If you come across with the attitude that you could care less, that really helps, doesn't it?

After you get it home, disclose the VIN#, show pictures, it can be determined whether it was a gray market car.

Actually, one thing you can check, right now, is the cruise control stalk at the left side of the steering wheel, if the writing is in German, you have a euro car. Gray market conversion shops varied widely in what they did and how good they were, in 1985 there were good and bad shops who did it, so you never know what you would got. Some cars got certified and the Euro parts got put back on afterwards, so you might see some with euro bumpers, and lights, and some with US lights and bumpers, that were euro cars.

A 500SEL could be either, because they were so expensive when new, that they were a good candidate for Euroconversion. Almost all US '85 500 SEL cars had leather seats, bundt cake wheels, air cond., tinted windshield, power windows, and headlight wipers that pointed outwards.

Lots of the Euro cars had no headlight wipers, or if they did, pointed inwards.
None of them had US lights either. Some had velour seats, dark plastic sunroof deflectors, and the unique euro style trailer hitch and "Warndreich" removeable trunk triangle reflector.

I think the Euros would have centigrade markings on the heat/ac switch the thumbwheel dashboard switch, I mean.

Do you have any owner's manual, warranty or service books? In English, probably it was a US model, if German, or none, could be a gray market car.

After you have the title, you can call 1-800-formercedes and request a copy of the original window sticker (a free service) and if it was a US sold car, they will give you the accounting copy of the sticker. It will show the port where the car was shopped to.

If you write the historical dept. in Germany, Stuttgart, they will give you a copy in English, a copy of the build sheet. If it was a U.S. spec car, it will show you which items were deleted (such as the warning triangle, for export to America.)

The W126 was engineered for easy maintenance in many areas, so surprises may await you that you'll like. For instance, brake pad replacement is easy.

I believe there has been a maintenance CD out on the W126 for several years, and there could be online access also by now.

If the paint isn't too trashed, it should polish out beautifully.

Use some Arm and Hammer baking soda mixed with water, and an old toothbrush, to clean out the ashtray, that should help. Then line the ashtray with aluminum foil. I have heard smells can be sometimes gotten rid of by putting used coffee grounds in a tray on the floorboards for a day or two.

Don't forget to check the windshield wiper inserts before you turn on the wipers. I learnt the hard way. Only use BOSCH, not trico, replacement rubbers. I have heard the plastic upper hose necks to the radiator can deteriorate over time, and the later Behr radiators don't have this problem, so if you see fit, you could replace the radiator to be safe. If a tight budget, you can jury rig your own reinforcement over the hose neck if its not crumbling.

And if you are thinking far ahead, an aftermarket set of '86 up or W140 wheels and a 3rd brake light will make it look like a '90 or '91 model if you don't look at the ribbed lower panels.

You may not have a new car smell now, but bringing up an older car is highly satisfying when it works out....

You are off to a good start.....

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)