eBay Christmas Find: 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL
- 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with 37K miles
- Black over grey + W126 gen = handsome saloon
- New York market car appears to be in great shape but buyer beware
By Gunnar Heinrich | IMG eBay
NEW YORK is really hard on cars.
Generally, the city’s washboard street grid system acts as an automotive meat grinder; churning its way through rims, shocks, and tyres while the city’s fair tempered drivers bash their way through impossibly tight spaces in a constant furious flow; taking with them the purity of bumpers, fenders, mirrors, prides…
And those are mere flesh wounds.
Yet, down on the lower westside – a wayward hubcap’s travel from the Javitz (NYIAS’ home) sits a sterling 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL that’s survived the metro area for some 19 years.
That is appears on eBay in such showroom fresh shape, makes it one bid well worth considering. To date, the big Benz has 37K miles to its title. This is in large measure likely why its glorious three-box form appears in such fine fettle.
Black on grey being one of the best color combos for any W126 – those hues trump the once popular tan on beige any day – the S-Class appears to be in original form: the cryptic Becker radio and lack of adhoc aftermarket electronica circa 1999 is a real plus.
Interesting to note, it appears that the Benz is also fitted with the (rare) early version of ASR traction control, which was standard only on the R129 500SL in 1990.
But with such low mileage, we have to wonder how long the car was made to sit. Gaskets, hoses, and the melee of hydropneumatic devices (door locks, rear self-leveling suspension, etc.) all can bust if neglected in some garage – to say nothing of the odd water pump or a litany of sensors.
That the seller – Mercedes-Benz Manhattan, Inc. – hasn’t listed the 560SEL on its own site is suspect. Dealers tend to post risky vehicles online rather than include them as part of their own inventory.
So, caveat emptor.
That said, a cared for 560SEL remains one of the grandest cars on the road.
560SELs provide most everything a luxury car driver should care to own: superlative ride, surefooted handling, quiet interior, torque rich, big-bloc V8, superior engineering, safety and classically eye catching style.
To add that such quality is available at a bargain – $8,600 – and is popular (12 bids) proves all the more enticing.
Linked: eBay Motors 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL from Mercedes-Benz Manhattan
About the Author: Gunnar Heinrich is publisher of Automobiles De Luxe online and is executive producer of the Automobiles De Luxe Television series on PBS member station CPTV.
Chris | Dec 24, 2009 | Reply
It’s a very tidy and pristine example. I’ve seen many black 560s, often full of scratches and faded paint, so I’ve always found myself wondering just how good a factory fresh black 560 would look.
When I see this one, I’m somehow disappointed. Pure black on a 560 lacks a bit of pizazz. It all feels a little like government issued S-class.
When I got my Nautikblau ( 929 ) 560 at first I was a little discouraged by the almost purple tint it takes in certain light. Now after a while, I’m glad I have something that is elegant, but given the right lighting conditions almost becomes a bit flamboyant.
Gunnar | Dec 24, 2009 | Reply
I must disagree.
In the flesh, jet black W126 is sharp. Navy blue is the best. White (with white -not grey- skirts) and red are excellent choices as well. Less keen on grey and certainly not beige.
On the series one W126 there was the odd camel and green colors. Camel set against a cocoa interior has handsome, if 70′s vibe. An acquired taste.
Regardless, the W126 Sonderklasse looks grand.
Chris | Dec 24, 2009 | Reply
I have yet to see a black w126 of this condition in person. Perhaps given the perfect dust free environment it looks good. I would say the images of the car don’t do it justice.
Some of the 70s colours in the first generation are quite attractive, especially with a velour interior and stock alloy wheels. Meanwhile beige adds another decade to a design that would otherwise be timeless.
But of course the one thing you and I will always agree on is the overall appearance of the w126 S-class.