1980 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

600SEL Sedan

12 - Cyl.

Automatic

WDB1400571A013994

Gasoline

For sale is an absolutely brilliant example of Mercedes-Benz's finest.  A one-owner 1992 German-market 600SEL.  The car was imported to the US in 1995, and has spent all of its life in California.  The car is nearly flawless inside & out.  This is one of the cars that defines effortless power.  A 402 HP V12 combined with one of the quietest interiors around make this an excellent highway car.  I haven't owned the car very long.  I love the car and wish I could keep it, but I'm selling it because I have an opportunity to buy one of my old cars back that I cannot pass up. Unfortunately, the previous owner did not save any service records, so all I have is the receipt for having the alternator replaced less than a month ago (˜$300 part, ˜$200 labor). There aren't a whole lot of differences between the European and US models of W140, but all of the federalization work to make this car US DOT and EPA legal has been completed.  I have the California title from the original owner of the car, so when you register it, you will be the 2nd registered owner.   In the door jamb it doesn't have the US VIN label, but rather a "substitute VIN" in its place, assigned by the DMV and registered importer.  The cluster still has the coolant temperature gauge in celsius, the fuel economy gauge is in l/100km, and the parking brake light has the US DOT-required "BRAKE" text on it instead of the pictograph. The speedometer has been changed to a US one with both MPH and KPH. The cruise control stalk is all in German. It has the Webasto timed heater system on the center console next to the hazard switch. It has city lights and the pneumatic headlight adjustment. The US requires a buzzer to sound when the car is started and the seatbelts haven't been fastened, so that was installed under the left tweeter cover in the dash. You can also see in one of the photos it still has the European-sized number plate holder, as well as a Euro trunklid. As mentioned previously, the car doesn't have dual-zone climate control for the back seats, which was standard on US-spec 600s. It probably had reinforcing door beams installed too. Email me for a copy of the AutoCheck report (it's clean, no accidents or other incidents). Here is the VIN if you wish to run your own reports: WDB1400571A013994 Features & Specifications •105,500 miles •Schwarzblau (dark blue) 2-tone exterior •Black leather interior, excellent condition with no tears •Power folding & adjustable mirrors (including center mirror) •Double-pane power windows •Power adjustable & heated front and rear seats •Retracting parking guide poles •Self-closing doors & trunk •Power rear sunshade •ABS & Acceleration Slip Reduction (ASR) •Webasto programmable timed heating system •Complete OEM trunk toolkit, first-aid kit, and warning triangle •Keyless entry with switchblade key •Ice cold A/C & toasty heater •Power-folding rear headrests (works intermittently) •Power-sunroof •Rear seat ventilation •Backup sensors (aftermarket) •Registration good until May, 2012 Maintenance & Upgrades •New front brake rotors, pads, and wear sensors •New OEM Bosch alternator •New air filters & recent oil change •Sony bluetooth headunit with CD player (original Becker unit included) •New OEM hood ornament •Late S600 front grille (original grille included) •All-clear front turn signals (original amber lights included) One major issue that plagued all early 90s Mercedes-Benz cars was the biodegradable insulation on the engine's electrical wires.  Over time, the insulation would start to crack and deteriorate resulting in wires touching each other and shorting out.  As you'd imagine this led to all kinds of issues.  I checked the engine wiring over thoroughly and found no evidence of deterioration or cracking insulation. I'm assuming the harness has been replaced at some point.  But I'm an optimist.  Juding by the condition of the rest of the car, I'd say it is a good bet. Issues •One miniscule door ding on each rear quarter panel (see last photo) •Front tweeter covers have broken tabs and don't sit perfectly flush •Missing 3rd brakelight cover •Sunroof goes back and forth perfectly, but does not tilt •Outside temperature digital display on cluster is blank •The bulb warning indicator is lit whenever the headlights are on, although no bulbs are burnt out and all lights work Please contact me with any questions. ^Note, that is silicone sealant on the spark plug wire.  Not sure why it is there, as the wire is in good condition underneath. Here are some daytime photos I took before the front facelift to give a better idea of the car's color.