1989 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL Sedan Black RWD Automatic SEL

Price: US $13,450.00 Item location: Washington Depot, Connecticut, United States
Description:

1989 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL SEL

About this vehicleThis 1989 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL is an original. The owner has had it for 5+ years. The vehicle runs great and is mainly used for weekend drives.Seller's NotesWDBCA25EXKA45This 1989 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL is finished is black over Palomino leather. It is powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The car remained with its original owner until 1998 when it was acquired by my family, from a client's mother. The W126 has been said to be the "last great Mercedes". The car has has 80,820 miles, with a clean Carfax, and proof of mileage. It has been consistently and regularly driven as a second car over its lifetime, averaging less than 2900 miles per year. Well cared for, always garaged, and never driven in snow. Rust can be a very detrimental issue for the W126 vehicles, and there is none in the usual places, and it is remarkably rust free.I know of no "Bondo" areas on any of the panels. I found some in the front fender, and that is why I had the entire fender replaced with an OEM Mercedes one. It is simply unacceptable.I When I started the restoration process I was truly shocked. See photos! The current photos show the car exactly as it is. I did not clean the headliner, shampoo the rugs, touch up the leather seats, etc. It is an honest daily driver. I was planning on doing that after all the work was done.
The car features an electric sunroof, automatic climate control, power door locks, power windows, driver and passenger airbags, ABS, memory seats for the driver and passenger, cruise control and all other standard Mercedes S-Class features. Everything works barring the power antenna. A replacement mast is supplied with the sale. I did not replace the stereo / CD player (which works) or antenna, because I stopped the restoration prior to listing the car.
Now the back story... This was my Mother's second car. I forced her to buy a smaller car with all wheel drive, SOS capabilities, and one that had every airbag imaginable. She is going to be 78. As we were in the process of test driving a new car, and her choice finally being delivered, she constantly said, she did not want a new car. During that process, I took the car, and restored all the mechanicals, and put top rated Tire Rack Michelin Defender T+H tires on the car. I wanted it to be perfect,in casemy plan failed. The car runs perfectly, no smoke or rough idle.I finally succeeded, and started on the body work. 85% there, she decided to buy a new house with a smaller garage, using half of it for storage. So, now the always garaged car is going to be homeless. I have stopped the restoration, and it is time for the next chapter...What was done: I spent $10,005.52 in the past six months. Please see the breakdown photo.-New Harmonic balancer (new OEM Mercedes part)-New Battery--Refinished wood console All Mercedes genuine parts that were professionally refinished.-Refinished wood dash panel by AC. OEM, repolished.-New Michelin tires (30 miles on them)-Included are four Contental winter tyres with 120 miles or less on them-Spark plugs, distributor wires, brake fluid flush, oil change, etc.-Repainting of the four alloy rims-The entire driver's side repainted, with a new front fender (OEM). The paint was Sikkens. The fender was replaced because I did not like the job the last shop did, when there was a scrape. They used some bondo.
-Note the photos with the meter. All the panels are fine. Oddly, the replacement OEM fender, from a W126 is a tad thicker 8 vs 5 as an average. All other panels on both sides are symmetrical, as are the trunk, hood and top.Included, with the sale of this car, is a full set of Continental Extreme Winter Contact winter tires. They were used one season, for 35 miles. They have been bagged individually, with BullSnot lubrication on the inside rims to prevent any cracking. Also included are new URO tail lights. The ones on the car are original, but they may make the car look even newer.
What needs to be addressed is the few door dings on the driver's side, with perhaps (suggested) a matching side repaint, some body scratches which I did not touch up, a transmission go over. It may be me, because I drive new 9 speed automatic German cars, and the replacement of the power antenna. It does not work, and I was waiting to find the right radio (original Becker) before touching it. And, the chrome on the side windows needs a replating eventually.
So, you can buy a similar car for less money, but no one puts $10,005.52 into a car then sells it. This is a spectacular deal, and the car was fine before the partial restoration. You can use my auto body shop to make both sides flawless, like I did. I only painted one full side to see how it would look. You can read a book while it faces the car. It is show quality good. So the price is $14,450.00. I put in $10,005.52, so the car is really selling for $3,444.48. This a crazy story, and a crazy opportunity for the next owner. It can be driven for years without issues in my opinion.ExteriorInteriorEngineCreated on the eBay Motors app