1990 Mercedes-Benz 300 SE

The included V5c document indicates the manufacture date of this lovely Pearl Grey metallic 300 SE as being the 16th of August 1990. It also shows that it has had a grand total of two owners from new, with both having contributed to a combined mileage of just 36,800 – for a model capable of covering star ship mileages that surely means it’s merely run in!

The first owner also ordered a nice level of specification; as well as that lovely metallic hue and the supremely pleasing leather interior, there’s also an electric sunroof and cruise control – perfect for kicking back on a summer’s day and comfortably devouring long distances at will.

A quick check of the car’s MOT history shows that it has enjoyed regular exercise over the last 10 to 15 years, with a little and often approach to its use helping to keep it both in fine mechanical fettle and superb overall condition.

The original Maintenance Booklet and Owner’s Manual are both included, with the former featuring Pre-Delivery inspection stamp that reveals Pentagon Limited of Bicester Road, Ayelsbury to be the original supplying dealer.

You will also find further service indicators at:

· 600-900 miles (28/09/1990)

· 7,053 miles (10/02/1992)

· 12,291 miles (16/05/1996)

· 22,640 miles (18/04/2004)

· 33,065 miles (28/10/2019)

Further service invoices at 30,572 miles (04/05/2017) and 32,068 miles (15/10/2018) are also present in the car’s history file.

The 300 SE also comes with two sets of keys.

As you will see, the car’s overall condition marks it out as a lovely original survivor and one that should still provide any Mercedes-Benz aficionado with a consummate ‘Sonderklasse’ experience.

Woof – in period, the profile of this bad boy in rear mirrors would have drivers of lesser marques and models reaching for their respective indicator stalks and quickly scurrying to the inside lane. Even now, over three decades later, it still retains one heck of a presence. Pick an angle, any angle, and it returns an imposing silhouette.

Panel fit is Teutonic strong, as you’d expect. The paint finish is generally excellent with a gloriously deep shine. There are of course some signs that the car has been driven but they’re minimal; the front bumper has a minor touch of stone-chip pebble dashing – although, it’s more pronounced to the offside. And the windscreen has a few marks (one or two small chips, and a graze).

Wheel-arches look to be corrosion free; sills are immaculate; in fact, there look to be no visual indicators of any even minor rust worries. Bright work is similarly very strong, with just the odd tiny blemish here and there (such as on the upper nearside corner of the radiator grille chrome).

The alloy wheels are finished to an identically flawless standard.

There is no doubt that this is a very clean 300 SE.

There is a lovely ambience inside the car’s cabin; it’s a symphony of Grey that serves to beautifully highlight the deep veneer of the wood panels. The leather seats are in very fine fettle with barely a mark, crease or stitch out of play – stunning.

Door cards remain super clean; wood veneers are excellent (save for one or two light scratches around the electric window controls on the centre column), as are carpets with ribbed protective over-mats in situ; up top, the headlining looks as good as new with absolutely no signs of water ingress around the sunroof.

Dashboard dials look factory fresh, as does the dash unit covering. All electrics, including the period Blaupunkt stereo unit, function exactly as they should.

Pop the boot and you will find it to be equally immaculate; the matching carpet is fresh from marks, and underneath you’ll find the spare wheel and originaL tool roll located.

We’ll say it again: this is one smart Merc.

The vendor reports that the 300 SE’s driving disposition is equal to how it presents. “It’s a very good car and really does drive beautifully”.

We have had it out for a quick spin and can confirm that to be the case – smooth, refined and Germanically efficient to a T. Pop down to our Video Review to see substantiate how clean the vehicle is inside and out, and then see exactly how smoothly that six-cylinder power plant ticks over and revs.

The engine bay is tres clean. Black plastics are always a good indicator of how a car has been treated; they age badly in neglected vehicles, but here they retain a deep matt black colour. Brake pipe work and electrical system cables remain in excellent nick and the under bonnet the sound deadening remains firmly in place. The only real pointers to the passing of the years are the exhaust manifolds, which have taken on a semi-aged appearance – no biggie.

The car’s underside is pretty damned good too, with very few signs of even any surface corrosion on suspension components and the like. The factory under seal is still doing its job; under body brake lines look admirable, and even the exhaust system remains robust.

We’d venture to say that we’re pretty confident that this vehicle hasn’t seen much rain, and certainly no salt, over the course of its life.

As well as the V5c and original owner documents, the Mercedes-Benz’s current MOT test certificate is included (as a re some expired ones, too) in the car’s history file. This runs until the 22nd of December 2023, with the only minor advisory indicated as being a very slight oil leak on the engine’s offside.

There are a few invoices present. These indicate the following recent works:

· Steering component replacement (knuckle) –

Mercedes-Benz Portsmouth (07/12/2021, £529.04)

· Health check/steering rod replacement –

Mercedes-Benz Winchester (09/10/2020, £249.97)

Finally, a recent comprehensive vehicle check is also present. This shows there to be no outstanding finance, or reports of being stolen, written off or imported/exported in the vehicle’s previous or current history.

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 very high standard.

All aspects of this lovely Mercedes-Benz 300 SE – exterior, interior, engine bay and underside condition, as well as how it drives on his Majesty’s highway – indicate that it’s been exceedingly well looked after through the years.

Today, this generation S-class still exudes prestige and combines that with serious road presence. Presented here in a pleasing matching Grey colour scheme, it will provide its next owner with the opportunity to pop its driver’s door and instantly propel themselves back to the very start of the 1990s and the best that German quality motor manufacturing could offer.

We think that the price of the chance to sample that will come in somewhere between £13,000 and £17,000. At the top end that’s a fair reflection of quality on offer. Bag it for anywhere below that and we think it’ll be a bit of a steal.

Once in your garage, we think you will be highly tempted to exercise this smooth cruiser at the slightest opportunity.

Down to the shops? Crack out the S-class. Got to get to the other end of the country? We’ll take the S-class. How about a trans-continental road trip? Ditto… with bells on.

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