !!! and requires a very strong, very large
container, and a VERY hard working and expensive compressor, and A LOT of
energy is required to compress the gas required to run a vehicle even for
short day trips. CNG has been limited to use by local fleets, police cars,
UPS or post office vehicles.  Even then, without the increase of energy
density implicit in the state change to a liquid, a CNG vehicle is lilited
by significant weight of the tank, significant and costly work invoved in
compressing the gas to 3500 psi or more, and the fact that the fuel is not
at all dense, compared to a liquid state fuel.

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Mike R. <mailto:mramay at att.biz>  

To: 'Mercedes <mailto:mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>  Coupes Mailing Lists' 

Sent: Friday, September 09, 2005 4:15 PM

Subject: [W126 Coupe] Propane fuel?

I just read a post on a benzworld forum from several propane/LPG users,
including one with an SEC. 

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1224976
<http://www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1224976&posts=3>
&posts=3

Nathan - didn't you post something a while ago about "converting" an MB to
use either gasoline or propane? Now that the oil companies are in the
"maximize profits, screw consumers" mode, maybe natural gas/propane would
make more sense for a daily commuter. I have an '87 560SEL that could use
this!

Is this a difficult conversion? Can I do a fill-up at a hardware store
propane station? I have a gas water heater and home heating system, which
means natural gas is already delivered to the house. What is needed to fill
up the car from that source?

Later,

Mike R.

(702) 494-8056

  _____  

The MB Coupes Website!
W126 SEC Mailing List
Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.

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Message: 6
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 20:20:20 -0700
From: "Mike R." <mramay at att.biz>
Subject: [W126 Coupe] Mr. Tikket - Andy
To: "'Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists'" <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
Message-ID: <200509100320.j8A3KHnY026272 at radserv.lasvegas.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I heard from Andy's wife last night that Andy Melidosian passed away on July
24th. She seems to be doing well, considering. I don't know what we could do
to help since he passed away a month and a half ago, but she does remember
his involvement in MBCoupes and that he REALLY loved that SEC. 

Contact me off-line and I'll give you his phone number if you want to call
her. 

He was an original and for one, I'm going to miss him!

Later,

Mike R.

(702) 494-8056

mramay at att.biz

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The MB Coupes Website!
W126 SEC Coupes
Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.

End of MBCOUPES Digest, Vol 11, Issue 11
****************************************