1994 Mercedes-Benz E320

This handsome cabriolet has lived a varied life, providing sophisticated and comfortable enjoyment to seven former keepers. The V5 reveals that the car was previously registered and used in another licensing jurisdiction and first registered here in 2004. Given its UK specification and right-hand drive, however, it seems likely that the car spent its first 10 years or so in the Channel Islands, Isle of Man or similar.

The car was acquired by a Mercedes Benz connoisseur in 2009 who undertook an extensive restoration of the bodywork, interior, and mechanicals of the car. An album of photographs from that period documents the work undertaken.

The current owner, Andrew, acquired the car in June 2021 and reports that he had a very specific aim in mind. Andrew hails from north of the border and is a serial Scottish North Coast 500 route visitor. Given his experience he knew what he needed. “One needs reliability, power, comfort and of course style. The 320CE has all of these in spades,” says Andrew.

Andrew was extremely impressed by the prowess of his travelling companion. “The six cylinders put it up there amongst the smoothest cars I have owned, and I have a W12 Bentley and a Silver Shadow,” enthuses Andrew. “What a journey! It was so comfortable and stylish I was tempted to use it again this year.”

Andrew has succumbed to temptation, however. “I really want to do the NC500 in an XJS in 2023 so this delightful 320CE must go to a new owner. Lucky them - I have a strong feeling I will want one back again in a few years!”

The 320CE cuts a sophisticated dash and Andrew attests to it receiving many admiring glances during its Scottish road trip. The car is finished in striking Almondine Red Metallic (512H) with the slightly raked signature Mercedes grill and oblong headlights presenting a handsome and familiar “face.”

At the aft there is a long overhang with the top line sweeping up elegantly. The ridged rear lights are shortened to maximise the boot opening. It’s a great adaptation of the coupe bodyshell and a testament to famed Mercedes design chief, Bruno Sacco, who handled the final design. He even lent his name to the body-coloured panels along the flanks of the car, the now famed “Sacco Panels.”

Given that the cabriolet’s restoration is some 12 years old now, the car does exhibit some minor battle scars. These include some paint bubbling on the offside front wheel arch, a touch-in on the passenger door edge and the odd stone chip here and there. The paint exhibits a deep and lustrous, shine, however, and the panel gaps appear to be millimetre perfect in true 90’s Mercedes Benz style.

The Sportline, eight-hole 15-inch alloys wheels are in great overall condition and are fitted with Pirelli Cinturato P1 tyres in the period correct 205/60 configuration. Andrew fitted these new ahead of his NC500 trip and so they are believed to have covered around 5,000 miles.

The black fabric roof contrasts nicely with the Almondine Red paintwork and appears to be in decent condition with just the odd minor fold mark and scuff in evidence. There is plenty of A124 quirky charm in evidence too, such as the different sized wing mirrors and the single arm, eccentric sweep wiper paired with the “very Mercedes” heated washer nozzles.

The A124 interior is a sumptuously appointed sanctuary of a cabin. It was seemingly recoloured during its restoration to what appears close to the Mercedes cream / beige (265) shade. Like the exterior there are a few age-related marks and scars but nothing requiring immediate attention. The box pleated front seats feature perforated centre panels and are electrically adjustable via door mounted controls, the passenger side one of which requires a minor fix although it does work.

The rear cabin is fitted with individual rear seats which are separated by a folding armrest. The rear headrests retract to improve visibility and storage is taken care of by elasticated pockets in the back of the front seats. The dashboard is finished in black and cream with accents of dark wood veneer separating them and continuing down into the centre console. A modern Blaupunkt Barcelona 270BT Bluetooth head unit is fitted.

The carpets are in decent used condition and have been protected by heavy-duty Mercedes Benz carpets mats. The front passenger side carpet has suffered a spillage of some sort which has left a football-sized stain to both mat and underlying carpet. As our photographs document, the engineering masterpiece of a hood works exactly as it should. With 27 linkage parts and 34 joints, the hood of this big car occupies just 80 litres when folded. This helps retain a proper four-seater cabin and a generous boot. The boot is neatly trimmed in beige carpet and a full-sized alloy spare wheel is present together with jack, tools and the original, boot-lid-mounted warning triangle.

This cabriolet is fitted with the respected 3,199cc straight-six M104 petrol engine. Andrew has already commented on the smooth nature of this engine, and it is a usefully powerfully unit delivering 217 bhp and 229 Ib-ft of torque. Power is fed to the rear wheels via a smooth shifting, four-speed automatic gearbox. The under-bonnet presentation is good, and a number of key maintenance and repair jobs have been attended to in the recent past.

Under Andrew’s ownership these include new Bilstein shock absorbers being fitted to the front along with new pads and the full set of Pirelli P1's previously mentioned. Andrew also had a pre-NC500 service done, and all mechanical systems checked over. Under the previous ownership the steering box was rebuilt and another full-service was done in March 2021.

Andrew has helpfully highlighted the only two known mechanical niggles. The first is the power steering which “yawns” for the first 20 seconds or so on starting the car. It soon settles down to a silent operation, however, and may just need the fluid bleeding. The oil pressure sensor is faulty, and Andrew hasn’t changed it as he has had the pressure tested and knows it to be well within specification.

This cabriolet comes with an extensive paperwork archive providing some valuable provenance. This includes the current V5 in Andrew’s name. The current MOT is present showing validity until April 2023. There are numerous previous MOT’s on hand too, documenting the mileage history.

There are stacks of invoices present covering most periods of the car’s history including many from the 2009 – 2010 restoration. There is also the fascinating photograph album from this period documenting the thorough restoration work undertaken.

The Mercedes Benz 320CE provides an object lesson in sophistication, comfort, and engineering prowess that very few other cars can offer at such an attainable price point. This car has clearly lived a life and is all the better for it in our opinion. With the A124 representing the pinnacle of 1990’s automotive engineering values, this car has, no doubt, got much more life in it and many more adventures in prospect.

Andrew had just the right adventure planned for this car that played to its many strengths and, as he has reported, the car delivered in every respect. It’s a car for all seasons too. It transforms from a coupe to a cabriolet at the touch of a button, it seats four and accommodates their luggage with ease and it is equally at home charging up the M6 to Scotland as it is pottering through the scenic villages along the NC500 route. Don’t miss out on your chance to be part of this fascinating car’s story.

This car is estimated between £12,000 - £15,000.

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’.