When it comes to style, it’s hard to go wrong with a big-body Mercedes-Benz sedan. Unmodified, they are stately and handsome; if you apply some custom touches, they are seemingly transformed into a cross between a gangster’s lowrider and an Autobahn cruise missile. The example shown here is from the durable W126 era of Mercedes’ flagship model, and it’s been modified in-period by a company called “Carat Duchatelet” which applied a variety of cosmetic upgrades to give buyers an alternative from stepping up to the AMG-built examples. Find this 1985 280SE here on craigslist in Beverly Hills for $13,500.
The 280SE is a European-market model, as in one we didn’t get stateside. It has an inline-six engine that will outlast nearly everything else on the road and will be fairly reasonable to maintain over the long term. The seller notes it has low miles, too, with 133,000 kilometers working out to be about 62,000 miles. That’s nothing on a car like this, so the next caretaker should feel somewhat reassured that their purchase is a sensible one. The modifications made by Carat are not spelled out in the description, but I am reasonably sure they’re responsible for the additional wood trim and custom gauges.
The badge on the back and the sill plates inside the doors bear the moniker of the styling outfit responsible for this very 80s sedan. The late 80s and early 90s represented a very distinct era for automotive styling, with drastically lowered suspensions and subtle body kits becoming quite popular among European car owners. It didn’t matter if it was a range-topping Mercedes or a VW GTI; the combination of a dropped suspension, BBS wheels, and side skirts was seemingly all it took to transform your car from basic to epic. The seller’s car sports a blue-on-blue color scheme, which is a popular look for 1980s models – but especially for gray-market cars like this one.
The seller has added either fake or real HID lighting, which I personally don’t care for when the rest of the car is otherwise such a timepiece from the 1980s. Still, there’s little else to fault here, and the BBS wheels it rides on are stunning. The connection to the aftermarket company that performed the styling upgrades is an interesting footnote in this Mercedes’ history but not necessarily one that adds a ton of value beyond the curiosity factor. Still, if you have to own a W126 that looks like an AMG model without the hefty price tag, this slammed sedan may provide an answer.
There are not a whole lot of pictures to really tell the overall condition but based on what I can see the seller has listed this at a bargain. Paint looks really nice and from what I can see the interior as well. Based on the model designation this would still have the twin cam M110 engine good for about 180hp. It’s a good powerplant choice with the Bosch K-Jetronic injection. I’m not sure the M110 ever got the KE version. I think that started with the M103 3.0 engine that followed. I agree the cold white HID or LED needs to go. I also agree with the seller this is a rare beast. Probably more rare than the AMG tuner cars. Also the W126 looks cool in the short wheelbase form.
I do kinda-sorta agree about the ‘look’ of the lights, but driving 80’s and 90’s era cars on the roads at night today is frustrating at best. You don’t realize how pizzpoor the lighting is until you’re driving old tech in a high tech world…blinded by oncoming traffic, barely lighting up the road ahead while vehicles following are in your rearview with animal scorching hot white lights…I would hope that the seller at least retained the originals and they’re in a box in the trunk or something
Buyer Beware! This “SOLD” on BaT a couple of years ago for $7k and there was apparently an issue with the title/ transaction. Refer to the comment section:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1985-mercedes-benz-280se-3/
Nice catch!!!
I’ve been following this car since late 2018 when it came up on CL. Asking price then wasn’t what I wanted to pay- and the BaT auction seemed to reflect a lack of confidence with bidders. Of course it wasn’t too surprising that the deal fell through- which says a lot since the winner (as evidenced by his instagram page) seemed to be an enthusiastic car guy.
Good catch.
I love these drug dealer cars. Is iconic in a lot of ways.
You guys are complaining about the headlights but what about the audio system that is hideous?
Last time I checked, 133K kilometers is about 82,000 miles, not 62,000 miles.
To be honest side skirts spoilers and lowered suspension doesn’t
fit on a car like this and to limos in general. On a 911 it works.
This one looks good on the few pics but doesn’t cause much
interest in its homeland because 1985 are pre-cat versions and
ppl dont like them. 300 420 and 560 where the latest and more
modern engines so they have more value and higher demand.
From the tech side all petrol engines in the 126 are good engines.
In the 90s I owned a euro spec 280SE w126 sedan here in the states. Solid build and acceptable performance but while extremely smooth the 6 isn’t enough for this big sedan.
Engine is excellent but mine developed transmission problems around 90k miles so I moved on.
Not that it matters, but isn’t 133k km more like 82k miles?
Now, I wouldn’t trust that odometer for a second without some very solid documentation…
Yep, there’s a lot going on here on why this car didn’t actually get into the hands of the winning bidder on BaT for a mere $7k… mostly the title. But that of course throws everything else into question 🤨
Well, being a grey market car, it’s probably only the recorded mileage since it came to the US.
Is it worth the price? Can’t say from the available information…
Who did the conversion?
This would need a very complete inspection from someone knowledgeable before anyone could make an offer.
Carat did the conversion – very expensive and high line company. They usually applied 30 coats of paint…
Grey market car with questionable title. Equals one big headache.
Am I the only one who thinks that the wear on the drivers seat leather looks a bit much for an 82k mile car? Maybe I’m just cynical…
Factor in age also…