Yowsir! This top dog Benz is a real looker and the seller suggests, “This stunning machine is the epitome of style and grace, boasting a sleek and timeless design that still turns heads today.” I can’t argue with that characterization! Claimed to have experienced only 56K miles of use, this exquisite example of the best Teutonic engineering is located in Canoga Park, California and is available here on eBay for a no-reserve current bid of $15,200 with 33 bids tendered so far.
One of Mercedes’ most successful platforms, the W126 underpinned almost 900K copies in two and four-door body styles. The four-door versions were available in standard wheelbase (115.6″) and stretched (121.1″). As the seller states, it’s clear that this big Benz has been garage-kept – its midnight blue finish is magnificent with a very deep luster. This car’s exterior reveals no sign of fade, bumper friction, mayhem, etc. Ditto the chrome and stainless trim – nothing is out of place on this 560 SEL.
Under the MB three-pointed star is a 238 HP, 5.5 liter V8 engine that is connected to a four-speed Diamler automatic transmission. The seller adds, “The engine and transmission are very smooth and in great condition the car also recently received its regular maintenance with fresh fluids and filters. The engine compartment and engine itself is also very clean and all manufactory stickers around the car and under are visible.” Also mentioned is the inclusion of a limited-slip rear axle.
The gray leather interior is in as fabulous a condition as the exterior. It’s a testament to the quality of M-B materials when you see leather upholstery that appears, after 34 years, to have rarely encountered a bee-hind. Admittedly, the mileage is low, but still, the entire environment shows as new. The listing goes into more detail regarding the interior than any other aspect of this luxury sedan, “the dash (free of cracks) headliner, carpet and floor mats are in great condition. All power windows, power sunroof, radio antenna, central locking, and seats are functioning without any problems. All lights, hazard lights, directionals, dashboard, shifter center console illumination work properly as well as the clock and every single button in the car. The seats are firm with substantial support and the leather is still soft to the touch, all pleats from the seats are still raised and with substantial cushion, and all piping, rubber, seals and trim around the car are all in excellent condition.” The seller does state that the stereo unit is not original but the born-with component is included in the sale.
So, what’s this utterly fantastic 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL really need? Nothing, as far as I can tell other than a new owner. Might you be a candidate?
I owned one for a couple years and then sold it on this site. If it wasn’t for 13mpg as a daily driver I would still have it. Hands down one of the best cars Ive ever owned. Best to know or learn how to maintain yourself to keep costs down and while this is one of the best cars ever made with the 3 pointed star they do require regular maintenance to keep it up to par. Even this car as nice as it is probably figure a couple grand to go over it unless they hand you a recent service history.
Spectacular. I’ve never seen one so well preserved.
In my opinion, this is the most perfect body of the 3-pointed star.
A traditional grille and a small detail at the rear. That’s it.
As I’ve stated on other Barn Finds posts, my late brother owned several Rolls Royce automobiles. Then abruptly switched to Mercedes (while still keeping the 62 Cloud). His wife had an 80s something 450. IMO harsh riding, way too much firmness in the seats, cramped interior, and Enormous maintenance costs. The worst was when the hood flew up while driving on an interstate. Only with help from other drivers was she able to safely get it off the road. NO way would I recommend a Benz to anyone. But, that’s my opinion. What say you other lovers of The GREAT AMERICAN 🇺🇸 LAND YACHT? Happy, Merry HanaKwanzaMas (think that covers all) to ALL Barn Finders. Watch out for low flying 🦌 🦌 🦌 🦌! Grandma 👵 never did recover! 🎅 HO! 🎅 HO! 🎅 HO!
When I was in the “picture vehicle” business, my partner owned several cherished Mercedes-Benzes for his personal use including a 560SEL just like this one. It was not part of the company fleet, and his wife particularly liked it, driving it daily.
It happened to be at the office one day when a production was looking for that exact model. For most of the film, the car would be in the background, or driven gently in. some establishing shots. The production was willing to pay several thousand dollars to use it for a week. Near the end of the film, there was a night chase scene, mostly off-road, over railroad tracks, through an industrial area that would ruin the car. A beater 560SEL was sourced, and cheaply painted to match for use in the chase/stunt.
As often happens, on the night of the shoot, there were delays. The crew had to rush to get the shot before sunrise. A crew member was hurriedly sent to get the “stunt” 560 and bring it to set. In the darkness, he got the cars mixed up, assuming the shiny (freshly painted) 560 was the “A-Car”, and brought my partner’s 560. The stunt guy did a great job, and the Director was thrilled.
The next morning, it became apparent that the wrong car was destroyed, and was not repairable. The production paid average market value for the car, but my partner’s wife was furious, and she never let him use her car again.
BTW, over the years I saw the same thing play out several times…If you were thinking of letting a production use your cherished car in a film.
These are great cars, and the one for sale here looks like a potentially good deal, given the low mileage.
Cam W
I can attest to that. I was approached by a few scouts panning the car shows looking for certain vintage cars to destroy eh use for movie shoots
I knew a couple guys all had nightmare experiences that wouldn’t do it again regardless of the payout. BTW I love Mercedes Porsches and own them also. Don’t indulge if you can’t afford the headache and stomach ache.
Safety galore. I saw the Mercedes Sales Manager’s 4 door demo after his son took it one night without permission. Wrapped it around a metal utility pole, with the pole almost in the middle of the car right behind the drivers seat. The front driver and passenger compartment was like nothing ever happened. The back seat on the right passenger’s side also looked like nothing ever happened.
The driver walked away with no injuries, but I think he received a commendation from the Wichita Police Department.
Beautiful car.
I bought a new1985 S class 300SD turbodiesel (same color), drove it 385 K miles without any repairs other than routine maintenance. By far the best car I ever owned. A couple of Benzs later I still have the car, parked in my hangar. I can’t part with it.
What a beauty to behold. Yes it does require regular three star attention to maintain this excellence. Alphasud your comment is spot on. I know because I once owned a 560 SEC. Todays MB’s may be more technically advanced but they don’t hold the parnarch of the car you see hegrare.
They don’t have the parnarch you see here.
Panarch? 🤔
I think he meant panache. Now you know where all of the retired anal english teachers went. They got a job working for spell check.
Frog, I AM a long retired (and tired) Art and English teacher! Still checking the Spelling. Still TRYING to teach! 🤣. And always looking to see a Mercedes BEND.
Rick I didn’t know that. I must have physic abilities.
A friend of mine lost her father and she was selling his things including his fishing boat. I knew someone interested and texted her “did you sell your boat? Spell check put in body instead. Good thing I could blame it on AI.
This one looks great and sounds like it’s been serviced properly. When I was a service advisor at a small shop, we had a scuzzy used car dealer that brought us his auction buys for inspection. If it didn’t pass the inspection, he’d lease it out to some unsuspecting customer who got stuck with the repairs. Every single MB he brought was essentially a write off because the expensive services had been deferred. This was dozens of cars. All less than 20 years old. We kept telling him not to buy auction MBs. They were auctioned because it was too expensive to fix them. Maintenance is expensive. Not doing it is even more expensive.
One of my all-time favorite cars, and in stunning condition.
If you can’t afford the outrageous maintenance and repair bills on this exquisite example of German engineering? You have no business even looking at this car. Yep. That’s why I steer clear of these Teutonic wondercars.