Who collects S Classes?

[Jader1973]

I'm assuming they are possibly on here.

I'll be vague so as to not give away the location: big shed, just off the freeway, surrounded by cows and a collection of 4 or 5 W126s and a couple of W116s in various states of repair.

I drive past on my way to and from work and every time I think "I wonder what they are doing with all those cars?" mainly because I don't have time to do anything with one W123, let alone a collection of S Classes (and the OH would kill me if any more turned up. Perhaps I need a large shed well away from the house...).

[ngruzevs]

I know many ppl that collect S Classes, but mainly confined to 116 and 126 chassis.

You'll note from my signature I own 3 x W126 short wheel bases models.

[Ivanerrol]

I did a job for a Liquidator a few years ago.

There was a business in Epping which had gone broke. I went up there to pull out the Computers and comms gear to have it itemized for sale.

The original business owner had over 20 Benz's in various state of disrepair. W126's W116's Pontons, W111's etc. All in a back yard overgrown by weeds.
Then the the collections of Jowetts, Austins and a dozen other marques. All out in a paddock with weeds growing around and through them.

There was a shed full of U.S. cars in various state of repair.
A XY GTHO, Various mustangs etc etc.

Wife's car was a W209 500. There was no key for it. The liquidator offered this car to me in lieu of payment. I declined - no keys. Later found that the wife had got under the bonnet with a pair of side cutters.

Old W170 with some sort of Japanese engine in it. Painted white. I assumed it had been hired out for weddings.

All of these cars were for sale by auction. Most of the cars in the yard went for scrap.
I have fotos somewhere. I posted them on the forum at the time.

[CraigB]

one good reason is that these cars can be very cheap and if you want say a good trans etc, the whole car is probably a lot cheaper than a rebuild. Rusty, poor paint car you can drive and verify condition of components. Other high cost items - diff, dash, seat leather, dash wood - all these things can swallow heaps of cash but then you may see a car that has various good bits and you grab it for those reasons. Requires space to store though - but that might answer why that guy has a collection of them.

[Honey500]

one good reason is that these cars can be very cheap and if you want say a good trans etc, the whole car is probably a lot cheaper than a rebuild. Rusty, poor paint car you can drive and verify condition of components. Other high cost items - diff, dash, seat leather, dash wood - all these things can swallow heaps of cash but then you may see a car that has various good bits and you grab it for those reasons. Requires space to store though - but that might answer why that guy has a collection of them.

Is that why you have so many cars Craig?
An S Class is a fine thing to collect

[ngruzevs]

Even a good car will swallow time/effort and money. In last 12 months I've done following jobs on my 420. It's done 320,000K's, interior is excellent, exterior paint looks great from a meter away,

- Replaced valve stem seals
- Replaced voltage regulator
- Rebuilt power steering pump

In addition to the above, had to replace front discs/pads, but consider this normal maintenance activity.

[pina4greg]

Any work on the A/c???? my engine nearly stalls when it is turned on and then its not cold.

[Ivanerrol]

Any work on the A/c???? my engine nearly stalls when it is turned on and then its not cold.

Check your compressor. It might be seizing up.
If it does seize up you could damage the serpentine belt.

Grab the front of the AC compressor clutch and turn it - it should spin freely.

[Mercmad]

I have a couple but I don't collect them, but i know someone who does, he has over 20 W126's From a badly converted (left to right) re powered 280 (5.0 m117 ) to a pristine 500SEL with insanely low mileage. yep,some people like them that much!.

[ngruzevs]

There's a chap in Horsham (many in the forum will know him), he has 50+. I often use him for spare parts.