Highlights
- One owner from new
- Full service history
- 7-seater option with rear-facing bench seat
- Gleaming paintwork
- Cream leather seats in wonderful condition
The Appeal
The Mercedes-Benz E-class is a range of executive cars offered in various engine and body configurations. Historically, the E-class is Mercedes-Benz' best-selling model, with more than 13 million sold by 2015. Although the E-class had been in the Mercedes range since 1953, from 1993 the ‘E’ became a prefix rather than a suffix and the 124-series was officially marketed as the E-class; the model brought the line firmly into the upper end of the mid-size luxury market. The estate cars (chassis designation S124) came in 5- or 7-seat models, the 7-seater having a rear-facing bench seat that folded flush – as in this example.
Due to the E-class's size and durability, it has filled many market segments, from personal cars to frequently serving as taxis in European countries, as well special-purpose vehicles (such as police or ambulance modifications) from the factory. Now widely regarded as a classic car, and with a reputation for durability and reliability, there are many S124s still in use as daily transport, carefully maintained by owners who feel that the W124/S124 was a high-point in Mercedes history. The E 280 in this configuration was manufactured from 1994 to 1996, making this example one of the last of the line.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered in 1996
- Full dealer- and Mercedes-specialist service history
- One owner from new
- MOT until November 2023
- Original owner’s manual
- Original radio manual
While the V5 records two owners, the car was, when new, leased to an owner who then bought the car from the leasing company at the end of the lease term – so, in effect, it has been in the care of only one owner since new.
The car comes with a reassuring file of paperwork, including the original service book, owners’ manual, radio manual and other booklets – all in their original folder. The service history is complete, with all stamps from either Mercedes main dealerships or from renowned independent M-B specialist Colin Ferns. The MoT has just been renewed and is valid until November 2023. There’s a recent full VDI check.
The Interior
- Cream leather seats in superb condition
- Rear-facing fold-down bench seat in load bay makes the car a 7-seater
- Original first aid kit
- Original spare wheel
- Clean carpets and mats
- Factory-fitted air-conditioning
- Electric windows all round
- Electric sunroof
- Door cards all in excellent condition
- Huge load area
- Original Mercedes plastic boot liner
Even a cursory glance at the car’s interior shows that this is a car that has been lovingly maintained and cared for throughout its life. The beige leather seats, both front and back, have very few signs of wear while the carpets, protected by original mats, are in excellent condition. All four door cards are in fabulous condition, while the dashboard, centre console and dials are all extremely good, especially when considering the car’s age and mileage. It’s a comfortable and refined driving environment.
Open the rear tailgate and there’s an original plastic boot liner, also in remarkably good condition. Slide this out and the carpet lining underneath has a few marks, which is only to be expected in a car of this age, while the fold-flat rear bench seat pops up readily to reveal leather upholstery in fabulous condition. With the rear seat folded flush, the load area is simply huge, making this a very practical estate car.
The side compartment on the nearside holds a spare wheel and tyre, in excellent condition, while that on the other side holds an original first-aid kit and warning triangle, both of which look unused.
The Exterior
- Superb Ruby Metallic paintwork
- Integrated luggage rails
- All four alloy wheels fully refurbished
- Badges and brightwork all excellent
- Good tyres all round
Part of the S124’s enduring appeal has been that its smart lines have stood the test of time – it’s an elegant profile for an estate car, in this case undoubtedly helped by the car’s colour.
As with the interior, the car’s exterior is remarkable given its age and mileage. The car looks great in its Ruby Metallic paintwork, and its condition is mostly excellent, with no evidence of corrosion. Look carefully and there is a small scratch and minor dent just to the left of the rear tailgate.
All four alloy wheels have recently been completely refurbished and look superb, while the tyres all have good tread. The badges and brightwork look great, while the lights are all clean and have no cracks or chips.
The Mechanics
- 2799cc petrol engine
- Starts and runs beautifully
- 4-speed automatic transmission
- Clean and tidy engine bay
- 27 services in 26 years
- Always main-dealer and specialist serviced
The car starts readily, and runs well. It pulls away as it should, and gearchanges from the auto ‘box are smooth and quiet. The vendor assures us that the car drives and handles really well, and of course there’s that reassuring service history that records 27 services in 26 years -with the car covering an average of less than 4000 miles per annum.
Under the bonnet, everything is clean and well-ordered and there are no signs of leaks or corrosion. As far as one can tell looking beneath the car, everything is in good order.
Summary
The S124 is now a genuine modern classic, with good examples increasingly hard to find. Both inside and out, P 578 BRX is a car whose condition belies its age and mileage. That reassuring full service history attests to the care, attention and expense that has gone into looking after this car.
With a luxurious and comfortable interior, it provides a beautiful driving experience and with Mercedes’ legendary reliability it should offer the new owner many more miles of enjoyable motoring. It has the added advantage of a spacious load-bay and the sought-after 7-seater option, making it a smart classic alternative to boxy modern people-carriers.
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