This Euro-Spec 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL was originally an Emden Branch order and exported to Japan in the 1990’s. In 2015 it was imported back to Germany by a dealer and sold to the current owner and seller in 2016. The owner has added approximately 30k kilometers (~18k miles) since purchasing. Finished in Barolo Red (540) over Amaretta Cream Beige Suede (875), this W126 is powered by a 5.5-liter M117 V8 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. Features include factory split rear bucket seats, heated front & rear seats, multi-contour front seats, a factory fire extinguisher, power windows, and a power sunroof. Service performed since 2015 includes an R134 conversion for the A/C, a new fuel tank, and multiple bi-annual technical inspections have been passed. This W126 is now offered for sale by the current owner with 63,421 kilometers (~39,407 miles) on the odometer, two keys, the original manufacturer’s literature, a spare tire and tool kit, first aid kit and a clean Norway title.
The exterior is finished in Barolo Red (540) and features Gray lower body cladding with chrome trim featured along the bumpers and beltline. European bumpers and headlamps are shown. Exterior features include glass headlamps with integrated fog lamps and wiper/washers, heat insulated glass, an electronically heated rear window and a power sunroof. The seller notes the car received a repaint by the previous owner except the roof which shows original paint and some clear coat fading. Some scratches are noted on the rear side and bumpers of the car.
Fitted are the factory 15” Gullideckel wheels which wear Nexen tires measuring 215/65 on all four corners and show 2015 date codes. The seller notes original rear self-leveling is present.
The interior is trimmed in rare factory-optioned Amaretta Cream Beige Suede (875) and features Burl Walnut wood trim on the center console, dashboard and door panels. Features include factory split rear buckets, heated front & rear seats, multi-contour front seats, a factory fire extinguisher, power windows, and a power sunroof. A period-correct aftermarket Panasonic head unit is shown in the car and operational.
The black leather-wrapped steering wheels fronts VDO instrumentation including a 160-mph speedometer and a 7k-rpm tachometer. Other instrumentation includes fuel level and economy gauges, coolant temperature, oil pressure, an analog clock and a digital outside thermometer. The six-digit odometer reads 63,421 kilometers (~39,407 miles). The steering column is power adjustable and linked to the driver side memory controls.
This W126 is powered by a Euro-spec 5.5-liter M117 V8 which produces 295 horsepower and 335 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. Service performed since 2015 includes an R134 conversion for the A/C, a new fuel tank, and multiple bi-annual technical inspections have been passed.
This W126 is now offered for sale by the current owner with 63,421 kilometers (~39,407 miles) on the odometer, two keys, the original manufacturer’s literature, a spare tire and tool kit, first aid kit and a clean Norway title.
For all the rare and unique W126's we've seen come across our auction block, this may be the rarest of them all. The W126 is some of the best work to come out of the Bruna Sacco era of Mercedes-Benz and this red over beige example is the perfect car for anyone looking for a top tier Mercedes-Benz classic car ownershhip experience. With an unrivaled level of ride comfort and the most unique cabin we've seen this car represents what it was like to buy a flagship Mercedes-Benz in period. Since the W126, five more generations of S-Class have been sold to the public, yet this chassis still holds its own boasting impressive features such as factory split rear seats, heated front and rear seats, a power operated sunroof and self-leveling rear suspension. The 560SEL provides just enough modern features to make this car comfortable and easy to daily drive while delivering on the Mercedes-Benz classic experience that we all know and love.
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16 Comments
$10,750 bid placed by @xmaster35
$10,500 bid placed by @JP1288
$9,999 bid placed by @Kellymel
@MBFahrer All accessories work. If by “lumbar support” you mean the pneumatic hardness adjustment of the front seats, this works well, as do the other accessories, including air-conditioning and electric sun roof. The amoretto interior is in my experience easier to slide in and out of, than a velour seat covering. The mentioned paint scratch is the only one. No interior odours, and the ashtrays appear to never have been used. The engine runs well, pulls very strongly on acceleration, and is a joy to drive at cruising speeds, with less effort than most new cars..
$8,060 bid placed by @Osuby1
Do all the accessories work--front lumbar, rear heated/power seats, etc? How is the suede interior to live with? Does it grab your clothes like the velour upholstery or is it easier to slide in and out? Are there any other areas of paint damage besides the scratch in the driver side rear quarter panel? Any interior odors? How does the engine run? Thanks!!
@xmaster35 Hi, I have no knowledge of the car being imported to The Netherlands. What I do know is that the car was imported to Germany from Japan by a dealership in Chemnitz, Germany: Name of german dealership is: "AKW Automobile GmBH". Prior to this(based on japanese service stickers in the inside door shows the car has had the 16.000km service, and the 22.000km. while in Japan. Odometer reading of 35.595 km. when I bought it in Germany.
First delivery was in the Netherlands, there are Japanese stickers on the engine compartment Was the vehicle exported to Japan at some point and returned to Europe years later? in this case Oslo? Are there Japanese service records that confirm the mileage?
$7,810 bid placed by @xmaster35
@PerVennemoe That's great, thank you!!
@MBFahrer The undercarriage is in very good condition, not found any rust/corrosion on the undercarriage or other components. The car has only been used during the summer under my ownership, and I have avoided driving on wet roads. The car has been garaged and parked up in storage during the winter when they salt the roads.
How is the undercarriage? Any signs at all of rust/corrosion? Even on exhaust/suspension components?
This unique 560 SEL has three very rare and desirable options: 822 300HP ECE engine without emissions control 406 single rear seats with coupe front seats Amaretta upholstery I've been looking at the pictures of this beautiful car for the last few days. I was very tempted of bidding and hopefully owning it. But.......I just can not overcome the cream-beige interior. It's a personal preference. If it were red, black, brazil brown or even blue inside, I would be all over it. P.S. Importation into the USA will be a breeze.
Wow, four place seating in a W126--that is so cool!
$7,560 bid placed by @PV88
$5,560 bid placed by @Debellation
@PerVennemoe, Excellent and beautiful presentation. Lovely residence. I'm interested, though being in the States transport costs become significant. Are there any issues you are aware of that would prevent easy importation to the USA?
@PerVennemoe Thank you.
@Hansjorg ello! not as far as I know, but the catalytic convertors have not been present in my ownership
Hi, since this car was shipped from Germany to Japan, were there any catalytic converters installed to get it licensed in Japan?
@DrAMG Hello! That was a mistake, the front suspension looks standard to me. sorry about the mistake. Per
@jago_mb it also claims it has a factory air suspension.
MB Market Insight refers to wrong vehicle and needs correction: "this final year white over gray example..."