Archive for Mercedes Benz
Another Mercedes Renntech SL74, really?
We have seen three of these Renntech SL74 beasts show up for sale this summer, which is pretty unbelievable. Our previous finds:
http://germancarsforsaleblog.com/1997-mercedes-sl74-renntech-monster
http://germancarsforsaleblog.com/1994-mercedes-benz-sl74-renntech
Sometimes an owner will see another seller claiming to have a really are car and take the opportunity to show of his own to show the other guy he isn’t the only one. Sometimes following up one rare listing with another lets a seller piggy back on some of the excitement or the initial sale or lets them judge interest or gauge market value. Perhaps that’s the case with this third SL74.
This one is a 1996 in white found by reader Nik. It is a bit more showy than the other two we saw this year. Chromed intakes, vented hood, embroidered logo headrests, big sound system in the trunk, etc. The specs are right inline with the other two we’ve seen. The seller quotes an investment of over $200,000 and lists the upgrades as follows:
Specs:
V12 engine producing 595 BHP, 605 lbs-ft @4000 RPM. 0-60 is second 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 200 MPH 1/4 times of 11.9
Modifications:
Renntech 7.4 liter engine conversion (stage 4) $49,500:
high performance engine rebuilt, performance intake and exhaust camshafts, ported/polished cylinder heads, larger f1 valves, stainless steal resonator bypass, stainless renntech sports rear muffler.
Renntech top speed removal $1,500
Frist gear start transmission valve body $1,350
Renntech transmission upgrade with limited slip $7,790
Downpipes all metal catalyzers $7,000
Renntech 14″ brakes $5,760
Renntech oil cooler kit $1,250
New convertible top and brand new wheels and brand new tires.
front 245/35/19
rear 275/30/19
Pioneer DVR
Full AMG BODY Kit includes: side skirts, front bumper, rear bumper and rear spoiler. Also comes with rear seats.
includes: hard top cover
Please check out this link. http://www.renntechmercedes.com/article_files/cnd0898.pdf
With a day left this one is up to just under $17,000 reserve not met. The Buy-It-Now price is $28,900. As with the others I’ll say this again, that is a heck of a lot of depreciation. Unlike the others though this one has actually seen substantial use at 91,000 miles. That’s nice to see.
~Evan
1990 Mercedes-Benz 230E 4-speed
The Mercedes-Benz W124 E class is one of those most revered Mercedes models due to its reliability, timeless appearance and ability to withstand punishment. No surprise then that this particular model was a favorite amongst cab drivers around the world. Here we have a rarely seen in the US version for sale, a rather basic 230E with a 4 speed manual.
The seller states:
Up for auction is a RARE 1990 Mercedes-Benz 230E W124 Gray Market Car with a 4 speed manual transmission and 4 cylinder engine. This car was imported from Belgium and has had the same Owner and was shipped to the U.S.A when the owner moved to the states. This car is in great condition inside and out and has been very well maintained.
The VIN for this car is WDB1240231B158867. We had to put all #1 in at the top of the ad because this is a european VIN.
This car is gray with black leather interior, it has a power sunroof, power mirrors, A/C, heated mirrors, woodgrain, drivers airbag, locking glove box, 15″ factory hubcap wheel covers with Michelin Energy MX4V tires with around 85% good tread left on the tires. The car has a custom Alpine CD player and rear JBL speakers mounted. It also has a Sidewinder alarm and 2 keys. The car comes with all the books and owners manuals from the original owner. The car is the color Anthracite with black leather. The car runs and drives very well, the motor and transmission are 100%. The car does not shake, vibrate or pulsate while driving it is a nice tight driving car.
The clutch pedal sticks sometimes and releases slowly and its really nothing major. The car has only 92,590 miles and many more to go. The car is not rusted or rotted there is one small bubble under the drivers door on top of the molding about the size of a quarter. The paint shines nice, there is a couple of minor scratches but nothing major at all. The body is also in great condition. The interior is extra clean NON SMOKER CAR all the leather seating looks great, carpet and interior paneling also. This is a super RARE car in the USA!! This car is extremely hard to find in the states and gets many compliments when viewed.
This is a 4 speed manual transmission with a 4 cylinder engine so it is good for saving on fuel. Comes with the maintenance book, europe workshop directory/index, owners manual, alpine 7390M cd player owners manual, tool kit and full size spare. The underneath is very clean please see pics, there are no leaks of any kind on this car at all. the car has been registered in the United States since 1995 and adheres to all U.S. emmissions and inspections. The car was bought brand new at mercedes-benz of belguim on January 11th 1990. The car was serviced locally at Hatch & Sons in Massachusetts- this is a well known Luxury Mercedes vehicle dealer and repair shop.
This car is optioned in an interesting manner, given that it has leather and crank windows. The color combination is quite tasteful, though. Even though this is a rare car by US standards, it seems unlikely this car will sell for much more than an better optioned 300E of the same vintage. However, if you can register it successfully in your state, there is a certain charm to this simple E class. For a car with over 90,000 miles, it is certainly well preserved and would likely present few problems, if any, for the new owner. With less electronic gadgets to worry about and an efficient four cylinder engine, this W124 is about as close as anyone could come to owning a car for a lifetime. The only thing that leaves me wanting on this particular car is a 5th gear. Still, if I was in the market for basic, reliable transportation, I would forgo the cheapest new cars and slightly used cars out there and snatch this up in a New York minute.
-Paul
Friend of GCFSB listing – Bimmers and a Merc
One of our loyal readers here at German Cars For Sale Blog has a few of his rides for sale on eBay. Let’s take a look at what’s up for bidding.
#1 – BMW’s Best looking flagship executive sedan: Check
This is an absolutely stunning 740i Sport, in absolute mint condition, never any accidents, low highway miles, and most importantly, PROPERLY SERVICED ITS ENTIRE LIFE WITH INVOICES TO PROVE IT! This car was serviced at no-expense-spared and it shows. It needs nothing but a new owner, and looks/drives like a brand new car. Awesome and rare special order paint color, CD changer, navigation, parking sensors, and much much more. Lots of recent service, and some very tasteful modifications.
#2 – Mercedes-Benz’s rarest, most expensive and top-of-the-line offering in 1981: Check
A stunning, rare, and collectible-quality 1981 500SLC 5.0 AMG with only 71K original miles. Only ~100 of these cars were brought into the USA, and some of those were not legally imported but were gray market cars. Of those, how many survived and are still in service? Not many. Of those remaining in-service cars, how many are in excellent original cosmetic and mechanical shape? Fewer still. Of those, how many have well under 100K original miles. A handful. And of that handful, how many have a correct R107 AMG full aero body kit, monochromatic ‘whiteout” paint, and period-correct BBS 16” wheels? Only one, and you are looking at it! This is a one-of-a-kind car, and it’s as nice as the photos suggest. It is unrestored and original, with the patina that shows it to be a loved, maintained, and excellent original car.
#3 – An immaculate White on White 3-Series: Check
It’s a 1994 BMW 325is 5-speed manual in alpine white over dove grey leather with matching grey carpets. It has 84,xxx miles, looks like a million bucks, and drives like a million bucks too! These photos are all taken after a wash and vacuum; no detailing of any kind.
Some amazing German muscle in this post…which of the 3 would you like to take home?
-Ben
Classy 1999 Mercedes SL600
Evan’s Renntech SL74 got me thinking about how great the R129 SL is. In my opinion, it’s one of the classiest and most handsome modern Benz’s.
Back in high school, my friend’s dad had a maroon SL600 that he used to park in front of the school. Most of the time he had the top down but in the fall he rocked the hardtop which gave the MB a much cleaner and finished look.
While many admired the car from their 5th period study hall, I’m sure none understood the potency that this Benz possessed: 6.0 liters, 10 quarts of oil, 12 cylinders, 48 valves, 389HP and only 459 built in 1999 at a price tag of $130,095 each. Solid numbers.
1999 Mercedes-Benz SL600 in the OC
Black is the color for the SL and the AMG 5-spokes complete the package. While the miles are high, the price is low; 98,800 and $12,900 respectfully.
The 4th generation SL is one of those cars that still looks new in my eyes. Sure, it’s over a decade old but I’d rather have one over the googly-eyed R230.
-Ben
1969 Mercedes-Benz 600, one owner, 78k miles
The Mercedes-Benz 600, or Grosser Mercedes, is one of those timeless vehicles that needs no explanation. Favored by heads of state, celebrities and well-heeled businesspersons, some 600s are still regularly used to this day, as many believe that even a Maybach can’t stand up to what this car has to offer. Here we have a VERY original, one owner short wheelbase 600 in need of another caretaker for the next 40 years.
The seller states:
Purchased new 11/28/1968. The only 600 ever sold new in Columbus, Ohio. Owned by local attorney since day 1. Always maintained and preserved at the local Mercedes dealership where it always received everything it needed and more as can be attested to by the extensive service file which comes with the car.
Car was recently driven 500 miles to the M100 clubs annual meet where it was recognized as one of the best original cars in existence. Silver with black leather. Paint is mostly original although it has had some touch-ups over the years and an extra door protection strip added. The original black leather is still soft and supple. It has a factory optional sunroof and beverage cooler. It comes complete with all the books and records, the toolkit with all the tools, the hydraulic kit with all the parts, the air suspension kit inside the spare wheel with all the parts, and the spare parts kit in the styrofoam box stored in the left trunk compartment. The tires are almost new Michelins with less than 1000 miles, 205/75/15XL. Everything operates as intended in every system. There are no mickey mouse parts on this car. It has factory original exhaust system in good condition. The chrome is bright and shiny with just a few minor imperfections. The car has absolutely no rust ever.
Being sold to settle estate. You won’t find too many left like this one. SL Market Letter lists this car in #2 condition at $150,000. We are offering the car at 1/3 off for quick sale. Enjoy it while it appreciates! This car is 100% handmade and is the 540K of the future. It is the finest automobile ever made by any company and soon will be recognized in the 1 million dollar range.
While $100,000 may seem a bit steep for what is essentially a used vehicle, consider how much it would cost to put everything right on a vehicle like this. What we see here is a rare instance of a well cared for classic, one that is sure to appreciate in the future.
And if you weren’t aware, famed motoring journalist Jeremy Clarkson owns one:
-Paul
Q-Ship Benz – CL65 AMG
The term “Q-ship” comes from WW1 British Navy merchant ships that were unassumingly designed to lure German submarines to the surface but were also heavily armed with concealed weaponry allowing the Royal Navy to fire and sink the enemy.
The “Q” label has been passed along to the tarmac-version of a vehicular wolf in sheep’s clothing. Those of us from the Home of the Brave know the Q-car as a Sleeper.
One of my favorite examples of a Q-ship (and yes, I believe this Mercedes should be classified as a ship rather than a car) is the CL65 AMG. At over 16 feet long and tipping the fishscale at 4,800 pounds the CL is enormous.
In order to move this behemoth Mercedes took AMG’s hand built, 6.0-liter V-12 and slapped on two big snail shells. The result was earthshaking: 604 horsepower and 738 pound-feet at just 3000 rpm. It’s said that big 12 could make 885 pound-feet worth but it would simply grenade the transmission so Mercedes had to limit it to 738. Speaking of limits, the CL65 is limited to a top speed of 186 compared to the typical 155mph limit we see on most German engineering. This of course didn’t stop dealers and owners from remapping the ECU which allowed these Silver Arrows to exceed 200mph.
Being one of only 194 built (W215-chassis) and originally having a MSRP of almost $180K makes this Benz look like the deal of the century. At a current bid of less than 40K not only do you get stupendous power and speed but unparalleled luxury and comfort of a flagship Mercedes-Benz.
I apologize for my word choice in this post but a big car calls for big words…and this is as big as it gets.
-Ben
1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 Estate
In an era of SUVs and minivans, the estate, or station wagon, is fast becoming a less favored mode of transport. One manufacturer has stayed true to this body style since 1978: Mercedes-Benz. This clean, low mileage W124 E320 wagon is my favorite of the breed and perhaps one of the best engineered, as well. Rarely do we see Mercedes-Benz wagons with such low mileage but here’s a chance to bid on a classic.
The seller states:
This is a really nice 1995 E320 wagon that has been in California all its life. It was bought new by an older lady in Los Angeles. She kept the car for just over 11 years and put only about 35,000 miles on it in that time. Her daughter acquired the car in 2007 and it has been in the Bakersfield area since then. This car was built in September of 1995; making it one of the last w224 cars to be built. This was also the year of any U.S. model Mercedes wagon until 1998. Unfortunately, 1998 was also the first year Mercedes began using the new V6 motor. So, 1995 was the last year Mercedes made a wagon with the better in-line 6-cylinder motor. Since a new body style was introduced for 1996, this was also the last of the over-engineered E-Class cars. Just like the 1993 190-Class, the 1999 S-Class, and the 2002 SL-class, this car was the last of its kind, and they truly don’t build them like they used to. By Mercedes’ own admission, they do not over-engineer these cars any more. This car is the last of the best.
This car has as much cargo space as a mid-size SUV with the middle and rear seats folded. It has the third row seat which makes it a true 7 passenger vehicle. However, the back seat is best for kids or adults you don’t like. It has a cargo cover to hide items in the back and a cargo net that can be used as a divider with the rear seats up or when they are folded. It also has a luggage rack, complete with the cross bars. All that combined with the self-leveling rear suspension makes this car really versatile.
The bad:
After sitting for approximately 2 hours, sometimes the car will not start without touching the gas pedal lightly. A little more or less time sitting and it starts up normally.
There is a small oil leak that leaves a pea to dime-size drop on the ground over night. It looks like it is coming from the front of the engine; maybe around the timing chain cover.
The left rear floor mat is missing.
One of the wheels has some curb rash (see pictures).
There are a couple of dings on the tailgate (see pictures).
There is a ding at the bottom of the left quarter panel that caused about a 3/4″ crack in the paint along the bottom edge (see pictures).
The lower panel on the right rear door has some light scratches (see pictures).
The rocker panel on the left side has some scratches (see pictures).
The right rear door had a scrape at the top that has been filled with touch-up paint (see pictures).
There is a scrape over the right rear wheel that has been filled with touch-up paint (see pictures).
The driver’s window regulator will need to be replaced soon as it stops about 1/8″ short at the top of its travel and makes a clicking noise.
The left rear window regulator probably needs to be replaced soon. It is making a noise.
As of 3 days ago, the air conditioning stopped being cold when the car is idling in direct sunlight. It gets very cold at all other times.
The left tail light has a crack in it that has been repaired (see pictures).
The radio is an after market CD unit that cannot be turned off. However, you can turn down the volume all the way or remove the face plate if you don’t want to hear it.
Barring the list of faults, many of which are minor imperfections, this wagon is a solid bet. Besides the W123 wagons, this was perhaps one of MB’s best, in terms of durability. Whoever gets their hands on this low mileage example will enjoy years of utilitarian motoring with a touch of class.
-Paul
1978 Mercedes-Benz 450SE (350SE) 4-speed manual
The W116 is perhaps one of the most forgotten Mercedes-Benz S class generations, but even this staid sedan had a few interesting versions. We are all familiar with the beast that is the 6.9, but here is an interesting version with what looks to be a 4.5 V8 and a 4 speed manual. Also included are a few tasteful modifications.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Paul who found this beauty and wrote the post, like the seller and the original importer has been duped. This car is not as the seller states a 450SE, but likely a much more significant Euro market 350SE. It could be the importer called this a 450SE to help ease the importation. A 450SE with a manual was almost unheard of. This car shows its Euro heritage with the Euro bumpers and headlights and also has only had the speedometer converted, the other gauges in the instrument cluster and the climate controls remain the original Euro, German language ones. The VIN number indicates a 350SE. Without seeing the actual engine data plate it is easy to confuse the two models, particularly this one which seems to have an air cleaner like the 4.5, earlier 3.5 engines had a smaller, circular, air cleaner with the intake on the passenger side. The 3.5 liter V8 was marked as a M116 engine in the W116 chassis. The 4.5 liter V8 was marked as the M117 engine in the W116 chassis. Many consider the smaller 3.5 V8 to be the better engine. It was a marvelous piece, very high revving and nimble. Couple that engine with a manual transmission and the short bodied 116 chassis car and this must be quite a fun ride. I would get rid of that particular set of aftermarket rims. Replacing the stock 14″ items with 16″ or bigger is a good idea, but there are much nicer looking rims for classic Mercs. A set of expensive AMG Ronal 5 spokes would complete the authentic AMG look. This is a great find and likely to only be appreciated by those in the know so look for a possible bargain here if it doesn’t attract too much attention. Though the price already is that of what a similar mileage 450SEL can be had for.
~Evan
Back to Paul’s comments:
The seller states:
Hey everyone up for sale we have a mint condition 1978 450SE Euro model with 81k original miles and a manual 4 speed transmission. Not sure if it is a 3.5 or a 4.5 (Bureau of Automotive Repair says 4.5) I am the second owner of this beautiful car, The first owner was an elderly man that drove it seldomly and kept it garaged under a car cover most of its life. It runs great, engine runs very smooth and powerful, absolutely no leaks whatsoever, Shifts perfect, clutch feels like new, temperature is always steady at 80C. The two front windows are electrically powered while the two rear windows are manual (set up available for euro models only). It has Michelin Pilot tires with 85% tread left and an almost perfect interior as you can tell by the photos. The only minor defects are: a slight vibration at 55-60mph and the AC needs to be recharged. I have a clean California title thats ready to be handed over to the winning bidder.
Values of W116 S classes have been notoriously low for Mercedes-Benzes in recent history, except for that of the 6.9. There are 14 bids on this already as I write this with two days left in the auction, so we’ll see if the reserve is met and where the value goes.
-Paul
1994 Mercedes-Benz E500, 45k miles
Before AMG became fully integrated into the Mercedes-Benz family, along came the W124 chassis 500E/E500. While relatively tame looking, the trained eye will notice the larger 16″ alloy wheels and flared fenders. That’s just a prelude to the collaboration between Porsche and Mercedes that yielded perhaps one of the best sport sedans ever.
1994 Mercedes-Benz E500 on eBay
The seller’s description:
This is a 1994 Mercedes 500E with 45296 original miles. This car is in excellent condition inside and out. Car comes with the original manuals and service booklet with dealer stamps, and original window sticker (see photo). This is a rare and interesting car, a joint venture between Mercedes and Porsche, Porsche did the suspension work, has yielded one of the greatest Mercedes’ of all time.
My father owned a 1992 400E and while he owned it, I happened to drive a 1992 500E that was for sale. The difference was astounding. To say this car had God’s own suspension would be an understatement. I’m not sure how Porsche tuned it to be comfortable yet so controlled simultaneously.
As far as Mercedes-Benz sedans go, their resale values tend to lag behind coupes and convertibles. The asking price of $29,000 is certainly strong, but right in line with the condition and mileage. Plus, this is the desirable facelift version which was the last year the 500E/E500 was sold in the US. While I’ve seen some ultra low mileage examples listed in the $30k and up range, $29 large is about all you’d want to spend, in my opinion, for one of Mercedes’/Porsche’s finest.
-Paul
1983 Mercedes-Benz 300CD
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The W123 is quite possibly the most ubiquitous Mercedes-Benz of all time. Revered for it’s build quality and rock solid reliability, both clean and clapped out examples are still a regular site on roads all over the world to this day. Slightly more rare than its sedan counterpart, the coupe, or CD/CE brought the classic MB pillarless coupe style to the workhorse chassis. This particular example, a later turbodiesel variant, has seen just over 90,000 miles. One could consider this slightly broken in.
The seller states:
This is a rare 1983 Mercedes 300CD Turbo coupe. It runs and drives awesome. This is a rust free car. It has 91,371 miles on it. The car is in very nice shape. The A/C blows cold. This car will go a million miles.
After scanning other ads online and pricing guides, it seems as if the value of W123 CDs are topping out around $10,000. If this car had about 50,000 less miles on it, it might be worth it, but unless this car has impeccable service history, it’s a bit overpriced. Nevertheless, a fine example of the W123 coupe in a pleasant color combination.
-Paul
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