1985 Mercedes 500SE - RARE EURO-MODEL; EXCELLENT DRIVING BOULEVARD CRUISER !!

1985

Mercedes 500SE

Rare European Model

VIN: WDB1260361A151168

Here's another great-running & driving, rare Mercedes we've just acquired for our Ebay customers. From the moment I first laid eyes on this unusual sedan, it was obvious that respect and care were given over the years. There aren't many left out there in this condition and brings to mind the old saying in the collector world: "Any car can be restored, given enough time & money, but it can only be factory original once!” Here's a little background history we've uncovered while going over the original books and records you see picked here with the car:

This 500SE sold new on March 22, 1985 at Autohaus Claus GmbH & Co in Pestiach, Germany. Less than a year later it was legally imported to the states, passed through the Port of Charleston, and on to the west coast. It has resided with the immediate past owner for many years, always serving as a lightly-driven second or third car. Now, due to the owners advancing age, it's time to find the next caretaker.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION

So, when was the last time you saw, or have ever come across, a completely factory European W126 sedan? I highly doubt you can find another like it here in the U.S. I've always appreciated the appearance of these boulevard cruisers in the form their designers intended with their more attractive narrow bumpers and large integrated headlight lenses. To be clear, it is legally titled and licensed (and has been for over three decades). Repair parts and service are easily available and are the same as any U.S. version. I've got to tell you, having driven the car every day since it arrived, what a treat! Where else will you find this kind of luxury, vintage style, safety, mechanical reliability, ease-of-maintenance AND power wrapped up in one gorgeous ride? Please feel free to contact me with questions or to make an offer before the auction ends. My name is Mark and my direct phone number is 206/914-1173. You're encouraged to come inspect and test drive the car here at my Auburn warehouse.

Ever driven a Mercedes with the bullet-proof 5.0 liter engine? Smooth is the word for sure. Smooth powerful acceleration. Smooth handling in the curves or on the highway, too. Please take a look at the photos and you've gotta agree with me what a great find this is. Climb over, under and all around this car - I know you'll come up smiling!! What you see is the result of a wash and vacuum only.

CONDITION

In total, this is a clean, well-cared-for, smoke-free car. I take pride in the vehicles we offer here on Ebay and feel that you should know as much about them as possible. Accordingly, here is a list of what I've discovered: Hop in, turn the key, even when cold starting, and the powerful V-8 fires right up every time! The car idles, runs and drives like a Mercedes is supposed to - instant, strong oil pressure, good battery and charging system, no overheating, no brake pull to either side or alignment issues! Very few Euro-models have made their way to North America but can occasionally be sourced from Benz club members or an overseas contact. Having personally owned more than thirty Mercedes over the years, I've developed a great appreciation for their style, mechanical reliability and overall driving experience. Over the past few weeks my wife and I have put on several hundred miles including freeway cruising at 65 MPH on a day trip down to Portland, Oregon and back. THIS CAR RUNS OUT JUST AS IT WAS MEANT TO. I TRULY HAVE NEVER DRIVEN A VINTAGE BENZ THAT I'VE LIKED BETTER!! I know you'll be proud to own and drive it as well.

We believe the car has been garaged most of its life as it appears to still be in mostly original paint. There are certainly no rust issues, having been kept off snowy roads and away from corroding salt. Both front fenders, the four wheel wells and all other major surfaces appear solid with NO rust bubbles coming up under the paint as you'll often find on vehicles from other parts of the country. There are a few very small paint chips here and there, but no large dents or dings. The factory wheels are straight and true. They're wrapped with radials each having at least 50% remaining tread. Because they are old, I'd suggest replacing them soon.

Take another good look at the interior pics. Hop in and feel comfortable sitting on these firm bucket seats for hours as the springs have held up far better than most. Over the years I've come to appreciate MB Vinyltex material as it seems to wear much better over time than most Mercedes factory leather. That's not the case here as the leather surfaces of both buckets are about as nice as you'll ever find! There's a bit of sun damage on the tops of some door panels, but overall they're in great condition. The dash & door wood trim is excellent with the exception a small missing trim piece near the driver's door edge. There's no evidence of water leakage ever on the headliner or factory carpets. Both the speedo and odometer work perfectly though we do not know if miles are accurate (because it's so enjoyable, I can't help but use the Benz as my daily driver for the next week so there will be a hundred or so more miles added before we pass the keys to the next lucky owner). A/C is a bit of a rarity on European models but it's factory installed on this one! The system is complete, but I'm guessing will need a recharge to function properly. You might not really even need it as the extra-large sunroof opens and closes like new. The heater/defroster are working well, including the blower fan.

German buyers had more interior configuration choices than dealers offered here in the U.S. It's not unusual to find crank windows, no air conditioning and manual fabric seats on a Euro-model. Our car has power windows all-around (the passenger front can be a bit finicky). Both front seats are six-way powered. It's quite rare to find a stock Becker "Mexico" stereo tuner still in place (check it out - they're worth a fortune by themselves here on Ebay). Like most all vintage Blaupunkt and Beckers, this one comes on only when it wants to! The jack and original alloy spare are in the trunk as shown. We'll be sure that all the factory books, hang tags and manuals pictured will be safely tucked away in the glovebox when the car arrives at its new home.
I'm always very happy to work with any shipper you choose and we have experience shipping vehicles all over the world (being a Euro-model, I won't be surprised if this nice Mercedes ends up going home to Germany!). If you live in the western hemisphere, you're also welcome to do what many of my previous buyers from as far away as Alaska, Arizona, the Midwest, Canada, Florida, New York and even the Mexican Baja have done - fly in here to Seattle (We'll pick you up at Sea-Tac International just a few miles away) and then start a road trip home the same day! As a respected Ebay seller with many satisfied online buyers, I want you to bid with confidence knowing that this Benz runs and drives as it should AND that it is being properly represented to you! Please don't be upset if I miss a minor flaw or some small issue comes up on the car as NO used vehicle is perfect. Having said that, I won't hesitate to drive long distance in this Mercedes today!

Please check the photos over closely and call me with any questions BEFORE you place a bid! You're encouraged to stop by, inspect the car at my Auburn, WA warehouse and take it for a test drive. As always, it is being sold "as-is, where-is" with a clean, free & clear title. Because of the amount of money involved with a vehicle purchase, I reserve the right to cancel your bid if you have any negative feedback and also ask that potential bidders with a feedback rating of five or fewer Ebay feedbacks contact me before placing their bid. Please do so directly through Ebay's message system or, as outlined above, call me at 206/914-1173 anytime.

A Few Additional Terms and Conditions:

Payment in full is due within 7 days of the auction's end by certified funds (or cash if you're arriving in person to pick up the car). We can accept credit/debit cards for any portion (or all) of the purchase, but ask that the buyer cover the 3.5% fee our card processor charges if a card is used. Please remember you are bidding to buy and I fully expect the winning bidder to fulfill their Ebay contract! You're not bidding to hold or then come inspect and test-drive the vehicle later -- You're more than welcome to do this before the auction ends.

If you do decide to have theBenz shipped home, there are numerous vehicle transportcompanies to choose from. I'd suggest that you get a transport bid from the shippers on the attached transport tab of this listing.

For our bidders in Washington, Oregon and California we have a great local transport company that regularly (and economically) delivers our vehicles up and down the west coast. It's almost less expensive than airfare, food and fuel from here to Los Angeles. No worries then about a flat tire on the freeway either!

As another alternative, you might also get bids from the U-Ship website. You'll be able to choose a transport broker from multiple offers. The zip code for pick-up would be 98002 (Auburn, Washington). The shipping of the vehicle and company chosen are the responsibility of the BUYER.