This 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300SDL is finished in Anthracite Gray Metallic (172) over Gray Leather (278) and is powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Sold new out of Madison Heights, Michigan to the first owner in December of 1986, this W126 shows subsequent registration in New Hampshire until it moved to Maine in 2022. Equipment includes power adjustable front seats with memory, a power tilt/slide sunroof, a power adjustable steering column, automatic climate control, and cruise control. Recent maintenance consists of an A/C refresh, auxiliary fan switch, glow plug relay, engine oil service, new fuel injection lines, mechanical fuel injection pump rebuild, battery, new shocks, lower ball joints, engine shut off valve, and much more. A new VDO headunit has been installed and the OM603 has an EGR delete kit. This 300SDL shows just under 153k miles and is now being offered by the current owner out of Kennebunk, Maine with records going back to 2005, the original tool kit, a spare tire, spare parts and Mercedes-Benz specific tools, Tempomat hang tag, stamped service booklet, manufacturer's literature, original radio, a Carfax report and a Maine registration.
The exterior is finished in Anthracite Gray Metallic (172) and features contrasting lower body cladding and a chrome grille. Exterior features include a power tilt/slide sunroof, heated side mirrors with a power adjustable passenger side, yellow fog lights with new bezels, an electrically heated rear window and headlamp wiper/washers. Gray and red pin striping traces the lines of the car and the bright work shows in good condition. Original Sekurit/Sigla glass is seen throughout the greenhouse of this W126. A small spot of rust is present on the front passenger and driver quarter panel below the corner marker and rock chips are visible on the front of the car. The car has been professionally paint corrected and ceramic coated in preparation for the sale. The antenna motor and mast have been recently rebuilt.
Fitted are 15” Gullideckel wheels which come wrapped in a set of Michelin Defender T+H all-season tires measuring 205/65 on all four corners with 2018 date codes on three wheels and a 2019 on one wheel. The wheels present in excellent condition since the current owner powder coated them and new lug bolts and fresh center caps are noted on each wheel. All new brake calipers, hoses, fluids, pads, and rotors have been done under the current owner. New wheel bearings were done alongside four new Bilstein shocks/struts and lower control arm ball joints.
The cabin comes upholstered in Gray Leather (278) and features Zebrano wood trim in good condition lining the center console, dashboard and door panels. Interior features include power adjustable front seats with memory, a power adjustable steering column, automatic climate control, cruise control and an aftermarket VDO Continental with the original Becker included in the sale. All windows have been greased and serviced. The seats show in very good condition with light wear noted on the driver left side bolster. Coco Mats are seen for the front driver and passenger floorboard with berbere carpeting for the rear. Rear reading lights in the C-pillars are shown to operate as intended. The driver black plastic kick panel is not installed but comes with the car. The cruise control amplifier was rebuilt under the current ownership, but will occasionally reset during use. The climate control system comes with a new compressor, R134a conversion, o-rings, dryer, expansion valve, low pressure switch, blower motor, auxiliary fan switch, new refrigerant, and a new heater monovalve.
The four-spoke steering wheel fronts a 140-mph speedometer along with a 6k-rpm tachometer, an analog clock and gauges for fuel level, coolant temperature and oil pressure. A row of warning lights is placed below with a digital outside temperature sensor mounted in the middle. The six-digit odometer reads just under 153k miles. The steering wheel is power assisted and telescopes only.
This W126 is powered by a turbocharged OM603 3.0-liter inline-six diesel engine which is factory rated at 148 horsepower and 201 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed 722.3 automatic transmission. This example was serviced by the selling dealer with work mostly done by the same technician for 38 years. Recent maintenance includes:
Underside photos are provided in the gallery showing no rust. The seller states this car was not used during winter and lived indoors its whole life. Preventative clear undercoating was done by the current seller in preparation for the sale. There is a small transmission flare between second and third, but the current seller had an experienced technician inspect the issue and found nothing wrong.
The Carfax report shows a moderate accident in 1987 and this W126 is registration only as Maine does not issue titles for cars this old. This 300SDL shows just under 153k miles and is now being offered by the current owner out of Kennebunk, Maine with records going back to 2005, the original tool kit, a spare tire, spare parts, Mercedes-Benz specific tools, Tempomat hang tag, stamped service booklet, manufacturer's literature, original radio, a Carfax report and a clean Maine registration.
The seller has included the following videos:
There is very little on this planet that pairs better than a long wheelbase W126 with a OM603 engine. This engine superseded the venerable OM617A by adding an extra cylinder and a lot more power. An in-line six is a far more balanced engine than an in-line five, so these cars are noticeably smoother and more refined compared to early W126 turbodiesels. We really like this pairing as this powerplant was more durable than the 3.5-liter OM603 that was notorious for bending connecting rods. The handsome color combination of Anthracite over Gray with Cocomats and just the right miles and just the right services done make this such a good candidate for a W126 lover to add to their collection. These are 100% daily drivable classic cars and can do everything from the long winded road trips, to commuting, to showing up at car shows on the weekend. The interior condition shows it was very well taken care of and never saw sun, the underside is proof it never dove in salty, winter conditions, and the services the current owner did says he knows W126s. Ball joints are a bear of a job as is spring removal for the front struts. Plus the A/C invoices and monovalve work makes this a no brainer buy for someone wanting a turn key diesel longwheel base W126. Plus who doesn’t like 27 MPG in a big-body Benz?
Open Transit:
Enclosed Transit:
The winning bidder will receive an email with the quote and option to proceed with shipping.
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