Descripción
Mercedes e280 w124 estate 1995
the right engine, the best extras, a rare colour, a remarkable audio upgrade, detailed and honest history… this is the one that you want. Read on.
the mercedes w124 is repeatedly listed in the motoring press as the best ever built of all mercedes, as the most practical of new-timer classics, and as a car that can easily fend for itself in modern traffic. For this reason they find themselves in high demand. Today, at a minimum of 25 years old they are being sorted out into the ones worth keeping, preserving and enjoying versus those beyond economic repair. The car we present here is very much the former, that has much lavished on it over its entire lifespan and is certainly ready to go without fear of big bills, unknown quantities and an uncertain future. It is for sale today because at 25 years old it is being retired from a frontline business role.
this w124 estate (technically known as the s124) has been with the current owner for just about 7 years. During that time it has been used as a daily vehicle as part of a successful cycling retail business. As a promotional vehicle it has had to perform and appear in the best of lights, putting in regular mileage of around 6-7k per annum. It has a total mileage now of 127k – which is a lifetime average of just 5k per annum: This is a low mileage and pampered model that really stands the driving and brings joy every day. It has a regular and thorough service history that stretches all the way back to its first years on the road. Previously sold by avantgarde classic cars of staffordshire as a collector grade vehicle, it remains today just one of the best and most interesting at any car show. And ultimately, having the m104 straight 6-cylinder fuel injected engine, it is the only one to collect and drive.
the car functions with 3 bar oil pressure, it sits square, it drives totally straight, it is without rattles, it has lovely and realistic patina inside and out, and its black leather interior is just a delightful place to be. And it is totally reliable. It has 193bhp, a 135mph top speed, a clean and smooth gearbox with sport and economy settings, and is quietly a swift and smooth beast like any e-class mercedes.
there is an extensive list of extras below that made the car £42k when new in 1995. if you are looking to buy a w124 estate – and they are already an increasingly rare car, you would struggle to find a white one, which actually presents today as a very modern colour take on the model – particularly with its correct upgraded amg wheels. If you read to the bottom you will see that it has a sonic frontiers audio installation which was £5k just five years ago, giving the car a beautiful luxury added dimension.
the car benefits from a rich list of extras:
climate control – fully functioning (and an upgrade on air conditioning)
cruise control
full black leather in super condition
anthracite mb carpeting and over-mats in excellent condition
zebrano wood in super condition
a remarkable custom music installation (more below)
electric aerial
amg aero ii original period wheels (currently black but easily altered)
brand new continental premium contact tyres (17”)
sunroof (fully functioning obviously)
fully working split folding rear seats and dog/ luggage guard net
five seatbelts
twin driver and passenger airbag option (only on late cars)
lockable storage box between front seats
fold down front armrest
totally flat loading bay with underfloor storage
retractable load cover (fully functioning)
soft close tailgate
witter original tow bar (sourced and fitted to enable a bike rack to be mounted – 13 pin)
black roof bars
rare white coachwork
remote central locking (very rare)
fog lights front and rear
music installation by sonic frontiers
the system is designed to excel whether listening to radio 4, classic fm, rock music, modern pop or electronic dance music. It is in a different league from any “branded” audio installation in modern luxury cars (read hk, bose, meridian, etc). and it totally adds to the ownership experience).
and the audio install also demonstrates the level of investment in making this car just the very best place to be. It reflects the standards of ownership that this car has experienced since being with its current guardian. It is basically an invisible installation using stock locations (a sonic frontiers speciality) and the car has been thoroughly sound deadened to improve the environment even if the stereo is turned off! The car spent 2 weeks in swansea having this work completed by the best car audio specialist in the country – it is absolutely not about the volume, it is about quality.
the audio install consists of the following:
pioneer head unit with phone connectivity, usb input, aux input and cd drive
jl audio class d amplification (x 2)
audison bit one digital sound processor
jehnert bespoke door cards
audison voce speaker array (9 drivers)
discrete small disguised subwoofer in the boot
high grade bespoke wiring and power loom
full bespoke system tune
the history file show. An unmissed servicing record, necessary replacement and maintenance on suspension spheres, links, etc, replaced front wing, dinitrol body cavity protection, a new windscreen (24 years had aged it), a replaced loom, window rubbers, belts, etc, etc. It has wanted for nothing as you would expect of a business vehicle. And it is going to be sorely missed.
