One owner, low mileage very well maintained S500 Coupe
Desirable M119 V8 engine, the same as used on Mercedes FIA GT and Le Mans winning race cars
Full Mercedes and Mercedes specialist service history
MOT to April 2023 with no advisories
Attractive combination of Brilliant Emerald Green metallic with beige leather interior
Huge features list including steel sunroof, heated seats, part-polished alloys, cruise control, double glazing, electric front and rear seats
The Appeal
The C140 and W140 S-Class is, for many, the last Mercedes that was engineering-led rather than market-led. That translates into a no-compromise approach to the business of luxury motoring that can be sensed from the chunky thunk of the doors to the eery silence of the engine.
The S-Class’s design was overseen by famed Mercedes designer, Bruno Sacco, and it delivers an understated style familiar to high end buyers of the three pointed star. Just 26,000 coupes were sold worldwide with the choice of V8 or V12 power. The 500 used the M119 V8 engine, considered by enthusiasts to be one of the firm’s finest engines and the power behind Mercedes’ FIA GT and Le Mans winning cars.
This one owner, low mileage S500 is an early 1996 car finished in a beautiful combination of dark green metallic and beige leather. It is in excellent condition, with just a few minor indications that it is 27 years old. If the full Mercedes and Mercedes specialist service history is a guide, it has clearly been well cared for. The specification is immense, including double glazing and electric seats all round. It looks hugely comfortable and a very inviting place to munch up some classic miles. _DSC4732-1.jpg4.8 MB
The History And Paperwork
Full Mercedes and Mercedes specialist service history
Significant expenditure in 2019 including major service
MOT to April 2023 with no advisories
Full complement of Mercedes manuals and original leather wallet
Owned by two motor dealers since 2019 subsequent to the one owner
Carpets and overmats in excellent condition throughout
Electric memory and heated front seats
Electric rear seats
Mercedes Benz factory alarm
Cruise control
Original Mercedes Benz audio system with radio code
Sumptuous is a word often misused by car marketeers but no other description properly applies to the interior of this beautiful S500. It represents peak luxury circa 1996. There is double glazing, a big sunroof, electric seats all round, cruise control and liberal use of wood and leather. In short, it is a great place to be.
The interior of this car reflects the low mileage and ownership. The leather seats are in very good condition and appear supple, just the driver’s seat showing a sheen of wear. The extensive wood veneers are excellent, only a tiny section on the driver’s side edge of the dashboard, where the glue has given way, detracting.
Elsewhere the issues are minor and localised. There are three marks on the dashboard above the glove box and both stainless steel sill guards are showing signs of slight deterioration. There is a mark on the driver’s seatbelt and door trim carpet.
The car is entirely factory standard, right down to the premium Mercedes Benz audio system and alarm. All four seats are electrically operated, the front ones also with heaters and memory function. The history file indicates work to the air conditioning system in recent years. _DSC4006.jpg3.13 MB
The Exterior
Rare Brilliant Green Metallic paintwork
Pillarless coupe design
Pre-facelift model with coloured rear lights
New Continental 18inch tyres
Bodywork in very good condition with no obvious deterioration
Pretty alloy wheels with part-polished rims
The W140 saloon and less common C140 coupe were penned under the tutelage of renowned Mercedes designer Bruno Sacco who apparently took influence from the contemporary Jaguar XJ40. The design is smooth and unfussy in a classic Mercedes style, but the S500 is a big car with considerable presence. The C140 cleverly disguises the saloon’s size with a pillarless design that references the style of earlier Mercedes coupes.
The attractive Brilliant Green metallic paintwork of this car was only available for a few short years from 1995 to 1998 and works particularly well with the light beige interior. The paintwork is generally very good, just a few minor areas indicating that this is a 1990s car. Some of these issues could likely be resolved by a good machine polish.
On the nearside of the car there is a chip on the rear wing below the rear window, a number of light scuffs on the driver’s door and a very slight scuff on the wing mirror. There is a small blossom of corrosion beneath the rear light on the wing that may be worth attending to before it worsens.
The offside has a small scuff on the rear wing where the boot lid meets the wing and there are a few light scuffs and edge chips on the driver’s door. The body coloured trim on the front wing has a chip behind the wheel arch.
The front of the car has light scratches on the underside of the bumper, where it has likely brushed a kerb, and there are a small number of stone chips on the bumper and one on the bonnet. There is a small 5mm area of corrosion on the painted grille surround.
The back of the car has what appear to be light scuffs below the number plate. The rear window shows a number of very small areas where the black surround has begun to delaminate.
The black painted trim above the B-pillar on the retractable rear windows has scuffed on both sides of the car, likely caused by the retraction process.
The car is fitted with what appear to be virtually new Continental tyres. The pretty 18inch alloy wheels have polished rims and are generally in very good condition. Just barely noticeable kerbing on the front nearside alloy slightly detracts.
We were not able to check the underside of the car but the last MOT in April 2022 did not indicate any issues.
The C140 coupe was also available with V12 power, but it is the M119 5litre V8 fitted to this car that enthusiasts wax lyrical about. Aside from delivering a super-smooth, near silent cruising experience, it powered Le Mans and GT race winning cars. It’s an effortlessly quick and very reliable 315bhp unit that suits the suave S-Class.
In the S500 this engine is mated to a 5spd automatic gearbox with semi-automatic shift option. Both are very durable but benefit from regular servicing and maintenance.
This car has covered a little over 60,000 miles and comes with full Mercedes and Mercedes specialist servicing, including a major service in 2019 around 4,000 miles ago that involved spark plugs, gearbox oil and filter change, new mass airflow sensor, new central locking pump and new front and rear springs.
The previous owner was a classic car collector and we are told that the car was last serviced in 2022 by his own mechanic. There is no record of this but the Seller can provide more details on request.
The Seller bought the car in 2022 to add to his personal collection. He has since lost storage space and chosen to sell this car. As both he and the previous seller are traders the car has only one recorded owner, apparently a wealthy and well known restauranteur. _DSC4625.jpg5.31 MB
Summary
The S-Class of 1991 was the last roll of the dice for Mercedes’ traditional way of building cars. The car may well have helped signal the end of that approach because its development cost spiralled so high that the project leader lost his job. But for buyers then and now, the result is a very high quality and superbly engineered executive express with that essential ‘Mercedesness.’
This S-Class was nicely specified by its only registered keeper with a tasteful colour scheme and some appealing options. Then there is that lovely 5litre V8. The low mileage and full service history indicate careful ownership. These cars are currently great value and this one looks ready to cosset a new owner.
Notice to bidders
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