Highlights
- Very well preserved Nautical Blue metallic car
- Desirable 220bhp 300-24 with rare factory Sportline chassis
- Only 46,018 miles reported
- Remained in single family since new
- Full ‘B’ service less than 1,000 miles ago
- Water pump and coolant flush at last service
- Reportedly never repainted and remains original
- Factory book pack, stamped service history booklet, and historical MOT certificates
- Clean structural MOT history with no rust advisories on current test
- Current MOT to August 2027
The Appeal
There’s a strong case to argue that the 300-24 is the pick of the C124 range, particularly when factory fitted with the ultra-rare and hugely expensive factory ‘Sportline’ package. That added 10% to the car’s £41,000 base price (£120,000 now) and added lower, stiffer suspension, quicker steering and a revised interior.
Alongside those ‘code 950’ Sportline additions, what makes the 300-24 so appealing is its high-revving 24V 220bhp 3L M104 straight-six engine. It completely changes the character of this otherwise rather sedate yet handsome coupe, turning it into something altogether more engaging. Indications are that just a few hundred of these cars were factory supplied with the Sportline package, and this one is rarer still because it is a genuine UK-market RHD example. The Mercedes Datacard confirms that it is a genuine factory Sportline and shows a long list of desirable options, which are detailed below.
Finished in original and well-kept Nautical Blue metallic with preserved grey leather cabin, it is a very low-mileage car that we are told has been with the same family from new. The condition is genuinely impressive - it is one of the best-specified and preserved C124s we’ve seen in a long while. The service and MOT history support the sense of a well-cared-for car, showing a full B Service in 2024, less than 1,000 miles ago, when the coolant was flushed and the water pump was also replaced. The current MOT runs to August 2027 with no structural advisories.
A few items require recommissioning: the air conditioning needs converting from its original R12 configuration to R134a, the rear roller blind is currently inoperative, and the tyres — while showing good tread — are aged and should be replaced before regular use. These are minor points on what is a rare, single-family, low-mileage C124 survivor, suited to careful preservation or sympathetic, simple recommissioning.
The vendor says:
“An exceptionally rare, single-owner, low-mileage survivor of Mercedes-Benz’s 'over-engineered' golden era. With just 46,018 miles from new, pillarless C124 coupe styling, and the desirable 24-valve engine, this is an unmolested modern classic that offers an ideal preservation project for an enthusiast looking for genuine provenance and minimal past use.”
Key Information
- Mileage: 46,018 miles indicated (supported by MOT and service history)
- Country of registration: United Kingdom
- Technical inspection status: MOT valid until 12th August 2027 with advisories
- Technical specs: 220bhp 2,960cc inline-six (M104 24-valve DOHC), five-speed automatic
- Paperwork: Original Mercedes-Benz book pack, owner's manual, stamped service history booklet, historical paper MOT certificates, and all original keys
Service history:
August 2026 (46,018 mi) | K&T Autos
August 2026 (46,018 mi) | K&T Autos
- Fresh MOT Pass (Valid until 12 August 2027)
June 2026 (45,976 mi) | TM Motors
- New distributor cap & rotor arm (£644.40)
June/Aug 2025 (45,418 / 45,873 mi) | SS Motors
- Inspection
- MOT retest
August 2024 (45,418 miles) | SS Motors
- MOT test
- Supplied and fitted new wiper blade
- New front and rear number plates
May 2022 (45,147 miles) | SS Motors
- Full 'B' Service
- Supplied and fitted new genuine Mercedes-Benz water pump
- Coolant flush and bleed
August 2019 (43,194 miles) | SS Motors
- Oil type service
- Brake system bleed
- MOT test
March 2016 (41,018 miles) | SS Motors
- Oil type service
- Safety check
- MOT test
March 2015 (40,664 miles) | SS Motors
- Safety belt system diagnostic
- Supplied and fitted new switch
- Relay unit transfer
- MOT test
March 2013 (39,663 miles) | SS Motors
- Oil and filter change
April 2010 (38,190 miles) | SS Motors
- Gearbox oil and filter change
- New gearbox gasket
- Road test
April 2009 (36,951 miles) | SS Motors
- 12,000-mile service
- Supplied and fitted new front brake pads and sensors
- New fuel filter
- Brake bleed
March 2004 (35,951 miles) | Mercedes-Benz Walton
- Oil and filter change
- Brake fluid replacement
- Multi-point safety check
June 2000 (32,465 miles) | Woking Motors
- Scheduled service
- Motor check and adjustment
- Supplied and fitted new distributor cap and rotor arm
March 1997 (30,609 miles) | Woking Motors
- Routine service
- Oil and filter change
January 1996 (24,264 miles) | Woking Motors
- Maintenance service
- Spark plugs replaced
- F1 Spring Recall (Goodwill)
June 1994 (17,965 miles) | Woking Motors
- Lubrication service
- Supplied and fitted car protection pack
October 1992 (11,954 miles) | Woking Motors
- Maintenance service and lubrication
- Regulated idle speed
- Spark plugs replaced
August 1991 (5,230 miles) | Woking Motors
- Routine service
- Engine oil change
October 1990 (1,156 miles) | Woking Motors
- Initial inspection and lubrication
- Engine oil change
- Regulated idle speed
- Air conditioning system check (noted to operate only when EC button is switched off)
The vendor advises the following maintenance has been undertaken:
- Automatic Gearbox: Full service including oil, filter, and gasket performed at 38,190 miles.
- Cooling System: Installation of a genuine Mercedes-Benz Water Pump, new seals, and a full system coolant bleed performed at 45,147 miles.
- Ignition System: Distributor cap and rotor renewals performed in 2000 and verified as in good health during a recent 2026 inspection.
- Braking System: Replacement of front pads and sensors performed at 36,951 miles, with a full system brake fluid bleed performed in 2019.
Factory Optional Extras on Vehicle
Interior & Comfort Options
- Electric Rear Window Roller Blind (Option 540): A period parcel-shelf sunblind controlled via a centre console switch.
- Electric Tilt / Sliding Sunroof: Factory glass/metal tilt-and-slide roof.
- Air Conditioning: Factory climate control system.
- Walnut Burl Wood Trim: Full burl walnut wood finish across the dash and centre console.
- Leather Steering Wheel: Leather-trimmed steering wheel.
- Front Folding Armrest & Rear Headrests: Front centre armrest and twin rear head restraints.
- Front and Rear Electric Windows: Power window lift for all four side windows.
- Leather Upholstery: Original Mercedes-Benz pattern leather interior.
Mechanical & Exterior Options
- 5-Speed Automatic Transmission: Floor-mounted automatic gearbox.
- 15-Inch Alloy Wheels: 6.5J x 15 light alloy rims fitted with 195/65 ZR15 tyres.
- Headlamp Wash / Wipe System: Bosch headlamp wipers and washers.
- Factory Catalytic Converter: Offered directly by Mercedes-Benz Diplomatic & Tourist Sales in July 1990 prior to production for an additional DM 98
The vendor says:
“The service record includes six routine intervals in which service frequency was reduced. These phases align with the vehicle's intentional transition into a "dry-storage" preservation model. During these periods, maintenance was performed based on condition and preservation needs rather than strict mileage, as the vehicle averaged less than 1,300 miles per year over its lifespan. Official DVLA Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) documentation dated July 2017 verifies this off-road status. This confirms the vehicle was placed into professional storage to preserve its aesthetic and mechanical integrity, shielding it from the wear of daily use while maintaining its single-family status.
“A clerical error is present on a Kwik Fit receipt dated 08/04/2025, which incorrectly records the odometer at 56,557 miles. This figure is mathematically and logically refuted by the following physical evidence and mileage bracketing:
- Verified History (August 2024): 45,418 miles recorded during MOT test and service.
- The Clerical Anomaly (April 2025): 56,557 miles recorded incorrectly by Kwik Fit.
- Current Verification (August 2026): 45,873 miles confirmed via physical inspection.
“The vehicle has covered a total of ~455 miles in the two years surrounding the Kwik Fit entry. A jump of 11,139 miles in eight months, followed by a decrease of 10,684 miles, is mathematically impossible. This clearly identifies the 56,557 entry as a clerical typo that does not reflect the vehicle's actual low-mileage status.”
The Detail
- In the same family's ownership since purchase in October 1990 we are told
- Garage-kept and dry-stored for significant periods hence low mileage and MOT gaps
- Factory-original, unmodified mechanicals throughout we are told
- Well kept Nautical Blue metallic paintwork in good order with a few minor blemishes
- These areas are shown in photo including wing top blemishes and scratch to wing
- Vendor states car has never been repainted
- We are told the bodywork retains straight shut lines and solid panels
- Vendor states the underside, sills, and jacking points are remarkably solid
- Localised chemical etching marks on front wing and bonnet edge
- Vendor states this is caused by caustic fluid contact and panels are structurally sound
- Minor paint rub on wheel arch lip outer edge with clean metal underneath and no structural bubbling according to seller
- Minor superficial stone chips and light marks to door waistline and bonnet edge consistent with age
- Sportline model with lower, stiffer suspension and larger Gullideckel alloys
- Alloys present well in photos showing few signs of use
- Tyres advised on MOT and should be replaced before driving the car
- Original 15-hole alloy wheels free from heavy kerbing according to seller
- Seller advises minor lacquer streaking on the painted centre dishes of wheels
- Tyres have generous tread depth according to seller but are aged (MOT advisory)
- Vendor states that engine starts cleanly, idles smoothly, and delivers proper power
- Engine bay and spare wheel well are clean, dry, and unmolested we are told
- Factory grey leather interior is very well preserved and reflects the very low mileage
- Vendor states that driver's seat bolster showing virtually no wear
- Rear seats appear rarely used we are told
- Dashboard free of sun cracking according to seller
- Zebrano wood veneer retains its gloss finish
- Factory electric rear window roller blind (Option 540) fitted but currently inoperative
- Electric sunroof fitted
- A few interior remedial points to note detailed below
- Air conditioning retains original R12 configuration and does not blow cold and would require R134a conversion
- No structural advisories on MOT
The vendor says:
“The car presents in highly original, unmolested factory order with straight shut lines, solid panels, and clean Bruno Sacco lower side cladding. The underside, sills, and jacking points are remarkably solid, supported by an MOT history free from structural rust advisories. The car has never undergone a cosmetic respray, and its finish exhibits honest blemishes that are fully documented in the gallery: Front wing and bonnet edge: localised chemical etching marks caused historically by caustic fluid dropped from a lorry ahead on the road (the panels remain perfectly straight and structurally sound). Wheel arch lip: minor paint rub on the outer edge, with clean, solid metal underneath and no structural bubbling. Minor superficial stone chips and light marks to the door waistline and bonnet edge consistent with 36 years of preservation. Alloy wheels: original 15-hole wheels are free from heavy kerbing, displaying minor lacquer streaking/age to the painted centre dishes. Tyres have generous tread depth but are aged (noted on MOT advisory), and replacement prior to regular road use is recommended.
“Outstanding condition, highly preserved original blue leather cabin that strongly reflects the 46k indicated mileage. The driver's seat bolster shows virtually no wear, the rear seats appear rarely used, and the dashboard is free of sun cracking. The Zebrano wood veneer retains a deep gloss finish. Factory-specified with the rare electric rear window roller blind (Option 540) and electric sunroof. Known electrical quirks: the motorised seat belt extender arms can stick/drag from disuse, the rear roller blind does not currently raise, and the rear quarter electric windows are occasionally sluggish to close due to age-hardened original track grease from storage.
“Factory-original, unmodified mechanicals. Powered by the desirable 3.0-litre 24-valve DOHC inline-6 (M104.980) paired with an automatic gearbox. Starts cleanly, idles smoothly, and pulls with proper power delivery. Maintained throughout its life with genuine servicing and low annual usage. Known mechanical fault: the air conditioning retains its original factory R12 configuration and does not blow cold; it requires a standard R134a conversion/recommissioning service. Engine bay and spare wheel well are clean, dry, and unmolested.”
The vendor advises the following minor faults for transparency:
a) Motorised Seat Belt Presenters
- Issue: The extender arms—essential for the pillarless design—may stick or fail to retract reliably.
- Cause: Stripped internal plastic gears or oxidised microswitches due to prolonged disuse in storage.
- Repair Guidance: Typically requires light lubrication or replacement of small internal gears. Estimated cost: £50–£150.
b) Electric Rear Window Roller Blind (Option 540)
- Issue: The blind may jam or emit a motor hum without movement.
- Cause: Solidified mechanical linkages or stripped nylon motor gears.
- Repair Guidance: Often a zero-cost fix through manual freeing of the linkage; replacement gears are available for £40–£120.
c) Air Conditioning System (Original R12 Configuration)
- Issue: The system is currently inoperative. As a 1990 model, it remains in its factory R12 configuration.
- Situation: R12 refrigerant is environmentally banned. The system requires a modern R134a retrofit to be functional.
- Buyer Impact: While bidders might fear a £1,500+ evaporator failure, a specialist retrofit (ports, drier, and gas) is quoted at just £250. This transparency ensures the vehicle is not unfairly discounted by bidders anticipating more significant repairs.
d) Rear Quarter Electric Window Intermittent Sticking
- Issue: The rear windows lower smoothly but may hesitate on the upward stroke, occasionally tripping the thermal cutout.
- Cause: "Petrified" factory grease has solidified in the tracks over 30 years, increasing motor resistance.
- Repair Guidance: A simple cleaning of the tracks and re-lubrication with white lithium grease is a common DIY task or a £150 specialist service.
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