1988 Mercedes Benz 420sel - Clean, Classic Boulevard Cruiser Ready For The Road! on 2040-cars

1988

Mercedes Benz
420 SEL Sedan

VIN: WDBCA35D4JA399061

If you’ve followed my Ebay vehicle auctions the past seven or eight years you’ve noticed we get a fair number of great vintage Benz sedans on a regular basis.  A local, long-term owner contacted me wanting to liquidate this classic boulevard cruiser and after spending a few minutes behind the wheel I was sold on it!  They’re perfect for road trips and great as a daily “get-around” vehicle as well.  The longer wheelbase of this SEL version gives greater access to the rear seat, too.  From the moment I laid eyes on this clean car, it was obvious that it’s received respect and care over the years.  Please feel free to email or contact me with any questions.  My direct phone number is 206/914-1173 and my name is Mark Thompson.  You’re welcome and encouraged to stop by my Auburn, WA warehouse to inspect the car and take it out on the road. 

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION

Ever driven one of these Mercedes with the powerful, bullet-proof 4.2 liter V8 engine? What a treat!  Smooth is the word for sure.  Smooth powerful acceleration.  Smooth handling in the curves or on the highway, too.  Comfort, style, and versatility all in one gorgeous ride.  I’ve always considered these cars constructed through the early 90’s as some of the last hand-built, truly high-quality Mercedes and have heard many others say the same thing!  Take a look at the photos and I’m sure you’ll agree with me.  What you see is the result of a wash and vacuum only!  “Time capsule” really is a great way to describe this car.   It’s obviously been allowed to spend a majority of its life garaged because the overall condition is better than most any other 26-year-old daily driver you’re likely to find.  Rust?  Please, this Benz HATES rust and I haven’t found anything to worry about here.  Climb over, under and around this car, I’m convinced you’ll come up smiling!! 

Hop in and fire up the powerful V-8 engine and it starts immediately!   The automatic transmission shifts strongly and just as it should.  Having personally owned more than twenty Mercedes over the years, I’ve developed a great appreciation for their style, mechanical reliability and overall driving experience.  THIS CAR RUNS AS SMOOTH AS SILK. I’VE NEVER DRIVEN A W126 Chassis OF ANY VARIANT THAT RUNS BETTER!!  I’m convinced you’ll be proud to own and drive it.  As a respected Ebay seller with more than one hundred fifty satisfied Ebay vehicle buyers, I want you to bid with confidence knowing that this Mercedes runs and drives as it should AND that it is being properly represented to you!

CONDITION:

In total, this is a clean, well-cared-for, smoke-free Mercedes.  I take great pride in the vehicles we sell and feel that you should know as much about the car as possible.  Accordingly here is a list of the good and also things needing attention:  I feel the car idles, runs and drives as it should – immediate strong oil pressure, good battery and charging system, no overheating, no brake pull or alignment issues!   I’ve driven it over the past week and freeway cruised at 70 MPH.   The factory black paint is in very good overall condition and still holds quite a shine.  I find NO fading clearcoat or rust spots, only a few nicks, chips and expected small dings as pictured.  Decent chrome and exterior trim all around, too!  The front fenders, doors, rear quarters and floor pans appear all solid.  The factory wheels are straight and true.  They’re wrapped with almost new 205/65R15BF Federal Touring Radials appearing to have at least 90% tread wear remaining.  Take another good look at the interior photos.  The upholstery is all-original with the pictures giving an accurate view of its condition.  Hop in and feel comfortable sitting on these firm seats for hours.  The heater and cooling system work but have an intermittent fan and could use a refrigerant recharge.  The dash gauges and exterior lights are bright and true.  The tachometer, clock, speedometer and odometer all function as they should.  We have no idea if the miles shown are accurate, as the car came to us exempt because of age.  I think the former owner was wise in changing out the original factory AM-FM Becker stereo for the Sony CD model presently in place (don’t know why, but it seems Daimler can’t ever install a decent radio from the factory in any of their cars and the first thing I usually do on these vintage models is upgrade them).  The original factory owners manual will arrive in the glove compartment and the jack & spare are in the trunk.  About the only negatives I can think to point out are: The driver’s power window has difficulty being raised without a little manual help, though it does lower just fine.  The driver’s seat doesn’t move; most likely caused by a fault in the switch (the passenger seat works fine).  I pulled up the sheepskin covers to verify the leather condition on both.  They’re better than expected, but each have several cracks on the outer base panels and some wear on the driver’s left bolster.   

I’m always very happy to work with any shipper you choose, but you’re also welcome to do what many of our previous buyers from as far away as Alaska, Arizona, the Midwest, Canada, Florida, New York and even the Mexican Baja have done – fly in here to Seattle (I’ll pick you up at Sea-Tac International just a few miles away) and then start a road trip home the same day!  I wouldn’t hesitate to drive cross-country in this car!

Please check the photos over closely and call me with any questions BEFORE you place a bid!  Because of the amount of money involved with a vehicle purchase, we reserve the right to cancel your bid if you have any negative feedback.  I also ask that potential bidders with a feedback rating of five or fewer transactions on Ebay contact me before placing their bid.  Finally, we reserve the right to end the auction early if the Mercedes is no longer for sale or an acceptable offer has been agreed to here before the end of the auction period.  Please feel free to contact me directly thru Ebay’s system or, as outlined above, call me at 206/914-1173 anytime.  My name is MARK THOMPSON.

A Few Additional Terms and Conditions: 

A nonrefundable $500 deposit is due within 48 hours of the auction’s end.  I can accept PAYPAL, but only for the deposit amount because of the high fees they charge.  The balance is due by cash (in person), wire transfer or other certified funds within seven days unless prior arrangements have been made with me.  Please remember you are bidding to buy and I fully expect the winning bidder to fulfill their Ebay contract!  You’re not bidding to hold or then come inspect and test-drive the vehicle later -- You’re more than welcome and encouraged to do this before the auction ends.  The car can be stored at my location for up to two weeks after the auction ends (assuming full payment has been received).  After this period storage will be $20 per day.