1985 Mercedes-Benz 500-Series SEL

Description

1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL with 5.0L gas engine and 76K miles.
This is a beautiful W126. It features an electric sliding sunroof, cruise control, automatic climate control, heated power front seats with power headrests and memory AND a heated power-sliding rear bench seat. Power comes from a 5.0-liter M117 V8 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The exterior is white/ivory and the interior features Palomino leather seating with color-matched door panels and carpets, along with wood accents along the center console and dash. Amenities include the factory original Becker Mexico Grand Prix radio (modified with Bluetooth). This vehicle can very easily be a daily driver. It was purchased for that purpose but has been largely garaged during the pandemic.
The cruise control unit was rebuilt and functions as expected. The sunroof does not leak and is reliable. New struts and shocks were installed January 2019. It currently has Michelin Harmony 215/65/15s installed on 15" wheels. As you can see, the spare is a different style. I'm not sure which style was original to the vehicle. Also included is a set of four 205/65/15 Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires with around a 1000 miles on them. Comes with the original manuals, original toolkit (stamped 'Made in W. Germany') and the original first aid kit.
Everything works as expected with the following exceptions:
•There is minor damage to the passenger front fender due to a careless driver in a parking lot. See photos 11 & 12.
•Other items include a nick in the paint on the passenger side near the fuel filler door, minor cracks in the wood around the power window buttons, spotting on the gauge cluster, trim sagging on both the passenger and driver sides at the upper seat belt anchor point, and a couple blemishes on the driver-side rear bumper. See photos 13-16.
•The lumbar support controls are not functional.
•The Becker stereo will not play cassettes.
•There is minor fading appropriate to a car of this vintage.
•The AC compressor was replaced and, while it functions normally, there is a slight clicking at start up that seems to disappear after a few minutes. This does not impact function and the AC blows very cold.
•Original front windshield was replaced after the detail shop cracked it.
The car originally came from North Carolina and was owned by the original owner for the majority of its life. After he passed, it went to a friend who owned it for several years before trading it in at a dealer. I purchased it in October 2018.