I feel sometimes as if I’m one of the few that appreciates the W126 300SE for what it is rather than what it isn’t. Sure, it doesn’t have a long wheelbase or a V8 under the hood, but it’s still a member of one of the most popular S class generations of all time. These cars were known for their durability and were a symbol of high status in the 1980s. Good ones are getting harder to find these days but if you aren’t up for the length or thirst of the larger W126s but still want the look, the 300SE could strike a nice balance. This particular one for sale in Michigan has been owned by one family and appears to have escaped the ravages of the northern winters.
Year: 1989
Model: 300SE
Engine: 3.0 liter inline-6
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Mileage: 88,488 mi
Price: $9,950
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1989 Mercedes-Benz 300SE on Hemmings Motor News
A very nice Mercedes Benz 300, 4 door sedan. This is a one family owned vehicle and is in exceptional condition, with only 88,488 actual miles on it. The exterior color is silver and the interior has tan leather seats. Power options include A/C, cruise control, seats, windows and locks. Safety features include anti-lock brakes and driver/passenger airbags. This vehicle is far above average and “books and records” are available to verify the mileage.
You don’t often see a silver Mercedes paired with a parchment interior and honestly, I’m not a fan of the look. Generally, I am not big on tan interiors to begin with, but in my opinion this interior would be better paired with Smoke Silver, black or a dark blue hue. The last 300SE we featured was listed at this exact same price and had but a few thousand miles less on the clock. Around $10,000 is about the high end of the market for these six cylinder short wheelbase W126 sedans. If this car is as good as it looks, a little bit of negotiation on the price would net a nice modern classic.
-Paul
Nice. It is getting harder and harder to find a really nice 126. This one certainly looks promising, but any buyer should do their diligence and have a PPI done by a good Mercedes Benz shop. Yes, the M103 is not going to set any speed records in this car, but at the same time the bigger V8 models are so horrific with respect to fuel economy that at least this car has the advantage of range. And while the V8s have more power, the output figures of the 4.2 (201) and 5.6 (230) are hardly awe inspiring given their significant displacement. The only caveat with a 300SE is that a potential owner should drive this car on the highway at speed to appreciate the fact that it does rev materially higher than the V8 variants, and for some people that is a no-go. It’s not obtrusive but it isn’t a quiet car either. That being said, at US speed limits it is acceptable.