I'll save all the marketing hype for my web page advertising the car, which I have linked to below. Here's the skinny:
I bought this car in February from a guy who was the third owner and owned it since 2007. He bought it for himself and his son, and between the two of them they drove and maintained it over that time. When I say "maintained it" they really did little themselves and farmed nearly everything of any significance to their local dealer or a trusted (now retired) independent MB shop. Son grew up, graduated from college and took a job on the west coast, leaving Dad with the car. So for the last year or two it sat, driven little due to a failed lower engine harness that their now retired mechanic put them off about until it became NLA. So Dad was left with a car that he had more or less lost interest in.
The PO did a lot of really good stuff to it in the last couple of years, like having the front suspension rebuilt with all OE parts, for example. I've never owned a W124 with rebuilt suspension, and I was amazed at what I had been missing!
Anyway, I took the car in and spent the last three months pretty much going through it with a fine toothed comb. It's not perfect, but it's a really nice and well sorted car at this point that would be a great daily or weekend driver. Never having owned a 400E, but plenty of 300Es, I was gobsmacked at how fast this car will go and with such little effort. And I've owned a number of W140s with the M119, so I've had some experience with the drivetrain, but in a much heavier chassis. Yes, the car has roughly 273k on the clock, but it has been well cared for during it's life based on the binder full of records I have for it. We all know how robust the M119 is when cared for, and this one is no exception. Hot idle oil pressure is 2.0 bar and it immediately pegs the gauge upon acceleration. Transmission shifts firmly and crisply as one would expect. No noises, rattles or other strangeness. The body is very, very straight and has no rust. The left rear quarter appears to have been painted at some point in the past, and the paint is peeling, but strangely the surface underneath is excellent. The PO had no knowledge of any body or paintwork on this panel, and looking at it from the inside there's no evidence of any metalwork or damage. Strange. I will say that it is nearly imperceptible.
Some spare parts come with it, such as a set of OE front brake rotors and a really nice custom bra to protect the hood and bumper.
So why, you might ask, am I offering this car if it's such a great deal?
I've been on a long term plan to find a nice driver quality Finnie (W110/W111) of any flavor or a W108 chassis 6 cylinder sedan. I've gotten sidetracked several times in my search over the last couple of years with different projects and "rescues" like this one. During that time prices have started to get stupid for the cars I'm seeking, just as we've seen with 500Es. I need to focus on the target and get aggressive about finding my "forever" car before the values get to a point of unaffordability (for me.) If I am successful in "rehoming" this car, the proceeds will go to my "Finnie Fund" and put me that much closer to my goal. If not, it goes on the parking pad with a cover as a spare vehicle in the fleet.
The price? $3,995.00. I think that's pretty reasonable considering the amount of work and repairs/maintenance performed on the car. With that in mind I will consider reasonable offers, but please don't lowball me, as you can see I have a significant investment in the car and I'm not willing to lose money on it. Hagerty says it's worth $3,800 at "Fair", and I think this car is much better than "Fair". That, and whoever gives this wonderful car a new home will know pretty much exactly what they've got. No mysteries about the previous owner and what has or hasn't been done to it. I keep frighteningly detailed records, of which you'll get a copy along with the binder full of paperwork going back the the original owner. If you know my reputation as a 30 year Mercedes owner and enthusiast you know what a maniac I am about my cars.
Questions? Ask away. Pictures? I've got lots. Got a decent driver quality Finnie or W108 6 cylinder sedan you want to go to a loving home? I can certainly add funds to achieve parity in a trade if necessary.
My online ad for the car: http://penoff.com/1993_400E_For_Sale.html
The blog I made during the "recovery": http://penoff.com/400E_Blog/400E_Blog.html
PM me here or feel free to drop me an email at dan@penoff.com - I can assist wth delivery and have a flexible time frame as far as closing a deal.
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Originally Posted by gsxr
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