This 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL was sold new in California and shows less than 84k miles from new. The car relocated to Illinois from 1997-2017 before returning to California where it currently resides. Finished in Black Pearl Metallic (199) over Black Leather (261), power is provided by a 5.0-liter M119 V8 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. Equipment includes a power tilt/slide glass sunroof, electrically adjustable and heated front and rear seats, self-leveling rear suspension, a power rear sunshade, ASR slip control and burl wood trim. The most recent service approximately one month ago included an AC service with a new blower motor, new rear window actuator, and new rear suspension stabilizer. In January 2025 an oil service was performed which was less than 1k miles ago. This W140 is now offered for sale by the selling dealer in Lake Forest, California with a clean Carfax report and a clean California title.
The exterior is finished in Black Pearl Metallic (199) and two-tone grey lower body cladding with chrome trim lining the windows. Exterior equipment includes a power tilt/slide glass sunroof, power adjustable and heated door mirrors, a heated windshield washer system, headlamp wiper/washers, remote central locking and soft-close doors. The seller notes prior paint work on the trunk lid and rear driver door. A paint imperfection is noted on the front passenger corner. The Carfax report shows no accidents or damage since new.
The car rides on factory 16" 8-hole alloy wheels which come wrapped in a set of new Uniroyal Tiger Paw tires measuring 235/60 showing 2015 date codes. The suspension features a self-leveling rear axle and a new rear stabilizer bar was recently installed.
The seats are trimmed in Black Leather (261) which is also found on the door panels and dashboard. Burl Walnut wood trim found on the center console, dashboard and door panels. Both front and rear seats are heated and electrically adjustable. Additional amenities include dual-zone automatic climate control, a power rear sunshade, cruise control, Bose audio, an integrated car phone and a power tilt/telescope steering column. A new window actuator was installed in preparation for the sale along with a new AC blower motor and rercharge.
The leather wrapped steering wheel frames a 160-mph speedometer which sits alongside a 7k-rpm tachometer as well as an analog clock and gauges for fuel level, economy, oil pressure and coolant temperature. Digital instrumentation includes an outside temperature sensor along with a digital odometer which currently shows just under 84k miles.
This W140 is powered by a 5.0-liter M119 V8 engine which is factory rated at 315 horsepower and 345 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. The Carfax report shows a most recent oil change in January 2025 less than 1k miles ago along with 10 total service history records. In preparation for the sale, the dealer had an AC service performed with a new blower motor, new rear window actuator, and new rear suspension stabilizer bar installed.
The Carfax report shows first entry in February 1993 upon purchase with California and Illinois registrations. Linear mileage updates are shown from new with no accident or damage reports.
A walk-around video has been provided by the seller below.
Additional videos have been added showing driving footage, a cold start, walk around, and a car wash ensuring there are no interior leaks.
Open Transit:
Enclosed Transit:
The winning bidder will receive an email with the quote and option to proceed with shipping.
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27 Comments
Congratulations @GermanMerc That was a great deal! I will contact you shortly to arrange shipping and delivery. Thank you all for the valuable comments, and everyone whom followed this auction.Congrats thats really a lot of MERCEDES BENZ ENGENEERING The best or nothing ... Well bourght$9,000 bid placed by @GermanMerc
$8,250 bid placed by @12kyle33
$8,000 bid placed by @GermanMerc
$7,250 bid placed by @12kyle33
$7,000 bid placed by @Moenour12
$6,750 bid placed by @12kyle33
$6,500 bid placed by @Moenour12
@quantumorbit You can refer to the videos showing the harness, I don’t have proof of replacement but there is no issues with the car nor any warning lights while running it, on several test drives. Good luck to you and all bidders!Only one hour left before this elegant 500 SEL finds its next home! A true piece of Mercedes history — don’t miss your chance to own a timeless W140 flagship. Best of luck to all the bidders!$6,250 bid placed by @12kyle33
$6,000 bid placed by @cory
This is a fine example with low miles. The last of the well built, over-engineered Mercedes S Class. I've own a 93 500SEL for about 17 years, very reliable and low maintenance car, bullet proof. Only downside, the biodegradable wire harness was addressed by previos owner so it has been full enjoyment for me. It would serve the seller well to take a picture of the tag of upper wire harness to indicate if it has been done. Most likely it's already been replaced considering the year.Only a few hours remain before this 500 SEL finds its next owner. A rare chance to own a beautifully preserved piece of Mercedes history!$5,750 bid placed by @Mike2210
$4,750 bid placed by @airbenz
$4,500 bid placed by @RTjones
$4,250 bid placed by @12kyle33
One day left on this beautiful 500 SEL! Happy to answer any questions before the auction wraps up.$4,000 bid placed by @Mike2210
$3,750 bid placed by @12kyle33
$3,500 bid placed by @Mike2210
3000@Manskraft Thank you for the detailed questions! All A/C and electronic systems function properly with no issues. I don’t have records indicating whether the wiring insulation has been replaced. The transmission shifts smoothly with no harshness or delay, including when shifting from reverse to drive while cold. Appreciate your interest, MikeLooks nice, a few questions: Have the electronic systems CAN bus component such as the automatic climate control, and seat memory modules been addressed? This model used the infamous biodegradable insulation, which deteriorated from heat and age, has that been replaced or is it original? On the 4-speed automatic transmission (722.3) does it harsh shift or is there any vacuum-related issues by not finding the reverse or forward gears when cold? Thank you. Manskraft@VIGIL What a gorgeous example! The W140 500 SEL is truly something special — love the scale, luxury, and presence of this car. It’s one of those models where the build quality and character really shine through.Additional videos have been added to the listing showing a cold start and driving footage.$2,500 bid placed by @VIGIL
Early cars are so much better feeling than later cars. This is awesome.$750 bid placed by @Moenour12
@GermanMerc Central locking works fine One key onlyThanks for the quick response. Does the central locking work? The car seems to have infrared remote central locking, does it work? How many keys come with the car?@GermanMerc I have no idea to be honest. There are no warning lights on the dash, my guess it has been replaced but I have no records or any proof it was done.@ferrari1971 driver door not working, 3 remaining doors are on and off working. fender needs a good dentless repair, I could not find one good enough to work on it, fender might be better to painted -cost wise-Has the wiring harness been replaced?Will pdr take car of the dents , or does it need to go to the body shop? also what is the diagnosis of the soft close door malfunctioning (is it 1 or all 4 )?$500 bid placed by @Browndog20
@ferrari1971 that is correct , front left fender have a dent Everything functions as expected except for the soft closing doors. Sunroof, windows, ac, all components functions as expected.Very nice car, I think the lighting you took the photos in gives the impression there are a lot of dents in the body. On pic 1 it looks like the front fender near the door has a huge dent? Maybe take some photos in a different light. Do all the windows and sunroof work? Is there anything that needs to be addressed? Thank you@airbenz Am open by appointment, let me know when you plan to come in and we can set a convenient timeAre we able to see the car in person?@antonvt I will be adding more photos and videos soonDear seller, Also kindly requesting you to post close and detailed pics of undercarriage of the vehicle and driving videos. Thank you AntonyHello dear seller. A couple of questions - Could you please post closer pics of the paint? All pics are very far from the car. - how many keys accompany the car? - the front drivers fender seems to have a dent - could you please post closer pics of it? - also please post closer pics of bolts and nuts from the engine bay and hood and door mounts. Thank you AntonyWelcome, Mercedes enthusiasts! We’re proud to showcase this 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500 SEL, a flagship model that perfectly captures the prestige and engineering brilliance of the W140 generation.$250 bid placed by @tbssd