This 1990 Mercedes-Benz 420SEL was originally sold by Helms Bros Mercedes-Benz of Bayside, NY in the Summer of 1990 for $64,700 as per the original window sticker. This flagship sedan is finished in Black (040) over Grey (268) leather interior and has been in the same family since new. Power is provided by a 4.2-liter M116 V8 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Additional equipment includes a sunroof, automatic climate control, cruise control, original Becker AM/FM stereo, and 15″ Gullideckel wheels. This incredibly original W126 was maintained by the family’s on-staff mechanic and received annual oil changes regardless of mileage. Service within the past 50 miles includes four new shocks, four new Michelin tires, new brake pads and rotors, new hood pad, new distributer cap, new waterpump/thermostat, oil service, power steering fluid service, differential fluid service, new fuel filters, power steering filters, a coolant flush, an upgraded fuse box, brake flush, new exhaust hangers and new air filters and breathers. The car has also received a full fuel system treatment, a new monovalve as well as an inspection of the timing chain & guides. This W126 shows 109k miles and is offered at No Reserve with the original window sticker, manufacturer’s literature, original paper tags, a first-aid kit, original tool roll, three keys, the original burgundy OEM leather key holder (new in plastic), paint meter readings, a clean Carfax report, and a clean NY title.
The car is finished in Black (040) with contrasting gray lower cladding along with a chrome grille and trim. Features include an electric tilting and sliding sunroof, power antenna, and headlight wipers. The paint is reportedly all original on this accident-free and damage-free sedan, and paint meter readings are provided in the gallery along with close-up photos of the paintwork and trim.
The OEM 15″ Gullideckel alloy wheels are mounted with a brand new set of 205/65 Michelin Defender tires. Stopping power is provided by four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, and all four brake rotors and pads have been replaced within the past 50 miles. Additionally, the care recently received all four new shocks and a brake fluid flush was also performed at that time. No significant imperfections are viewable on the OEM wheels.
The cabin is trimmed in Gray leather (268) and features Zebrano wood accents on the dash, center console, and door panels. The wood trim appears free from any cracks, fading or other imperfections. The car is equipped with the original Becker Mexico Grand Prix stereo and additional amenities include automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats with position memory, and power windows and door locks. The seller reports all features and options are functional as new.
The leather wrapped, four-spoke airbag steering wheel frames a 160-mph speedometer, a tachometer with an integrated clock, and gauges for fuel level, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and instant fuel economy. The six-digit odometer shows 109k miles.
The 4.2-liter M116 V8 features Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection and was factory rated at 221 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque when new. Power is translated to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. Service within the past 50 miles includes a new hood pad, new distributer cap, new waterpump/thermostat, an oil service, power steering fluid service, differential fluid service, new fuel filters, power steering filters, a coolant flush, an upgraded fuse box, new exhaust hangers and new air filters and breathers. The car has also received a full fuel system treatment, a new monovalve as well as an inspection of the timing chain & guides within the past 50 miles.
The Carfax report shows linear mileage history since 1990, no accidents or other damage, and lists single-owner registration history in New York.
A full interior and exterior walkaround tour of the car is viewable below.
Cold start, radio operation and driving videos are also viewable below.
Open Transit:
Enclosed Transit:
The winning bidder will receive an email with the quote and option to proceed with shipping.
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30 Comments
Very excited to have won! Thank you to all that I was bidding against, hope you won't hold anything against me. To the seller, I did just sent an email to the address listed. You can read it, and get back to me on the next steps. Thank you....bwampCongrats 🎉 it amazing carConstructive Criticism inbound; MB Market- Received text alert on auction close but the site was so incredibly slow (not to mention one has to login each and every time one accesses the site) that I completely missed out on being able to bid. That’s great for the winning bidder on a no reserve auction but terrible for the seller or potential bidders who would like to purchase an automobile. Congratulations to the lucky winner! It appears you have a wonderful 420SEL at a great price.Congratulations, @bwamp - That's an exceptional buy! Well done, @MBSince85!Congrats @bwamp ! You bought yourself a stunning W126 ! I will contact you shortly when I get home from my office. Again a huge thanks to @theMBmarket and everyone that bid ! It was a pleasure !Congrats to both - a stellar example!Congrats @bwamp - looks like an amazing car!$22,000 bid placed by @bwamp
$20,750 bid placed by @Yman67
$20,500 bid placed by @Johnbeall
$20,250 bid placed by @bwamp
$20,000 bid placed by @Johnbeall
$19,250 bid placed by @LoudounPrime
$19,000 bid placed by @Roland
$18,750 bid placed by @LoudounPrime
$18,500 bid placed by @Roland
$18,250 bid placed by @LoudounPrime
$18,000 bid placed by @Khan
$17,750 bid placed by @bwamp
$17,500 bid placed by @LoudounPrime
$17,250 bid placed by @Yman67
$17,000 bid placed by @LoudounPrime
$16,750 bid placed by @Yman67
$16,500 bid placed by @LoudounPrime
$16,250 bid placed by @Yman67
$16,000 bid placed by @Scott_Ales
$15,750 bid placed by @LoudounPrime
Hello everyone ! During these final hours I'd like to give a personal thanks to @theMBmarket and everyone that has tuned into this auction ! - Good Luck Bidding !$15,500 bid placed by @Yman67
$15,250 bid placed by @Dastan2021
$15,000 bid placed by @Yman67
$14,750 bid placed by @Dastan2021
$14,500 bid placed by @Yman67
$14,250 bid placed by @Dastan2021
$14,000 bid placed by @Roland
$13,500 bid placed by @APSloan1
$13,250 bid placed by @LoudounPrime
@dean_Laumbach Could not have said it better myself, Dean ! Really hit the nail on the head there - thanks for tuning in and for the compliments. Best Regards.There are ALWAYS going to be the collectors that buy only low mileage cars. A lot of them buy low mileage cars with significant and costly maintenance and cosmetic condition issues. The more you spend time with the cars from this era (in my case 25+ years) your eye gravitates the tell tail signs of usage and storage of the vehicle over its lifetime. Look at this vehicle's undercarriage, and its gray/white exhaust manifolds !!! This car may have lived in the Northeast, but I can easily surmise that it never saw a salt covered roadway. Park a car like this anywhere in the Northeast outside for 1 year and the exhaust manifold will be rusted over. Interior looks like a 20k mile example. Very nice car !!! I will be watching this one closely. Good Luck !!!@APSloan1 Hello, the timing chains and guides were just inspected and did not need replacement. They present themselves in “like new” condition and are still bright in color. There is no slack in the chain either. Another good sign of health would be from examination of the cold start video as well ( the car was sitting for 2 weeks unstarted at that point too ). Thank you.The timing chain and guides were inspected and just wondering if they had ever been replaced in the past. Usually around the 100k mark the chains have stretched some and on a car this age the guides have become brittle. What was the result of the inspection and have the chain or guides been replaced in the recent past? Thanks.$13,000 bid placed by @APSloan1
@APSloan1 Yes, all power options / functions are working. Seats, radio, mirror, vanity mirrors, sunroof, windows, lights, wheel telescopic function, etc. Climate control works as it should as well under all settings, Including the air recirculation function. Thank you for your interest and good luck bidding$12,000 bid placed by @Johnbeall
Do all the power accessories such as windows, mirrors, sun roof,seats, etc., work correctly? Also does climate control modulate correctly? Thanks. Beautiful example.$11,000 bid placed by @APSloan1
@Scott_Ales Thank you so much ! I really appreciate your compliments to me and the vehicle. Be sure to keep a close eye on this auction and good luck bidding !I often roll my eyes when I read a flowery description such as, "Incredible Condition", or a word like, Significant anywhere in a title/lead statement. It immediately raises a flag internally and I go into a mode of, let's see about that! But I must state as a 40+ year daily shopper of interesting assets that mostly have engines, this car has truly been preserved as well as one could. I believe. The fact it has lived its entire life in NY and presents itself this way is an even more significant result. You may find it odd that I'm commenting favorably towards a car I am trying to buy, fair enough. But if you know me, it would not surprise you at all. This comment is directed towards the owner in appreciation for preserving this one car to a very high level while still enjoying it! Well done my friend. Well done. You are to be commended.Photos of the B pillar, as well as cold start, radio operation and driving videos have been added to the listing.Additional photos of the undercarriage have been added to the listing.@Daddyschak Hello and thank you for your interest. Yes, the AC has been converted to R134. It blows extremely cold and cools down the cabin effortlessly during the hot summer months here in NY.Has the AC been converted to R134? I didn't notice if already mentioned so apologies if already covered. thanks.$10,000 bid placed by @dpaparella
@MBSince85 Thank you for your response - much appreciated.$9,420 bid placed by @Scott_Ales
$8,420 bid placed by @Eclecticollector
@Yman67 Hello and thank you for your interest in this car, it truly is a beautifully kept example. In regards to comparison with the W140 S420, I have owned both. Both are great cars but I simply preferred the more simplistic aspect that the W126 chassis offers. It is less refined in a more nostalgic and raw Mercedes-Benz way which we all love. More road feel, and definitely receives more looks. It simply sets itself apart from the crowd. In regards to the recent maintenance, I have my own private mechanic that I have been using for over 25 years. He is a master MB technician with over 40 years of experience and only uses OEM MB parts, which were used during the recent refurbishment on this car as well. Thank you.@Roland Hello and thank you for your interest in this car. There is NO rust on the chassis nor the frame. Upon renewal of registration, I simply decided to opt for the newer style NY license plates.Beautiful car. 2 questions: - How would you describe the rust on the chassis and other components under the car? Do you have photos? - If this is a one-owner car, why the brand new “K” license plates?@MBSince85 This is a beautiful example W126 you have here. I have a few questions: would you happen to have any experience with the W140 S420? I am curious to know how these two cars might compare from a driving perspective. Also, would you be able to provide a bit more information on where the car was serviced recently? The listing mentions that you have an on-staff mechanic. Would that be for a private garage? Appreciate any information you can offer. Thank you.$7,750 bid placed by @Scott_Ales
$7,500 bid placed by @dpaparella
$6,500 bid placed by @Johnbeall
@LoudounPrime Hello, Thank you for your kind words in regards to this beautiful 420SEL. I am away for the weekend but I can comment that the B-pillar leather is fantastic without any cuts, tears or rips. The radio works as it should and provides a high clarity of audible playback without any popping or crackling within the stereo systems output. I will be sure to add a cold-start and test drive video along with radio operation when I come back from my vacation on Monday. Thank you$4,700 bid placed by @Agracias
$4,450 bid placed by @bwamp
@MBSince85 - beautiful car! Are you able to provide a cold start and driving video? Also can you provide a picture of the b-pillars inside the car where the seat belt connects at the top? Does the radio work as it should - are there any crackles that might indicate failing amplifiers? Thanks for bringing this car to @TheMBmarket and GLWTA.Welcome everyone ! I’d like to give a personal thanks to @TheMBmarket for having this phenomenal car on their excellent platform, with a wonderful community that follows. I have subscribed for “seller alerts” and will be answering any questions / comments as soon as possible. Best regards, Dimitrios.@Daddyschak Hello and welcome ! The car is located in New Hyde Park, NY 11040. It will be available for an in person viewing next week, as I am away in the Hamptons for the weekend. Thank you for your interest.$4,200 bid placed by @BackNein
$2,500 bid placed by @Agracias
Beautiful, is the car available for a test drive? Where in LI are you?