The Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC: The Car That Owned the 80s

If you owned a Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC back in the 1980s, life was good. Built from 1979-1991, the Bruno Sacco-designed W126 cars were a massive expense and luxury item, so seeing one on the road meant something. Back then the automotive universe was also smaller, so your choices for luxury cars were limited. Sure, there were BMW, Jaguar, and Audi, but back then Mercedes-Benz was still the undisputed king.

Think about every ‘80s movie – every dictator, bad guy, good guy, drug dealer, doctor, lawyer, etc. all drove some version of a Mercedes-Benz. It was the car that blended power and performance, with opulence and luxury. But our question is, do they really live up to the hype, and if so, why did they languish in the market for so long? On this episode of TESTED presented by American Collectors Insurance, host Mike Musto gets behind the wheel of a superb 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC to find out why.



1979-1991 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS – FOR SALE


1979-1991 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS ARTICLES
THE 500 SEC WAS MERCEDES-BENZ'S PILLARLESS, PEERLESS ‘80S FLAGSHIP COUPE


THE LAST CLASSIC BENZ: MERCEDES-BENZ'S “W126” S-CLASS CELEBRATES 40 YEARS

@AmericanCollectorsInsurance
#W126 #560sec #MercedesBenz #AmericanCollectors #collectorcars

[charlesb]

We owned an 87 for 15 years. Outstanding automobile. Fantastic to drive!

[steviewaichulis]

I have a 560SEC daily driver since 2017. It's great. :-)

[commandertopgun]

Stunning classic Mercedes Benz 560 SEC, AWESOME VIDEO. I have always loved these, and I can now afford them with ease.

[JPD]

Always been one of my favorite cars! The 560SEC AMG is easily one of the coolest cars ever

[mikemintun]

My favorite care of all time. I had a 1990 model in Nautical Blue with Ash interior, A magnificent car, either in town or on long trips. Supremely comfortable in all circumstances. I believe that the only option was the rear sun shade, which mine did have. I adored this motorcar!

[gnws]

I always liked those -- the pillar-less coupe part of it was the cherry on top.

[jammer]

Patrick Swayze's car from Road House except his has aftermarket wheels. He kept the actual car used in the movie (2 were used) until he passed away. Also had a Delorean. Cool guy!!

[davidparkin]

I have the same philosophy except from the rival. I drive M54s, better known as 1999-2003 BMW 5 series with the inline six cylinder motors. I have a 1999 528iT with 268, 000 miles which I just took on a 4, 000 mile road trip from Florida to Quebec and back for the third time in twenty years, and I have a 2003 530i with 130, 000 miles that I have only had for five years that feels like new. The 528iT sounds and drives just like it did twenty years ago. Both averaging 25 mpg, thank you very much.

[charlesdalton]

To me these can be summed up in one word - presence. It commands attention, just by being. Thank you for the deep dive and look into them ~ Chuck

[thomasconnolly]

I bought an 87 back in March through Hemmings. Great service history and well preserved with 99k miles. I love that car.

[iiyapimpdaddy]

Im glad you’re back on youtube. You have a way of making videos that is different. Greatly appreciate you

[anastassiosperakis]

The exterior styling is a HUGE HIT. Far better than any other S class based coupe before or after.

[yamahaxs]

Such a shame that today's Mercedes has strayed so far from what these cars represent and were. Luxury now means you stuff the most new tech in a package devoid of styling and presence. That new tech is fine for the first owner, but gets outdated very quickly and the cost to repair will make the cars scrap after 10-15 years. It's this way with the entire automobile industry, but the high end luxury cars are the pinnacle how bad it is.

[howardmckenna]

A wonderful car that just screams quality. Always been one of my favourites.

[davebarron]

When Merc was building some of the best auto's of all time.

[svenschulz]

The 560 SEC was very popular in Europe too - especially in Germany!

[notme]

that is the best shape
I used 1985 it was 500 sec
then 560 1990
it's marvellous car especially for chasing ...

[johanvanrooyen]

I owned a 1992 300SE W126. I always yearned for a SEC, but the 300SE was just as good. Wow, I miss that car.

[ItsTimePictures]

The Euro's are a different animal and preferred. I own one. But these are insanely expensive to maintain and fewer and fewer mechanics know how to wrench on them. Also, a first gear start mod switch is mandatory! I call it rocket mode because it's just dull without. Another also, there are after market rear swaw bars available that transform the cornering.

[TLGIII]

Had a 90 300SE. Was like riding on a cloud. Hope to get another 126 one day.