Buying and Maintaining a 126 S-Class Mercedes

by Nicholas Greene

Overview

This book will enable you to avoid the most common pitfalls and faults that otherwise can ruin the ownership of a 'Sonderklasse'. Packed with the sort of advice only normally obtainable from years of experience, it will act as your own personal marque expert. Specifications and valuations are included along with a detailed guide to buying the best car at the right price, and finally, how to keep your 126 fresh and reliable.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781785002441
Publisher:	Crowood Press, The
Publication date:	07/15/2017
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Nik Greene was born in St Albans in 1964, before his family moved to Norfolk for a farming life. Having always had an interest in cars he got into the classic car scene soon after buying his first Jaguar at the age of 20. Joining the Jaguar Drivers' club led him to take his first steps into writing; initially writing newsletter articles, and then as a Jaguar S-Type model representative, which involved writing monthly articles. This became more serious when contacted by Paul Skilleter, the eminent Jaguar historian, to write a few articles for his new magazine Jaguar Quarterly. This opened the door to writing regular copy with other classic car magazines. Not satisfied just 'owning' a classic car, Nik Greene always threw himself deeply into the history and design of the vehicles he has owned and restored, which has led to a good knowledge base. He often says: "There is no better way of knowing your car than by taking it apart, whether physically or historically." Nik Greene's first Mercedes was a 123 model 280TE, and being a lover of quality and precision design and engineering his love for the marque grew, encompassing the robust G-Wagen then the S-Class 126. After moving to France in 2004, he went on to buy and restore many old Citroens and Renaults, but never moved completely away from his love of the Mercedes Marque. He still owns his beloved G-Wagen after nearly 20 years and having previously owned four 126s, he has settled on a very rare 126 560SE, which remains pampered in his collection.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 6

Introduction 7

Safety First 9

Part 1 Introducing the 126 S-Class 11

Part 2 Buying A 126 S-Class 21

1 Options 22

2 Getting Started: Choosing a Car 30

3 Getting Started: Buying a Car 35

4 Getting Serious 43

Part 3 Living with a 126 47

5 Getting to Know Your Car 48

6 Corrosion 53

7 Interior 66

8 Exterior 81

9 Under the Bonnet 95

10 The Drive Train 111

Part 4 Maintaining A 126 119

11 Routine Maintenance Schedules 123

12 Routine Maintenance Information 126

13 Routine Maintenance 171

14 Exterior Maintenance 195

15 Putting It Away 210

Appendix I Dimension and Capacities 212

Appendix II Service Parts Specifications 215

Index 223