This Mercedes-Benz 250SE is a rare European-spec model that was purchased from an estate in Florida in 2022. This pillar-less two door also comes with a desirable 4-speed manual gearbox, which is fairly hard to find in this era of Mercedes. The car also comes with the desirable European-market glass headlights and looks to be fairly complete with some evidence of rust repair noted in the floors. The seller has listed it here on eBay with no reserve and bids to $9,200.
I believe this is considered a W111 coupe, and it hails from an era in which Mercedes was building truly world-class machines. This one appears to be better than just a project, as we sometimes assume cars purchased from an estate to be. The chrome bumpers, taillight lenses, dual outlet muffler, and pretty green paint all appear to be in solid driver-quality condition from here. The seller claims he has driven it about 10 miles without issue.
The interior presents very well, with both the wood trim and the leather seating surfaces in good shape. The listing doesn’t note whether a previous restoration was carried out, but it seems like this car has received some updates over the years. While Mercedes leather is notoriously durable, this interior looks close to new, or at least better than a well-maintained original cabin. The carpets look fresh as well. Overall, I don’t see much work needed inside the 250SE aside from the floor patchwork the seller references.
The inline-six should push out a healthy 170 horsepower, along with 174 lbs.-ft. of torque. While acceleration would have been respectable with the automatic transmission, it should be even better with the 4-speed. The European market cars were found with three pedals far more often than those cars intended for U.S. sale, so in addition to its overall condition, this Mercedes looks like the kind of vehicle you can buy and enjoy while making improvements here and there – no full-scale restoration needed.
Manual shift is more desirable? Not for me, I prefer automatics. I need the other hand to hold the beer.
That’s right! 🍺
My buddy put a large take-out tumbler of ice between his legs to compensate for the lack of a/c in his Escort. He sometimes looked like he didn’t make it to the restroom in time.
My kind of older Mercedes. It’s a rare coupe and a 4 speed to match! I’ll bet it a fun driver. I have nothing against the automatics but the stick shifts are rarer and more desirable to me. Shift that ole’ bugger!!
Paint bubbles = rust under the repaint. Filler, too? Like to see pictures of the inside of the front fenders over the headlights.
One of my bucket ( no pun intended) list cars….only with a sunroof. The bucket seats and the floor shift are the shizzle! But……I had a Euro delivery ’67 230SL and after an accident an examination of the Euro headlight buckets spaces revealed serious rust. Since this already has patches its not unreasonable to think there might be some in those front fenders.
Still hard to find ones that are not slushboxes
Bought a ’67 230S 4dr when in Germany (Army 1974). Gave $900 for it, had a rust problem in r/rear frame. Had it fixed and new MB Silver paint. drove it for 2 years over there. What a fun ride on the Autobahn! 2300/6 cyl w/2-2barrels. Liked it so much I shipped it back, Kept it for 2 more year but family grew so needed a wagon. Sold it for $1500 to another solder getting ready to go over. One of the best cars ever owned. Too far to go get, but it would be a sweet ride back.
4-speed, Great, I won’t have to install an alarm.
Had a 250S many years ago, with a 4 speed manual.
Ran so quiet you couldnt hear it running.
Rust finally killed it, but it still ran perfect.
Now have a 260E. 1988.
With an auto tranny.
Very similar car.
Built like a tank.
Owned it since 1994.
A member of the family.