Highlights

• A recent Japanese import in very excellent condition
• Incredibly low, original mileage from a benign climate and salt-free driving environment
• Hard to imagine finding a lower mileage, more pristine example of the increasingly popular W124

The Appeal

This example is surely one of the most original, pristine, and lightly used examples of the breed available today. Having covered a paltry 17,865 miles in the hands of one former owner, the car could almost be considered as just run in. Add to this a full service history and this is really one of those “once in a blue (Azurite Blue) moon” cars.

The History and Paperwork

• Our example was supplied new via the Mercedes Benz dealer network to Japan in 1995
• The car was clearly sympathetically used and benefitted from Japan’s salt-free road network
• The car was imported to the UK earlier in 2022
• The car was MoT’d in October 2022 and passed without advisories
• Paperwork includes the full Japanese service history
• The official Japanese export certificate is also on hand, verifying mileage
• The original complete Japanese domestic market book pack is included
• The current V5 and MoT certificate, valid to October 2023, are present
  
  

The Interior

• This W124’s interior is a charming time capsule of a cabin
• MPH speedo face fitted
• The trim comprises subtle variations of complimentary blue hues
• Panels of wood veneer adorn the dashboard and door cappings
• Leather steering wheel and gear selector
• The seats and top sections of the door cards are finished in a self-patterned fabric
• The front seats benefit from electric adjustment via door mounted controls
• Commodious front seats present in a pristine condition
• The rear cabin provides a good deal of passenger space and comfort
• The rear bench is as equally pristine as the front seats
• Carpets are in fine fettle and appear to have been protected by edge bound carpet mats, front and rear
• This is a well-equipped interior too, for the period
• Refinements include dual zone air conditioning and electrically adjustable steering column
• Driver and passenger airbags
• Outside temperature gauge
• Central locking
• Electric windows front and rear and electric door mirrors
• The commodious boot is trimmed in its original grey carpet
• This is also home to the 6 CD multichanger
• An original full sized spare and tool set are also housed here
• The obligatory warning triangle is still in situ in the boot lid
• The original build sheet is even still present, pasted under the rear parcel shelf

The Exterior

• Our W124 is finished in its original Azurite Blue paintwork which presents very well
• The bodywork appears to be in excellent condition throughout too 
• Body panels are understood to be entirely original throughout
• The condition of this W124 has clearly benefitted from the salt free driving environment of Japan
• No significant paint or bodywork faults were noted or reported
• The W124 features clean and bright chrome trim 
• This is predominantly to the signature grill, screen surrounds and side rub strips
• The now famous “Sacco Panels” appear to be in an unmarked condition
• The car rides on 15-inch, eight-hole original alloy wheels
• These appear to be in a great, unmarked condition all round
• They are shod with a set of new, quality Toyo tyres in the period correct 195/55 size
• Light lenses and cabin glass appears to be pristine and original
• All the charming W124 exterior quirks are in evidence here
• This includes the single “eccentric sweep” windscreen wiper and asymmetrically sized wing mirrors
• Overall, our W124 offers an entirely period correct and pristine exterior presentation
  
  

The Mechanics

• The E280 W124 features the 2.8L, straight six M104 942 petrol engine
• This is a DOHC engine with an original output of 190 bhp and 199 Ib-ft of torque
• Power is fed to the rear wheels via a smooth shifting four speed automatic gearbox
• The car benefits from factory fitted ABS 
• Our example has clearly been well cared for and regularly maintained
• The under-bonnet presentation appears faultless to underscore this impression
• The car is reported to be in fine mechanical fettle throughout
• The full service history and incredibly low original mileage greatly benefits the car’s mechanical condition
  
  

Summary