This 1989 Mercedes-Benz 420SEL shows Georgia registration from new and has remained in Atlanta under the ownership of one family with 236k miles on the odometer. Finished in Diamond Blue Metallic (355) over Blue Leather (262), power is provided by a 4.2-liter V8 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. Equipment includes power-adjustable front seats with memory, a power sliding sunroof, automatic climate control, cruise control, heated headlamp washers, and a Kenwood head-unit. Recent service includes new front pads, rotors, calipers, a brake fluid flush, hoodpad, tires, and valve cover gaskets. This 1989 420SEL is now offered for sale at NO RESERVE by the current owner with the original manufacturer’s literature, first-aid kit, spare tire and tool kit, a clean Carfax report and a clean Georgia title.
This long-wheelbase sedan is finished in Diamond Blue Metallic (122) with contrasting lower body cladding separated by a thin chrome beltline which continues to the front and rear bumpers. Exterior features include a power tilt/slide sunroof, an automatic antenna, headlamp wipers with heated washers, a heated rear window and a power passenger-side mirror. The body and underside is rust free. There is clear coat crazing on some panels. Scratches, minor dents and various paint chips which have been documented by the seller.
15” Gullideckel wheels have been fitted with a set of Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S tires measuring 205/65 with 2022 date codes for the front and 2019 for the rear. Minor surface imperfections are visible on the wheels with some paint failure on the lip of the front driver. A full-size spare can be found mounted below the trunk floor along with the original tool kit and factory jack. Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes are standard equipment with ABS including new front pads, rotors, calipers, and a brake fluid flush. Rear pads were done in 2022 9k miles ago. Frequent brake fluid flushes can be seen on the Carfax.
The cabin is trimmed in Blue Leather (262) and features matching blue carpets and floor mats with Zebrano wood trim which lines the center console, dashboard and door panels. The wood trim has been replaced around the shifter. Mismatched Burl Walnut has been installed on the driver door. Both front seats are fully power operated and feature two-position memory for both driver and passenger with all functions operational. Additional interior equipment includes automatic climate control, cruise control, power windows, a Kenwood head-unit. Both front seats show signs of wear with rips in the driver seat. The A/C is operational and blows cold with recent service and a R134a conversion documented in the Carfax.
The leather-wrapped steering wheel frames analog instrumentation including a 160-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer, an analog clock and gauges for fuel level, economy, coolant temperature and oil pressure. A digital outside temperature sensor can be seen mounted centrally along the row of warning lights. The six-digit odometer currently shows 236k miles from new.
This W126 is powered by a 4.2-liter V8 engine which is factory rated for 201 horsepower and 228 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. Additional maintenance items from the past five years consist of: differential fluid flush, regular oil changes, new radiator, air filter, valve cover gaskets, A/C service. A comprehensive suspension refresh shows in the Carfax within the past 10 years. Underbody photos can be viewed in the photo gallery along with detailed engine bay photos showing a dry powerplant.
This 420SEL was purchased by its first owner in June of 1989 at Atlanta’s RBM who then passed away in 2008, passing it down to his daughter’s family who has been using it as an Atlanta cruiser since. The Carfax report shows Georgia registration along with linear mileage updates from new with no accidents or damage reports. This S-Class is now offered for sale by the current owner with the original manufacturer’s literature, tool kit, first-aid kit, a clean Carfax report and a clean Georgia title.
The seller has included the following video:
The W126 is one of the most robust and durable platforms Mercedes-Benz has ever built with this example demonstrating just that. With over a quarter-million miles, this Southern owned facelifted 420SEL S-Class has a great story to tell with all of the patina and pure originality of it. One owner, high mileage cars are one of the best kept secrets of the Mercedes world and are a great entry point into the hobby. The services performed on this car by the original family and the mileage they continue to put on this 420SEL is proof this one still performs its duty of being comfortable, reliable daily transportation with lots of style that can put up with the task of traversing Atlanta’s hot, tough roadways. A long-wheel-base W126 is the perfect car for the task. With a stamped service booklet and Carfax records showing continuous love, a replaced 722.3 transmission, and fully refreshed suspension (a service item that all too often gets overlooked on these old cars), this car will certainly provide years more of enjoyment to the new owner. Don’t overlook these M116 powered W126s – they offer great torque and cruising performance at a fraction of the cost of a M117 car. Plus, who doesn’t love a blue on blue S-Class?
Open Transit:
Enclosed Transit:
The winning bidder will receive an email with the quote and option to proceed with shipping.
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18 Comments
Congrats @Peabo! I'll give you a shout shortly!$3,700 bid placed by @Peabo
$3,450 bid placed by @VIGIL
$3,200 bid placed by @Elo1725
$2,876 bid placed by @LukeVance2013
$2,626 bid placed by @ProdigalPetrolHead
Good luck everyone! Whatever this sells for, it's a ton (more like 2 tons) of value for the money. I'm actually jealous of the winner on this one. The car drives so well. Make sure to watch the video -- my reaction says it all.Gonna be fun$2,376 bid placed by @LukeVance2013
@LukeVance2013 I don't know how long it's been damaged for. It's a non-issue (the engine isn't getting only cold air - it would be pulling a little bit of hot air in from the engine bay), but if I bought the car I would fix it. Here's the part number for a replacement: 117 094 03 82 https://mbparts.mbusa.com/oem-parts/mercedes-benz-hose-1170940382@2nd_Chance_Steel Second question: the air intake appears to be split near the radiator.. do you know how long this has been the case and could this potentially cause issues?...someone is going to steal this. One of my few regrets in life was not buying my late dad's Nautical Blue/Palomino 300SDL (with 134K miles when offered to me in 1998 or so) We had that 300D at the time and I thought having 2 diesels was silly. Big mistake : ( At least my grandson still has the 300D (with over 250K miles, ripped seats, faded paint and all....) @GoBoGo Thanks for the kind words! The owner loves his car and is so conflicted on selling it. But there’s no return now since it is NO RESERVE! The thing is a tank and drives wonderfully. Guilt free miles since it’s surpassed the 200k mark. It’s all free at that point which is why I like daily driving highly maintained, high milage cars. Driver’s door might need a new check stop or at least an adjustment. It’s four 5mm allen bolts to adjust or $15 to replace it with a new unit. Interior door handle gets slack and is adjustable if you take the door card off and play with it.My 1991 W124 had the same seats and same 'malaise' (but again, after 200K miles). I love this! My wife would kill me if I bid (even at the current amount) as my 3 vehicles to her 1 is a bit much : ) A lovely beauty; I guess I haven't passed it on Buford HWY or it would have turned my head for sure. I am curious about the driver's door-it looks slightly out of alignment and the silver handle on the interior seems 'off' as well? Just questions from the peanut gallery... Only word I can think of for this car is HANDSOME. As the cliche goes--they don't make them like they used to! This still has a lot of life left!@2nd_Chance_Steel Oh, okay. Thanks for clearing that up.@LukeVance2013 It is actually the overflow hose from the expansion tank. You can buy a new one of FCP Euro for about $20 and install takes 10 minutes. These usually rot off because of age and heat and this one just wasn't replaced.Greetings! I’m wondering what the function was of the hose that’s disconnected from the overflow tank and if that has posed any issues?As we enter the final day of the auction, I’ll be around to answer any final questions. Replies might be a little late since I’m working today, but I’ll do my best and I’ll be attentive in the last hour. Thanks and good luck! One family owned. Highly maintained. No suspension issues. New transmission installed about 10 years ago. Fantastic driver and has been used as a daily driver since 2008, so everything works.@Peabo Correct. I just got your PM before dinner — I never saw your first email for whatever reason. Yes, all messages go to me as I’m the seller. If you win, I’ll be giving you a phone call within a minute of the auction ending and we can figure out logistics!@2nd_Chance_Steel Do message seller communications go to you? Still haven't heard a reply.$2,126 bid placed by @VIGIL
@Peabo Completely valid question! I’m a friend of the family that’s selling it and assisting in navigating the auction. Whoever wins will be dealing with me up until delivery of the car. I’m not an agent or broker, just a Mercedes enthusiast trying to help find this car a good home.$1,876 bid placed by @randyadams25
@2nd_Chance_Steel. I sent an email through the Message Seller button but haven't received a reply. Am i dealing with the family selling the car or an agent or a dealer? Thank youHey everyone! With just a few days left on the auction, I just wanted to check in with everyone watching the auction and make sure all questions or concerns are answered if interested parities have any. Please feel free to comment or PM me. Thanks!$1,626 bid placed by @Peabo
$1,376 bid placed by @Elo1725
$1,126 bid placed by @VIGIL
Everyone welcome to the auction of this really interesting, one family owned W126! I got to spend the evening with this car and while I took a ton of photos trying to display the original condition of the car, the driving video I posted hopefully shows how utterly surprised I was at how well this thing drove. The owner really took care of everything and anything that would pop up when it broke. There’s so many W126s out there have layers and layers of deferred maintenance that can make an uninformed purchase turn into a stressful ownership experience. Everything just… worked and ran well on this car, down to how tight the suspension was. I’ll be on standby for further comments or questions. Again, PM me if you’d like to chat via a phone call — I have no issue with that. I’ve known the car for a few years now and am helping a friend navigate the auction sphere since I’m more literate in this space than he. He’s selling it since he just bought a new Tahoe and doesn’t have room for it anymore. It’s a sentimental auction as this car has a rich story and many Atlanta memories.