1985 Mercedes Benz 500SEL Euro - Stunning, Low Mile, Serviced, NO RESERVE!

Description for Mercedes-Benz 500-Series 1985

I am THOROUGHLY excited to offer for a sale this beautiful 1985 Mercedes Benz 500SEL European Model! It has been very well cared for, rives like a DREAM and looks absolutely stunning in Black over Palomino. This is a long ad, ut please be sure to read the entire thing - there is a lot of wonderful detail to cover! Let's dive right in!
Background:
Designed by the legendary Bruno Sacco, ho penned the nearly every Mercedes from 1975 to 1999, he 500SEL or S-Klasse Einspritzmotor Lang (S-Class, uel Injection Engine, ong) was the flagship car from Mercedes. And what a flagship it is! This was a generation of Mercedes that featured incredible build quality, tunning exterior design and an incredible durable powertrain. Power windows, ower locks, -way power seats, utomatic climate control, opious leather and wood, ruise control, ower passenger mirror, ower sunroof and many more wonderful features graced this sleek S-Class. The "L" meant this car featured an extended rear section with an astonishing amount of rear legroom and space. This was THE Mercedes.
Under the bonnet of this beauty is a 5.0L V8 engine married to a four speed automatic transmission. It make approximately 250ftlb of torque which is almost entirely available from idle and continues almost totally linearly to near redline. It is way these Mercedes with little effort seem to continue to pull and pull without ever weezing.
Let's talk more about this car specifically. This is the gorgeous and very sought after European model. What exactly does that mean and how does it differ from the North American (NA) models? Let's chat a little about that. The NA models have huge heavy bumpers and different headlights. The Euro models had sleek, lim bumpers with aero restyled headlights. The Euro model also featured a compression ratio and made more horsepower than the NA model.
Often times Euro cars did not have AC. This car not only has AC, ut it was also optioned with the expensive and wonderful 4 wheel hydro-pneumatic suspension brought over from the 450SEL 6.9. This suspension was a very special feature indeed. The car is always adjusting its level based on the surface as well as gas and brake inputs. As you come to a stop, ather than the nose diving down, he suspension keeps the nose up to keep you comfortable. And it keeps the back up under acceleration, ven in corners and there is even a manual adjustment lever to change the height for an obstacle. eBay does not have an option to enter in a Euro VIN above, ence the placeholder VIN. This car's VIN is WDB1260371A088962 - Clean and Clear Carfax!
This is a ONE OWNER car. Bought brand new, his car was shipped to Southern California where it has lived an easy, ry, ust free life. California residents, ear not for smog and registration - the car is federal and state legal, ith US tag and passes CA smog no problem. This car is STUNNING shape and is fully functional and ready for a new home. Let's chat more about the condition of the car!
The Condition and Service:
This beauty just came back from a very well known independent Mercedes service facility for a pre-sale inspection and preventative maintenance and has a wonderful clean bill of health! It has spent its life serviced by an equally well known Mercedes expert here in Santa Monica named Herman, ho is widely regarded as one of the most knowledge Mercedes experts in the country. His shop is usually a garage filled with rare and collectible Mercedes. Last time I was there there was a 220 Cab, Gullwing and a 300SL roadster lined up looking beautiful. This SEL has been extremely loved and cared for and shows it both visually and in the experience. This car has been ENTHUSIASTICALLY and PROFESSIONALLY maintained and serviced and is a high standard for Mercedes service! Remember this is a EURO CAR that spent its entire life in CALIFORNIA with ONE OWNER, aintained by ONE HIGHLY SKILLED SHOP for it's whole life! Does it get any better than that????
Let's start on the engine and drivetrain:
This engine has LOW miles for the year (a normal average of about 3,300 a year), 8,700 miles appear on the odometer. It was driven and enjoyed as it should be, ut being owned by someone who wanted to enjoy it for decades, t was showed more than generous preemptive care. Often times people are attracted to the unreasonably low mile cars of 25k miles, ut those cars alwasya scare me. Over the course of the 30 years they have spent most of their life sitting without the oil circulating. The cylinder walls get washed of oil, very start is hard on the motor. The rubber seals of the motor and trans degrade, tc. Unless they had LOADS of storage style care, hey will be a head ache. This car has been driven just the right amount. It was enjoyed regularly, ut still features low miles. The motor is very healthy and has loads of smooth power! And a happy Mercedes will go and go and go happily for hundreds of thousands of miles. And this happy Mercedes has received LOADS of regularly scheduled maintenance to make sure of that.
-ENGINE
The engine comes to life immediately with a twist of the key. With even a crack of the throttle it, he Mercedes feels torquey, mooth, oves to rev, nd effortlessly pulls away! More then a leisurely drive? Keep your foot in it and the real thrill of the engine comes to life! The engine continues to pull seemingly endlessly as you comfortably and quickly pull away from your fellow drivers. It really is a quite a special engine. The engine is free of any issues, tarts right up cold or warm and settles into idle quickly. The Bosch fuel injection was adjusted at its recent service and is exactly in spec. No knocks, angs or ticks. BRAND NEW oil. Timing chain and tensioners were replaced within the last 15k miles, wonderful stunning engine! There is some minor moisture around the oil pan, ut no drips or wetness, ust the fairly standard old dirt/grease moisture.
Check out the engine bay pics! Clean, idy and well cared! This is an untouched, ndetailed engine bay. Not even a rag was used to wipe it down for photos. Clean and tidy.
-TRANSMISSION
The 4 speed transmission is in FANTASTIC shape. Tight, onfident shifts. The shifter eases into gear without any drama.
-SUSPENSION
No bangs, o rough ride, o clunks! The 4-wheel hydro-pneumatic suspension dampen wonderfully! The car is tight in corners, nd comfortable on the straights! Speed bumps and potholes are all but missing. Hard stop? Sure doesn't feel like it as the suspension re-levels itself! Service, ecently bled and FULLY FUNCTIONAL.
-BRAKES
Confident pedal, reat pressure with a firm positive stop. Great pad life left!
-STEERING
Steering feels good with no excessive vibrations or play.
-EXHAUST
BRAND NEW catalytic converters!
-BATTERY
The car has a couple year old battery which passes the amp and CCA test great! It has always been on a trickle charger when parked for more than a day or two.
Let's continue to the exterior:
-PAINT and BODY
The paint is VERY nice! It is a 9 out of 10 easily. Shiny, eautiful, chwarz (Black) paint was recently polished, inished and waxed by a highly acclaimed detailer here in Los Angeles and looks jaw dropping and soaking wet! The paint appears deep and lustrous! Flaws are VERY minor at best and would represent a car that was extraordinarily well cared. It is the original color and original paint. I can find NO rust on the car. Clean trunk, loors, hock towers, owl, tc. There is a very small ding on the passenger side quarter panel right as it curves around towards the trunk and a few very very small chips, cratches, inor flaws. But they are very minor and WELL above any expectation level for a 30 year old car. It is hard to find any flaws.
-WHEELS/TIRES
BRAND NEW tires. 100% tread - 25 miles on them. Great shape wheels that shine wonderfully and have only very minor flaws. Nothing which would take away from the overall beauty of the wheels or car The wheels were bought and installed at US dealer after import and were a typical period era upgrade. Mercedes euro cars did not offer these chrome wheels, hey are Mercedes OEM as a dealer upgrade.
-BUMPERS and BRIGHT WORK
The bumpers are in wonderful shape! No dents, racks or issues! Chrome is nice all around the car with only minor flaws.
-GLASS/WINDOWS
Not to let a pebble defeat this car, he windshield is great shape, ith no chips or sandblasting. The door and rear glass is wonderful shape! Clear and clean!
Onto the cabin:
-SEATS
The Palomino leather seats are in WONDERFUL shape! No splits, o worn spots! No tears, o dark spots! Look at the pictures - they are stunning looking! The driver's side front springs are a little softer and the foam a little more worn then the passenger side. Rear seats are in great shape and look and feel unused. There is a speaker for a period era cell phone on the rear floor. THIS IS A NON-SMOKERS CAR!
-DASHBOARD
Absolutely stunning dashboard. No cracks! The wood is near pristine, he dash carpet is unstained and beautiful, he gauges and binnacle are clear and totally functional including the clock! Near factory perfect.
-DOOR PANELS
Near perfect door panels! No stains, ears or issues!
-CARPET
VERY nice carpet in the car! No meaningful wear or stains. Floor mats are in good nick, ith only minor wear.
-HEAT/AC
AC was just converted to R134 at its pre-sale inspection and fully charged. It is arctic cold and the heat is earth core hot! The automatic temperature control works perfectly and adjusts fan speed based on the temp you set
-WINDOWS
Windows roll down and up with no issues. Good tracks and no dead rollers. Smooth functionality on all windows.
-HEADLINER
Wonderful headliner free of sags or tears!
-CONSOLE
The wood on the console is near pristine! Deep and glossy without any chips or fading. Mercedes built this car to last! The shifter is in wonderful shape!
-DOOR JAMBS
Take a look at the pictures below - super clean door jambs. No chipped paint, ust, irt or grease. Just a well cared for California car!
-POWER MIRROR
The power mirror works perfectly!
-POWER LOCKS
The locks work perfectly on all doors!
-POWER SEATS
All power seat functions on both front seats work perfectly including the air controlled lumbar on the drivers side.
-RADIO
Original Becker radio! Radio turns on and works with all functions, ut the antenna, s typical for these cars is a bit tight and does not extend fully, o the stations are not clear. Very typical for these cars, oreover, ot expensive either.
-STEERING WHEEL
The wheel is in great shape with no major defects or cracking! No pieces of foam missing, o wear on the wheel - as if it was driven with gloves on!
-SUNROOF
Sunroof slides back with a touch of a button! No leaks and good headliner!
-MANUAL SUSPENSION CONTROL
Beside the headlight switch is a slide knob. All the way in sets the car at normal ride height and the more you pull it out, he more height the suspension provides. The control works perfectly! The plastic that holds the knob there is very thin from the factory, o a gentle touch is required. That said, ost will never use this knob since the car handles the suspension automatically.
-CARGO AREA
The trunk is wonderful shape featuring a clean dark brown carpet, riginal unused spare with tool kit. The black box you see off to the side is the original dealer installed cell phone unit. Easily removable if you chose, ut a great period piece if not.
The Experience:
This 500SEL is a dream to drive. It is tight, ery comfortable, owerful and smooth. We took it to dinner the other night to a 5-star restaurant here in Beverly Hills where it was parked directly up front with the modern Bentley and sports cars. This 500SEL is a modern classic and with 450SEL 6.9 going through the roof, his car is soon to follow. They are some the last true Mercedes in my humble opinion and the European model makes the cars SO much better looking! Not to mention this stunning paint! It has all the power it had from the factory and then some, nd from even a little gas is torquey and responsive. It is so easy to fall in love with this Mercedes. One twist of the key and she is purring along at idle. Press the gas and she effortless takes off! She feels equally as home on the highway as on the side streets and is a wonderful cruiser. It will make you wish for the Autobahn! It has this great big steering wheel that feels wonderful in your hands and the car allows you to turn into any corner with confidence as the active suspension controls the car and its movements. It is a 30 year old car so there are a few little leather squeaks on the inside, ut nothing major. Think 30 year old Mercedes, ot 30 year old GM. I hope you can tell by my long ad that this car is an wonderful and beautiful 500SEL. This really is a very special car to drive and with the preemptive care it has received it is ready to be enjoyed for the second half of summer and fall! These W126 S-Class are renowned for their driving experience, nd this particular example is a treat to drive. They are becoming extremely collectible as well!
Feel free to ask me any questions at all. Residents around the country I am happy to be flexible for your arranged shipper so that you can get your new car as soon as possible. California residents please note the original blue and yellow personalized plates will not come with the car. CA residents, his car is clear and clean to register in state and has lived here its whole life. NO grey-market headaches!
My standard disclaimer/mantra for any car regardless of service or price: The car is sold with no warranty. You are buying a used car. Eventually every car will break, f you find one that doesn't please let me know. I do my ABSOLUTE BEST to offer only cars that are of TOP NOTCH service. I am not a dealer, ust a guy who loves Mercedes (among other cars) and hope to pass along my passion and fervor for these cars. That said if ever you encounter an issue I do my best to provide advice, irection or even parts if I have them. Please understand that it is a used car and will have minor signs of use. That means please do not expect a showroom brand new car. Please adjust your expectation level to that of a 30+ year old car, ut however is WELL above average for it's year/miles. This is very nice condition for a MB of this year, ut please just remember that no 40 year old car is perfect. It is though a great Mercedes! Please only bid if you intend to buy. If you would like to have an Ebay 3rd party mechanic service check out the car I MORE than welcome it. Please have the car checked out BEFORE bidding and not after, f you intend to use that service. And please, f you would like to utilize this service, ontact me with more than a couple days left in the auction so we can arrange schedules. Please check your local laws and registration procedures before buying. Buying over the internet can be scary sometimes! I get it, ecause I am an enthusiast too!! For that very reason, am more than happy to answer every and any question you may so you know 100% what you are buying. But, lease ask any and all questions ahead of purchase! All sales are final, ou are buying as-is, he sky is blue, etc, tc. Sorry to have to give the boring speech.
Please feel free to ask any and all questions!!