Description
1990 Mercedes-Benz (C124) 230CE Sportline Auto Coupe
A Unique Example - Quite Possibly One Of The Best Available
Just 87K Miles - Full, Colossal and Comprehensive Service History - Pristine Condition
Gleaming 735 Astral Silver - Unmarked 372 Blue Sportline "Karo" Interior
Very High Factory Specification inc Cruise, Climate, AC, ASD, etc
A Stunning and Special Example with a Very Interesting History - Thousands Spent
THE CAR
Date of Registration: 5th June 1990 (on UK Diplomatic Plates) 24th Aug 1998 Standard UK Plates
Registration Number: G577 SGN
MOT Expiry: 4th September 2027 (No Advisories)
Mileage: 87, 100 Miles
Service History: FSH (24+ Stamps - Main Dealer/ Specialist + Large Box File containing just about every bit of paper you could hope for)
Last Service: 5th September 2026 at 87, 098 Miles
Supplied with: All Original Manuals in Glovebox Pack, unused First aid Kit, Warning Triangle, Tool-Roll, Jack.
Keys: Full Host of Keys
Previous Keepers on V5: 3
HPI Status: 100% Clear
FEATURES
* Cruise Control
* Drivers Airbag
* ACC Auto Climate Control with Air-conditioning (overhauled & converted to R134a)
* Cyclonic "Hepa Filtered" Cabin Air Intake
* ABS
* ASD (Auto Locking Differential)
* Optional “Swirl” Air Filter Intake
* Reinforced Seats (a very rare option)
* Steel Sump Guard (Factory Option) - This is quite some item!
* Air conditioning (working & converted to R134a)
* Electric Windows x 4
* Central Locking
* Outside Temperature Gauge
* Factory (not aftermarket) Anti-Theft System
* Electric Windows x 4
* Electric Tilt/ Slide Sunroof
* Power Steering
* Front Armrest
* Rear Armrest
* Storage Compartment in Centre Console
* Storage Compartment Between Rear Seats
* Illuminated Vanity Mirrors
* Electric/ Heated Mirrors
* Load Adjustable Headlamps
* Front Fog Lamps
* Continental TR7416UB CD/ RDS/ USB/ Aux/ Bluetooth Head Unit
* Alloy Wheels (recently refurbished)
* 5 x Brand New Continental Ultra Contact Tyres (all same date code)
* Genuine MB Blue Ribbed Overmats
Full Sportline host of options as follows....
* Lowered suspension (25mm lower than standard suspension)
* Slightly Stiffer Springs
* Uprated Anti Roll Bars
* Quicker Steering
* 7J X 15 15-Hole Forged Alloy Wheels with New Continental 205/ 60 Tyres
* Sportline "Karo" Check Interior (Genuine MB Seat Covers were fitted from new to 2017 - 27 Years, so upholstery is immaculate)
* Reinforced Front Seats
* 390mm Leather Rimmed Steering Wheel
* Sportline Logo Leather Gear Knob
FACTORY DATA (BUILD) CARD
General Data
FIN WDB1240432B257189
Model 230 CE
Engine 102982 22 173140
Transmission 722408 02 915851
Order Number 0 0 537 05023
Order Location GREAT BRITAIN
Interior FABRIC - BLUE (372)
Paint 1 ASTRAL SILVER - METALLIC PAINT (735U)
Approx. Build Date 1990-05
Code Description
211 AUTOMATIC LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL (ASD)
240 OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
281 STEERING WHEEL WITH SPORTS DESIGN (390 MM) AND GEARSHIFT LEVER IN LEATHER TRIM
300 STORAGE BOX IN FRONT TRAY
301 STORAGE BOX IN THE REAR
341 ADDITIONAL BLINKER LAMPS
343 CYCLONE AIR FILTER
362 RHD VEHICLES AS PER EC REGULATIONS (CONTROL CODE)
412 ELECTRIC SLIDING ROOF WITH TILTING DEVICE
420 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 4-GEAR
430 HEADREST IN THE REAR, LEFT AND RIGHT
444 TEMPOMAT (CRUISE CONTROL) AND AIRBAG
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
481 UNDERSHIELDS
524 PAINTWORK - PRESERVATION
538 AUTOMATIC ANTENNA AND FRONT LOUDSPEAKER - WITHOUT RADIO SET
543 SUN VISOR WITH VANITY MIRROR, ILLUMINATED, LEFT AND RIGHT
551 ANTI-THEFT/ ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM
563 FRONT SEATS, LEFT AND RIGHT, REINFORCED
570 FOLDING ARMREST, FRONT
588 AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL AND ELECTRIC WINDOW LIFTERS (FRONT AND REAR DOORS)
615 LAMP UNIT, ASYMMETRICAL L. H. TRAFFIC, AND FRONT AND REAR DOOR COURTESY LAMPS
650 SPORTS CHASSIS WITH 15-HOLE LIGHT ALLOY WHEELS
682 FIRE EXTINGUISHER
731 WOOD TRIM, BURRED WALNUT ROOT
950 SPORTLINE
WORK DONE IN PREPARATION
Service 1 at 85, 262 Miles (05/ 11/ 2024) as follows:
Flush engine
Replace engine Oil/ Filter
Replace sump plug & washer
Replace air filter
Brakes stripped, cleaned, rebuilt
Replace brake fluid
Replace spark plugs (Bosch)
MOT vehicle (no advisories)
Service 2 at 85, 340 Miles (10/ 06/ 2025) as follows:
Replace engine Oil/ Filter
Replace sump plug & washer
Set CO Values
MOT Vehicle (no advisories)
Other Work Carried Out
Replace front shock absorber boots & bump stops
Replace alternator (brand new)
Replace thermostat & seal
Replace NSF brake caliper (new)
Replace both rear brake flexi hoses
Replace camshaft (brand new)
Replace rocker arm assemblies
Replace oil spray bar
Replace all 8 hydraulic tappets (brand new)
Replace rocker cover gasket
Reseal ASD pump
Replace plug lead plastic casing (new Genuine MB)
Replace timing chain tensioner (brand new)
Remove sump, remove big ends shells inspect (OK) and reassemble
Thoroughly clean sump pan
Replace sump gasket (Elring) and refit sump
Set ignition timing to correct value
Replace OVP relay
Diagnose non functioning cruise control, replace amplifier (with later improved unit)
Replace headlamp switch knob (new genuine MB)
Replace headlamp (damaged lens)
Repair headlamp level vacuum leveling
Thoroughly clean replacement headlamp
Replace various dash illumination bulbs
Remove climate control panel, replace all illumination bulbs
Convert radio wiring to ISO plug using correct Audio leads PC2-11-4 adapter (no wires cut!)
Fit Continental TR7416UB Bluetooth CD/ Tuner
Replace windscreen (West Yorkshire Windscreens)
Remove "Mono Wiper" assembly, strip, clean, lubricate and rebuild
Paint wiper arm (correct 7129 Galinite grey)
Replace wiper blade (Bosch)
Replace heater blower (brand new)
Rebuild windscreen scuttle with new screws and clips
Replace plenum drain plastic “grate”
Dynax UC coat plenum chamber
Remove and properly refit A-pilar interior trims
Replace rear brake flexi hoses
Replace rear flexi hose clips
Repair leaking power steering pipe
Replace several engine vacuum hoses
Replace battery
Fit Cytek quick connect charger lead
Repair glovebox lid “soft action” check strap
Remove and thoroughly clean all road wheels
Clean and paint all wheel bolts
Fit 5 x New Continental Ultra Contact 205/ 60 R15V tyres (all matching 49/ 24 date codes)
Vehicle tracking checked and adjusted
Detail all wheel arches
Wire brush & paint suspension components
Dynas UC coat suspension components
Dynax UC coat sill jacking points
Dynax UC coat underbody fuel/ brake pipes
Detail engine bay
Powder coat steel sump guard
Replace undertray shield mounting hardware
Powder coat air cleaner lid
Replace engine bay warning notices
Remove battery tray and clean area underneath & Dynax UC coat
Powder coat battery tray and refit using new hardware
Replace battery clamp (New MB)
Dynax UC coat battery carrier
Remove wash bottle and replace sealing grommets
Strip/ paint wash bottle bracket, refit using new nuts
Remove/ clean steering box heat shield
Paint steering box
Clean power steering box heatshield and refit
Clean exhaust manifold and paint
Remove spare wheel, clean and paint spare wheel well
Reseal spare wheel well grommet
Paint underside of spare wheel well (7129 Galinite Grey)
Fit new felt pads in spare wheel well
Remove all tools from tool roll and clean
Wash tool roll
Replace boot warning notice label
Replace numerous clips, screws, fasteners etc
Remove clean/ lubricate/ refit HVAC aspirator fan
Replace illumination bulb in left dash vent
Repair retaining clips in left dash vent
Remove courtesy light assembly
Clean aspirator sensor grille
Replace bulbs in seatbelt warning indicator
Secure sunroof switch
Replace number plates & screws
Replace both side repeater lamps (New Genuine MB)
Extensively test drive vehicle
Update/ file extensive service history
Tyres pressures set to Front: 29psi / Rear: 35psi / Spare: 50psi
Wheel bolts torqued to 120nm
All levels checked
Vehicle washed and polished
Additional Work Done:
Annual Service at 87, 098 Miles (05/ 09/ 2026) as follows:
* Flush engine
* Replace engine Oil/ Filter
* Replace sump plug & washer
* Inspect air filter
* Test brake fluid—OK
* MOT vehicle (no advisories)
* Update service paperwork
Other Work Carried Out
* Replace lower gearshift mechanism bush
* Replace fuel gauge sender unit
* Replace battery (Exide 77ah)
* Replace fuel pump relay
* Replace OVP relay
* Replace side repeater indicators (Genuine MB)
* Replace vacuum pipe to gearbox modulator
* Service Air-conditioning—Vacuum, Leak Test, Re-gas.
* Extensively road test vehicle
* Tyre pressures set to Front: 30psi / Rear: 35psi / Spare:50psi
* Wheel bolts torque set to 120nm
SUMMARY
This very special, high specification, beautiful and unique car was previously sold by me last year, however it's available again as the owner has relocated to France. The car has actually been to France in his ownership and he wanted to take it with him, but registering it in France was going to be an onerous and lengthy process, so he’s reluctantly decided to let it go. By his own admission he said he’ll probably regret letting it go as finding another C124 like this will be nigh on impossible. In his relatively short ownership, he’s covered around 2000 miles, most of those in France. When not in use, the car has been stored at a professional car storage facility.
I've seen a quite a few W124's in the 20+ years I've been specialising in these cars, and I firmly believe this is one of the best examples of its type available and one that has also had a very interesting life, having been specially ordered from Germany via The Mercedes Diplomatic & Tourist Services in Piccadilly, London. There are some very rare and unusual options on this car, many seldom, if at all, found on any Mercedes, let alone a W124 Coupe.
The first owner of this 230CE was working as a Spacecraft Analyst for Inmarsat (a British Telecommunications Company) when he ordered it via The Mercedes Tourist and Diplomatic Sales Division; there’s even a collection of the original sales brochures (see photos) in the history with notes he’d made whilst deciding on its specification, a spec which I have to say was both exacting and clearly made without much regard to the cost; this car has some of the most expensive options available at the time.
The order was placed and the car was built in Germany and delivered to the UK a few months later, where it was collected by its new owner. As he was working for the British Government and this was a special order through the Diplomatic services, this 230CE carried UK diplomatic plates throughout his ownership from 1990-1998.
After being sold out of the Diplomatic service in 1998, it was purchased by the second owner, a Saville Row Tailor who stored the car in an underground car park for most of it’s life, but rarely used it. He acquired the vehicle on the 24th August 1998 after a very substantial AA Vehicle inspection (report paperwork included in the extensive history). The vehicle had covered 48, 702 miles at that stage. An additional owner was unfortunately added a few years later due to a marriage split; the owner had to register it in a good friend's (and fellow Tailor) name, so that his ex-wife couldn’t lay claim to his gorgeous Mercedes!
The next owner, who I originally bought the car from, acquired it back in August 2017 and has since used it only for summer motoring and shows. It’s also been garaged the whole of his 7 year tenure and had very significant expenditure lavished on it during that time. I then sold it in May 2025 to one of my very good customers, who added it to his collection of classics, however as mentioned above a move to France has forced a genuinely reluctant sale, so she's back here with me.
When I first bought this car in August (2024) I drove it 265 miles home on one of the hottest days of that year. That trip was an absolute joy and one I’ll fondly remember as it reminded me just how good these cars are; the first 200 miles was in air conditioned comfort, cruise control set and just wafting along up the A1, then as the as the sun set on the later part of the journey, it was all windows down and sunroof open which almost gives the feel of a convertible, but with none of the drawbacks. The Sportline package came into its own in the last few miles on twistier roads; this rare option really does give the C124 a Sportier (and very enjoyable) edge, but without completely compromising the superb ride characteristics the W124 is famous for.
After all the work that's been carried out, I firmly believe this is one of the best, and somewhat unique W124 Coupes on offer. It’s the whole package of immaculate condition, incredible provenance and superb specification. Its also worth noting that Genuine MB Seat covers were fitted from new up to around 2017 (so for 27 years) so the seat upholstery is unfaded and almost like new. If you're looking for a W124 Coupe, this could well be the one you've been waiting for. Although I say you should never buy these cars as an investment, it has to be said that these are often better than money in the bank, and I can see examples like this being worth £20-25K plus in the not-too-distant future. If I can't get very near what I want for that, I'll put my money where my mouth is and happily keep it myself, as it can occupy the space left in my garage at home left vacant after the recent sale of my R107 SL. Not withstanding that I can also enjoy the fruits of my labour, and as I've already said, I think my money is probably better invested in this car, than it is sitting in a bank.
THE MTSV DIFFERENCE
Unlike some, I don’t just simply go out, buy any old car, give it a good clean, then advertise it for more than the purchase price, disregarding any issues the car may have in the hope the new buyer won’t notice…I just couldn’t do that. The cars I source are carefully selected and I work very hard so that when my cars leave me, I have the satisfaction of knowing they are as good as they possibly can be within the constraints I have. As such I have many repeat customers and new customers that have been recommended via word of mouth…the ultimate accolade for anyone in business. To read more, see my website.
Any other questions, please feel free to contact me at using the button below or on the details below. I'm a firstly and foremostly a true car enthusiast of many, many years, and a Mercedes Club Member, so it's a pleasure to meet and speak to like-minded people.
Finally, I'm situated in Keighley, West Yorkshire (Postal Code Area BD21) the home of Timothy Taylor's Brewery (sadly no relation!) and approximately 11 miles from Skipton, and 20 miles West of Leeds. We're also just on the edge of Bronte country, and only two miles away from the world famous village of Haworth.
All major debit/ credit cards accepted.
Thanks for reading my advert!
Mark.
