1985 Mercedes-Benz 380SE

When it came time to shop for my first car, I wasn’t your normal teenager. Back in the mid 1990s when kids my age were souping up Civics and other Japanese subcompacts, I had my sights set on something bigger. Much bigger. In fact, this car you see here, the Mercedes-Benz W126. I had come across an ad for a gray market 500SE down the road from me that was in the local Mercedes-Benz Club flyer. Upon inspecting it, I was impressed. It was a medium metallic green with light tan cloth, an uncommon option for an S class in the US. After driving it, I was hooked. Heavy yet communicative, it had a commanding feel about it and felt tight even after 15 years of use. Ultimately, my first car ended up to be a 1988 BMW 325is, a choice which I didn’t lament too much. But that early W126 still sticks in my mind to this day. Probably why I’d have two Mercedes C class sedans over the course of ten years during my grad school and early professional life.

This 1985 380SE represents the final year for the 3.8 liter V8 before Mercedes switched to the 5.6 liter version. It’s harder to find these earlier W126 models in good shape as compared to their later counterparts, but this black over palomino beauty for sale in New Jersey looks impeccable and has just over 83,000 miles on the clock, which is a scant amount of distance for this robust sedan.

Year: 1985
Model: 380SE
Engine: 3.8 liter V8
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Mileage: 83,844 mi
Price: Reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1985 Mercedes-Benz 380SE on eBay

1985 Mercedes Benz 380 SE finish in Black (040) and matched with a beautiful Palomino(274) leather interior. The vehicle has only 83k original garage kept miles and shows like a 20k mile car. Black exterior paint is exceptionally glossy and is well complimented with bright and clear chrome trim all around. The palomino leather interior is gorgeous and exceptionally clean. The carpets have no stains. The dash and interior trim shows no sign of sun fading, and the interior Zebrano wood is very clear and bright.

The car runs and drives beautifully and has no mechanical issues and does not drop any fluids. Brakes are excellent. The AC blows strong and ice cold. The car wears matching Pirelli P400 tires all around and have greater than 75% tread remaining.

All original books, window sticker, data plate, first aid kit and tools are present as well as the original spare tire. All door and trunk jambs are spotless, and engine bay is exceptionally clean. If you are a fan of W126 sedans this is a great opportunity to get a very clean and well maintained example in the best color combination.

This car was used very sparingly over the past 20 years and was only taken out on fair weather days and special occasions. It has been garage kept and covered in a climate controlled environment. The vehicle attracts attention wherever its driven.

Vehicle is located in Central New Jersey 07753. Contact Dean at 848-459-7776

The 3.8 liter engine isn’t the cream of the crop when it comes to Mercedes’ V8s, as it is down a bit on power from the later 5.6 and was known to be a little less robust than the 4.5 liter engine it replaced. But, for those who want more performance than the diesel engine offered this same year, this was your only choice stateside. There’s not a lot to dislike about this piece, but a little more information on service records and ownership history would be appreciated to go along with a nicely presented car such as this.

For a W126 of this caliber, the best of the best will run you somewhere around the $10,000 to $13,000 mark, with later model W126s fetching in the mid teens. While the mileage is closing in on 100,000, I wouldn’t consider that a detriment, as mileage like that would suggest this car has gotten the exercise it needs over the years. If this 380SE could be had at around the $10,000 to $11,000 mark, I’d consider it well bought.

-Paul