Highlights
- One of only 7 UK right-hand drive E36 AMG Wagons ever produced
- £50,000 mechanical restoration since 2022 including engine and gearbox rebuild
- Complete body restoration including undercarriage work
- £30,000 invested by previous keeper to 2022
- Complete body restoration including undercarriage work
- Very high specification including custom £7,000 exhaust system
- Current MOT valid to March 2026 with no advisories
- Less than 200 miles covered since restoration completed
The Appeal
The word ‘special’ tends to get over-used, but here’s a car where it absolutely applies. If you’re unfamiliar with the W124 E36, then it’s hardly surprising - it comes from the era when AMG was an independent firm, free from constraints and marketing-led dictates. Just 200 were built, of which only 47 were sold in the UK. Of those, a mere seven were wagons like this one.
It is, then, by any measure exceptionally rare. The AMG fettling makes it special too, extracting over 270bhp from its 3.6L straight six with suspension tweaks delivering a very planted ride. It is the very definition of sleeper because it looks pretty much like a standard high-end W124.
The vendor acquired it in 2022 and has created the superb car you see. We’re told the previous keeper spent £30,000 on mechanical renovations. Since purchase the seller has invested a further £50,000, including a full engine and gearbox rebuild. The car has also been fully repainted in rather potent black, with matching grille and privacy glass subtly dialling up the drama. It is an indication of the level of investment that the custom exhaust cost £7,000 alone. MOT records indicate that the car has covered less than 200 miles since completion.
The attention to detail applied to that combined £80,000 of work is hugely impressive. We love the AMG Monoblocs, the checkered fabric cabin with its wood veneers and even the seven-seat layout that makes this bruiser a surprisingly practical family wagon.
For brand enthusiasts and lovers of quick dog wagons, the simple point is: find another one. Even if you could, we seriously doubt there are any with the provenance and condition of this one.
History and Paperwork
- First registered in early 1996
- Factory built in November 1995
- Previously keeper spent £30,000 on mechanical and other work
- Current keeper since June 2022
- £50,000 invested by current keeper since purchase
- Photographic record of restoration work available in hardback boot
- Invoices include documentation for the £7,000 custom exhaust system
- One of only seven UK-delivered right-hand drive E36 AMG Wagons ever produced
- 2 keys and remote fob
- MOT valid to 31st March 2026 with no advisories
Summary of work by previous keeper:
- Full gearbox rebuild in February 2019 at a cost of £9,465
- New rear arms, tracking and more in May 2019
- Air-conditioning system overhaul in July 2019 plus other work at a cost of £1,389
- Attention to the sunroof, cooling system and throttle cable in September 2019
- Cylinder head strip, new head gasket and other gaskets and seals in May 2020 at a cost of £4,068
- A new fuel pump, crank sensor, EVAP valve, MAF and battery in August 2020.
- Welding to the offside rear and front inner arches, floor, inner sills and other areas where required in November 2020 (along with an MoT exam)
The Condition
- Understated Blue-Black Metallic paintwork with matching grille with full repaint since 2022
- Paintwork presents to a very high standard as shown
- Complete body restoration including comprehensive work to the undercarriage
- Bodywork presents well following extensive restoration
- Fitted with rear privacy glass
- The vendor states the interior is in like-new condition
- The vendor states the undercarriage is in like-new condition following restoration
- AMG ‘Monobloc’ 17in alloy wheels in very good order as shown
- Black checkered fabric factory-correct interior with burr walnut trim
- Seven seat layout with folding rear seat
- Retains many original features such as factory stereo and E26 gear knob
- Dashboard and controls appear in very good order
- Seats and upholstery have been restored to a high standard
- Carpets and headlining present well
- Non-matching alloy spare in boot as shown
- No structural advisories on MOT
This is one potent-looking E36. The vendor has undertaken a comprehensive bodywork and paintwork restoration since purchase in 2022 that delivers a look that is both understated and ful of intent. It perfectly suits the E36’s character.
The work was part of a £50,000 investment in the car and included a full repaint, switching the colour from the original Brilliant Silver to black. Inside there is a very well kept, factory-correct black checkered fabric seven seat cabin with folding rear seats. The dashboard and console are trimmed in burr walnut. The switchgear and fittings are in very good order and retain original features like the factory radio and ‘E36’ gear knob.
The Mechanics
- 3,606cc six cylinder DOHC 272bhp AMG-tuned engine
- 4spd automatic transmission
- Engine has been completely rebuilt as part of the £50,000 restoration
- Gearbox has been fully rebuilt since 2022
- Custom £7,000 exhaust system installed
- Comprehensive mechanical restoration with over £50,000 in recent expenditure
- The vendor informs us that the vehicle is in excellent mechanical condition following the extensive work
- No advisories on MOT
The W124 E36 was one of the last cars developed by AMG while it remained independent. Just 200 were built, all featuring carefully developed versions of the M104 straight six engine, notably bored out from 3.2L to 3.6L to deliver 272bhp.
This car received £30,000 of mechanical refurbishment under the previous keeper’s tenure. Since buying the car in June 2022 the current keeper has taken that work further. The vast expenditure has included a full engine and gearbox rebuild. The gearbox was previously rebuild in 2019. The car also features a £7,000 custom exhaust with AMG chrome tips.
It is perhaps no surprise that the current MOT runs to March 2026 with no advisories. MOT records show the car has barely covered 200 miles since the restoration was completed.
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Comments
575Modi••••
I used to have a RHD Black W124 300TE 4-Matic, an equally rare beast, until it was written off when it was rear-ended. Fortunately my wife and kids were unhurt, the other driver was hospitalised. That was a terrific car and for over a decade, it took us on skiing trips to the Alps every year. Are there any of those left ? Unfortunately M-B stopped importing 4WD estates so I ended up with a new E53 X5 instead. It was nothing like as good.
575Modi••••
Through sheer hard work, I was able to buy a brand new W123 280TE in 1980, when we were living in Germany. The W123 Estate was even better built than the W124 and it was such a pity there was never a 4WD version. In the 15 years and 250,000km we owned it, it never broke down and the Astro Silver paintwork was flawless. Rolls-Royce cars were not as well built as a W123. And I speak as a Rolls-Royce owner !
Jack.M1••••
What does a £7000 custom exhaust mean? Aftermarket or someone has physically made it for that specific car - and if so. Is it made of gold?
Sun••••
SellerIt’s a completely bespoke custom made exhaust in stainless steel. The workmanship on this exhaust is just stunning. Sounds fantastic too !!
DJ••••
Hi,Could you confirm total number of owners and do you have the original dealer book pack?Also there is no mention of service history/dealer stamps? Thank you
Sun••••
SellerHello, I can confirm there are 9 owners and the original E36 book pack is present, I will attach a picture in the morning, There is a huge history file with lots of previous receipts for parts and servicing, including Edward Hall and main dealer
john.c_••••
BidderHi, Final questions (I want to make sure I'm bidding on the 'right' car) Do you have verifiable invoices from specialist companiees for the £50,000 of work claimed? Is the vehicle a ‘category’ car? (Insurance write-off) Do the front offside wing and bonnet now line up correctly? I ask as there is no mention in your ad that this car was in a crash yet the previous vendor did outline this. though I believe it was not recorded on insurance Thanks
Sun••••
SellerYes you can see all of the invoices in the pictures. It was done by a single specialist as shown in the pics. There is a huge history file for the car showing receipts from the beginning. And a book with restoration pictures included in the history file The car has been completely restored, down to an empty shell. As you can see in the pictures. Everything lines up fine as the body had a restoration ( please look at the last pictures) You can see the underneath of the car along with the shell on the ramp The car is not a category write off. Would you like to come and see the car ? Thank you for your questions
john.c_••••
BidderHi, one more question. I'd asssumed it was BlauSchwarz originally but thid ad suggests it was Silver. https://www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1996-mercedes-benz-e36-amg-wagon-8qMmA8 Can you confirm it's a colour change? Thanks (Apologies for all the questions)
Sun••••
SellerHello. The car was silver when I purchased it. I had the colour changed in the restoration. Please see pictures of before, during and after. They are all at the end of the 200 pics Thanks for your questions. Please let me know if I can help any further
john.c_••••
BidderHi, is there paperwork showing it's an original AMG build ? or is this just a normal car with badges and some glass fibre panels ? Thanks
Sun••••
SellerWe can confirm it’s a genuine AMG car. You are welcome to speak with Mercedes Benz to check too. Kind regards
fullhou••••
Hi is wide arch kit a genuine stamped AMG/HWA kit or replica, thanks
Sun••••
SellerHello. It is a replica kit. Thanks