Only a couple of blocks from my house at the time, I walked by a black 560SEC with a tan interior in really good condition in July 2015—a good enough reason as any to write this post.
“Bold lines which reflect the latest in motoring refinement.”
For 1986, Mercedes-Benz’s big W126 S-Class coupe gained an upgraded 238 bhp M117 5.5 liter/338 ci Bosch K-Jetronic fuel-injected V8 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. The mid-cycle refresh also differed cosmetically from previous years with the addition of flush-face halogen headlamps and integral headlight wipers.
0-60 came in a sprightly 7.5 seconds in the 3,900-pound car while mileage was a predictably bad 14 city/16 highway by the day’s standards (12/15 by modern measures), which earned the 560SEC a $1,500 gas guzzler tax. With the relatively large 23.8-gallon fuel tank, range was between 290 and 320 miles with a 10% reserve.
The 1986 560SEC’s base price, including distribution and transportation, was an eye-watering $64,900—approximately $193,900 in today’s dollars, or about what a 2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 coupe goes for. Standard exterior and mechanical equipment included halogen head lamps with washers and wipers, tinted glass, an electric sliding roof with a pop-up feature, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, and 215/65VR15 steel belted radial-ply tires on 15-inch “fifteen slot” light alloy wheels. Interior equipment included dual-stage heated front bucket seats, an electrically adjustable steering wheel, a driver’s side airbag, electronic automatic climate control (said to be less effective than you’d expect), cruise control, and a Becker Grand Prix AM/FM stereo radio with a cassette player and an automatic antenna.
Optional equipment included a power rear sun shade, a front passenger air bag, rear headrests ($245), and California emissions.
The View From 2025
There is decent club support for the 560SEC, as there is for almost all Mercedes-Benzes. According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, all the money for a 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC in #1 condition is $117,000, with a more normal #3 condition car going for $24,900. 560SECs frequently show up for sale in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and on Bring a Trailer. As I update this post in December 2025, there’s a Black 560SEC with a black interior and 184,000 miles listed on Hemmings for $20,000.
Make mine Black Pearl Metallic, please.
Other Mercedes-Benz models I have written about include the 1980 450SL convertible, the 1981 380 SEL sedan, the 1985 380SL convertible, the 1985 300SD coupe, the 1986 560SL convertible, and the 1989 560SL convertible.
Last updated December 2025.
Eighties Cars 