1988

Mercedes Benz
300SE Sedan

VIN: WDBCA24D9JA417551

Seller willcover $700 toward shipping (even if you fly in to Seattle International and drive home).

Here’s another desirable, great-running & driving vintage Mercedes we’ve recently acquired for our Ebay customers. This nice 300SE sold new at Von Housen Mercedes Benz on Howard Avenue in Sacramento back in May, 1988 to a retired Air Force Colonel. A family friend of the original owner kept the car for most of the past decade after moving to Seattle. It was reluctantly passed on to us a few weeks ago in hopes finding the next long-term caretaker. From the moment I laid eyes on this nice sedan, it was obvious the car has been treated with respect and care over the years. I’ll be sure the glove compartment holds the original books, manuals, owner data plate (and even the factory hangtags) tucked away in their plastic sleeve when the car leaves our warehouse. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. My name is Mark Thompson and my direct phone number is (206)914-1173. You’re welcome and encouraged to make an appointment to inspect and drive this outstanding car.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION

Ever driven one of these classic Mercedes with the economical yet powerful 3.0 liter inline six engine? Where else will you find this kind of luxury, vintage style, safety, mechanical reliability AND terrific (23+MPG) fuel economy wrapped up in one great ride? Smooth is the word for sure. Smooth handling in the curves or on the highway. I’ve always considered the W126 chassis cars constructed through the late -80’s as some of the last hand-built, truly high-quality Mercedes and have heard many others say the same thing! Take a look at the photos and I’m sure you’ll agree with me what a nice car this is. What’s pictured is the result of a wash and vacuum only. Climb over, under and throughout and I know you’ll come up smiling! Rust? Please, this car hates rust and you won’t find a thing to worry about here. Having spent all its life in snow-free Northern California and then the Seattle area there’s never been any exposure to corrosion starters. Yes, western Washington State is famous for rain, but our winter roads are never salted. At most we’ll have one or two days of light snow. Everyone panics and just stays home hunkered down with a blanket and book. Climb over, under and all around this car - I know you’ll come up smiling!! NO nasty rust bubbles beneath the paint on the edges, under the doors or around the wheel wells!

Having personally owned dozens of Mercedes over the years, I’ve developed a great appreciation for the classic MBZ style, mechanical reliability and overall driving experience. I FEEL THE CAR RUNS OUT JUST FINE AFTER HAVING SPENT THE PAST WEEK DRIVING IT DAILY AND CAN SAY THERE ARE VERY FEW I’VE LIKED BETTER!! I’m convinced you’ll be proud to own and drive it as well.

CONDITION:

In total, this is a clean, well-cared-for, smoke-free Mercedes. I take great pride in the vehicles we sell and feel that you should know as much about the car as possible. Accordingly, here is a list of the good and also a few small things needing attention: the peppy 3.0L inline six engine starts immediately with only few moments of starter cranking and settles into a smooth idle.The automatic transmission shifts just as it should with absolutely no slippage.The car idles, runs and drives like a Mercedes is meant to – strong, immediate oil pressure, good battery and charging system, no overheating, no perceived brake pull or alignment issues! This week I’ve put on almost 400 miles freeway cruising at 60+ MPH for several hours and also using it on my twenty mile round trip commute. Please note that it is ABS equipped and has a driver’s airbag; not something found on many other mid-eighties cars!

The factory original Champaign metallic paint is about 9.5 out of 10. You’ll be pleased to find NO fading or peeling clearcoat as is so often seen (a testament to the caring owner always keeping this car undercover, away from nasty, paint-killing UV rays). Though I’m no expert, I find NO evidence of bodywork or accident repair anywhere. The front fenders, rear quarters, doors and floor pans are all very original and solid; in fact, the entire undercarriage is in excellent shape for a 28 year-old vehicle! No other real body flaws, just a few nicks and rock chips near the headlights as pictured. All the glass is good with the exception of a bulls-eye chip on the lower passenger side of the windshield. The side and rear windows have been legally tinted (protecting the excellent interior from the sun). I’ve never encountered Mercedes alloy wheels that were anything but straight and true. These fit that bill and are wrapped with touring radials with at least 30-50% tread remaining all around.

Take another good look at my interior shots. Often, you’ll find worn, disintegrating leather or vinyl seats in vintage Mercedes. This is NOT the case here. The original tobacco brown leather covers (including the rear bench) have held up exceptionally well as pictured. The speedometer, tachometer and odometer all work fine. Activate the heater switches and the fan blows heated/ventilated air. The A/C system needs service or a recharge in order to blow colder.

There’s no evidence of any water leakage on the headliner and the large power sunroof opens/closes at the push of a dash button. All four electric windows are functioning properly. NO evidence of cigarette odor or burns. The carpets are very clean and original. They’vealways beenprotected with fitted, color- matched floor mats (I removed the driver’s mat in my photos so you can see the excellent condition beneath; it’s that nice all around).You'll find thedrivers seat goes forward and back just fine, but is difficult to raise or lower; likely just the switch. Collector Mercedes were known for factory radio issues and the past owner had a nice Sony CD model installed some time ago (the remote’s included). Don’t know why, but it goes off when the driver’s door is closed! Also, the power antennae only travels half-way up but it doesn’t seem to interfere with reception. You'll find the factory first aidpouch tucked securely away in its package shelf bin. Same goes for the tire jack and original took kit stored in the spare tire hold-down bucket under the trunk floor.

We’re always very happy to work with any shipper you choose, but you’re also welcome to do what many of my past 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! I wouldn’t hesitate to drive long-distance in this car! As a respected Ebay seller with many, many satisfied online buyers, I want you to bid with confidence knowing that this Mercedes runs and drives out as it should AND that it is being properly represented to you! Please don’t be upset if I miss minor flaws or some small issue comes up on the car. NO used vehicle is ever perfect. Having said that, I won’t hesitate to drive this excellent car cross-country!
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 Mercedes and take it for a test drive as it is being sold as-is, where-is with a free & clear Washington State title. There are NO title brands for any nasty negatives like salvage history, theft or flood damage to cause you concern! 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. I also ask that potential bidders with a feedback rating of five or fewer transactions on Ebay contact me before placing their bid. Please feel free to contact me directly thru Ebay’s system or, as outlined above, call me at 206/914-1173 anytime. My name is MARK THOMPSON.

A Few Additional Terms and Conditions:

A nonrefundable $500 deposit is due within 48 hours of the auction’s end. The balance is due by cash or certified funds within seven business days unless prior arrangements have been made with me. 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 thecar shipped home, there are numerous vehicle transportcompanies to choose from. We ship vehicles regularly and I'd suggest that you get a transport bid from Dependable Auto Shippers (DAS). They're Ebay's preferred transporter and will give you a fair quote. Call them directly at (888) 817-6203. Give the rep. my affiliate number (2362642) and they can pull up all our information for door-to-door or even station-to-station prices. West Coast buyers, I’ve got a great local hauler that regularly moves vehicles for us to Oregon and California buyers at a reduced rate.

As an alternative, you might also get bids from the U-Ship.com 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. I will credit $700 off of the auction sales price. If actual shipping cost is less than $700 or the buyer arrives here in town to drive the vehicle home, the entire $700 amount will still apply.

TheMercedes can be stored free of charge at my location for up to two weeks after the auction ends assuming full payment has been received. After that period storage is $20 per day.