1999 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Sedan

12 Cylinder 6.0 Liter

Automatic

WDBGA57G3XA414596

Gasoline

Power Windows

1999 MERCEDES-BENZ S600 V12 MILEAGE: 191k VIN: WDBGA57G3XA414596 MSRP: $137,845 Don’t just buy a car; take possession of the finest production automobile ever made! One of only 14 units produced in this model year, it is the third most rare Mercedes-Benz in history! (See threads on netcarshows.com, pointedthree.com, benzworld.org, vlane.com, and mbusa.com) This was the last year for the large classic W140 body style, forever the flagship of mass market luxury sedans. This is the auto from which the famous Pullman Guard armored executive protection limousine is made. Not for the faint of heart, this monster is truly king of the road! Dare to lift the hood and peer into “The Vault:” the famed Mercedes-Benz M120: the high output 6.0 Liter V12 cylinder 48 valve fuel injected aluminum alloy gasoline fueled engine! This powerful behemoth generates 389 horsepower and 421 pounds per foot of torque at 5,300 revolutions per minute! Over 17 feet long, and weighing in at nearly 5,000 pounds (2½ tons!), this leviathan features smoked, infrared reflective, double-pane bulletproof glass. Truly a diplomat’s car, the S600 is highly sought after by presidents of international corporations, heads of state, royal families, and Eastern European crime family bosses. This car is gorgeous in a bold, stately navy exterior and an elegant, sophisticated two-tone tan interior. The ultimate driving automobile, this is the best built production car in the world, with all available options, and is a rare collectible. “Wheels Magazine” 1999 Car of the Year So what’s the difference between a car and an automobile? …About $100k new! But you can own this one for considerably less. Don’t just show up, …ARRIVE! This rare find is the mother of all collector cars and will only increase in value over time. This car looks and runs great, though needs some TLC. This owner loves his car and hates to part with it. $35K has been invested in two years by this car lover alone! Alas, I must sacrifice and sell due to personal circumstances. Take advantage of my loss! Make an offer. Serious inquiries only, please, and test drive by appointment. Contact andrew.buckingham@comcast.netKelly Blue Book lists this automobile worth $6,660 private party in good condition. However, this price does not reflect the added value of the car based on how rare it is, so take advantage of this treasure while you can. There is a Reserve set on this auction, but it is well below the private party value! Daily Driver, Private Owner, Non-Smoker, Clean, Detailed, Regular Maintenance, Fresh Oil, All Fluids, All Filters, All Records, Original CARFAX Body Style: Sedan Doors: 4 Seating Capacity: 5 Exterior Color: Navy Interior Color: Two-Tone Tan Length: Over 17 Feet Wheelbase: 124 Inches Weight: 4,980 Pounds Drivetrain: Rear Wheel Drive Engine: The Mercedes-Benz M120 High Output 6.0 Liter V12 Cylinder 48 Valve Fuel Injected Aluminum Alloy Gasoline Fueled Engine Generates 389 Horsepower and 421 Pounds Per Foot of Torque at 5,300 Revolutions Per Minute! Transmission: 5 Speed Electronically Controlled Automatic Transmission w/ Overdrive & Winter/Wet Weather Program Suspension: 4 Wheel Independent Self-Leveling Hydraulic Suspension w/ 4 Leveling Sensors per Wheel, Active Electronic Adaptive Damping Suspension Control System Safety: 4 Wheel ABS Power Disc Brakes w/ Brake Assist, Front, Rear, and Corner “Parktronic” Sonar Sensors w/ On/Off Switch for Audible Alarms & Warning Lamps, Front & Side SRS Airbags, Front & Rear Fog Lights, Traction Control, Auto & Stereo Security System w/ Theft Deterrent Alarm and Remote Panic Button, Electronic Stability Program Vehicle Control System, High-Intensity Xenon Gas Charged HID Headlamps w/ Delay Off For Night Security, Front & Rear Adjustable Head Restraints, Retractable Rear Head Restraints, Black Screen Instrument Panel w/ Auto-Brightness Includes Analog Tachometer, Speedometer, Fuel Level Indicator, Coolant Thermometer, Oil Pressure Gauge, Fuel Economy Gauge, Digital Odometer, Tripmeter, & Outside Thermometer, Multifunction Display w/ Warning Lights Including Seat Belt, Exterior Lamp Failure, Brake Pad Wear, Parking Brake On, SRS(Airbag), ABS(Antilock Braking System), Brake Assist, ESP(Electronic Stability Program), Engine Electronics, Low Fluid Levels for Fuel, Oil, Coolant, & Washer, Audible Alert for Parking Brake On, Headlight On, SmartKey in Ignition, Cruise Control, Remote Keyless Entry w/ Remote Window & Sunroof Opening & Closing, Selective Locking, Valet Lockout of Glove Box and Trunk, Automatic Drive Away Door Locks Activate at 9 m.p.h., Remote Trunk Release w/ Valet Lockout, Entrance Lamps in All 4 Doors, Dynamic Electronic Stability Program, Front Passenger SRS Air Bag On/Off Switch, Protective Side Molding, Child-Proof Locks Luxury: Front & Rear AC & Heat Controls, Vents, & Floor Ducts w/ Recirculation Feature, 16” Aluminum Alloy Wheels, Chrome Door Sills Stamped w/ MERCEDES-BENZ Nameplate, Individual Quad Zone Automatic Climate Control, Front & Rear Heated Seats, Keyless Entry & Trunk Release, Two-Tone Tan Nappa Leather Bucket Seats, 3 Memory Seat, Wheel, & Mirror Positions for Driver & Passenger, Power Locks, Power Mirrors, 14 way Adjustable Power Front Heated Bucket Seats w/ 3 Position Memory Power Steering, Power Actuators Close Doors & Trunk Quietly & Effortlessly w/o Slamming, Tinted Power Windows, Front & Rear Defrost w/ Auto Off, Power Tilt / Sliding Tinted Glass Sunroof & Moonroof, Power Adjustable Tilt Telescopic Leather & Wood Steering Wheel, 8 Way Pneumatic Adjustable Lumbar Support Controlled by Pressure Regulator and Powered by Air Pressure Pump, Front & Rear Power Headrests, Cruise Control, Power Sliding Rear Window Sun Shade, Power Adjustable, Folding, Heated Memory Side Mirrors, Tan Suede Headliner w/ Front & Rear Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors, Power Antenna, Rain Sensing Variable Speed Intermittent Windshield & Headlight Wipers w/ Heated Wash, Self-Dimming Electrochromatic Rear View Mirror, Integrated Mobile Phone Jack and Storage Compartment, Interior Cabin Air Filtration, Smoked Double-Pane Glazed Bulletproof Glass Windows w/ Express Up & Down, Classic Analog Quartz Chronometer, Digital Information Center, Homelink System w/ Built-In 3 Channel Universal Garage Door Opener, Leather Shift Knob w/ Mercedes-Benz Three Pointed Star Encircled V12 Emblem, Walnut Trim, Gathered Leather Upholstery Including Leather Seatbacks, Seat Side Panels, Map Pockets, Head Restraints, Center Armrests & Door Trim Inserts, Front & Rear Center Armrests with Storage Compartment & Retractable Dual Cupholder, Front Armrest w/ 3 Height Positions, Leather Seatback Storage Pockets, Parcel Net in Front Passenger Floor Well, Front & Rear Reading Lamps, Split Rear Seats, Premium Two-Tone Velour Carpet and Front & Rear MB Floor Mats Audio/Video: Premium Anti-Theft Coded BOSE AM/FM/WB Cassette Stereo Audio System w/ 6 CD Changer & 11 BOSE speakers, Seek/Scan Service Performed to Date in Two Years by This Owner Alone in Restoration: Only Top Tier (Detergent Blend) Super Premium 93 Octane (99% Shell Brand) Gasoline Used. Tire Pressures Set, All Fluid Levels Topped Off, Chassis Lubricated, Safety Systems Checked, and Oil Changed Regularly every 3,000 miles (except last 2 changes after 5,000 miles) only w/ Mobil 1 Full Synthetic and a premium WIX Filter, even though MB recommends an interval up to 5,000 miles. Tires Rotated every 6,000 miles. Flush & Fill Power Steering System w/ MB Power Steering Fluid, Clean Throttle Body & Air Intake System w/ Throttle Body Cleaner, Flush & Fill Transmission w/ MB Transmission Fluid (Twice), 4 Wheel Computerized Alignment (Twice), Repair Steering Column Unit, Repair Mirror Switch, Flush & Fill Coolant System (Twice) Parts Replaced w/OEM to Date in Two Years by This Owner Alone in Restoration: Power Steering Gear Box, Front Grease Seal Kits, Both (2) Catalytic Converter Units, Exhaust Install Kit for Catalytic Converters, All 4 Oxygen Sensors, Steering Dampener, Transmission Filter Kit, Transmission Seal Kit for HCV Unit, Idle Air Control Motor, Complete Right Front Mirror Assembly, MB Wiper Blades, Engine Splash Cover, Cabin Air Filter, Right Rear Wheel Bearing, All 4 Right Rear Upper & Lower Trailing Arms, Headlight Weather Stripping, Both Left & Right Tail Light Units, Transmission Mount, Serpentine Belt, Serpentine Belt Tensioner, Idler Pulley, Water Pump, Complete O-Ring Seal Kit, Both Left Side & Right Side Crankshaft Position Sensors, Heater Hose Connector, Transmission Cable Connector, Transmission Filter Kit Condition: The following is a list of absolutely everything I know to be defective with the car, down to the most minor problem. If you are not a collector or cannot afford to fix its primary defects, maintain the car well and at least live with its less important issues, then DO NOT BUY THIS CAR! The car is a rare gem, and the important stuff (engine, transmission, etc.) is in great condition, but it needs some TLC in other areas as discussed below. Exterior Good, though needs front bumper paint, license bent, small rust holes in tire well, minor rust on rear bumper sill under trunk lock and light lens bar (which contains visible trapped condensation), left front fender chrome molding strip loose at one end, rear star emblem loose, small rock hole through left front headlamp, small rock chip on windshield hidden under right front hood cowl, minor cosmetic curb scrapes on rims Interior Good, though front Nappa Leather Seats well worn, and suede sunroof headliner loose & wrinkled in corner obstructing full opening of sunroof & moonroof, surface crack on steering wheel. Engine Excellent, runs strong & smooth, despite check engine light on w/ fault codes on the printed readout provided for Left and Right Adjustment Camshort Timing Logic Chain, Left Air Injection Not Functioning, Left O2s1 (Before Three Way Catalytic Converter) (G3/3) Circuit Malfunction, Left Purge Switch-Over Valve (Y58/2), though both crankshaft position sensors, both catalytic converters, all 4 O2 sensors and the idle air control motor were previously replaced and the Throttle Body & Air Intake System cleaned Electrical Good, though horn inactive; SRS lamp on, driver window not lowering all the way and right rear passenger window sluggish, no key fobs, antenna won’t retract, door & trunk actuators inactive, headlamp wiper motor bad, missing 1 trunk interior lamp cover, separate interior console temperature indicator lamps out, 2 interior console vent control lamps out Mechanical Good, w/ good brakes & tires (Michelin All Season MXV4 Primacy, the top-of-the-line luxury passenger sedan tire), though currently riding on a broken right rear strut requiring immediate replacement for safety, stability, handling, comfort, & performance (have a price of $1040 to replace both rear struts w/used & bleed & refill hydraulic system); loose baffle in muffler resulting in some excess noise; driver door hinge bracket cracked & door won’t pause at halfway position, slight slack in parking brake linkage, intermittent pulley squeak, right rear tow eye broken off, washer fluid reservoir leak, headlamp washer hose broken, headlamp wiper hinge cover missing, engine splash guard off requiring only a lift and 4 bolts, left headlamp weatherstrip offThe following was compiled and edited from articles found online at Wikipedia and NetCarShows.Com: Design and Engineering …the W140 launched the "next generation" of Mercedes-Benz design language. The W140 saw the S-Class grow in its proportions; more technology and features were added through product evolution and competition. Production totaled 432,732 units; down on volumes for the W126 reflecting its shorter production period, competitive pressure (especially Lexus and Infiniti in the US) and higher market positioning. The W140 cost 25% more than the preceding W126. Specification and options increased in this period as Mercedes-Benz evolved the model to remain competitive. The new styling of the car was more aggressive, smoother and angular in appearance than before. The real success of the design was to disguise the size of the car, which was much larger than its predecessor. As with each new S-Class the W140 introduced new innovations such as double-pane window glazing (which substantially reduced outside noise from intruding into the cabin), self-closing trunk lid and doors, electric windows with a jam-protection feature (lowering back down when encountering an obstruction), front, rear, and corner “Parktronic” sonar sensors, and a heating system which emitted warm air while residual energy was available even after the engine was turned off. All these features did add to the car's substantial heft though. For details like this, the W140 is often known as the last Mercedes to be "overengineered", a Mercedes trait that was costing the company in product delays and overbudgeting. For the consumer, the W140 cost a considerable 25% more than its predecessor, the W126. In addition, the intense pressure from Infiniti and Lexus led to adding more features and options as to set the W140 apart. The V-12 version W140 (S600) was equipped with an actual leather dashboard, interior door panels, and a real suede headliner, unlike the V8 and inline 6 versions. In 1999, there were only 14 S600s and 15 CL600s for sale in the United States. It is considered one of the rarest Mercedes-Benz cars ever produced… Autobahn Role Large stretches of the German Autobahn network do not feature any speed limit except a recommended 130 km/h (81 mph). Driving at rather high speeds for extended periods tends to result in increased strain on a vehicle and requires careful engineering. Mercedes-Benz has sought to engineer its vehicles, most notably the S-Class (Abbreviated for the German “Sonderclasse,” or “in a class of its own”), to excel in this unique environment, allowing high speed cruising. Specific standards of engine performance, body integrity, and reliability are part of this process. For instance, the S-Class is built with an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph), which drivers can maintain when driving on the autobahn. AMG Manufacture also offers delimitation or reset to 300 km/h (186 mph). Historically, the engineering of the S-Class has often occurred without regard to cost, a practice which continued unfettered up through the W140 line. The company in turn has been able to exploit this as a marketing tool, culminating in its onetime slogan, "engineered like no other car in the world." Safety Mercedes-Benz has traditionally introduced its safety innovations in the S-Class. For instance, the S-Class was the first car in Europe to incorporate airbags. S-Class safety features included innovations in active safety (accident avoidance), passive safety (collision protection), and holistic safety (integration of both active and passive safety features). Active safety features include: ABS braking in 1978 (acts to reduce braking distances and improve stopping control; co-developed with Bosch); traction control and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) in 1995 (improves driver control during difficult road conditions); and Brake Assist (provides full braking power during emergency stops). Despite the popular misconception, the S-Class was not the first car fitted with ABS braking technology, although some credit can be given for popularizing this now largely standard feature (ABS was initially an option on most models of the W126 S-Class). Passive safety features include: crumple zones in 1957 (vehicle body structure absorbs the force of impact); three-point seatbelts in 1965 (provides additional torso/body protection); collapsible steering column (prevents the steering column from protruding into the cabin during accidents), strengthened occupant cell enhanced occupant protection during severe impacts (rollovers); pre-accident seatbelt tensioning (tightens seatbelts prior to impact), and sandwich platforms (allows the engine to slide under the occupants in a head-on collision). Road accident statistics on a model-by-model basis from the UK Department of Transport show that the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is one of the safest cars on the UK roads. On May-06-11 at 17:15:31 PDT, seller added the following information: Please note: The Kelly Blue Book value is $7,710 in good condition and $6,600 in fair condition. I incorrectly stated the value for "good condition" was $6,600 above. Also, the mileage is currently 191,500. One of the photos shows a previous mileage. Thanks!On May-10-11 at 15:08:35 PDT, seller added the following information: ATTENTION: I took my car to a Benz specialist at 2:15 p.m. this afternoon (5/10/11) and paid for a computer diagnosis of the fault codes illuminating the check engine light. I did not realize that the "stored codes" listed above from the printout which I obtained over a year ago would remain in the system with the check engine light on even after repairs were made unless the codes were cleared. The mechanic cleared all the codes, and I drove the car home from the shop 27 miles through city driving in stop and go traffic and on the open road at highway speeds. The check engine light remained off, and I will return to the shop tomorrow at 2:15 p.m. for another diagnostic test to find out if any fault codes remain and to get a written estimate for repairs. I will post the results. The SRS light did remain on, and I will find out the cause and obtain an estimate for that system repair as well.