Special order cars tend to feature a list of options not necessarily advertised in the model’s brochure. This 1994 Mercedes-Benz E320 cabriolet is a rare European-market Sportline model, with additional enhancements carried out by AMG per request by the original owner. While Sportlines were available in the U.S., it was only available for select models – not including the cabriolet. This unusual W124 convertible is offered by Barn Finds reader Richard Ball and located in Los Angeles.
Mercedes’ AMG division is known for creating impressive factory-warranted hotrods, and while this E320 doesn’t have a honker of a motor under the hood, it did leave the factory with some unusual drivetrain options. From Richard: This one-off cabriolet was specially ordered during the transition between the 300CE to E320 W124 platform and included the newly developed S-Class 722-5 five speed automatic transmission, as well as the highest 3:69 gear-ratio differential available. This option for unavailable for any Mercedes-Benz passenger car at the time.
Sportline models featured a handful of worthwhile upgrades, including a stiffer suspension, wider wheels, quicker ratio steering box, smaller diameter steering wheel, sport seats and more. Speaking of the interior, as you see in the picture above, it’s quite unique: Hence, the three month delivery, which by fate forced this car to become one of the final five cars to leave the AMG Werks, Affalterbach, where the special-ordered matching signal red hand-stitched Sportline/Recaro leather interior was fitted.
While the Sportline trim did provide meaningful upgrades, the engine remained standard across the board, with models like this E320 cabriolet fitted with the 3.2L M104 inline-six. The seller notes that extensive refurbishment of this special order convertible has been complete and is ready for a new owner: This stunning Sportline/AMG Cabriolet recently completed a three-plus year remanufacturing, solely under direction of Mercedes-Benz USA in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Classic Center, Irvine, California USA and Daimler AG, Stuttgart. This beautiful example has remained true to original, with every system and assembly repaired, replaced as-needed in compliance with Mercedes-Benz factory quality assurance.
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Asking Price: $65,000
Mileage: 74,500
Title Status: Clear
Never eat biscuits and sausage gravy whilst reading about upscale cars. 65K? A lil’ bit o’ sausage just got stuck in my throat after being pumped up by my acid reflux. 65K would be welcome in my shop starting with a new english wheel and a proper lift.
This is a 20 years old used car.
What did it sell for new?
I have always liked these convertibles, as well as the Audis, but I wouldn’t want an old one with all the problems it has electrical and otherwise.
Nope. Not quite red enough for me! Needs more cowbell.
Pretty car……….he must be looking for Monopoly money.
Replacing throttle body and engine wiring harness every 3-5 years to a tune of $3.5k gets old real fast.
Also window regulators are $pecial and they dont last.
Head gaskets develop oil leaks.
I can go on and on.
For a moment I thought I had gone to Bring A Trailer by mistake.
And why drop that kind of money (when new), and not do any engine upgrades? I’m assuming the original owner bought this with a “money is no object!” attitude, so why not soup that engine up?!! I don’t know enough about their inline six, but isn’t there a turbo that could’ve been added or something?
AMG did work out a high power version of the M104 straight six. By using the forged long stroke diesel version crankshaft to get a longer stroke, a 3.6 litre version was made, most commonly seen in the first C-class model. The W202, C36. A sort of M3 competitor and the first AMG model to come from the company after the Mercedes Benz purchase of AMG. The motors were also fitted to some W124 versions badged as E36s
Did he mean $6,500?
I have a 1993 300CE and when it gets out of the shop, I will probably try to find it a new owner!
I have never paid much attention to the mechanics of a Mercedes Benz as I don’t spend much time thinking about cars I could never afford, butI thing this is a very attractive car much more so than the 500. It used to be that one could dream about buying an old Mercedes–as they had the reputation of lasting forever but that dream is no more because now the “old” Mercedes are double or more the acquisition price. To be able to spend $65000 for a 23 year old car the buyer would have to be a millionaire or more (because he/she would certainly not use this as a daily driver.
J paul hit it on the head with his comment about BAT, (Bring-A-Trailer) on line auctions. I used to enjoy their auction as one could find most anything there–a pretty good variety from those little car boats to WWII Troop Carriers formula race cars to nice old wood inboard Chris Craft, Gar and Century run-a-bouts. I decided that would be a good venue for selling my 1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe street road. I received a curt letter back that said they had a select sophisticated clientele and did not feel that any would be interested in “a modified”car. BAT had just run a 1946 Chev Coupe built by George Barris which made their claim lucricrous. The also had run a 41 Ford non-Stock Pickup in bright yellow as well as several other modified cars. They also decline my 1965 Falcon Convertible because they thought my the 14000 reserve was too much, It is restored and I upgraded the motor to a 289 and put put in Muncie 4 speed. They suggested a reserve of $2000.00. Hagerty says they are worth in the mid-twenties. Naturally the lawyer in me had to challenge that nonsense and I am so engaged. The site has metamorphosed into a place to buy hellaciously over priced old Porsche’s
@Lawyer George ….sorry to hear about your experience as I had the exact opposite with BaT. Submitted an old Alfa with a reserve and was accepted pretty much right away and the auction was launched in under a week with a positive result to both me and the buyer. They do seem to have their formula to my eye, although it sounds like neither one of your cars would have been out of place.
Nothing to add about this car. Very red. Very expensive. AMG provenance carries more value when engine mods are involved. If someone is really into middle aged Benz’s and wants something unique this probably fits the bill….
This car has a flood and salvage history from what we found. There are also a few discrepancies from the original build to what the seller claims. But regarding the comment above re:new costs, these were VERY expensive new.
When I was reading something about an unusual drive train I got excited. Then I read 5 speed I got very excited. I’d like my money back now. Large bills unmarked non sequential please. Do they make 2 cent bills?
I have owned 4 of these over the last 15 years. Every time I sell one, I regret it and start looking for another. They do have a history of engine oil leaks but can be repaired. The wiring harnesses (there are two of them) only require a single time replacement but they can cost up to $1500 each. Really nice ones with low original mileage (under 40k miles) can be bought for about $25K. Ones with 100k miles++ can be bought in the $10k range.While this one has some rare original features, $65K is a joke – maybe 1/2 that is reasonable. BTW they cost about $80k new back then and Mercedes only made about 6,000 per year from 1993 – 95. So good ones are hard to find and maintenance records are critical. I am currently looking for my 5th and last one.
It’s bright, it’s red, that’s about all I know on MB’s. Wish the seller the best.
I am way late to the game on this one but I have a question. Why all the complaining about the “other” site, their rules, and attitudes?! You are looking, reading, regularly commenting, and I’m assuming enjoying Barn Finds. From what I can tell, they have a large, multicultural, and appear to be loyal viewer base. They just happen to List AND Sells vehicles!! So why not take the opportunity to use the site you visit regularly to sell your vehicles?!?! Maybe you don’t want hear all the negative feedback like many here freely hand out?!?!
Now as for the vehicle that is for sale, ON THIS SITE, it says that it just completed a 3 year restoration through Mercedes Benz! I would take it that that means It has been thoroughly gone through. Not an “old used car”. I know nothing about this class of vehicle pricing so I don’t know if it’s high or not. But it sounds like a very well redone, nicely optiotioned, obviously much enjoyed vehicle. So if you are interested, open a conversation up, you never know where it could take you……….
I will fall off my soapbox now……..