This 1989 Mercedes-Benz 260SE was purchased new by a US Diplomat in Germany and subsequently imported and federalized into the US in 1992. The seller acquired the car in 2017 and has added approximately 7k of total 116k miles showing on the odometer. Finished in Pearl Gray Metallic (122) over Grey leather (268) upholstery, power is provided by a 2.6-liter inline-six paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Equipment includes a power sunroof, a power antenna, air conditioning, 15″ wheels, anti-lock disc brakes, and a Becker Grand Prix cassette player. The fuel system was serviced in 2022 and the brake pads and rotors were replaced in 2023. This Euro W126 is now offered with a window sticker, service records dating back to the 90's, import documentation, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Texas title in the seller’s name.
The exterior is finished in Pearl Gray Metallic (122) with dark gray lower-body cladding. Equipment includes a sunroof, an automatic antenna, and European-specification bumpers, headlights, and taillights. The seller notes the trunk has been repainted to correct scratches, and the vertical panels show some light crazing up close. In July 2023 the seller had the sunroof rails and clips replaced. Detailed photos have been provided in the gallery.
The factory steel 15″ wheels feature Euro Mercedes-Benz wheel covers and are mounted with 205/65 Pirelli Four Seasons tires. Stopping power is provided by four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. The seller reports the brake pads and rotors were replaced in January 2023.
The seats are upholstered in Grey leather (268) with color-coordinated door panels and carpets, while the upper dash and steering wheel are finished in black. Zebrano wood veneer accents the dashboard, center stack, and door panels. Amenities include a Becker Grand Prix cassette player, power windows, power locks, and air conditioning. The seller reports scratches on the wood trim, and the radio will not power on in cold weather.
The airbag steering wheel frames a 160-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer, an analog clock, and auxillary gauges for fuel level, coolant temperature, oil pressure, and instant economy. The six-digit odometer shows 116k miles, approximately 7k of which were added by the seller.
The 2.6-liter M103 inline-six was factory rated at 164 horsepower and 168 lb-ft of torque. The seller states that the air conditioning compressor was replaced in 2021 and that the fuel pumps were replaced in 2022. The brake pads and rotors were replaced in January 2023. An oil and filter change was performed along with the replacement of the windshield washer reservior within the last two months.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. Additional photos of the underbody are viewable in the photo gallery below.
The Carfax report shows no accidents or other damage and lists history in Texas and Virginia from the first entry in March 2000. This Euro W126 is now offered with a window sticker, service records dating back to the 90's, import documentation, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Texas title in the seller’s name.
Videos have been provided below showing driving footage, walk around, and cold start.
Open Transit:
Enclosed Transit:
The winning bidder will receive an email with the quote and option to proceed with shipping.
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33 Comments
Nice car for the price. Congrats$7,750 bid placed by @UAuto
$7,500 bid placed by @Winepro
$7,250 bid placed by @cmscollect
$7,000 bid placed by @Winepro
$6,750 bid placed by @cmscollect
$6,500 bid placed by @txmbnut
$6,250 bid placed by @Winepro
@slownrusty - thanks for chiming in. You are a wealth of knowledge on these! I'd love to see your 500SEC and 500SE. I too have an 86 500SEC Euro and have a love for the Euro specs. I have had my years of fun with this and ready to pass it on. As you pointed out, the Gen 2 Euros are extremely rare. Always a hit at cars and coffee as people gravitate toward the Euro lights, bumpers and wheel covers.I currently own three (3) 126 cars. Two (2) of which are Euro spec (modified 500SEC and 500SE) and a modified US Spec 560SEC. If my plate was not full (currently have two plates actually), I would be in the running for this 260SE, these rare spec'd models are so cool. Growing up and through my late teens my Dad bought a brand-new Euro spec 280SE in 1981 and it is this car that got me hooked on the three-pointed star. As the car got a bit older, my Dad's confidence in me increased to the point, I was allowed to always drive it and also do any maintenance the car needed. I trace my gear head roots back to this car. Back to this ’89 260SE, this is a wonderful, special and rare car obviously owned by a passionate and meticulous owner. One thing to keep in mind is that this is a Gen 2 Euro car, which is a rare bird in itself. Don’t sleep on the Euro straight six Benzes, they are surprisingly quite light on their feet, beautiful to look at and ownership is stress free and so rewarding. This car will also leave a US 300 SE (and 380) dead in its tracks. Hope to see some last-minute exciting bids. Best of luck.@Swabian - hi thanks for the question. Transmission is fine. No delay in engaging reverse.How is the transmission? Any delay in engaging reverse?$6,000 bid placed by @txmbnut
Hi all, as we near the end of the auction, I wanted to thank everyone for the comments and bids (@Ranger902, @txmbnut @UAuto @naccer @kmr9146). Feel free to contact me for any last minute questions. Good luck!$5,750 bid placed by @Ranger902
@ilovemybenz - AC has been converted and it’s cold$5,500 bid placed by @txmbnut
@ilovemybenz - how cool! yes hit the contact seller button and we can schedule a viewing.I passed this car up once on the freeway downtown. I am a w126 guy and it caught my attention immediately. I didn’t get to see the trunk but I knew it had to be a 260 base model from the hub caps. This auction now confirms my belief. Can I come look at it this weekend as an interested buyer? And is the a/c still R-12?$5,250 bid placed by @UAuto
Great info! Sign of an honest seller we appreciate this!@CarCrazy24 - Thanks you, much appreciated. Since then, we have replaced the brackets for the sunroof and also replaced the windshield washer reservoir (total cost $630). Also please refer to the walk around video. While the paint shows very well, it is mostly original and showing its age. There are areas of crazing in the clearcaot on the vertical surfaces that are hard to picture and a few spots on the roof. The horizontal surfaces including the roof and truck are in very good shape. Regular waxing and occasional compounding help keep its luster as you can see in the pics.Hoping you get a better result this time, it’s a beauty.A walk around, cold start, and driving video have been added to the listing.@CarCrazy24 - thanks you! Yes it was but didn't meet the reasonable reserve@naccer - you have great taste, and thanks for the bid!@hobbsm3 No knock on the car, I like oddballs. The gold on scala 500se that sold here was mine. Via consignment. And I have a plaid / silver euro 116.$5,000 bid placed by @naccer
Wasn’t this car for sale on BAT recently? Great looking W126 example regardless@LionHeart - thanks. it was just a way to get attention on the auction here. I’ve explicitly stated to bid on this site. I will be taking the listing down in a few days.Your car is active on eBay right now running auction format. Happened to see it while browsing FYI seller.@naccer - I look at it this way - you can buy a 300SE or 420 or 560 any day of the week. But not a 260SE and the fact that you have bid shows that you see something in it too, as I did and still do. The least desireable engine has now turned itself into somewhat of a unicorn. There are only a handful of these around. This is more of a conversation piece - it’s fun to watch jaws drop at a car meet. No one has ever seen one much less heard of one. Infact my mechanic, Who has worked on these for 50 years had never seen one in the flesh until I brought it in; and he was giddy as a middle school kid! Plus it’s got a very cool history and all the paperwork. That’s hard to beat. Oh and the Euro Gen II bumpers, the euro lights and hubcaps…@kmr9146 - you and me both!So, this is basically the least desirable engine for a w126 car. But the odd interior makes up for it. Will see where this goes.I want to be a diplomat.Thank you for the bids @kmr9146 and @naccer!$4,750 bid placed by @kmr9146
$4,500 bid placed by @naccer
$4,250 bid placed by @kmr9146
$4,000 bid placed by @naccer
$3,000 bid placed by @kmr9146
$2,750 bid placed by @txmbnut
Thank you for the ooening bid @naccer!$2,500 bid placed by @naccer
@tjleatherman - I live by Rice university - certainly, come on by. Hit the contact seller button and we can figure it out.cool thanks. where in houston is this car at? i may wanna come by for a test drive…@tjleatherman - correct - no accidents.so no accidents?@ottobenz - Thanks! Appreciate it. It is a true unicorn here! Maybe a couple of these floating around in the the US. Agree, it is a very interesting spec sheet. The original purchaser was a diplomat who imported the cake and then kept it till 2012! The Euro lights/bumpers and 15” wheel covers make we weak at the knees.@tjleatherman -Thanks. The front hood needs to be realigned. It happens on these. I’ll take care of it for the next ownerVery nice unicorn here. Interesting spec being 'basement' model 260 with steelies/plastic wheel covers, but optioned with leather, power windows, automatic, sunroof, BOSE speakers, and A/C. Manual A/C likely more reliable than the usual fully automatic version. Pretty sure there is no airbag on this car, maybe listing can be corrected (although my guess is that no one really cares if equipped with airbag or not tbh). Being short wheelbase AND euro bumpers means this is almost a full foot shorter than the usual SELs we see here. GLWTAnice car! what’s with the big gap above the right headlight though? picture 90.