Highlights

• A charming W126 offering a popular colourway and impressive overall condition
•  A low owner car with only four registered keepers from new
• Complete with plenty of provenance providing paperwork
• Offering a long MOT and ready to use and enjoy immediately
• The vendor states that the total amount spent on the car in previous owner's time was over £10,000

The Appeal

 
The W126 was Mercedes Benz’s second generation of S-Class, range topping saloon. It arrived in 1979 as the replacement for the W116. Designed under supremo Bruno Sacco, the W126 was focused on improving ride, handling, and fuel consumption. This successful model went on to sell nearly 900,000 worldwide.
 
This example is somewhat of a rarity in W126 terms. With a low keeper count for its age and a sensible original mileage this car presents beautifully. With light use in the last 10 years – around 10,000 or so - this W126 offers lovers of a big 1990’s saloon a genuinely appealing ownership proposition.

The History & Paperwork

• A UK supplied and specified example
• First registered in March 1990 as a late example of the W126 
• The first owner was understood to have retained the W126 right up until 2016
• At that stage the 300SE had covered around 90,000 miles
• The second owner acquired it in 2016 and proceeded to spend a considerable amount on it
• Work at this stage included:
  • A new windscreen 
  • New water pump, thermostat and housing
  • New plugs, leads, distributor cap and rotor arm
  • Refurbished callipers 
  • New rear springs and steering geometry set up
  • New metering head and refurbished fuel pressure regulator
  • Professional bodywork repairs to a number of isolated areas
• Owner number 3 acquired the car in May 2021 at about 99,000 miles
• The current and fourth keeper acquired the 300SE in February 2022
• A current V5 registration document in the name of the owner is included
• The current MOT in hard copy is also provided
• This is valid until April 2025 with just a few minor advisories
• A number of previous MOTs in hard copy are also present
• The original book pack is present
• The remainder of the archive consists of numerous invoices for parts and work undertaken
• These mostly date from its second owner’s tenure between 2016 and 2021
• Many invoices relate to the body work repairs undertaken at this time
• An invoice for a full service in the current ownership is also present
• This dates from April 2023 at 100,734 miles or less than 400 miles ago

 

The Condition

• The S Class presents in gleaming Smoke Silver Metallic paintwork (702)
• The condition of the paintwork appears to be excellent throughout
• There seems to be a good colour match between panels and a high shine in evidence
• Bodywork appears to be equally well presented throughout
• There is one small paint bubble noted (photographed) on the offside rear wing
• The 15-hole alloy wheels were refurbished by the second owner
• These 15-inch items remain in great shape
• They are fitted in a mixed set of recent looking 205/65 tyres
• The spacious cabin is a period-typical delight in mushroom hued, self-patterned velour
• The condition of all interior materials appears excellent for their age
• The seats, front and back, are clean and bright and free from any notable imperfections
• Accents of glossy walnut veneer help further accentuate the luxury ambiance
• Door cars are centred with the upholstery fabric and encircled in tan MB-Tex material
• There is a small area of ripped trim fabric to the driver’s side B pillar
• Some non-standard panels of carbon fibre type fabric are note in the centre console
• The beige coloured carpets are in fine order and protective carpet mats are fitted
• The light headlining is equally good, and a factory fitted steel sunroof is noted
• A later JVC head unit is fitted
• The original first aid kit remains unopened in its parcel shelf mounted receptacle 
• The spacious boot is exquisitely carpet trimmed 
• The spare wheel, tools and obligatory warning triangle are all present

 

The Mechanics

• This example is fitted with 3.0L M103.980 straight six engine
• This 2,962cc unit was originally rated at 178bhp and 188 Ib-ft of torque
• This is paired with the four-speed 4G-Tronic automatic transmission
• Power is routed to the rear wheels
• The S-Class is fitted with ABS for additional safety and peace of mind
• The engine bay presents very well The inner panels are clean and straight with no issues noted
• Even the usually vulnerable under bonnet insulation is still present
• The underside of the car is equally well presented
• It appears clean and straight with factory original underseal seemingly present
• During our visit the car started immediately and ran perfectly
• No known mechanical issues have been reported

 

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