This 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL was first owned out of Louisville, Kentucky and shows registration there until the current owner bought the car in 2002 when it moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming where it currently resides. Finished in Smoke Silver Metallic (702) over Mushroom Leather (265), power is provided by a 5.5-liter M117 V8 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. Equipment includes heated and memory front seats, rear heated seats with a reclining back, a power sunroof, and the original Becker Mexico Grand Prix head unit. This 560SEL underwent timing chain, timing chain guides, cam oilers, all new filters, and all new fluids replaced when the current owner bought the car in 2002 at 105k miles by a certified Mercedes-Benz mechanic. The odometer currently reads 114,536 original miles. This 1990 560SEL is now offered for sale by the current owner with a clean Carfax, light window tint, extensive frontal paint protection film, original jack, tool kit, no rust, and a clean Wyoming title.
The exterior is finished in Smoke Silver Metallic (702) with gray lower body cladding and chrome trim on the bumpers, window frames, door handles, and grill surround. Exterior equipment includes a power tilt/slide body painted metal sunroof, an electrically heated rear window, and a power antenna. The seller states the car has not had paint work and has been garage kept its entire life having never been driven in the Wyoming winters. Aftermarket light tint was applied to protect the interior from UV damage by the current owner. Clear corner lights have been added to the front of the car and some rock chips are visible on the front bumper. A couple of chips and dings are noted by the seller in the gallery.
The factory 15” Gullideckel wheels come wrapped in Continental ContiTouring Contact tires measuring 205/65 on all four corners which were mounted by James Motoring Company in 2001 at 105k miles. The spare tire is an original Michelin MXV4 Plus. ATE disc brakes are behind all four wheels with factory ABS. The wheels show some chips on the painted surfaces. Brake pads were done 8k miles ago along with a transmission fluid and filter change. Four new shocks were done in tandem during this time.
The interior is upholstered in Mushroom Leather (265) with matching tan carpets, original Mercedes-Benz floor mats, and an uncracked black upper dashboard while Burl Walnut wood trim lines the center console, dashboard, and door panels. The front seats are heated with two position memory. Additional interior features include heated rear seats with reclining backs, a power sunroof, factory rear foot rests, functioning automatic climate control with infrared readings, cruise control, and power adjustable rear view mirrors. A two-tone town and country horn is fitted on this 560SEL. An original floor jack and a tool kit are included in the sale. The original Becker Mexico Grand Prix head unit powers up and is reportedly working and is paired with a multi-disc CD changer mounted in the trunk.
The leather-wrapped steering wheel frames a 160-mph speedometer along with a 7k-rpm tachometer, an analog clock and gauges for fuel level, economy, coolant temperature and oil pressure. The odometer indicates an original 114,536 miles. The fuel gauge is reportedly not reading correctly.
This W126 is powered by a 5.5-liter M117 V8 engine which outputs 238 horsepower and 287 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed 722.3 automatic transmission. A top end rebuild was done at 105k miles in 2002 including timing chain, chain guides, and tensioner by a certified Mercedes-Benz mechanic. Unfortunately service records were lost, but the owner states regular service intervals were hit for fluid changes and tune ups. Underside and wheel well photos are present in the gallery.
This 560SEL is now offered for sale by the seller out of Cheyenne, Wyoming with timing chain work done 8k miles ago, a clean Carfax report, tool kit, original jack, original floor mats, paint protection film, and a clean Wyoming title.
This was the king of the road in 1990. The W126 received a huge interior facelift in 1989 making the later model cars more desirable. Door panels, seats, and leathers all got a huge improvement in build quality and ergonomics, even down to how the door shut felt. The later model cars are just what we imagine when we think of the Mercedes-Benz bank vault feel. This 560SEL is in a wonderfully period correct color combination and is an original, surviving example with head work performed 8k miles ago. It's nice to see the original floor mats and rear footrests still in the cabin and the wood appears to be in great condition. With a 23-year ownership tenure under the current’ owner’s wing and it being kept cozy warm in a climate controlled garage during the chilly Wyoming winters, this LWB W126 is ready to get some more miles loaded on the odometer by the next owner. There’s really nothing from the time period that feels like this car on the open highway. The W126 is really just the best thing the brand has built.
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7 Comments
Should have sold it, it's what the car was worth, very fair price.$7,698 bid placed by @samwell_1
$5,146 bid placed by @BD450SL
$4,896 bid placed by @samwell_1
$3,975 bid placed by @Everyclassic909
$3,725 bid placed by @Stuttgart60
$3,475 bid placed by @Everyclassic909
$3,225 bid placed by @samwell_1
$2,975 bid placed by @Everyclassic909
$2,725 bid placed by @Stuttgart60
$2,475 bid placed by @ST8OMIND
$2,225 bid placed by @BD450SL
Did the fuel gauge stop working before or after the work was done on it? Any idea what's wrong with it?$1,500 bid placed by @Everyclassic909
Where are the rear head rests?$1,250 bid placed by @Farmhandz
$1,000 bid placed by @jebaril
Call this a "Know what you have W126". "If it can be purchased" at the right price, the new owner can completely sort the car and make a great daily driver knowing what they have in the end. I've done a car very similar in age/mileage and IMHO, will take about six months to a year since by driving the car every few days and lengths of trips, you will find other items that will need repair. I now drive my 91-560SEL daily with just over 103K on the OD, car runs/drives/handles as it did new, is a joy to own and requires nothing more than standard maint.I thought all 560SELs had rear head rests... or am I mistaken?If you look closely this is a very decent car. Correct the corner lenses, new shocks/springs, hood pad, and tires and you have a really nice facelift 560SEL. All of those items are not that expensive to do. I'm hoping an enthusiast who knows a thing or two sees the insane potential here. This is one of the BEST cars Mercedes ever built. The pictures are a bit of a miss, but the information is there. I like it.$500 bid placed by @Babyhani1
$250 bid placed by @Leonard
I don't know it is @Blakleyleonard , or the @mbmarket staff who writes the copy/insights, but they nail it EVERY time. It is what seta MBMarket apart from the 'other guys' and it really makes a difference. As always, well done! I can say as a w126 owner, that insight is spot on, and this seems like a very well loved example. Good luck with the auction!