W126 Steering Columns

[260ebenz]

300SE new back in 1989 was $130,000 am I right or wrong?

Double check the 300SE valuation online.

Two years this month since I purchased the car.

 

[motec 6.9]

Hi Tim I meant the new option price for Becker Mexico CD . Was more than you paid not how much when your car was new. They are very rare that is why they still cost money used. Supply and demand if originality means every thing and you want CD . Then not many options but to pay those kind off prices. Sound System in my old car was over $8000 in parts price.

 

[260ebenz]

$8000 for the sound system in your old car the sound would be the same quality at Carnegie Hall?!


Have to ask Wayne if the Becker CD is still working in the 420SEL.

Not sure if Wayne is going to be selling the 420SEL have to ask him?

About 6 months since I last played a cassette YES a cassette in the Becker!

6 months ago the cassette player worked beautifully you can adjust all the bass, treble left and right speaker sound adjustments.

Listening to John Laws on the Becker and Lawsie talking about his car collection is great!

Lawsie was talking about his 6.9 Mercedes on Friday mornings radio show.

 

[motec 6.9]

Hi Mark back to post . Found one not sure if you can use LHD column in RHD . But I don't see why not. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/86-91-ME...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35d0db14d0

 

[260ebenz]

Sorry Mark we have gone off track with your post.

Back on track now.

Anyhow Mark you did ask for a photo of the steering wheel column switch that has been posted.

 

[Styria]

To give you some idea this is what you will pay if you want to put one in your car now http://www.ebay.de/itm/Radio-Becker...67?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_77&hash=item1c412380d3

I hate to say it Geoff, but that price is way over sensibility. For God's sake, it hardly does anything better than some of the many units available on the market for one sixth of the price - perhaps even less. Regards Styria

 

[Styria]

Motorola that is other phone company I was trying to think of thanks for that info Motec.

Adjustable steering wheel was offered towards the end of the series for the Aussie delivered models okay that is good to know.

Well thanks to Oversize and you guys hankering over what has got what, I am now indeed please to report that I have discovered something I didn't know my 420SEL has - and remember, it would appear to be a Namibian delivered car ? It's got one of them switches, and the column is going in, and going out if you activate the switch - first one way (for IN), and then the other way (for OUT), so everything is honket dorey. Honestly fellows, despite my flippancy, I appreciate the advice. Regards Styria

 

[motec 6.9]

Yes I agree Styria but to some people if the factory didn't fit it . You get the drift supply and demand Becker Mexico now sell on eBay for over $1000 refurbished . and for $300 not working. Even John From Mb Spares has said he can sell them everyday off the week for over $250 not working. Like I said to some owners it has to be as the factory intended or your car is a piece of S@#t . And very noticeable in European car clubs. Or concourse's like Tim enters. They will tell you to your face your car is no good because you have the wrong tyres.

 

[BenzBoy]

Yes I agree Styria but to some people if the factory didn't fit it . You get the drift supply and demand Becker Mexico now sell on eBay for over $1000 refurbished . and for $300 not working. Even John From Mb Spares has said he can sell them everyday off the week for over $250 not working. Like I said to some owners it has to be as the factory intended or your car is a piece of S@#t . And very noticeable in European car clubs. Or concourse's like Tim enters. They will tell you to your face your car is no good because you have the wrong tyres.

And "they" would be correct, would they not?

 

[motec 6.9]

Only if that is what is important to you . Mind you I am looking for period correct tyres for my 16 inch Penta's . As I intend to keep the car looking period correct . And any changes I make can be reversed. That I why throttle body mods are not to original plenum. I have kept exhaust manifolds. Unlike my last car if it comes off it will be stored and must be able to be put back if I should change my mind.

 

[Styria]

Yes BenzBoy, they would in fact be correct - the judges, that is. I gave up a long time ago wanting to do well in a concours - just so many variables and so many different opinions. I take pride in my achievement of winning the MBC of NSW Street Car section many years ago, but even better, when Baulkham Hills Shire organized a concours in the car park of the Bull 'n Bush Hotel, my Rover 3500S won outright, with a Rolls Royce second and 'My Gleaming Beauty' - yes, the 6.9, finishing in third position outright. I still have the photos, AND the trophies, to prove it. Come to think of it, I should really photograph them and post pics. on TK.

If we talk about concourses, judging etc. etc. Take Gleaming Beauty - say her condition was nearly as the near perfect Gold Car (6.9) in Germany, and say we have spent $180K. on restoration, but you have fitted one of those NEW and costly Becker Mexico replicas at 2K. Euros, and say you got done for outright or class because of the non-standard Becker unit, how would you feel ? I would say 'not happy'. Regards Styria

 

[260ebenz]

Yes Concours looking forward to this years fingers crossed I do well this year?

Styria how much would the adjustable steering column switch cost for your 420SEL and my 300SE?

 

[abl567]

And "they" would be correct, would they not?

Dead right Brian, the rules and judging criteria are clearly stated and published prior to entry, if they say points will be deducted for incorrect coolant in the radiator then so be it. The Devil is in the Detail

 

[motec 6.9]

Just as well my Rego is the Devil then Memnoch the Devil - The fallen angel of legend also known as Satan or Lucifer. He has long defied God in asking why humans should suffer and not immediately be placed in Heaven. Because of these questions and other actions that he makes, he alleges that he is put in charge of preparing the souls for their ascent into Heaven. Memnoch's domain thus serves as a place of punishment that will eventually earn access to Heaven. He may have sinister ulterior motives.

 

[BenzBoy]

Yes BenzBoy, they would in fact be correct - the judges, that is. I gave up a long time ago wanting to do well in a concours - just so many variables and so many different opinions. I take pride in my achievement of winning the MBC of NSW Street Car section many years ago, but even better, when Baulkham Hills Shire organized a concours in the car park of the Bull 'n Bush Hotel, my Rover 3500S won outright, with a Rolls Royce second and 'My Gleaming Beauty' - yes, the 6.9, finishing in third position outright. I still have the photos, AND the trophies, to prove it. Come to think of it, I should really photograph them and post pics. on TK.

If we talk about concourses, judging etc. etc. Take Gleaming Beauty - say her condition was nearly as the near perfect Gold Car (6.9) in Germany, and say we have spent $180K. on restoration, but you have fitted one of those NEW and costly Becker Mexico replicas at 2K. Euros, and say you got done for outright or class because of the non-standard Becker unit, how would you feel ? I would say 'not happy'. Regards Styria

Show and Shine or a serious Concours with trained and accredited judges? There is a huge difference.

 

[Oversize]

I don't know how this thread turned into a concourse discussion! I really doubt I'll ever enter one since it's very hard to find a classic vehicle with a good history.

Back to the topic, Styria with your 'new' switch do you think a 6.9 would benefit from such an option?

 

[motec 6.9]

Hi Mark I did find a column for sale on eBay.

 

[WGB]

Hi Tim Looks like a Motorola They and Nokia used to own the phone market . It looks the same to Motorola that was fitted to Taxi I used to drive in late 80's even yuppies were shocked when they saw car had mobile phone.

Just to digress for a bit - that looks like a Motorola 2000 which in 1988 was $1500 fitted and an extra $500 for the "Transportable" bag, battery and aerial. That of course was not the M-B branded price. I purchased one and as they had run out of stock the agent supplied a Motorola 3000 for the same price which was a bit fancier with coloured screen.
I think that phone had been selling for over $3,000 at the time and it is all still sitting in my shed somewhere.

The high end cost $7,700 and involved an in car installation with one of the old Motorola "bricks" in the boot which could be removed and carried as a separate phone.

It was fitted to my 1987 300SE at the time.
By the way the on road cost of a 300 SE at the end of it's run around 1990/1 was about $140,000 without stamp duty or on-road costs.

Another little known fact about the 126 is that there is enough space inside the top of the instrument nacelle to fit a small radar detector (a passport in actual fact) - as I did at the time when they were proposing banning them in WA (They never actually did) - with an on-off switch via the interior light switch and a small extension speaker screwed to the lower kick panel. Not much use now with Laser and infrared technology but very effective against the old K band.

Bill

 

[motec 6.9]

Very cool Bill though now you can get separate radar detectors part behind grill display in car. And they are designed to not be picked up by RG detector units .

 

[Michel]

Very cool Bill though now you can get separate radar detectors part behind grill display in car. And they are designed to not be picked up by RG detector units .

Is that what you call a radar-detector detector?