1989 Mercedes-Benz 300CE 97k Miles/Full Service History

1989 Mercedes-Benz 300-Series

Make this a “December To Remember” (sorry Lexus) and put this bright red sleigh under your tree!

Up for sale is my 1989 Mercedes-Benz 300CE coupe, finished in Signal Red paint over Palomino leather interior with only 97,000 miles. I call her “Joanie” after Christina Hendricks’ character on “Mad Men” – seductive, curvy in all the right places, and oh so red! The car just celebrated its 35thbirthday in November, being manufactured in 1988.

Think back to 1988 – we had Moonlighting and Miami Vice, Paula Abdul and the Beastie Boys, Batman and Back To The Future. Cell phones came in bags. As the “Greed Is Good” decade came to a close and the Berlin Wall was about to fall, one thing was as true then as it was decades before and in decades since – those who appreciate fine motoring appreciate the combination of “technological advancement, high performance and soul-stirring beauty” that is a Mercedes-Benz.

The W124 family of Mercedes cars was introduced in the 1986 model year as a successor to the wildly popular W123; the coupes launched in 1988, succeeding the 280CE/300CD. The coupes are some of the rarest – out of more than 2.5 million 124-series cars sold worldwide, only 141,000 (5 percent) are coupes.The 300-Class coupes were a smart alternative to the slightly larger S-Class coupes of the time. With a starting price of $54,000 (over $140,000 in 2023 dollars), they were very exclusive which contributes to them still being viewed that way…Mercedes-Benz considers these “Youngtimer Classics” and are among the last to be built to the cost-no-object, over-engineered designs. Starting in 1994, in keeping with Mercedes’ new naming scheme, these cars became the first to carry the name “E-Class”.

The car was sold new by Don Rasmussen Mercedes-Benz in Portland,Oregon on February 28, 1989 to a man who kept it at his home in Boise, Idaho for its first 25 years,where it was serviced faithfully at Lyle Pearson Mercedes-Benz of Boise every 3,000 miles. He passed away in 2013 and I believe the car stayed in the family (title changed, possibly to leave only his wife or to transfer to a child) as it was still serviced there until it was sold this past spring to the man I bought it from. He had it shipped sight-unseen to his home in Southern California, only to discover the car’s lower roofline and ride height were too low for his 6’4” frame. I flew out there in August and took it on a 2,000 mile “test drive” back to my home in east Texas, and it performed flawlessly.My best tank of fuel averaged 29.5MPG with the cruise control on 75 and the air conditioning running.

Since I bought her, I’ve taken care to refresh things that a 35-year-old car would need to keep it up to date:

• ·Full tune-up using Bosch distributor cap, rotor and ignition coil; new NGK spark plugs and wire set; and oil change using a Mahle filter and Mobil 1 full synthetic oil (other fluids were inspected and deemed to be in good condition)
• ·Four new Michelin 195/65 R15 tires on the original factory 15 inch light alloy wheels
• ·Replaced front struts and mounts, as well as rear shocks, with new Bilstein parts
• ·Replaced all four coil springs with new Bilstein parts – this raised the ride height back to stock
• ·Wheel alignment once tires and suspension parts were replaced
• ·Replaced battery and battery tray with OEM part
• ·Replaced driver-side upper weatherstrip with OEM part
• ·Replaced hood pad with OEM part
• ·Replaced differential speed sensor O-ring and wiper blade with OEM parts; headlamp wiper blades are aftermarket
• ·Repainted lower front valance to restore appearance

I have had the work done locally by two different shops with German car specialists.

Besides my service, the complete service history is available not only on Carfax but by contacting any MB dealership. I had an hour-long phone conversation with the dealer in Boise after I purchased the car to go over its history. The car still has the original maintenance booklet which shows all services prior to Carfax; I have kept it up to date with the appropriate information. A few major items were serviced by an independent shop – at 81,000 miles the entire cooling system was overhauled (Radiator, thermostat, cap, water pump, hoses and coolant) as well as the serpentine belt.

THE EXTERIOR:

The body is finished in MB paint code 568A Signal Red single-stage paint and is original. The lower body cladding (often referred to as “Sacco Slats” after MB’s main designer, Bruno Sacco) and front and rear valance are all in code 3526 Pirate Red (yes it’s a real color name, as I confirmed with the MB Classic Center in Long Beach, California when I had the valance painted). As is the case with most cars, there are a handful of minor rock chips which have been touched up with the factory paint – all I’ve done was wax the car after I brought it home. After 35 years of picking up rock chips, the front valance couldn’t be touched up easily, so it has been repainted and is the original part. The body shop which did the work stated that all of the body panels are original with VIN decals still in place and no evidence of removal or repairs, which backs up the Carfax showing no accidents. The bumper caps have a few minor nicks. The factory “Gullideckel”(German for “manhole cover”) wheels are in very good condition with only minor curb rash on a few. The underside of the car shows typical soiling and has not been detailed, so prospective buyers can see its condition. The car appears to have been garage-kept and not been driven on roads in the winter, judging from the overall cleanliness and lack of rust, as well as condition of the paint and no sign of sun damage to the interior.Likewise, the engine bay has not been detailed, showing just how well cared-for this car has been, I’ve only had to dust it. Three mechanics who have looked at the car have commented that it’s the cleanest and driest one they have come across.

THE INTERIOR:

The interior is finished in leather with four-place seating. The color code is 274, which is usually known as Palomino – the color has also been referred to by Mercedes in different markets as Light Brown, Java, Date or Saffron.The leather shows virtually no signs of aging, just a few “character lines” on the driver seat bolster. Both front seats are power-operated, including the head restraints – the driver’s seat has two-position memory which includes the telescoping steering wheel. The windows have a 3M bronze tint film with a lifetime warranty, and I’m sure that’s helped contribute to the car’s near-flawless interior. There is only one minor crack in the woodwork, below the gear selector, and none of it shows the usual “cloudiness” common on cars of this era. Every feature inside the car works – even the seat belt presenters which hand the belt to you. The climate control system functions correctly in all settings, and still uses the original R12 Freon refrigerant – it stayed comfortable even as I drove through the Arizona desert in August (with outside temperatures around 107F).All of the gauges and warning lights work as expected. All four power windows work, as does the power tilt-and-slide sunroof. The vacuum door locks work from all three key openings (both doors and the trunk) and the vacuum seat back locks stay in place. The cruise control keeps a steady speed. Even the original Becker BE780 Grand Prix cassette deck still plays, great for those 80s throwback jams. The antenna was replaced with another Hirschmann unit by the last owner.

THE TECHNOLOGY:

The W124 series Mercedes-Benz brought several then-new technologies to the automotive world.ABS brakes, driver’s side airbag and seat belt pre-tensioners are standard. A single eccentric-wipe blade clears the windshield while small blades keep the headlights clear. High-strength, low-alloy steel is used to provide structural rigidity with lower weight, to ensure the highest level of safety despite not having a B-pillar. A steeper windshield and rear window glass help the car to achieve a still-low 0.30 coefficient of drag – only 0.01 less than a modern Porsche 911. The new M103 all-aluminum inline 6 engine was designed for both efficiency and performance.The five-link rear suspension and front strut setup provide for excellent handling.

MORE ABOUT THE CAR:

The 124 series Mercedes is considered a relatively easy car for the home mechanic to work on, and parts are readily available for all but the most unusual pieces. (Example, a piece of foam insulation under the hood is no longer available from MB.) This car is my tenth Mercedes-Benz and fourth 124 series – I’ve owned a 300E and two E320 sedans. This car is certainly a head-turner and in the best condition of any of the other Mercedes I’ve owned. When I bought the car, I was also looking for another SL, but this one really caught my eye so I bought it. However, I’ve still had the pang for another convertible, and I’m looking to replace this car with another SL – if I could afford to keep both I would, but I need to free up the funds to buy another car.

The cars of this series made several minor mechanical and cosmetic changes over the years – I have opted to leave everything bone-stock. For those who may wish to make changes to this car to make it look like the newer E320 coupes, there are plenty of articles and videos out there describing the process.Exterior changes might include painting all of the lower body to match the upper body, or changing the wheels to the newer 8-hole design, or even changing out the hood and headlamp assemblies – there’s even an SEC-style hood/grill available. Interior changes would involve new door panels and upholstery patterns. Mechanical changes could include sport suspension (like the factory “Sportline” models), a manual transmission swap, upgrading engine components (performance cams, even add-on turbo kits), or possibly swapping in larger engines (I’ve been told the 4.2L V8 would be possible, or doing a 5.0L V8 “Hammer” tribute). It’s a blank canvas!

I’ve done my best to describe the car, what I’ve learned about it, and what I’ve put into taking care of its immediate needs. Thankfully this car was built prior to the use of biodegradable insulation on the wiring harnesses – all Mercedes cars from 1991 to 1996 can have that problem, which requires the time-consuming and expensive replacement of the harnesses.

The car passed an emissions inspection in California in April and a safety inspection in Texas in September, so I’m confident there will be no problem for the new owner to have those inspections done. It is the buyer’s responsibility to take care of any necessary inspections, make any changes to the vehicle required for their location, and to obtain new title and registration on the vehicle as soon as possible. Ask questions and I will get you the answer – also let me know if you’d like additional photos of specific parts or areas of the car.

Like any used car though, I would encourage you to come inspect the car in person, or have it inspected by a mechanic of your choice and at your own expense. The closest MB dealer is in Tyler, Texas.

Car also comes with an Escort Passport radar detector installed above the rearview mirror.Full-size spare tire on matching rim, complete MB tool kit and jack in trunk. Complete owner’s portfolio (owner’s manual, maintenance booklet, etc.) in glove compartment. Original 300-Class sales brochure, technical specifications booklet, price card, and paint and upholstery booklet included. Three keys (two master, one valet) provided. Bottle of Signal Red touch-up paint and brushes included.

COMPARE TO THE W126 S-CLASS 560SEC:

I’ve been fortunate to own not only this 300CE, but a similar vintage W126-chassis 560SEC. Both are equally impressive cars, and each has its own appeal.Just my personal opinion, but I prefer the styling of the 300CE, it was more modern and aerodynamic, still had the classic grill and hood star instead of the SL-style grill and didn’t have the outside door handle fairings (the one thing I think ruined the lines of the SEC).The CE also came to market 7 years after the SEC cars had been on sale and were produced five years after the SEC ceased production. Going by the numbers, the CE has the advantage of weighing less (by over 300 pounds), having a tighter turning radius (by 2.5 feet), shorter overall length (by nearly 1.5 feet) and is more aerodynamic (by 0.3Cd). They were equal in front legroom. The SEC has the advantage in headroom (by half an inch), rear legroom (by one inch) and trunk capacity (0.5 cubic feet). With two more cylinders and a leaner power-to-weight ratio (by 1.5 pounds/HP), the SEC is 1.4 seconds faster than the CE from zero to 60 (7.1 vs 8.5). If all-out speed is your primary goal, the SEC may be your preferred choice. If your goal is to just enjoy the drive in a car that’s a bit fresher, more economical and slightly smaller than its bigger sister, the CE is worth your consideration. Also looking at the cars’ values over time, all of the Mercedes coupes hold up well and have been rising over the last five years, but the CE is still more attainable than most SEC’s.

PAYMENT AND DELIVERY:

I have set my asking price in line with Hagerty price valuation between a #3 and a #2 condition, as they are the insurers of the vehicle, as well as factoring in its well-documented service history and recent service. Prices on these cars have been on the rise for the last five years, as have all Mercedes coupes – the 300/E-Class cars tend to be a better value than their 8-cylinder S/CL-Class brethren. Foreign buyers should contact me prior to bidding to discuss logistics – preferably you will have a representative here who can take care of the transaction. A $500 deposit is required immediately upon auction close, with the remaining balance to be paid in full in cash, or bank transfer within 7 days. Cashier's checks will need to clear before release of title. Vehicle will need to be picked up or arrangements made for shipping within 14 days. Buyer is responsible for all costs involved with delivery to the vehicle’s destination and to make those arrangements. If you wish to fly out to pick up the vehicle in person, the closest airport is Tyler, Texas, served by American Airlines only. I am located at nearly the same distance from both Dallas and Houston, and I can arrange to meet you at any of those area airports (DFW or DAL in Dallas, or IAH or HOU in Houston). Nearest shipping port is in Houston, Texas. Please ask all questions prior to bidding or purchase– this vehicle is being sold as-is, where-is with no warranty expressed or implied.

• Make: Mercedes-Benz
• Model: 300-Series
• Type: Coupe
• Doors: 2
• Year: 1989
• Mileage: 97000
• VIN: WDBEA50D2KA894176
• Color: Red
• Engine size: Inline 6
• Number of cylinders: 6
• Fuel: Gasoline
• Transmission: Automatic
• Drive type: RWD
• Interior color: Tan
• Drive side: Left-Hand Drive
• Safety options: Anti-Lock Brakes, Back Seat Safety Belts, Driver Airbag, Fog Lights, Immobiliser, Safety Belt Pretensioners
• Vehicle Title: Clean
Want to buy? Contact seller!