1988 Mercedes-Benz 300 SE

“It’s an exceptional low mileage, two-owner-from-new W126,” says vendor James. “It has a Mercedes-Benz service history, so it’s been very well looked after, and entering the cabin really is like stepping back in time to 1988.”

First supplied by Lancaster Mercedes-Benz of Ipswich, it’s survived in such good fettle due to the fact that both owners always garaged it. The second of those stored the car for ten years, and it’s just had a through re-commissioning and service to ensure that it’s on the button.

“It comes with all the owners’ handbooks in the original clear Mercedes wallet; in fact, everything the salesman passed to its first owner is still present. Details such as the Lancaster number plates and an original Mercedes-Benz S-Class sales brochure complete the feeling of travelling back to when the car was new.”

That is of course backed up by condition, which James says is “outstanding”, and the driving experience, in his words “smooth, quiet and refined”.

The car’s included V5c document confirms a total of owners.

The Nautical Blue paintwork has been looked after very well and presents almost perfectly, with just one small stone chip present on the bonnet (pointed out in the Gallery, below). Those long flanks appear straight and dint-free, and you can tell that the car has always been garaged as the bumpers and lower valance plastics aren’t sun bleached and still retain a high level of their original grey colour.

“The common areas of corrosion often seen on the W126 model (parcel shelf, boot wheel-well and front bumper mounts) are all absolutely solid on this example,” says James. “It’s also nice, not to mention rare, to see the original bright work on the car and it’s perfect”.

The original 15-hole alloy wheels are shod in fresh rubber (Toledo TL1000 205/65 R15 tyres) and present immaculately having been recently refurbished. All glass appears clear and rubbers are nice supple, although the lower windscreen item is a touch aged (albeit remaining unseen, below the bonnet line) with a bit of surface cracking present.

Overall, it’s very impressive.

“The mushroom leather seats, with electrically adjustable driver’s seat, are still firm and supportive, and look as they did in 1988,” says James. He’s not joking either, because a quick glance at the interior shots in our Photographic Gallery below show just how well preserved this car’s cabin is.

The leather seats are in impressive fettle, with just a little surface wear and minor discolouration on the driver’s seat bolster. Other than that, it’s a pretty much time-warp impression; the wood veneer is tip-top, door-cards and headlining in perfect nick and plastics pretty much free of marks or scratches. New ribbed mushroom over-mats have also recently been added.

The original Blaupunkt Melbourne radio is still fitted and works perfectly, as does the electric tilt/slide sunroof and electric aerial both of which go about their respective businesses smoothly and efficiently. Pop the boot and you’ll find the original toolkit, warning triangle, jack and first aid kit.

We’ll return to James earlier mention of the driving experience being, “smooth, quiet and refined”. And having been out in it a few times ourselves it is, well, smooth, quiet and refined. In fact, scratch that and replace it with blooming smooth, blooming quiet and blooming refined.

That was of course the S-Class’s reason for being (we’ve gone Anglo Saxon, rather than French there!) and, as well as presenting like an almost new car, this well-looked after example provides a lovely reminder of just how good this model was (and still remains).

The ABS endowed brakes are firm under foot and offer plenty of stopping power; suspension is lovely and taut, and four-speed gearbox/straight-six engine combo is silky in operation.

Under bonnet remains supremely tidy with everything remaining in exceptionally fresh condition. There’s no torn heat insulation or faded plastics here, just a lovely well-presented engine bay. In fact the only real indicator of age is the outer surface of the exhaust manifolds.

Glancing underneath the 300SE, you’re again rewarded with an impression of a solid and well looked after car.

The 300SE’s history file is succinct and to the point, consisting of those original handbooks including that all-important service book. A quick glance at that shows a Pre-delivery Inspection stamp, and then a further ten service stamps; these were all carried out at Mercedes-Benz main dealers (with the majority by Waterhouse Limited of Chelmsford, Essex.

You’ll also find a selection of expired MOT test certificates, the car’s V5c document and a period Mercedes-Benz sales brochure.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to an excellent standard.

Okay, let’s get straight to it: we think this stunning 300SE will sell for somewhere between £8000 and £13000. There, we said it – and yes, for a car this well preserved, that’s verging on the criminal. In fact I had to resist the temptation to place my hand over my mouth in shock as I typed that.

The M103 3.0-litre straight-six engine provides a nice combination of power and frugality, and as a family classic car there isn’t much to touch this in terms of value for money. When you factor in Mercedes-Benz’ supreme build quality, the pleasing colour combination and the lovely condition of this surviving example then it just gets better and better and better…

After coming out of a decade’s hibernation it’s also just received the necessary re-commissioning, so should be ready to resume the S-class’s famed continent-in-a-day trouncing journeys immediately.

Viewing is always encouraged and as stated this car is located at our Abingdon headquarters; we are open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.