1979 Mercedes Benz 350SE

VIN: 116.028-12-053583

I saw this very unique Mercedes featured on Bring a Trailer (www.bringatrailer.com) in March of this year and, fter reading the comments and contacting the seller, pulled the trigger; bought it sight unseen, nd had it shipped from Florida to New Jersey. I have thoroughly enjoyed it for the Spring and Summer, aving driven it to Montreal and Annapolis without any issues at all.

Here’s the link to the original Bring a Trailer feature:

http://bringatrailer.com/2015/03/31/52k-in-receipts-two-owner-1979-mercedes-benz-350se/

I’ve been an avid follower of the site since 2007, nd have purchased a few of the cars they’ve featured. Having owned several W116’s, nd being a big fan of the M116 V-8 engine, lus the stacks of provenance, his car was a no-brainer. The previous owner provided the following description in his Craigslist ad this past March. It is very detailed, nd mostly accurate. Please read to the bottom for my edits and corrections:

“”Hi and thank you for checking out myauction. Up for sale is a 1979 Mercedes Benz 350se, hich was imported fromEurope. This is the w116 body, ut this model was never sold in the US. It issimilar to the 450sel, n fact they share 90%+ of their parts, o finding parts is rarely an issue. Some cool features that only came on the European models include:

• Sleek euro bumpers and fit nicely on the body, s opposed to themonstrousUSDM bumpers that came on w116 models sold in the US.
• Sleek euro headlights
• A more simple and far more reliable a/c system
• feweremissionsitems
• better gasmileageand more power
• it has the manual roll up/down windows, hich I prefer because the auto windows on US models areproneto issues (more parts + vacuum issues)
• etc

The European models are the w116 in their true form, he way the designersintended. This car has the highlyefficientand powerful m116 3.5 liter v8. From the factory this car was rated at 20 miles per gallon.

I am the second owner of this car, purchasedit a few years ago from a media mogul who shipped the car over to be used in a video shoot back in 1979. After the shoot he gave the car to his wife who has been the driver for the past 30+ years.Included in the sale is a box FULL ofreceipts dating back to 1979, ncluding $30,000+ in maintenancereceipts, ndfull documentation of the body restoration which cost $22,000 and was finished in 2002 (including pictures).I also have the original first aid kit, wner’s manual and maintenance manual. The car has had less than 30,000 miles since the restoration.

Here is some highlights on the more recent maintenance / common maintenance concerns for this model:

• Timing chain, ails, tc. was done approximately 20,000 miles ago. injectors were replaced at this time
• The sun roof works great and it was completely restored with new model, elt etc during the body restoration less than 30,000 miles ago.
• all of the power locks work
• Approximately 20,000 miles ago the a/c system was pretty much completely overhauled with new condenser, switches, ew blower, tc.
• 100% super smooth shifting transmission

Since I have had the car I have done:

• New Bosch alternator
• The entire exhaust system was redone just a few hundred miles ago. New header gaskets, rand new Genuine Mercedes down pipes, nd custom the rest of the way back.
• Rebuild fuel delivery system, including the pesky fuel tank strainer, ew fuel filter, ll new hoses.
• All new vacuum and air hoses
• New Bosch starter
• Very recently I put a brand new battery and brand new tires on it.

There are 3 issues known with the car:

There is one known rust spot on the car which in in rear right/passenger side trunk pan. This is non-structural. See the pictures I've included. I did not want to do a quick fix so it was left as is so it could be taken care of the right way.

The a/c controls are stuck on defrost. Note that most the a/c system was overhauled ~20,000 miles ago (details above) and I have thereceiptsto show it. However the manual control on the dash is stuck. I have purchased the entire a/c dash system out of a car that had working a/c and I also have a few other parts. I have not had the time to tinker with it but I am 99% sure I have all the parts that are needed to fix this. All of these parts are included.

The driver side seat is worn through the fabric on the bottom, ee the picture.

This is truly a one of a kind find here in the USA. I have had a blast owning this car and hope it goes to a good home where it will continue to be appreciated. Thank you again and please let know if you have any questions.””

In the interest of full disclosure, hat was never mentioned is that this car is equipped with Bosch four wheel ABS! This was a great surprise and super rare for a ’79. What is inaccurate in the above description is:

This is not a 2 owner vehicle with receipts dating back to 1979

This is a 2 owner vehicle since 1989 with receipts dating to 1989, nd there are over $52,000 in receipts dating to that time with 73,626 miles. And, he omission of any mention of the cracking / bubbling paint on the right quarter panel was disappointing when I saw it coming off the enclosed trailer (see pic).

But, he most obvious omission from the description more than makes up for that: this car runs GREAT! It accelerates, racks, hifts, rakes like it should…”wie ein Mercedes”…and the truly unique and raspy exhaust note of the 3.5L is music (in spite of the “custom” exhaust). It will cruise effortlessly at 80 in 90 degree temps all day in Grand Touring fashion. And its really fun on the twisty roads too. Plus, hat 17 inch steering wheel and huge sunroof! My thoughts were to give it a rally treatment with steelies, owered stance, tiffer suspension, nd big fog lights….but an interesting winter project has turned my head (again)…

Here’s what I’ve done to improve the car:

· High speed balance and alignment

· Fixed various rattles and squeaks

· Tune-up, hanged all fluids

· Free’ d up the vent controls

· Thorough cleaning and polishing

· Driven it!

Here’s what it could use:

· Plastic lower front valiance is broken and needs to be replaced

· Gear shift bushings are a bit sloppy

· Front windshield seal, hile not leaking, s very dry and could use replacement

Missing “dead pedal”

· Drive it!

The car really runs and drives like it hasbenefitedfrom the “open checkbook” maintenance records. The pictures show the 13 year old and 30,000+ miles ago body restoration has held up incredibly well. The chrome is excellent and the aluminum trim is very good. Drive it and enjoy it. Mileage may increase slightly. I drive it in good weather. It’s a very good car.

Clean and clear NJ title in my name.

(201) 463-0119 Thanks, urt