A really nice car that I got and brought up to snuff, but I still need to find a diesel. There is a nice PP member discount if you're interested, just drop me a PM.

This is one of the nicest 300SEL examples I believe you can find in the area without paying stupid money. I bought this car with the intention of getting it in perfect shape for one of my children. They are now adamant that they want a diesel for the economy and don't want to drive this car, so I'm selling it. If it wasn't for the lack of space and cost of insurance in Florida I would keep it.

When I got the car it was in good condition but had a lot of little detail items that needed addressing. I did those as well as brought things up to a level that I felt made the car as best as it could be. For example:

Maintenance items:

Oil change and filter (Mobil 1 10W-40, Mercedes filter)
Air filter (Mann)
Power steering fluid flush and filter (Mobil 1 ATF, Mann)
Differential drained and filled with Mobil 1 gear oil
All fuses replaced with copper fuses
Brake system flushed and filled with new (Mercedes DOT 4) fluid
Spark plugs (correct Bosch non-resistor)
Spark plug wires (Beru)
Fuel filter (Mann)
Drained, flushed and refilled cooling system (Mercedes coolant)
Headlight wiper inserts replaced
Replaced serpentine belt

Repairs:

Replaced rear brake pads, rotors and hose
Replaced sticky left rear brake caliper
Replaced oxygen (O2) sensor
Replaced right front wheel bearings (noisy)
Replaced distributor cap and rotor (Bosch)
Replaced distributor cap cover
Replaced spark plug wire gutter
Repainted valve cover
Replaced valve cover seal
Replaced valve cover filler cap
Replaced air cleaner inlet hose
Replaced top timing cover seal and camshaft seal (common area for leaks)
Replaced serpentine belt tensioner
Replaced motor mounts
Replaced transmission mount
Replaced upper radiator hose
Replaced vacuum lines in engine compartment
Replaced front flex disc (Mercedes)
Replaced drive shaft center bearing and carrier
Replaced mono valve plunger/magnet (Mercedes)
Replaced failed left audio amplifier
Replaced broken sliding jaw on left rear window regulator
Repaired fuel door lock vacuum actuator
Replaced leaking transmission vacuum actuator and adjusted working pressure to spec
Replaced original OVP relay with updated two fuse version

Along with the repairs I also performed other maintenance work as required, such as replacing bulbs, cleaning switches, etc. The exterior was detailed and waxed and the interior was cleaned. The pictures show the condition of the car, so you can judge for yourself.

The body is straight and has no damage other than normal rock chips and a few small scratches. There is no rust that I found other than in the engine compartment below the battery tray, which is typical. The trunk is clean and dry. The transmission shifts crisply, as all Mercedes of this vintage do. All accessories work as expected, including the sunroof, power seats/memory, lights, signals, indicators, and so on. And of course it has ICE COLD AIR (I just had to put that in the ad!) The interior is in very good condition, with the carpet being clean and without stains, the leather still nice and supple, and the wood in very good condition for its age with very few cracks in the center console piece, unlike most cars of its' vintage. It rides on a set of Michelin tires that have plenty of tread left. Note that the factory tool kit and all of the books and manuals that came with the car are still there. The radio has been changed out to an aftermarket Sony model with satellite radio capability. The satellite portion is functional as far as I know, but I've disconnected it and removed the antenna from the roof. I installed an auxiliary input that has a cable running to the glove compartment that allows the use of any external device with an 1/8' jack to be plugged into the radio.

So now you're asking yourself, what could be wrong with this car? There are a few items I haven't addressed yet for just that reason - if I'm going to sell the car I'm not interested in investing any more time and resources. The right rear door has an occasionally noisy door check, which is probably nothing more than greasing it up when the door panel is off. Worst case, if it needs a door check they're easy to install and inexpensive. The driver's seat has the requisite wear on the bolster, although it's not bad. I know someone you can get a new leather seat cover from for a reasonable amount of money if you want to replace it. The antenna mast has been replaced, but the wheel in the antenna mechanism that grips the mast is worn, making it extend but not always retract - you can just push it down like I have been doing. A couple of the wheels could stand to be repainted, but they're not bad. The upper control arm boots on the front suspension need to be replaced. If money were no object or I was keeping this for the youngster, I would rebuild the front suspension and replace the injectors and call it perfect.

So take a look at the pictures and judge for yourself. If you're looking for a nice example of a Mercedes W126 chassis long wheelbase car, this is one of the better ones I think you'll find for the money.

The nitty-gritty: I continue to drive it, so the mileage will increase during my ownership. This is a used car with 286,000+ miles on it and is not perfect, nor do I claim it to be. As a result, it is sold as-is where-is with no warranty or guarantee. Trades? Only thing I would consider would be a nice W123, W124, or W126 chassis diesel (240D/300D/300SD) in similar condition.

A couple of pictures below for representative purposes. More pictures here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/658ebvpa69ytagx/AACTDzKQv9EJUXi-QqcXYzL3a?dl=0


Dan

Attached Thumbnails

         

Looks nice for the miles! And all that work to boot. Should sell quick.

Let's hope so, I need the space!

Thanks!

Dan

I didn't see where you're located Probably missed in ad.

Drop box link doesn't work for me....

__________________
BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

There is a mention about Florida in the write up... somewhere in FL anyways

__________________
BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

I fixed the dropbox link, it should be good now. The car is located in Tampa, FL. Added this to title.

Price is in the original post title - look closely, it's there.

I fixed the left rear window on Tuesday, so that's no longer an issue.

Dan

Since there's been little to no activity on this car, I'm probably going to end up keeping it.

I ordered a pair of upper control arms for it Friday. If it's not sold before they show up next week it's going to become a permanent resident of the driveway.

When I get the control arms or if it sells, I'll update the post.

Dan

Last call, everyone!

I have done some additional work in fixing the fuel door lock actuator, eplacing a leaky transmission vacuum modulator, setting the working pressure to spec (58 psi), and installing a new style OVP relay to replace the original relay.

New upper control arms are on their way, so if I've got no takers by the end of next week I'm pulling it off the market and adding it to my Hagerty policy....

Dan

Flash sale, this weekend only. I've done some additional work on the car,, such as replaced injectors, O rings and seals, the air meter boot, idle air valve hoses and the right side upper control arm. I also have a set of Euro headlights with the lower trim panels for headlight wiper delete I'll toss in for free for a PP purchaser at $3200 for the whole shebang.

It's amazingly smooth with the new injectors. I was stunned at how much better it runs, which tells me I had some bad ones.

I've got it listed on the local CL with plenty of pictures and a detailed description as above:

https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/6108616626.html

Interested? PM me.

Thanks!

Dan

Did you see this?

1990 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL – German Cars For Sale Blog

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'80 300SD - '83 240D - '00 E55 AMG - '02 G500

Beautiful car

No, I haven't. Thanks for the link!

Nice to get some free advertising for a really nice car....

Dan

Gorgeous car man, glws! I'd like to get a diesel w126 one day. They're nice riding cars.

__________________
Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k

Thank you.

I have the "sibling" of this car, too, a 1990 350SDL. Love it to death.

Dan