1982 Mercedes 500se AMG, swing low sweet Kampfwagen.

[konigwheels]

A couple of months ago a buddy of mine, a home builder, was telling me about this older Mercedes he ended up with. I say "ended up with" because he was given it as partial payment from a customer he built a home addition for. I dismissed it for the most part because I wasnt very well versed in old Benzes, so I never went to check it out and I forgot about it.

Last week I'm at his brothers house for dinner and once again the Benz is brought up. Everyone keeps telling me how cool it is and that I really need to take a look at it. I'm not one to not want to look at a car, so off we went. I knew the first moment I laid eyes on it that I was in trouble. It was sitting low, really low, bathed in Anthracite with matching three-peice OZ AMGs. Everything looked good, not perfect, but you could definitely tell it was taken care of. I learn it's a 1982 500se AMG grey market import that a guy local to me used to own and did most of the work to. The suspension is tight, but rides smoother than a Town car. It shifts firm but not hard, power is.... ample, the steering is tight and heavy, but very slightly dead on center. It needs some things, but they're all small and very normal for a 30yr old 130,000 mile car.

Now it's mine, here it is, just some point and shoots at the moment.








Some of you from the Washington area might have seen the car before, or if you frequent MB forums a lot. There aren't many of these in the states, I've found 3 so far. It's been to a few of the euro meets/shows in the PNW and there's video of it from the 2010 Leavenworth cruise.

It's here at about 2:00.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8UFgN7P1wQ

I've found a little bit about it on the innernet, a build thread on Stanceworks, as well as similar threads on MB, BMW and VW sites:
http://www.stanceworks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=283

It was owned by a guy I only know of as "Lucky" and I he was a member here on the 'tex as well under the user name Badways.

Anyways, I've got some Easter cleaning/cooking to do, but I thought I'd share my new favorite thing with everyone. If any W126 experts care to chime it it would be greatly appreciated. The car is a 4 speed and currently not going into 4th, I've heard that there is a valve/solenoid that could cause this as well as the bowden cable adjustment. Any ideas?

Thanks for looking.

[borapumpkin]

i'm green with envy. that is one nice looking car. those are tanks, solid, over-engineered machines. a total gem. reminds of a house i almost bought that had an 80's 500 sec in the garage. i was thinking of including that in the house if i were to offer asking price. the wife was like, no we'll try and get the price lower. it was pristine too.

[VadGTI]

Beautiful! Does it have AMG engine mods or just the appearance package?

[JorgenP]

That's gorgeous, loving the wheels.

[zaYG]

In for this.

One of my dream cars

[airman401]

I'm so seriously mother f'ing jealous.

[mac dre]

Beautiful! Does it have AMG engine mods or just the appearance package?

I'm gonna guess appearance package.

Gorgeous ride!

[Iroczgirl]

You're lucky!

[MVZOOM]

You're lucky!

No, no... Lucky was the owner of the car, about two owners ago.

[mikegilbert]

Yup, that's Lucky's car. He sold it, then it was neglected by the next owner who didn't respect it for what it was. I'm still kicking myself for not buying it. Glad to see it's going to a good home.

[mavric_ac]

You and that other guys with the sick oldschool AMG should get together for a photoshoot.

Gorgeous car

[Robski92]

Looks dope.

[wolfsburgfanatic]

Awesome find

[Chapel]

[konigwheels]

Any W126 guys here know anything about the transmission? Right now at 60mph it's turning 2500rpm... 5 liters and high rpms equal 10mpg. If I want to take it anywhere far I'm gonna have to cash out my 401k!

In my meager research the B2 solenoid and bowden cable might be suspect. Otherwise the transmission is perfect, shifts responsively and its very adaptive to driving style it seems, but there's just no 4th!

[mike02467]

Any W126 guys here know anything about the transmission? Right now at 60mph it's turning 2500rpm... 5 liters and high rpms equal 10mpg. If I want to take it anywhere far I'm gonna have to cash out my 401k!

In my meager research the B2 solenoid and bowden cable might be suspect. Otherwise the transmission is perfect, shifts responsively and its very adaptive to driving style it seems, but there's just no 4th!

from a google search:

There is a technical service bulletin out about no 4th gear engagement. The problem is the teflon sealing rings on the k2 support flange become worn. My advise is to call your local Mercedes dealer and talk to the guy in the parts dept that handles the back counter (the one the techs use) and ask him is he knows the part #s for that bulletin. Any more questions I can be reached @ bhowardfamilymotors@yahoo.com

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/On_1991_Me...#ixzz1rbAYEaAR

[konigwheels]

Thanks for looking, but I've found that same article as well. It specifically notes a 190 2.6, I dont believe its the same transmission.

[MagicBus]

Mmmmm...... yes.

[dumkopf]

You know Wagen doesn't = wagon right?

[Chapel]

You know Wagen doesn't = wagon right?

I do. that's why it's Kampflastwagen.
wagon/truck/rig in german is 'lastwagen'

panzerwagen would probably be more accurate, but that means 'armored car'
there really is no proper translation for 'battle wagon' in German.
Krieglastwagon doesn't sound too good either.

Though, if you have any suggestions, please let me know.

Perhaps, Sonderwagen? Radpanzer? Sonderschutzfahrzeug?

the problem with those words is that it implies 'armor' and not 'battle'

German is a very literal language... though, in the same vein that I use 'Dreadnaught' for the 'UK' sticker... I guess Panzerwagen would be the best alternative... sometimes I just want to be a bit different.

[IronJoe]

Yup I recognize this car, I know I have pics of it somewhere.


Care to share how much you stole it for?

[ValveCoverGasket]

definitely remember seeing this around online

nice grab

[konigwheels]

Yup I recognize this car, I know I have pics of it somewhere.


Care to share how much you stole it for?

Lets just say I bought some AMG wheels with a sweet car attatched to 'em...

[GTIDamien_407]

Wow But that interior is totally killing it for me

[MrKevkevL]

I am jealous beyond words.

[Vettes, Volvos and VWs]

This thing is screaming for a Nardi wheel

[konigwheels]

This thing is screaming for a Nardi wheel

We're on the same page.

[konigwheels]

Bumping up my old thread to update it with some pics from the Leavenworth WA cruise and Bothell WA Old School Reunion.