Every morning on my way to work I am confronted by the ubiquitous Toyota Prius screwing around in the left lane and holding up traffic. Now, I’m all for more efficient vehicles, but driving a penalty box like this on a daily basis might lead me to mental instability. While this vintage S class isn’t faster than a Prius, it will certainly get you there in style and last a whole lot longer.
The seller states:
This is an exceptionally clean, well cared for, smoke-free Mercedes. Accordingly here is a list of the good and also things needing attention: All the glass is in great shape. The car idles, runs and drives out as I feel it should – strong oil pressure, strong battery and charging system, no overheating, no brake pull or alignment issues! The factory original color gold metallic paint is in great overall condition and still holds quite a shine. I find NO rust spots on the body or door panels. Absolutely superior chrome and exterior trim all around, too! The front fenders, doors, rear quarters and floor pans are all solid; in fact the entire undercarriage is in great condition for a 30 year-old car! The factory wheels are straight and true. They’re wrapped with 205/70R14 radials with at least 80% life remaining.
The upholstery is all-original with the pictures giving a very accurate view of its clean, solid, superb condition. Often, you’ll find worn springs and disintegrating cushion material on these cars. This is NOT the case here. Hop in and feel comfortable sitting on these firm seats for hours. About the only flaw is a worn spot on the driver’s backrest that doesn’t warrant much attention for now, you’ll see it in the pics. The heater and A/C system work, but could use a refrigerant recharge. There’s no evidence of any water leakage on the perfect headliner. All the gauges and exterior lights are bright and true. The former owner switched out the original factory AM-FM Becker stereo for a nice Blaupunkt many years ago. It works great and the low-key appearance keeps the classic vibe in place. The jack, spare and tools are in the trunk.
The W116 S class has never been the most desirable Mercedes out there. This final year W116 with its impeccable condition should bring top value to the right buyer, whether they are a Mercedes-Benz fan or they are looking to avoid the stigma that comes with driving a green vehicle. One thing is certain: whereas the Prius needs a new battery every so often, this S class will surpass the hybrid’s durability and cachet, while the owner can take heart in knowing he’s helping the environment by keeping an old car running, thus saving energy that is exerted during the manufacturing process. You also have to love the fact that the front bumper on this Mercedes probably weighs as much as a Prius!
-Paul
I just love these malaise era 85 MPH speedos the U.S. put on everything. You could actually get the mighty Merc 6.9 with one of these. As if you’d never exceed the mechanical limits of the speedometer in one of the worlds fastest four doors at the time.