1989 Mercedes-Benz 300-Series

Sedan

In-line V6

Automatic

WDBCA25D9KA465180

Clear

Gasoline

For your consideration, an exquisite 1989 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL W126 S-Class sedan. I don't have to tell you how uncommon good, RUST-FREE examples are coming to the market. This is the classic in-line V6 engine made by Mercedes for years and called "bulletproof" by numerous online reviews and books. Normally you see the big V8 engines in the S-Class, or the short wheel base 300SE V6, but this is the LONG wheel base S-Class with the V6 for better economy. This car has the potential for another 200K miles easily, and that's not difficult with the famous in-line V6, the same used in the E-Class for many years. Please email me at trek2brian@aol.com for additional photos. Arctic White over Palomino hides, this car has AVERAGED 8300 miles/year and been lovingly maintained throughout its life, no expense spared by its previous owners or myself, as seen by the considerable service history available. It's not complete, but thorough, and gives you an idea of all the major and minor maintainence and money spent to maintain this example. (NADA places a value on this car at approximately $9000.) Most all of the major items have been replaced/attended to: please email me with specific questions as I'll need to go through the paperwork. EVERYTHING works on/in the car with one exception: at each visor, they are not connected to the headliner, so the visor's vanity lights don't work. They will work if attached to the headliner, I've just never had the need. The cruise control works perfectly, all windows, all electrics function like new. The window stickers say the car has an alarm, but I've never used it. I have both keys; if this car had a remote, it doesn't now. When I purchased the car spontaneously in February (because of the condition- and traded a 32 year old Benz diesel) I immediately did the needed maintainence to bring it up to "near perfect" condition. My mechanic (provided by request) specializes in high end foreign cars, mostly Rolls, Bentley, Mercedes, Porsche, stated that it has the potential of another 200,000 miles if maintained properly. And one of his mechanics in the back, when he learned I was the owner, stated that he's never seen an S-Class in this condition in his life. Mind you, the car's older than he is! The engine runs smooth as glass, handles like new, tight control and excellent acceleration, the transmission shifts effortlessly, and the car is a joy on the interstate at 80+. It is my second car used primarily around town and parked in a parking garage during the day. The car had 196,XXX miles on it when I bought it; it now has 199,767. I will not put excessive miles on the car while it's for sale, obviously, but it still needs to be driven randomly until sold. I work six miles round trip but will not take it on any long road trips to add miles. I guarantee the mileage will not exceed 200K at the time of sale. Of course I use premium fuel only in this car. The odometer reading is correct according to CarFax, I have no reason to think otherwise. The car has never been involved in an accident according to CarFax, and I have no reason to think otherwise. The engine (or the entire car) needs nothing that I'm aware of. The engine does not leak any oil. The oil pressure, tach, clock, temp gauges all work perfectly and the engine runs at slightly over 80 degrees (normal) and oil pressure stays at "3" (normal) while in motion. After I purchased it, I had various belts replaced, one engine mount (the other was fine), and other maintainence. Under the repair category, I had to replace the fuel pump, fuel filter, and other minor things all documented. I also replaced the exhaust hangers just not to be bothered by them later. The underside is excellent, requiring nothing to my knowledge. The exhaust is excellent with NO RUST. Speaking of rust, there is NO RUST ANYWHERE on this car, even at the bottom of the rear window where the W126 is most likely to rust. The wheel wells and sills are like new, I see NO SIGN OF RUST ANYWHERE. The primary owner in NC was fanatic about this car: it had to be garaged as the Arctic White paint is near perfect. Someone paid to have the PINSTRIPES HAND-PAINTED; they are burgundy over gold, I've never seen anything like this except on Rolls/Bentleys. The spots you see on the bumpers in the sunlight photos are water drops after the car was washed. I've photographed a minor crease/dent at the rear wheel on the right side, and there are a few minor dings, a few chips under the headlights shown in pics, but nothing objectionable, and nothing that stands out. The gray bumpers have been touched up in places, and there are a few minor scuffs on the bumpers, again, nothing that stands out. All chrome is excellent. The alloy wheels are excellent, a couple showing signs of age, but still GREAT LOOKING! The tires match and tread is 85% I would guess. All glass is original to my knowledge, and the windshield has two minute dings (that have never changed since I got the car), and I have not had the windshield replaced simply because it is original and the dings are so minor. The car is the most original example of a 24 year old Mercedes that I've ever seen and even has the ORIGINAL BECKER STEREO SYSTEM, very rare for these cars. The only "non-original" parts that I can see are the European glass headlights and clear turn-signals. I asked my mechanic to switch them back to the American version, and he said that would be crazy, the European ones are glass, not plastic, and it gives the car a unique look. I personally prefer the American style, but I'll leave that up to you. I do not have the original amber side lights or headlamps. The interior is GORGEOUS, the original Palomino leather in exquisite condition. There are VERY MINOR cracks and signs of wear in the obvious places (and visible in my photos), but for its age, the leather and interior in general look as if it's been in a time warp. Always smoke-free, simply that wonderful German Mercedes aroma. The carpet is near "perfect" with excellent factory mats covering the carpet. There are NO LEAKS ANYWHERE inside to my knowledge; when put through those high-powered touchless car wash systems, there are never any leaks; again, like new. The wood on the dash and the dash cover are PERFECT, and the wood throughout the car is almost like new, with the lacquer starting to crack in just a few places. This is visible in my photos. I don't know if any of this was ever replaced or just garaged and meticulously maintained. The leather in the center on the rear seat is starting to fade, see the photos. The First Aid kit has never been used. All lights work inside and out, again everything works as far as I know. I haven't used most of the gadgets, but they are there and work. The climate control system works beautifully. It was recently upgraded to R134. That said, old Mercedes air conditioners are not great, so any day over 80 degrees, I find it easier to open the sunroof! But the climate control system/blowers, etc are all excellent. The heat will flat run you out of the car if you wish. The headliner and interior trim are flawless except the headliner could be cleaned a little as seen in my photo. I have not attempted to touch it. The trunk is gorgeous, the carpet in there perfect, and again, NO RUST or signs of water anywhere. The spare appears in good shape with all the tools there. I have not removed the spare since I bought it or looked under it. All around under the trunk cover looks like a new car. You can see a license plate frame I bought for the front but never installed. All said, this car is a fantastic example of a 1989 300SEL W126 V6 sedan with good fuel economy for a car of this size. (I have not measured my gas mileage.) If I've left anything out, please ask me! Brian at "trek2brian@aol.com." I can supply my mechanic's contact info and/or find out anything I have not answered here. The two reasons I'm selling this car are (1) I've inherited a virtually new car, but mostly (2) I would like an older (early 1970's) 220D or similar. I've stated here "to my knowledge" a lot because I want to divulge as much info as I know, but also be aware that the car is 24 years old (manufactured in Feb 1989), and things can/may go wrong or change, but I'm writing what I know to be the case now. Please SEE MY FEEDBACK. When you bid, you are agreeing that you are buying AS IS/WHERE IS, NO WARRANTY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, and this car is non-returnable. I am responsible for nothing. Will ship within the United States ONLY, please. Again, please look at my feedback; flawless since 1999. Please ask questions BEFORE BIDDING. PLEASE NOTE: PAYMENT MUST BE MADE IN FULL AND CLEARED BEFORE ANY ARRANGEMENTS TO SHIP MAY TAKE PLACE. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ARRANGING SHIPPING/INSURING OR LOCAL PICK UP and costs involved. I require a $500.00 deposit immediately through Paypal, and the full balance due within 7 (seven) days. IF YOUR FEEDBACK IS LESS THAN 10, please email me first and let's discuss it. I reserve the right to cancel this sale at any time for any reason. Thank you for your interest... You will be impressed!