Highlights
- Clever standard-looking S123 with huge specification
- Over £25,000 spent since 2019 with high end specialists
- Recent engine and gearbox rebuild, new injectors and fuel lines plus servicing
- Adjustable air ride by Bagged Benz with original parts included
- Custom period roof rack costing £4,000 alone
- Period leather interior with full interior recommission
- Now MOT, tax and ULEZ exempt
The Appeal
If your interests lie in a modified Benz direction, then specialists like Workshop Seventy7 and Bagged Benz are likely to turn your eye. These are the wonders of upgrading and bespoking Stuttgart’s classic models in new and interesting directions.
Like this car. It looks, at first glance, like a factory standard S123 230TE, finished in handsome Thistle Green. In some ways, that’s exactly what it is. The current enthusiast keeper, who bought it in 2019, respects what Mercedes engineers do well and has left the 2.3L M102 standard, the interior and exterior likewise. Dig deeper, however, and you’ll find adjustable air ride by Bagged Benz that seriously enhances the stance.
The suspension is the tip of an extensive list of servicing and maintenance that totals over £25,000. All work has been done by bluechip specialists such as the duo above and MB Nottingham. The work includes a full engine and gearbox rebuild by Workshop Seventy7, new factory-correct Palomino leather interior and even a classic-style roof rack that cost £4,000 alone. Recent work by Project Heaven restorers includes engine bay restoration, engine timing reset, and all new injectors/fuel lines
The car is in superb condition. There are some minor signs of patina, but they do not detract in the photos. The S123 is one of the greatest classic estates and this example is a proper one of a kind.
The vendor says:
“Very rare. One of a kind. Real head turner and is always a star of any local classic car show. It looks like a lovely retro German estate with just a couple of subtle improvements to make it very useable and unique. Even Jonny Smith took a video of it as it left the last Ignition and Coffee car gathering I attended last weekend.”
History and Paperwork
- First registered 16th February 1983
- Four former registered keepers
- Current keeper since February 2019
- Engine and gearbox rebuilt in 2019 at 122,706 miles by Workshop Seventy7
- Extensive work in same year by MB Nottingham as shown in photos
- £4,000 roof rack fitted since 2019
- Factory handbooks
- Eligible for Historic Vehicle status
- Regular attendee at local classic car shows
- Featured in a Jonny Smith video at Ignition and Coffee car gathering
- Engine bay refurbished by Kings Cliffe detailing
- Extensive improvements by Workshop Seventy7 including Bagged Benz adjustable air ride
- New factory-specification Palomino leather interior fitted in 2021
- Original parts retained throughout the restoration
- Original rear carpet sourced and fitted
- New OEM exhaust with alternative back box for deeper/quieter sound
- Recent work by Project Heaven including engine bay restoration, engine timing reset, and all new injectors/fuel lines
- Last MOT ran to February 2025 with no advisories
- Dry stored by current keeper
The Condition
- Very smart Thistle Green metallic car in good condition as shown
- Signs of age are minor as can be checked in photos
- Bodywork is straight and very well kept
- Factory standard exterior aesthetics including steel wheels
- Fitted with chrome hub caps with body colouyr centres
- Chromework in good order with front and rear bumpers showing little age
- Underside in good order with no structural advisories on last MOT
- Factory standard interior upgraded to Palomino leather in correct factory finish
- Vinyl and fabric door cards appear to be original and are well kept
- Headlining, sunroof and sunroof surround in very good order
- Interior features Zebrano wood veneers and classic-style stereo
- Blaupunkt stereo with Bluetooth connection and discreet fittings
- Classic-style full-length roof rack that cost £4,000
- Original parts retained wherever possible and still functional
The Mechanics
- 2,299cc M102 4cyl fuel injected engine
- 4spd automatic gearbox
- Engine and gearbox fully rebuilt 10,000 miles ago in 2019 by a specialist
- Engine fully checked, rebalanced, and timing reset over winter
- Engine is unmodified and stock we are told
- Adjustable air suspension supplied by Bagged Benz and fitted by Workshop Seventy7
- New OEM exhaust with alternative back box for deeper/quieter sound
- New injectors and fuel lines fitted over winter
- Original suspension components included
- Huge recent expenditure exceeding £25,000 as shown in photos
- No advisories on last MOT in February 2024
BEFORE YOU BUY
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