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2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Jurassic Park Replica

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Last month I did a quick history lesson on the W163 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class and how it came to be made in America. One of the most interesting pieces of the ML story also involved another aspect Americans love: wildly fictional movies. If you are looking at this car, you probably know what I’m talking about. Somehow, Mercedes got in contact with Universal Pictures during the filming of The Lost World: Jurassic Park about using the then pre-production ML in the film. Somewhat ironically, while Ford Explorers had replaced Toyota Land Cruisers used in the Jurassic Park novel, in Lost World it would be the Explorer now being replaced. Somehow, a deal came together and suddenly you were watching a couple of ML320s with a bunch of added on armor roam around a fictional world full of dinosaurs. One of the stars of the film, Jeff Goldblum, was given a free ML320 as part of the deal and the craziest part is that he actually used the ML as his daily driver for over 15 years. He must not be into cars that much.

Unlike other vehicles from the Jurassic Park franchise, the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Explorer, you would never see someone hack up a ML320 to replicate the version from the movie. Probably that’s because it wasn’t very smart to totally destroy a luxury SUV just to pay tribute to a film that was considered a letdown compared to the original. Fortunately, prices of first-generation MLs have hit play money type levels and someone in California took the plunge into full movie mode. Now it is up for sale and ready to be passed on to the next person who constantly wants to be stopped to answer questions about it in the grocery store parking lot.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Jurassic Park Replica on eBay

Year: 2002
Model: ML320 Jurassic Park Replica
VIN: 4JGAB54EX2A290161
Engine: 3.2 liter V6
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 213,000 mi
Price: Reserve Auction

2002 ML320 Sport
213,000 miles
V6 engine
Automatic transmission
Clean California title with a clean vehicle history report.

Engine & driveline:
Only used factory recommended Mobil oil (synthetic)
Transfer case and rear differential fluid changed 1,200 miles ago.
No rebuilds. Runs great, and proudly does long distance drives.

Has been to Long Beach Comicon, Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom event at Universal Studios Hollywood, multiple Wal-Mart toy release and dvd release events, as well as Bob’s Big Boy car shows in Burbank.
Can also be seen in several episodes of Restoration Of The Jurassic RV on YouTube. All of the M-Class vehicles, used on screen, were pre-production prototypes. Meaning they will never be driven on public roads. Only two road legal replicas have ever been made. A truck version, currently in Germany, and this one here in Southern California.

Interior:
Grey perforated leather seats are in excellent condition, minus a tear in the driver butt portion.
All electronics work.
Wood trim is 9/10 & has rare wood grain factory option steering wheel.
Carpet is 8/10. Driver section should be shampooed by a detail shop
Door cards are in great shape.
All windows function, including rear electric quarter windows.
Mercedes-Benz factory Bose surround system works excellent, including factory subwoofer and navigation (original MBZ nav cd included, works great)
Excellent working heater and AC.

Exterior:
Jurassic armor trim was all freshly made for the build (in 2017) out of cold rolled steel, that was mig welded, bead rolled, and hydraulic dimple dyed.
Camouflage is painted on, not vinyl wrap.
BF Goodrich Mud Terrain KM-2 tires have 7/10 tread left
Warn XD9000i winch works excellent.

Cons:
-Right rear door lock and hatchback lock mechanisms not working. They only work manually.
-Check engine light is on, due to Evap code for a loose gas filler neck, which causes the fuel tank to not fully pressurize.
-Occasional small fluid leak from power steering pump.
-Front and rear plastic Mercedes bumpers have some paint chipping, as well as cracks
-Driver’s seat butt needs reupholstery

This is a solid driving vehicle with a 100% clean title. It has only been registered in California and has a good vehicle history report. This is a once in a lifetime chance to have a road legal version of the vehicles used in the famous sequel, The Lost World – Jurassic Park

Major props to the seller, who was also the builder, for making this car. Unlike the Jeep, it isn’t just adding some color and BFG tires. All those bumpers and brush guards were a custom job that needed to be MIG welded, bead rolled and hydraulic dimple died. I can totally understand why they didn’t go for the brush guard over all the windows like the real movie examples because not only is it incredibly impractical, but the cost of the steel and also the added weight would be troublesome. I think this is a real sweet spot of doing enough to say that it is the Jurassic Park SUV, but not so far that it kills all utility over ever using the car on the street.

As for the price, I have no idea. At the end of the day it is just a 2002 ML320 with 213,000 miles, but all the value is that is a Jurassic Park ML. Are there a bunch of Jurassic Park super fans out there dying to own this? I have no idea. Generally movie cars do pretty well as long as they are instantly recognizable, which this car borders on. You have to consider that the movie is now 22 years-old and isn’t instant a classic like the first film. Also the Jeep and Explorer a lot more self explanatory than this one as I’m sure a lot of people think this thing is being driven by an upper-middle class doomsday prepper. Either way, I’m stoked to see it and I can’t wait to see what it sells for.

– Andrew

The post 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Jurassic Park Replica appeared first on German Cars For Sale Blog.


2010 Mercedes-Benz S550

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As fun and quirky as my two daily drivers, a 1980 Mercedes-Benz 300SD and 1983 Mercedes-Benz 240D, are to have, they are borderline miserable to drive in the northeast during the winter months. Since I don’t own a four car garage, they sit in the driveway 99% of the time while my W210 E55 AMG sits under a cover in my garage with empty boxes piled on top of it. As a result, it is always a surprise to see if the locks or door handles are frozen when I walk outside in the morning. From there, the 240D is pretty good about starting in any temperature but the 300SD isn’t having it unless the coolant heater has been plugged in for a while despite me just replacing the glow plugs a few months ago. Once I do get one of them fired up, really hot heat is a pipe dream in the 240D while it’s a crap shoot in the W116 because of the god forsaken Chrysler servo system. Compare all this to a normal car that you simply press a button on a key fob, put it in gear and drive away in total comfort. This all has me dreaming about a more modern daily driver and when you comes to dreams, you know what they say, dream big.

This 2010 S550 4Matic up for sale in Brooklyn might be one of the nicest W221s outside of any S600 or AMG variety. Painted in Designo Magno Platinum Matte Finish on the outside, the inside is even better with Designo Sand Leather seats with Oak Grain Designo Natural Matte wood sprinkled about. Add in some other neat options like the rear seat entertainment package and you have a really loaded up S-Class. But even with the depreciation at around 25% of its original cost, is it worth it?

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2010 Mercedes-Benz S550 on eBay

Year: 2010
Model: S550 4Matic
VIN: WDDNG8GB5AA348952
Engine: 5.4 liter V8
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
Mileage: 58,100 mi
Price: $31,900 Buy It Now

“WOW ! LOOK AT THIS SUPER RARE SPECIAL ORDERED S-CLASS BENZ !!!GORGEOUS 2010 MERCEDES S550 4MATIK SPORT WITH 58100 ORIGINAL MILES. AMAZING, NEVER FIND ON THESE BODY DESIGNO MAGNO PLATIN MATTE COLOR (FACTORY !!!) OVER DESIGNO BROWN PREMIUM NAPPA LEATHER INTERIOR, THIS ELEGANT UNIQUE BENZ HAS EVERY POSSIBLE IN 2010 OPTION, OVER $125K STICKER : DESIGNO PKG, SPORT AMG PKG, PREMIUM 3 PKG, REAR SEAT DVD ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM, REAR SEAT PKG, PANORAMIC ROOF, KEYLESS GO, NIGHT VISION, DISTRONIC PKG, BACKUP CAMERA, PARK DISTANCE CONTROL, HEATED STEERING WHEEL, BLUETOOTH, XENON LIGHTS. THIS BEAUTIFUL BEAST IS IN UNBELIEVABLE IMMACULATE CONDITION, DRIVES ABSOLUTELY BRAND NEW, HAS NO ANY ISSUES. CLEAN CARFAX REPORT, PERFECT HIGH SCORE AUTOCHECK. WE FINANCE. ANY CREDIT. WE DO TRADES. WARRANTY. WE SHIP ALL OVER 50 STATES AND WORLDWIDE PORTS. (917)495-7772 VICK”

Kind of hard to believe that the W221 is now 12 years-old and honestly it still looks fresh enough to pass as a newer model — until you look at a W222, of course. Outside of the semi-autonomous stuff, these later W221s can still hold their own when it comes to tech. Unlike most of the other cars in the Mercedes lineup from this time, these don’t look all that dated at all. I suppose that should be expected when you spend over $125,000 on a car, but imagine being a person who signed up for a new W220 back in the early 2000s only to find out it was a major disappointment in almost every way. Thankfully, the W221 has held up pretty well so far, outside of the defective M273 in the 2007 cars, and only suffer from a few things that could end up eating you. As for this car itself, I think the photos do most of the talking. I can’t find any faults with it from what I can see but maybe I am just swept up by its uniqueness and my want for a massage while gripping my fingers on all that wood on the steering wheel.

This car is priced at a little under $32,000 and I have to admit, is high for a 2011 S550. Most cars from this year and similar mileage are listed in the mid-20s, but you can probably guess they aren’t optioned like this one. The real question is where is the floor on this car? We’ve seen the W221 hit around the mid-teens, so is it worth risking another $15,000 in depreciation in another few years? I think it is possible. No one really values modern-era S-Classes unless it is something really special, not just a nice interior and fancy paint. So as much as I want something like this, maybe in a couple of years. I might be able to save myself $10,000.

– Andrew

The post 2010 Mercedes-Benz S550 appeared first on German Cars For Sale Blog.

Austrian Special Forces 1984 Mercedes-Benz 280GE

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Just when I thought I’ve seen everything. Mercedes-Benz G-Wagens have had a long history of use by police and military units, but this one might take the cake as one of the most unusual special builds I’ve seen on one of these. This is a 1984 280GE that was outfitted for the police tactical unit EKO Cobra of the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior. Built by the Austrian company Achleitner, this G is not only fully armored and bulletproof, it also has a full 360-degree gunner seat, a roof turret and port holes out of all the pieces of two-inch thick glass. All of this while looking like a somewhat civilian G-Wagen. Whatever EKO Cobra did or planned to do with this thing, they weren’t playing around. Now somehow and someway, this literal tank of a W460 made its way to Massachusetts and is up for sale to the general public. The thing is, this 280GE has to be close useless in most situations and at this asking price, will have even the biggest G fans scratching their heads.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1984 Mercedes-Benz 280GE on Craigslist

Year: 1984
Model: 280GE
VIN: 46023217901281
Engine: 2.8 liter inline-6
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Mileage: 61,739 km (38,362 mi)
Price: $50,000

Here on consignment: no expressed warranties or guarentees. Runs and drives well. This is the real deal…completely armored and bulletproof. This is not only a bulletproof SUV, it is a bulletproof G-Wagen. This vehicle is super clean, much recent service, low documented mileage, and has always been in climate controlled storage. Rare oppertunity to one a one of a kind piece of history. I do not have financing options for this vehicle so secure your own funds… interesting trade or partial trade considered.

38k Miles, odometer reads in kilometers so its 61k km
280 6cyl
5 speed manual transmission
Walk on hood thick guage steel
Bullet proof glass and body
Kevlar floor protection
Explosion proof mesh in fuel tank
Bullet proof and deflecting grille
Thick guage bumpers front and rear
Bead lock wheels with ABS run flat inserts
A/C
360 degree rotating Recaro gunner seat
Gunner seat has Schroth 4-point harness
Seats 7 with seatbelts in 3 seats
Roof Turret
Offensive gun ports in side glass on 4 windows
New tires
Recent tune up
New battery
New fuel pump
New crank sensor
Runs and drives well
Hella fog lamps
Clean MA title
much more

All Scheduled Maintenance.
Always garaged.
Custom wheels.
Looks & runs great.
Low mileage.
Must see.
New tires.
No accidents.
Non-smoker.
Runs & drives great.
Very clean interior.
Well maintained.
https://www.mastroautosales.com/inventory/view/11652409/

Need to say, this is one of the wildest cars, let alone G-Wagens, I’ve ever come across. When I first saw it, I thought it was built to be some kind of cartel vehicle because of its civilian looking exterior and rough-looking interior that isn’t aging well. Most of the windows are starting to delaminate and crack, as well as leak water. I still can’t believe this thing actually has a gunner seat inside of it and of course it is plaid and matches the front seats. The roof portal hole isn’t that uncommon with military Gs, but to see one on a short wheel base civilian G is really odd. Outside, this W460 is actually quite clean and doesn’t look to have any cosmetic issues at all. If you look at a lot of Gs, you do notice that this thing does look odd compared to all the other Gs with its large grille and bumper. The shape of the hood is also much different and I assume that is much thicker steel was needed to make it protective on some level. Of course, all of these means a ton of added weight that the already underpowered M110 has to haul around. These engines were only good for about 155 horsepower when new, so I can’t even imagine how slow this thing is now with all the extra weight on this truck.

The asking price right now is $50,000 which seems a little high. From the research I’ve done, this 280GE was imported a few years ago and then was up for sale not too long ago for $29,000. So some black spray paint on the wheels and all of a sudden the price goes up $21,000. In all honesty, it’s impossible to price something like this unless you take it to auction. You can try to compare to other 280GEs, but some will argue it is worth more because of the rarity or some will say it is worth much less, like myself, because it is borderline painful to drive. It has almost zero use to anyone that isn’t a cartel member and the only reactions you’ll get from it is at a cars and coffee when you open the rear hatch. Even if you try to take it offroad, any kind of soft ground will probably have this thing sinking because of how heavy it is. So at the end of the day, yes, I think this is awesome because of what it is, but actually owning it? No thank you.

– Andrew

The post Austrian Special Forces 1984 Mercedes-Benz 280GE appeared first on German Cars For Sale Blog.

1999 Mercedes-Benz A160

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The 2019 model year marks the first year that the United States market will receive the new entry-level Mercedes-Benz W177 A-Class. It was a long time coming because there is nothing more American consumers want than luxury products on a low monthly payment. I checked out a new A220 last week at the auto show and I have to admit it was better than the C117 CLA-Class that was introduced to the American market in 2014. That CLA is a sad exercise of how cheap you can make a car and holds the record for the largest ratio of bezel to screen on a dash screen. Thankfully, a new CLA is in the works and should be miles better than the original. Nevertheless, those old cars will hang around on the buy-here, pay-lots until the end of time much like the original cheap Mercedes that started it all, the W168 A-Class.

Launched in 1997, it was Mercedes first dive into the subcompact market that was most infamously noted for failing the Swedish traditional “elk test” and looking like a giant wedge of cheese. The design wasn’t by random chance, Mercedes engineers designed the car this way so encase of a crash, the engine and transmission would slide underneath the floor below the pedals rather straight into the occupants in the front seats. The front wheel drive layout allowed this as well as there was no need to deal with a driveshaft preventing anything from sliding. Still, this car needed to compete in the subcompact market so it couldn’t be twice the price of competitors. That meant making the interior resemble a children’s play-place and passing it off as funky and modern. Those late ’90s were a crazy time after all. These sold reasonably well with 1.1 million units leaving dealer lots between 1997 and 2004 thanks to their small stature ideal for the city streets and tight parking of traditional European cities. Now, over 20 years later, a well-used A-Class can be had for the price of a modest vacation to Ocean City, Maryland and even the nicest examples, like this example for sale up for sale outside of London, don’t command a high asking price. Thing is, are they even worth it?

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1999 Mercedes-Benz A160 on eBay

Year: 1999
Model: A160
VIN: N/A
Engine: 1.6 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 6,900 mi
Price: £3,495 ($4,507 Today)

Immaculate Condition, Only 6,900 Miles From New

I think the rule for this car when it was built is that anything that wasn’t the carpet or seats in the interior had to be made from plastic. It is impressive how far they went with that notion and even better is how the dash is curvy in the middle. Of course, you can see there is a giant foot-long crack in the dash even though this A-Class only has 6,900 miles. Thankfully, the rest of the interior seems to have survived but you can probably take a guess at what one looks like with 116,900 miles. On the outside, everything looks as it should and this lucky model is actually equipped with real Mercedes alloys and not steelies that most of them were sold with. Under the very slanted hood is 1.6 liter inline-4 that makes 101 horsepower and 111 lb⋅ft of torque. Top speed? 113 mph. I am willing to bet that going 85 mph is terrifying enough let alone getting up over 100.

So what are these things worth? This example with almost no miles on it is asking only $4,500. Very well used examples are about half of that. That is teetering on the ”runs and drives” as the basic qualification of a car and that is about it. I think if these made it to America I might think about it, but in Europe where there is a seemingly endless amount of small hatchback options, the money is probably spent somewhere else. This is one of the few Mercedes that really doesn’t have a lot of parts sharing with other models, so A-Class parts are expensive relative to the overall worth of the car. That alone makes this one a tough buy. Combine that with its very ”un-Mercedes-like” look and fell, and I’m going with a hard pass on these little things.

– Andrew

The post 1999 Mercedes-Benz A160 appeared first on German Cars For Sale Blog.

2004 Mercedes-Benz G500 with 298,000 miles

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My never-ending quest to replace my aging Land Rover Discovery has yet to reach a conclusion because of a few reasons. First, I haven’t really needed to utilize my Land Rover all that much because it is strictly used for severe snow travel or when I need to haul something that won’t fit inside a Mercedes-Benz W123 or W116. The winter hasn’t been that bad at all and outside of hauling some leaves away in the fall, I haven’t needed to transport anything large. Second, I haven’t found something I’ve fallen in love with yet. Buying a vehicle for tens of thousands of dollars is a big deal for me because when I buy a car, I don’t mosey on down the local dealership and sign on the dotted line for 78 months at 11% interest then act like I just didn’t commit financial suicide. I’m surely not getting a 0% loan on a 10 year-old used SUV, so paying in full at the time of purchase soothes my soul.

Unfortunately, this past week when I went to replace the dead battery (imagine that) in the Land Rover, I noticed something odd dripping from the rear. I held my hand under the dripping fluid hoping it was water leaking from the rusty exhaust, but no, it was gasoline. As I crawled down on the cold ground to get a better look, I see that the leak was spewing from something on the top of the tank, probably from the return line. Thinking I could get a view of this leak from above where you can access the fuel pump, I peeled back the carpet and sound deadening to find that all six screws that hold the access door are rusted into something that once resembled a phillips head. Next course of action is trying to bust the heads off the screws with some force or cut them off with a wheel a few inches away from a pool of gasoline. This has been another episode of This American Land Rover Ownership Life.

Naturally, this has led me back on the hunt for a replacement and over to choice number 1, the G-Wagen. I’m pretty set on a W463, but unless you live in Los Angeles where the person who walks your dog drives one, finding one locally isn’t exactly an easy task. During my nationwide search, I came across this 2004 up for sale in Indianapolis with a monstrous 298,000 miles. I’ve looked at Gs before with a ton of miles on them before, in Los Angeles no less, so seeing one near 300,000 isn’t a total shock to me. The M113 V8 with the 722.6 transmission are tough as nails, so hitting 300,000 isn’t a sweat. What is a shock to me is the condition of this G and of course, the price that is being asked for it.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2004 Mercedes-Benz G500 on eBay

Year: 2004
Model: G500
VIN: WDCYR49EX4X155564
Engine: 5.0 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 298,443 mi
Price: $19,898 Buy It Now

Navigation, Running Boards, Entertainment, Backup Camera, G 500 4MATIC®, 4D Sport Utility, 5.0L V8 SMPI SOHC, 5-Speed Automatic with Overdrive, 4MATIC®. Priced below KBB Fair Purchase Price!

2004 Brilliant Silver Metallic Mercedes-Benz 4D Sport Utility G-Class G 500 4MATIC® 4MATIC® 5-Speed Automatic with Overdrive 5.0L V8 SMPI SOHC

To say this G is rough would be an understatement. It doesn’t look so bad from about 10 feet away, but once you get up close, it really hits you. The giant sin here is the alarming amount of rust that is forming around the windshield. Gs are notorious for rusting here because grime gets trapped under the thick windshield rubber seal and once you see the rust forming, it is already too late. You would need to remove the windshield, cut out the rust, weld in and perfectly shape the new metal, then reinstall the hope the shape of the new metal is exactly the same size or the windshield isn’t going to fit. It only keeps going from there with peeling paint, mold growing in the side marker lights, the rear door is rusting away, the taillight guards are busted up, the lower front bumper is peppered with rust and I’m sure a whole bunch of other things you can’t see in the photos. Inside, it actually doesn’t look all that bad outside of the aftermarket screen in the headrests that look like they are as old as this G itself. Under the hood, the mighty M113 doesn’t look that bad outside of the front engine cover that has gone missing. All in all, a certainly beaten and bruised G500.

This dealer is asking $20,000 for this example which seems nuts to me. You can find early 2002-2004 G500s with half these miles for around $25,000 if you look hard enough. Those examples certainly aren’t growing a science experiment in their marker lights either. This is just another clueless ”high-line” dealer trying to pull a fast one hoping no one will see the massive issues on this. I don’t even want to know what the underside of this G looks like either if the exterior is this bad. You don’t have to be clairvoyant to suggest it is more of the same.

– Andrew

The post 2004 Mercedes-Benz G500 with 298,000 miles appeared first on German Cars For Sale Blog.

2019 Mercedes-AMG GT63

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I have to give Mercedes-Benz credit, they sure how figured out how to milk a chassis. In 2015, they released the AMG GT Coupe, which was soon followed by the GT S, GT C, GT R and now this, the GT 4-Door Coupe. Unlike all those other models, the GT 4-Door Coupe really isn’t a AMG GT despite Mercedes touting that it is. This car rides on its own chassis, called the X290, and is a mash-up of the GT, E-Class, CLS-Class, S-Class and the S-Class Coupe. Seriously, the parts sharing is crazy on this thing. I can’t even keep track of what is borrowed from other cars and what is new for this model. To go even further, there will be five different models of the GT 4-Door with the GT43, GT53, GT63, GT63S, and upcoming GT73. Are we lost yet?

The first model, the GT63, hit dealer lots last week and the YouTubers are already cooking up their click-bait video titles getting people to think they bought one of these beasts. When I say ”beast”, I actually mean it. Despite it looking like a slightly smaller CLS, the 4-door does 0-60 in 3.3 seconds and has a top speed of 193 mph. The GT63S? 0-60 in 3.1 seconds. That’s as fast as a new Porsche 911 GT3. Goodness knows what kind of the numbers the GT73 will put down. The thing is, all this speed and technology is pricey. Very, very pricey.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT63 on eBay

Year: 2019
VIN: WDD7X8JB4KA001891
Model: GT63
Engine: 4.0 liter twin-turbocharged V8
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Mileage: 15 mi
Price: $153,080 Buy It Now

Just arrived and ready for delivery!

The Mercedes-AMG GT series brought profound excitement to the everyday road. Now the engineers in Affalterbach have expanded the thrills with a four-door variant.

Taking a peek inside the car, you can see how it is a bunch of stuff you recognize from across the model range with the center console being unique to this car with its eight buttons spread wide and the gear selector positioned pretty far back. There is nothing is this interior too radical about it and certainly doesn’t scream ”this car can make you nauseous.” Outside, this car is actually styled quite conservatively as well in terms of how a lot of cars look in 2019. It could easily pass just as another Mercedes sedan and not a borderline supercar. Under the hood, the twin-turbo M178 is straight out of the GT R that makes 577 horsepower and 590 lb⋅ft of torque. Get ready to see this engine is about everything for the next few years.

So how much for all this? Well, the base price for the GT63 is $136,500 but with a handful of options, this one checks in at $153,080. Hardly a bargain, but this is the reality of new blisteringly fast cars unless it has the badge ”Corvette” on the rear of it. This is a true ”do it all” kind of car with 4Matic all-wheel drive, four seats, amazing tech and enough power to run with the Italians that cost twice as much. I don’t think we’ll be seeing a ton of these out roaming the streets, but when you do, at least you’ll know what it is capable of.

– Andrew

The post 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT63 appeared first on German Cars For Sale Blog.

1993 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.6 Sportline

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Following up on the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300CE Sportline from a few weeks ago, I thought I might look at another chassis that the Sportline option was available on, the W201 190E. For the model years 1992 and 1993, the 190E Sportline featured the M103 2.6 liter, suspension lowered by 21 mm, stiffer springs and shocks, 7 x 15-inch alloy wheels with wider tires (205/55 R15) and the seats from the much more expensive 2.3 16-valve model. Like the W124 Sportlines, a nice little package if you didn’t want to commit to the top of the line models. Even better, the 190E Sportline was offered in a 5-speed manual if you didn’t want the 4-speed automatic. This 1993 up for sale in Texas unfortunately isn’t the manual, but is one of the nicer examples I’ve seen in a while. Problem is, it is mighty expensive.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1993 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.6 Sportline on Hemmings

Year: 1993
Model: 190E 2.6 Sportline
VIN: WDBEA52E7PB926126
Engine: 2.6 liter inline-6
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Mileage: 92,470 mi
Price: $12,000

I have for sale a mint condition, extremely rare, 1993 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.6 Sportline. This example is highly spec’d with a Signal Red exterior on a Parchment Leather interior and the optional Sportline package ($3,000.00). The car is in mint condition w/ all service records, books and supporting documents. Every electronic accessory is in working condition and the motor and transmission run strong. The vehicle was owned by a older couple from new and was an anniversary gift from the husband to his wife. The car has always been fully serviced and the only modification is a trickle charger.

If you have any questions or would like more photos please reach out. I have over 250 photos of the vehicle available.

Price: $12,000 obo

Inside and out, I’m not seeing anything to dislike with this one. Outside of the small scuffs on the front lip, this car is really clean for 92,000 miles. Inside it is even better with those 16v seats with their high bolsters both front and back. The wood is outstanding and even the original radio is there which is a nice surprise. Under the hood, the M103 is really tidy and the exhaust manifold isn’t even rusty yet.

As nice and as clean as this one is, I think $12,000 is kind of steep. Even more so considering it is the automatic. $12,000 buys you a lot of Mercedes that aren’t regular 190Es, Sportline or not, so I personally would have a tough time writing the check for this one. Other automatics in auction searches that are just as clean as this one is with even fewer miles haven’t even touched $10,000, let alone $12,000. Heck, you can even find a well used 2.3-16v for close to that money if you look hard enough. My guess is the seller really loves this car and probably hates to see it go, so it is just another really nice car which is sadly overpriced.

– Andrew

The post 1993 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.6 Sportline appeared first on German Cars For Sale Blog.

2000 Mercedes-Benz SL320 Mille Miglia

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Back in the 1990s, Mercedes-Benz really started hitting their stride with producing a bunch of special editions that were all made up whenever they felt they need. Most of the time they just threw whatever they had in the parts bin on the cars when it came to paint colors, wheels, interior trim and then would finish it off by calling up their graphic designers to whip up a unique logo to stick around the car. Today’s car, a 2000 SL320 Mille Miglia, is exactly that.

Back in 1995, Mercedes actually launched a Millie Miglia edition to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Stirling Moss’s and Dennis Jenkinson’s win of the 1955 Mille Miglia road race. A nice gesture for sure, but I’m sure this decision was highly influenced, if not totally, by getting ready to launch a major facelift in 1996 for the R129 and they wanted to move all the old stock out. Offered on the SL280, SL320, and SL500, it was nothing more than some red inserts on the leather seats, carbon fiber trim with some red weave in it and some leftover EVO 2 wheels from, you guessed it, the parts bin. Then in 2000, Mercedes made another Mille Miglia edition, but just made 12 cars. Why 12 cars? Well, that is how many they needed to usher around VIPs at the Rally 1000 Miglia in Italy. In 2001, the final year of the R129, they again made 13 cars all based off the SL600. So what is unique about these cars? Well, it is basically a Silver Arrow with some badges on the outside and a little sticker on the ashtray door. That’s it. Lean manufacturing must be big at Mercedes.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2000 Mercedes-Benz SL320 Mille Miglia at Mercedes-Benz Classic

Year: 2000
Model: SL320 Mille Miglia
VIN: N/A
Engine: 3.2 liter V6
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 55,700 km (34,610 mi)
Price: €66,890 ($76,043 Today)

ALL TIME STARS offers this very rare R 129 320 „Mille Miglia“ Edition from 2000. This special model, of which only 12 units were built, was used as a support vehicle for the legendary road race in Italy. This collector’s vehicle impresses with its classic colour combination of brilliant silver metallic with black nappa leather interior.

Visit us at Mercedes-Benz Museum Stuttgart and let yourself be convinced by this vehicle.

Before delivery this Mercedes-Benz classic car receives a comprehensive Service, a new Safety Inspection and a Mercedes-Benz Classic Car guarantee.

No liability for printing and writing errors.
Subject to error and prior sale.

North American was never blessed with any of the Mille Miglia editions from any year, but we didn’t exactly miss much with these. The M112 V6 in a 2000 R129 is a cool touch as the SL320 with the M104 inline-6 was axed after 1997 year in the US so seeing an R129 with the V6 is a little bit of a treat. As you can see, the wheels, gauge cluster, seats and shifter surround are all borrowed from the Silver Arrow cars (or maybe the other way around) that would debut in 2001 to send off the R129 chassis. They then stuck a few little badges here and there, then called it a special edition.

How much for this 1 or 12 example with 34,000 miles? €66,890, which is a little over $76,000. Yes, $76,000 for a 2000 SL320 with some different cosmetic parts and some red badges. Why is it this price? Well, this car is for sale in Germany by the mothership, the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center. They sell cars from time to time and price them outrageously in hopes someone will bite. The Classic Center in California is guilty of this as well. Why do they do this? Because they answer to no one. They make the cars, they make the parts, they set the prices. Don’t like it? Go buy a Fiat. They won’t shed a tear.

– Andrew

The post 2000 Mercedes-Benz SL320 Mille Miglia appeared first on German Cars For Sale Blog.


1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16v

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There isn’t a whole lot more to be said about the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16v. We’ve featured them here from time to time and the general consensus is that is a real winner in terms of actual driving experience vs. the price you pay. The prices have sure shot up over the past decade on them, but there aren’t a lot of cars from this era that are worth a damn that didn’t. I think every one realized that the these cars are from an era that is never coming back and thus, making them collectible. I’m sure everyone regrets not buying one of these went they were $7,500 thinking they’d stay around this price for a while and they’d get one when they made a little more money or when the kids were grown, but at least it isn’t like the Porsche 964 where an average car with over 100,000 miles is now $50,000.

Today’s car, a 1986 up for sale in California, is an interesting example. Is isn’t a garage queen, having just over 100,000 miles, but looking at the condition, you’d swear it had around half that. Naturally, you’d expect a giant price tag trying to catch lightning in a bottle from someone who falls in love with it on a whim, but believe it or not, it really isn’t all that bad compared to the current market for them.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16v on eBay

Year: 1986
Model: 190E 2.3-16v
VIN: WDBDA34D0GF174699
Engine: 2.3 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 104,000 mi
Price: $25,000 Buy It Now

1986 Mercedes 190E 2.3 16v – ID# WDBDA34D0GF174699 – 199 Pearl Black/Black leather – 5 speed.

Sold new from Nolan Burgess Euro Motorcars in Bethesda, MD on 2-25-86.

Selling dealer serviced through 67k miles.

Acquired by noted Arizona Mercedes collector Neil DeAtley circa 1994.

Sold to Bellevue, WA in 2008 – Sold to last owner in Marin, CA circa September 2008.

Full history – 104k miles – Never apart – Tools – Lowered.

Excellent handbook package including data plate, spare tire placard.

Service binder with extensive records.

Incorrect tow hook cover (we are looking for a correct replacement).

Just serviced including: ‘C’ service – New tires – Brakes – Rear suspension accumulators.

Tie rods/center link – Alignment – Sway bar links – CA smog legal.

New rear suspension links – New AC compressor – AC service – Fuel filter.

New correct rear exhaust – New rotors/pads front and rear – And more…

Exceptional interior – Excellent original leather – Excellent headliner/package panel.

Excellent carpets – Excellent door panels – Zero dash cracks – Safety kit.

Call Roy Spencer 650-343-7980 for additional details.

Global shipping gladly arranged.

Global references available – Pre-purchase inspections available locally.

MercedesHeritage.com:

Providing exceptional cars to the global Mercedes-Benz community for 29 years.

This 16v 190E 2.3 can be inspected at my facility in Burlingame, CA – 5 minutes south of SFO.

This looks like a really fine example if I’ve ever seen. Is it perfect? No. But when you dealing with these cars and the way their values are heading, sometimes you don’t want a perfect car. This one is right in the wheelhouse of being nice enough to spend money on it without too much thought, but not so nice where you’ll be killing the value of it by taking it out for a drive once a week. Everything looks great, inside and out, and those Euro-spec headlights really finish the car off nicely.

All things considered, $25,000 is a good price for this example. Lots of these have sold in this same ballpark recently and probably didn’t look as good as this car. I think the market has finally settled on these, unlike the E30 M3 where people are asking six-figures for them, so I think these are a safe bet now and into the future. I just wish I had an extra $25,000 to snag this one up.

– Andrew

The post 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16v appeared first on German Cars For Sale Blog.

1991 Mercedes-Benz 500SL

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Continuing on my quest to bring you odd color combinations, I present a 1991 Mercedes-Benz 500SL painted in Impala Brown Metallic with a dark brown top. I’m trying to imagine someone who would walk onto a Mercedes dealer lot in 1991, find the row of R129s, look at all the colors that were offered and say, ”Yes. The brown one. Here is $90,000”. I understand not trying not to stick out or not wanting something flashy, but you shouldn’t be buying a very expensive convertible in the first place if you wanted to blend in with the earth. Yet, someone out there wanted a SL in this color and now they still remain in the garages of retirees to take out for a drive on a nice day. This example up for sale outside of Philadelphia seems to be exactly that. Owned by the same person for the past 18 years but now ready for a new home. Thing is, you aren’t getting a deal on the drab color. At least not this one.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1991 Mercedes-Benz 500SL on eBay

Year: 1991
Model: 500SL
VIN: WDBFA66E9MF016809
Engine: 5.0 liter V8
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Mileage: 105,000 mi
Price: $12,495 Buy It Now

This gorgeous 1991 Mercedes-Benz 500SL is Based on the Mercedes-Benz W124 platform, the R129 was designed in 1990 and featured advances in automobile technology including ADS (Adaptive Damping System) and an automatic extending roll-over bar.

I am the second owner and have owned ths car for the last 18 years. It has always been garaged. It includes a car cover, a hard top, and a top stand. Original MSRP was over $100,000 and it drives like it. This car can not be compared with the newer SL’s as this was the last of the true Mercedes Benz luxury roadsters.

Additional standard features included Power Windows, Seats, Mirrors and a hydraulic automatic top. This immaculate car has all of these incredible driver comforts and more! Wearing its original Light Brown Metallic paint, this Mercedes-Benz has been well-cared for since new and it shows! Open this two-door roadster to reveal a beautiful fawn leather interior equipped with an array of amenities including Air Conditioning, Lumbar Support, Air Bags, Tilt/Telescopic Wheel, Heated Seats and AM/FM Stereo! Powering this roadster is a 5.0 L overhead cam V8 engine rated at 322 horsepower with a four-speed automatic transmission. This great car will get you where you need to be swiftly in style! These cars are desired by collectors throughout the globe for their style and performance and now you have the opportunity of placing this like-new Mercedes-Benz in your garage! Go ahead and make this car yours today?! To get additional details on this gorgeous 1991 Mercedes-Benz 500 SL, contact me, Frank, at [Email Seller] . For more information, please call 610 357 1603

It’s not like this color is offensive or off-putting, but it is just as boring as it gets in my opinion. It isn’t just this specific car either. Outside of some love marks on the lower front lip and a crack in the dash, this car looks pretty clean. I’m sure it feels good and drives perfectly fine, but if you can look at this car and incite some kind of emotion, God bless you. That begs me to ask, who pays this kind of money for this car?

I don’t understand where the $12,500 price tag came from. There are a boatload of R129s on the market in every shape and size thanks to their marathon production run and $10,000 puts you in a nice V8 example from any year. These early cars do have a little bit of that old Mercedes charm to them, but the old saying of ”buy the nicest one you can afford” applies with these. The market is so diversified and buying a car is easier than ever, so picking this exact color combination and laying down over $10,000 seems crazy. The miles aren’t even that low with having over 100,000, so you can’t really argue this is some kind of time capsule example. Still, I’m sure it will find a home sooner or later, but surely not with me.

– Andrew

2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series

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One of the most interesting modern Mercedes-Benz models ever to hit to the United States, at least in my opinion, is the CLK63 AMG Black Series. I never quite understood why the W209, a model that is as pedestrian as it gets, was blessed with Black Series treatment along with the R171 SLK55, R230 SL65, C204 C63 and of course, the SLS. America got all of those models except the SLK55, which again, is surprising seeing that only 349 CLK63 AMG Black Series were ever imported. We didn’t get cheated on these cars as they look much different that the regular CLK63 with massive fender flares, a DTM-style steering wheel and side bolsters on the seats large enough to make the new Honda Civic Type-R jealous. Throw in 500 horsepower, a limited-slip differential, bigger brakes, adjustable suspension and a different exhaust, and you have a car that the market believes will stay expensive for a very long time. This example with a little over 17,000 miles for sale in California, is no different.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series on eBay

Year: 2008
Model: CLK63 AMG Black Series
VIN: WDBTJ77HX8F236905
Engine: 6.2 liter V8
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
Mileage: 17,491 mi
Price: $71,990 Buy It Now

2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK63 Black Series with 17k miles. Iridium Silver Metallic with Black AMG Premium Leather.

Upgraded Weistec Exhaust.

Clean title.

No surprises here as this is exactly how almost every CLK63 Black Series looks. I think everyone that was lucky enough to buy one of these new maybe had a hunch that these would stay collectible despite that not being the case for literally almost every other AMG car that officially made it to America starting in 1995. Even with only 349 examples on US soil, I always seem to see a small handful of them for sale in various places around the country and they are all the same story. They are all nearly perfect with the mileage somewhere in the teens and they all are never cheaper than $80,000.

This one however is not $80,000. It is $72,000. I know that might not seem like a lot, but the other two examples on the market are $82,000 and $85,000 with just a few thousand fewer miles. Knowing the rarity and the fact that these cars haven’t moved from this price point in a decade, it’s tough to say that this isn’t a good buy. That of course is if you can justify spending that much money on a C209. Just to refresh everyone’s memory, you can snag a standard CLK63 AMG for under $20,000 without much trouble at all. $72,000 buys a lot of cars and even for someone like myself, who is a mega Mercedes fan, I think I would have a tough time putting all my eggs in one basket with this car. Then again, maybe I’m not the best person to consult on things like these when I’m perfectly happy with my $10,000 E55 AMG.

– Andrew

2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 6-Speed

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Believe or not, if you want a 6-speed manual in your run-of-the-mill Mercedes-Benz C-Class, you could actually buy one in the United States. Mercedes offered a small handful of them starting with the W203 and even more surprisingly carried that over to the next generation W204. Before you get too excited, these gearboxes were only offered on non-AMG cars and even finding one is nearly impossible because you can probably guess what the target market is for a base C-Class in America. Today, I finally found one that is worth taking a look at because the interior isn’t falling apart yet. This 2008 C300 up for sale in Maryland looks very nice and even has a good service history. Question is, would you even consider this car seeing as what this one costs over 10 years later?

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 6-Speed on eBay

Year: 2008
Model: C300
VIN: WDDGF54X28F165631
Engine: 3.0 liter V6
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Mileage: 67,618 mi
Price: $13,900 Buy It Now

This rare 6-speed 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport Sedan was recently acquired from the original local owner who lovingly maintained it from new. Originally delivered May 10, 2008 by David R. McGeorge Mercedes in Richmond, VA; this well-optioned example is in stellar condition inside and out. All original with no modifications. 1-Owner, Clean Carfax. Service and MD State Inspection completed in January 2019. The sale includes the original window sticker, two keys, original books and manuals, and a complete service history from new including 20+ pages of MB Dealer service records.

Options (Original MSRP $38,010)
[755] Steel Grey
[208] Grey/Black Leather]
[057] iPod Integration Kit
[411] 6-Speed Short-throw Manual Transmission
[320] Multimedia Package (7″ Power Retractable Color Display with NAV, 6-Disc CD Changer, Harmon Kardon LOGIC7 Surround System, Voice Control, etc)
[333] Sport Sedan (AMG Body Styling, M-B Star Grille, 17″ Staggered Width Alloy Wheels, Sport Suspension and Braking System, Sport Interior, Aluminium Trim)

This particular C300 is finished in Steel Grey Metallic and the paintwork presents in excellent condition. The interior is trimmed with a nice contrasting combination of Grey and Black leather. Aluminum trim, part of the option Sport Sedan package, gives the interior a sharp look and nicely divides the black upper dash from the Grey lower portion; tying in as well with the silver-colored shift knob. Packed with tech features including CD, iPhone connection, Navigation, Voice Control, Harmon Kardon surround sound and more.

The classic formula for a sporty, enjoyable ride is employed here expertly by Mercedes-Benz. A naturally-aspirated 6-Cylinder produces 228hp and is mated to a silky-smooth 6-speed manual transmission. Runs and drives wonderfully and is ready to enjoy without excuse. Well maintained for all of its 67k miles (a recent 75k interval service was completed ahead of schedule in January 2019).

Service History
[10/3/08 @ 2,435mi] – first scheduled 1,000-3,000mi service at MB Dealer
[05/8/09 @ 6,628mi] – oil and filter, tire rotation at MB Dealer
[5/28/10 @ 12,931mi] – Recommended Maintenance at MB Dealer (Carfax record)
[5/21/11 @ 19,020mi] – Recommended Maintenance at MB Dealer (Carfax record)
[5/11/12 @ 25,618mi] – Recommended Maintenance at MB Dealer (Carfax record)
[5/10/13 @ 30,058mi] – 30K Major Service (Oil and filter, cabin filter, air filter, replace cam plugs, engine steam clean, brake fluid flush, balance tires)
[5/15/14 @ 36,710mi] – Recommended service, Extended Maintenance Contract Purchased
[5/28/15 @ 43,638mi] – oil and filter, tail lamp carrier recall completed, drive belts and tensioner, alignment
[5/13/16 @ 50,336mi] – oil and filter, air filter, cabin filter, brake fluid flush, SRS module recall completed
[5/31/17 @ 56,002mi] – oil and filter
[12/27/18 @ 67,511mi] – airbag recall completed, new battery
[1/22/18 @ 67,607mi] – 75K Interval service (oil and filter, cabin filter, air filter), replace RF sway bar link, wiper blades, MD State Inspection

Truth be told, this is a really nice example of a C300. By now, most of these W204s I see have been thoroughly been used and they haven’t held up all that well. The faux leather likes to rip and wear away, the center control knob for the infotainment system tends to strip out, the inside door handles break off and Mercedes makes you buy an entire new door panel, and the biggest problem, the EIS/EZL fails without warning turning the car into a paperweight. Other than that, these cars are what you expect from a German sedan nearing bar mitzvah age. It looks like this one has held up quite well and looking at the service history that is provided, wouldn’t give you any pause in considering to purchase it. Except maybe the price.

You can find a lot of W204s at this age for well under $10,000. Granted, they don’t have 67,000 miles and probably not in this great a shape, but $14,000 seems steep for me. I can’t imagine the manual gearbox factors into the price here at all, because you probably aren’t buying a base model 11 year-old C-Class for driving excitement. $14,000 puts you in a lot of cars more fulfilling than this so this one is in a really tough spot. Anyone looking for a used C-Class just for the ”I own a Mercedes” factor is walking right by this one and someone looking for a manual transmission car probably doesn’t have a C300 at the top of their list. You can probably understand why Mercedes didn’t bring many of these at all to the US and why the current generation W205 is automatic only. Maybe in another 15 years this one will be worth it, but right now, can’t say it is.

– Andrew

1973 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 4.5

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I love a good ownership story as much as the next person. The majority of the time, they have some kind of celebrity tie simply because the nature of the cars we deal with. We’ve done Lennon, Elvis (twice), actual kings, the Great One, Sweetness, Air Jordan, and both Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. For every giant name, there are not so giant names that still have a great story behind them. Today’s car, a 1973 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 4.5 up for sale in Colorado, is one of those stories.

This W108 was purchased new by the seller’s mother in July 1973 to park beside her 450SL where she proudly posed for photos looking very stylish in proper 1970s clothing. It has remained with her ever since and she still takes occasional rides in it at the ripe old age of 102. It isn’t a pristine example or even a very nice one, but I really don’t have much of a problem with that. To keep a car over 45 years and continue driving it over that time is no easy feat, even for something as solid as a W108. Sadly, the time has come for this car to find a new loving home for the next 45 years. I just wish I was closer.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1973 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 4.5 on Hemmings

Year: 1973
Model: 280SE 4.5
VIN: 10806712020567
Engine: 4.5 liter V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Mileage: 105,000 mi
Price: $12,000

One of the last 280se – 4.5 sedans sold in Boulder CO.
My mother purchased this car new, in June of 1973, and she still likes to ride in it at the age of 102!
We need to sell it to get a car she can get in more easily.
She put all the miles on it herself, up to 100,000, now I drive her around once a month.
It is all original and has had the fuel lines replaced to accommodate the new ethanol fuel mix here in Colorado.
It has its quarks just like mom, but it is still faster than my ’73 – 450SL.
Looking for a new loving home!

Like I mentioned, a concours example this is not. The paint looks very tired and the original leather could use a nice cleaning and conditioning. The good news is that it doesn’t look too far gone and could probably be saved without much trouble. Mechanically this car is a bit of a question mark, but the fact that it is still moving under its own power and reportedly still driven is a good sign. The M117 is a hearty lump as long as you look after the timing chain guides.

This car priced at $12,000 is about market value for one of these in this condition. One interesting thing about the story is that the car was bought in July of 1973, which means this was sitting next to the all new W116 that launched in late 1972 to replace the W108/109. I’m a little surprised that these lasted on the dealer lots that long and I’m curious they discounted them any to get them moving. Nonethless, a great story that I hope gets to live on.

– Andrew

1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL California Coupe

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For all the Mercedes-Benz Pagodas I’ve ever taken a look at, for some reason I’ve never come across the California Coupe. What is the California Coupe? It is a 250SL or 280SL with a folding rear seat in the place of where the soft top would normally be with the hardtop or a tonneau cover as your option to cover the cabin. Comfortable? No. Safe? Even less so. Still, a relatively rare configuration as only around 10% of Pagodas were sold as California Coupes. You can probably guess where the majority of these cars were allocated when new and where you still find them for sale. However, just because these are relatively rare, doesn’t make them all that desirable even with the Pagoda market still being relatively strong. This example up for sale in, you guessed it, California, needs some help.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL California Coupe on eBay

Year: 1968
Model: 280SL California Coupe
VIN: 11304412001871
Engine: 2.8 liter inline-6
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Mileage: 30,009 mi
Price: Reserve Auction

Rare 1968 Mercedes 280sl Pagoda Roaster California Special: Solid garaged California car; original floor metal; original trunk metal; original seats and carpet; low miles; numbers-matching engine and transmission. Sold new in California with rare rear-seat package, always garaged. A very original car with solid metal throughout, runs and drives superb. Purchased from a long-term owner near Santa Rosa California. Always meticulously cared for. We go to extents to document our cars in pictures and provide the most transparent listings on Ebay. Please study the pictures carefully rather than requesting descriptions. Please complete any inspections or ask any questions prior to bidding or committing to buy the car. Thanks for the interest!

If this car has 30,000 miles, then I’m the king of England. There is nothing used car dealers love more than cars with 5-digital odometer and no records. As hot as the California sun can get, they don’t destroy 30,000-mile Mercedes interiors like this. They did a nice job scrubbing the wheel wells and underbody of the car to get down to the original white paint, but I’m not buying this one. As you can see, with the front seats in a normal position, there is about 2 inches of leg for the rear passengers. I know we’ve gotten a little big as a society since 1968, but there aren’t a lot of people fitting in those rear seats. If you put kids back there, I’m sure someone would call child protective services on you since there are no seatbelts. One plus side? You have some more storage space. So while the California Coupe sounds fun, not so practical in 2019.

How much for this? Naturally, there are plenty of variables affecting the prices of 50 year-old cars, but the understanding is the California Coupe cars are less valuable than a similar 250/280SL counterpart if all things were equal. The problem is, no two Pagodas seem to be alike unless we are talking about ultra-low mileage examples that are ready for a concours. This example is a cosmetic mess, so the California Coupe factor probably isn’t going to come into play. My guess? Maybe $40,000. The entire interior needs redone at least and that isn’t cheap on these cars. Maybe after that the new owner can convince people this car has 30,000 miles.

– Andrew

1960 Mercedes-Benz 300d Adenauer

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There are luxury cars, then there are luxury cars that are literally a luxury. The Mercedes-Benz 300d Adenauer is exactly that. It isn’t a car you are driving to work every once in a while because the weather is nice that day. This car is an event. You make plans to drive this car. While this presents itself as a big, stately car, it isn’t as long as you think. It measures 195 inches, which is almost two feet shorter than a standard Mercedes W100 600. Still, driving one of these anywhere makes you stick out from the masses. The best part about these cars is that the buy-in isn’t as costly as you might have guessed by looking at one of them. Compared to its only rival, the Rolls Royce Silver Cloud, it is almost half the price. This 1960 Adenauer up for sale in California is exactly that. Best part about it, it sure looks like a turn-key example.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300d Adenauer on eBay

Year: 1961
Model: 300d Adenauer
VIN: 18901012001913
Engine: 3.0 liter inline-6
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Mileage: 42,039 mi
Price: $59,000 Buy It Now

1960 MERCEDES-BENZ ADENAUER 300D
The Mercedes-Benz W189 model 300 was a four-door luxury tourer produced by Mercedes-Benz between 1957 and 1962. The company’s largest and most prestigious automobile, it was the Maybach of its day, elegant, powerful and exclusive.
All but hand-built as the company flagship, the 300d is often identified as an Adenauer after Konrad Adenauer, the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, who employed six custom cabriolet, hardtop saloon, and landaulet versions of the W189 and its precursor W186 series during his 1949-1963 tenure. Among the custom features in these “parade cars” were writing desks, sirens, curtains, dividing partitions, sunroofs, and half-roof “landaulet” configurations.
A successor to Mercedes’ flagship W186 series final model, the 300c, the enlarged 300d (W189) was introduced in August 1957. Its new chassis code reflected sweeping refinements that included modernized bodywork, pioneering fuel injection, and a unique hardtop configuration transforming it into a pillarless phaeton.

UP FOR SALE IS A 1960 MERCEDES-BENZ ADENAUER 300D THAT COMES WITH OVER 50K IN RECEIPTS AND CLEAR CALIFORNIA TITLE.

Mechanical
Fuel tank removed,cleaned and lined
Fuel lines cleaned
Fuel injector pump rebuilt(Fairchild Industries)
New brakes, Master cylinder new, Brake booster rebuilt, brake lines all new made of stainless, drums cut, shoes relined
6- rebuilt wheel cylinders
New emergency brake cables etc
Cooling system restored, Radiator , Water pump, hoses, belts, thermostat etc
New motor mounts
New transmission mount
All new hoses on central lube system
Windscreen washer system all new
Valve cover gasket
New positive and negative battery cables
New body mounts chassis to frame
Rear differential removed and restored, new bushings, new fluid, new axle boot all rubber replaced with new
Front end totally rebuilt , all parts removed all new bushings and seals, parts blasted and painted ,
Rear end and suspension rebuilt same as front
Front and rear wheel bearings
Front and rear shocks
New tires (radials Coker)
Complete tune-up
Electronic ignition
All electric works as designed, lights, gauges,etc
Rear automatic leveling rebuilt
All parts purchased from my local dealer or from Mercedes classic center
Original dealer parts catalog hard bound
Original service manuals
Original keys and all books
Heating system restored
Paint in original color by previous owner (medium brown)
All redone interior, looks great
Restored clock
Great looking car!
50k in receipts
The car has been driven occasionally on nice days and around town, not on the highway.
THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO OWN THIS GREAT CLASSIC!
SOLD AS IS WHERE IS!

Please note, I want to make sure that you are absolutely satisfied with your purchase. Bid with confidence and if you have any questions that I might not have covered in the description, don’t hesitate to ask. You can email me or send me your telephone number and I will give you a call. I have tried my best to describe this vehicle as accurately as I can. Remember, this vehicle is from the 1960’s and can have some imperfections that I’m not aware of.

Taking a look at that very large list of things that were replaced or repaired, you can see that this example probably doesn’t need all that much. That is excellent news because while this car does get a fair amount of support from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center, the parts are not inexpensive. The prices also seem to vary wildly from what you would guess and it seems like they increase every year for some reason. The injection pumps on these cars are extremely expensive to rebuild and the entire injection system is complicated to say the least. Another mind-blowing job on these is the rear replacement of the rear axle boot is a 48 hour job. Multiply that by whatever someone who knows what they are doing when around an Adenauer charges and it is probably more than the Roth IRA contribution limit this year.

I think $59,000 is outstanding value for this car. These hang around that $50,000 for examples in various levels of condition but this one looks like it could be a winner. One of the thing that blows my mind is that these were a mere $900 less than a same year 300SL Gullwing. One car is now over a million dollars and this one is $59,000. See what happens when you have kids and need four doors?

– Andrew


1991 Mercedes-Benz 300SE

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One of my favorite colors from Mercedes-Benz in the 1980s and early 1990s is Bornite Metallic. It is a wonderful shade of light purple that could maybe pass for grey in the right lighting, but purple is a good general name for it. I don’t think I’m the only person who feels this way, as a 1991 560SEC with 8,000 miles painted in this color sold for a $78,400 at auction recently. Yes, I realize that a lot of that price is due to the fact that is a final year 560SEC with 8,000 miles on it, but compare that to a ’86 560SEC with 10,000 miles and you can see that the paint color surely played a factor in the price. Today, I came across a 1991 300SE painted in Bornite up for sale in North Carolina with just 84,000 km on it. Yes, I said kilometers. Let me explain.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300SE on eBay

Year: 1991
Model: 300SE
VIN: WDBCA24D7MA568361
Engine: 3.0 liter inline-6
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Mileage: 84,205 km (52,322 mi)
Price: $15,900 Buy It Now

A car like this should be in a museum. It is a survivor/barn find with only 52k miles. It’s like it has been sitting in a time capsule.

Originally purchased in Canada, it was driven for a few years in the 90s and titled in the US. The owner then moved out of the country and only used it when he came back for visits. It hasn’t seen much use in the past decade and was just started occasionally. But the fact that it came from Canada, you will see the gauges and odometer are metric and kilometers rather than miles.

This car is immaculate. It is one of the cleanest cars I’ve ever owned as it lived its whole life in a garage. The paint is all original and is so smooth. There are no dings or scratches or fading at all. It literally looks like a brand new car inside and out.

The interior is absolutely perfect. No tears or scratches in the leather. The leather is very soft and the dash looks like new. Everything works on this car as it should with the incredibly low mileage. Even the headlight wipers and squirters work like new. This was a $50,000 car when it was purchased almost 30 years ago.

The car is 100% original and in amazing condition. I just put in brand new tires and the battery was replaced a few years ago.

Here are some of the features it has:
Sunroof
Climate control
Power seats
Memory seats
Heated seats
ABS brakes
Automatic headlights

This car is a collector’s dream. It’s going to be very hard to find another all original in this condition with such low miles.

This W126 is a snowbird from Canada that never flew back north. According to the seller, the car came down with its owner and he ended up never taking it back. Now it is titled in North Carolina where it has resided for some time. As far as the condition goes, outside of a tiny bit of peeling on the center console wood, I can’t find anything wrong. Everything is nearly perfect on this car including the engine bay. Normally the exhaust manifolds on the M103 get rusty not matter you do, but this one seems to have stayed fresh. Another big thing here is that this 300SE is optioned with heated seats. I don’t believe this was offered as an option on American 300SEs or the 420SELs, so you had to pony up the big bucks for the 560SEL. This was even true for the next generation W140. Tough times for S-Class buyers in the past.

This price of $15,900 I went back and forth on. Yes, it is pricey, but I think you are going to be hard pressed for an example like this ever again. The odometer being in kilometers doesn’t bother me at all because you could simply buy a W126 cluster and set the mileage to this car if you wanted, but I think leaving it as-is is probably the way to go. If you were looking for the ultimate W126 sedan, it would be tough not to consider this car, so maybe $16,000 isn’t so crazy. I just wish I had the garage space — and the money.

– Andrew

1990 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC

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Don’t look now, but the Mercedes-Benz W126 coupe is surging fast in terms of value. A very nice 1991 560SEC painted in Bornite with less than 8,000 miles just sold at Amelia Island for $78,400. Yes, that car is an outlier because of its outstanding condition and rare color (plus some competitive bidders), but it sets an interesting example. For the past decade or so, $10,000 could buy you an average SEC. Not cheap in terms of old German luxury cars, but still reasonable for what it is. Now the big auction houses are touting the ”Youngtimers” from the 80s and 90s, and suddenly everyone is running to Craiglist to see what is out there. Are they suddenly going to be doubling or tripling in price like a 190E 2.3-16v? Probably not. However, find a worthwhile example and you can enjoy it maintaining its value for years to come. Today’s car, a 1990 560SEC painted in the rare Signal Red, seems to still priced competitively but I’m willing to bet that this one won’t last long at all.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC on eBay

Year: 1990
Model: 560SEC
VIN: WDBCA45E8LA527982
Engine: 5.5 liter V8
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Mileage: 138,926 mi
Price: $10,995 Buy It Now

1990 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC —THIS CAR WAS COMPLETELY RESTORED AT 91,000 MILES IT HAS 138926 ON IT NOW THIS IS A RARE CLASSIC BENZ ALL PARTS WAS OEM MERCEDES —MOST OF OUR VEHICLES ARE HIGH QUALITY, HAND PICKED, ONE OWNER IN A LIKE NEW CONDITION WITH A CLEAN CAR FAX. ALL ARE FULLY INSPECTED, SERVICED AND RECONDITIONED, THOSE THAT DO NOT MEET OUR MECHANICAL CRITERIA ARE NOT OFFERED FOR SALE.

Like almost all the cars I feature from this seller, it shows very well. It is noted that this car was repainted at one point in time, so maybe that is why the Signal Red pops so much. For being such a conservative and stately design, this car would stand out in traffic without a doubt. Inside, it is a totally different story. The creme leather looks as it should and the only thing I don’t like is that aftermarket headunit. Under the hood, it looks even better. No complaints here.

At nearly $11,000, I can’t really object at all. You could totally use this car regularly without hurting its value too much or keep it as a weekend cruiser. Values of late-model C126s are holding strong and really low mile cars in excellent condition are bringing big dollars at auction. I’m still on the fence as to whether I would want it in my garage because it is so eye-catching, but then again that is the whole point of these cars. What say you? Too much red?

– Andrew

1991 Mercedes-Benz 190E DTM Replica

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Generally I’m not a big fan of replica cars. I think there is no biggest waste of money than the Mercedes-Benz SSK Gazelle replicas that you have to spend $13,000 on to get a Ford Pinto engine and a sheet of plywood screwed to the dash. It looks terrible, it drives even worse, and you surely aren’t fooling anyone given a real SSK is well into the eight-figure range. However, there are exceptions to everything and today’s car, a 1991 190E up for sale in England, might be one of them. Just by looking at it, you can probably tell what it is all about.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1991 Mercedes-Benz 190E DTM Replica on eBay

Year: 1991
Model: 190E DTM Replica
VIN: N/A
Engine: 1.8 liter inline-4
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Mileage: 118,000 mi
Price: £9,995 ($13,023) Buy It Now

Here we have my unfinished DTM replica project.

The base car is a Mercedes 190 1.8 which was in fantastic condition before it received a full bare metal respray.

Then a EVO II kit was purchased and painstakingly fitted to the car over many weeks to ensure it looks absolutely perfect. The whole car was then resprayed and the livery added to complete the original look of the Karcher car.

The car now requires a new owner either to show her of as is or to do what I planned to do which was put in either a 55amg lump or if you are on more of a budget a 230 kompressor can reach 270 bhp with the right mapping.

Anyway the decision is no longer mine as I have far too many projects on and I’m sick of seeing this lovely beast just stuck at the back of the garage. She really is in immaculate condition with £6.5k spent on the bodywork!

Viewing is not an issue she is in storage in Alderley Edge, Cheshire.

Please dont offer me a PX as I really need the space…

Full disclosure, I’m not exactly a DTM historian, but it looks like this car is based on the Evolution II cars from the early 1990s. From there, the similarities end. Inside, you have a regular standard 1991 190E only with a giant tachometer bolted onto the dash. Under the hood, the same story. You still have the 109 horsepower 1.8 liter that is far from what the DTM car produces. The seller mentions that he wanted to swap in a V8 from an AMG or even a supercharged four-cylinder. Of course that is easy to say, but harder to do.

The asking price is over $13,000, which is a tough price to swallow for me. I get that the Evo II kit is expensive, but this car is in a no man’s land right now. Driving it on the street is probably a major pain because of how low it is and taking it to the track would probably be a less than fulfilling experience. So while it is a cool starting point, it still has a long way to go.

– Andrew

2000 Mercedes-Benz CL500

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”Purple rain, purple rain. I only wanted to see you, bathing in the purple rain.”

When it rains it pours, and apparently it is raining purple. Last week I looked at a very rare 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300SE painted in Bornite Metallic and as luck would have it, another purple Mercedes pops up only this time it is painted in Almandine-Black Metallic. Now don’t let the word ”black” fool you, this car is purple. Interesting thing is, I actually looked a W220 S430 painted in this color about two years ago and was quite smitten with it. However, this 2000 CL500 up for sale in California, I am in less than in love with. I think the color is fine, it is just everything else is wrong with it. Literally everything.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL500 on eBay

Year: 2000
Model: CL500
VIN: WDBPJ75J8YA001973
Engine: 5.0 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 109,000 mi
Price: $5,999 Buy It Now

2000 MERCEDES CL500 COUPE
ONE OWNER
CALIFORNIA RUST FREE
VERY HIGH AUTO CHECK SCORE
DESIGNO SERIES
VERY RARE PURPLE METALLIC PAINTWORK
BEAUTIFUL CONTRASTING TAN LEATHER INTERIOR
CHROME WHEELS
NAVIGATION
ALL POWER OPTIONS
A WONDERFUL CAR
AT A GREAT PRICE
OF JUST $5999

All you need to do is take a look at the first three photos of this CL to realize what a mess it is. These early W215s have not aged well and this one is a perfect example of that. The bumpers are beat up, it is somehow missing the hood badge, the interior is wearing away anywhere that was touched, and somehow the parking brake pedal is totally missing its rubber. Goodness knows what kind of condition this car is in mechanically, but I am willing to guess it is much of the same. Sadly, this is what you can expect from these. They are dreadful to own in terms of reliability and it takes someone driving with white gloves to keep the interior in decent shape. Thankfully, the price reflects all of this.

At $6,000, you are nearing parts car territory. It would even be crazy to buy this is as-is and beat it around because the reliability is so unknown. The actual engine and transmission is a fine combo, but it is everything else that is a mess. The ABC suspension could go at any time and strangely the double-hinged doors likes to screw with the wiring that goes into the door panel. Combine all that with gauge clusters that fail at random and the EIS system that will leave you dead in the water with no warning, and this is a giant pass for me. Save your pennies for that 300SE from last week. It will feel like a 600 compared to this car.

– Andrew

1994 Mercedes-Benz E36 AMG Cabriolet

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RM Sotheby’s is going all-in on their Youngtimers Collection auction on April 11th in Essen, Germany which features 85 cars from the ’80s, 90s and 2000s that will make your heart bleed. As much as I’d like to go through all of those cars, because believe me, there are some gems, I’d thought I would pick one or two to take a closer look at. Today’s car is a very rare 1994 Mercedes-Benz E36 AMG Cabriolet. This car was originally delivered to Luxembourg of all places and is reportedly only one of 68 W124 E36 AMG Cabriolets ever built. It is painted in one of my favorite colors, Malachite Green Metallic, and has everything you could want from a 90s AMG car. How much is this predicted to hammer for? Quite a lot. I guess I’m not the only one drooling over this car.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1994 Mercedes-Benz E36 AMG Cabriolet at RM Sotheby’s

Year: 1994
Model: E36 AMG
VIN: WDB1240661C153574
Engine: 3.2 liter inline-6
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Mileage: 125,484 km (77,972 mi)
Price: No Reserve Auction

One of only 68 E36 AMG Cabriolets built
The first post-merger Mercedes-Benz and AMG product
Desirable Malachite Green Metallic (249) over a Beige leather interior
Delivered new to Luxembourg
Amongst the rarest AMG models

Interesting to see this car wasn’t treated as a garage queen and surely shows some wear. I guess when you live somewhere as picturesque as Luxembourg you have other focuses in life instead of keeping your carpets clean, but who knows. The almost 78,000 miles surprised me and it surely looks like it has that. The driver’s side door isn’t lining up perfectly straight, the exhaust isn’t hung up the entire way and the engine bay probably has never had a detail in its life. Other than that, I don’t see much to object about. The classic lines of the W124 Cabriolet with AMG Monoblocks will never go out of style and the price is certainly going to reflect that.

Sotheby’s has this car offered at no reserve with a projection between €55.000 – €75.000. That is a lot of Euros for something like this and is projected to sell for much more than some other heavy hitter 90s AMG cars offered in the same auction. Given it’s rarity I can see that, but the bidders might have their Euros allocated for one of the other jaw dropping autos. Then again, there is a lot of money running Europe and I’m sure that this one isn’t going to go cheap.

– Andrew

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