Vehicle Description
1988 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL
What is the difference between S, SE and SEL on the older S
Classes? S stands for S Class, (obviously), the E is the SE stands
for the German word for Fuel Injection which is Einspritzung in
German and finally SEL stands for the Long Wheelbase version of the
S Class.
For consignment a 1 family owned car long wheelbase saloon sedan in
the form of a 1988 300SEL 4-door. A collectors dream with this
always garaged "10" condition wonderful example. Nary a crack in
the leather, and exterior is nice and pristine.
Exterior
An all original car with that thick German steel and innovative
construction we have what was the ultimate sedan of the time. All
bathed in Smoke Silver with no rust, nicely minded gaps, and
straight steel, a shiny grille and surround, wipers for the head
lighting, and a second darker gray tone for the bumpers and rockers
along with the lower parts of the car. This paint on the bumpers is
showing some age and encounters with other obstacles with scratches
and smudges but remains nice. On top is a sunroof, which leads
rearward to a long trunk deck and room for all the passenger's
belongings. On back are the ribbed tail lighting and MB has a
method to their madness with this design- it's self-cleaning! Glass
and trimmings surrounding it are all very good and nice and shiny.
From the tri-pointed star atop the front cowl to the large badge on
the center of the trunk, this is truly a beautifully preserved
original example.
Interior
Molded gray plastic and vinyl combines with some MB tex inserts
with a vented dimpled design within. A German walnut burl veneer is
nicely lacquered and houses the seat adjuster, and door handle.
Moving to the passenger compartment, we see 2 pristine camel
buckets with smooth bolsters and stitched tuck and roll inserts,
along with a convenient headrest. This is all original leather and
has no folds or cracks. In back is a passenger bench stretching
from side to side, and a thickly padded armrest can be folded down
between the buckets. The center console presents in camel and has a
burl insert for the shifter lever housing surround. Various control
toggles are located here and within the riser also in burl, that
houses the Becker stereo and climate control buttons and wheels.
Above and below on the dash are gray vinyl panels and in-between is
a burl accenting strip running from door to door. The instrument
cluster is nice and clean, and mileage shows as 197,886 original
documented miles. Above the headliner is a nice tight tan and
wonderful thick pile carpeting that makes me want to take off my
shoes and socks and rub my tootsies into it, all very clean and
well cared for.
Drivetrain
Under the hood stuffed into the clean and slightly patina engine
bay is a 3.0- liter SOHC I-6. It is fed by EFI and produces a nice
177hp. A W4A028 4-speed automatic transmission is on back, and the
rear axle weighs in at a gas saving 3.46 ratio.
Undercarriage
Some road dirt on top of formerly undercoated stamped steel is
noted underneath. All structurally solid with slight surface rust,
a solid exhaust and mufflers, and plenty of ground effects smooth
panels. Independent coil springs provide the suspension for all 4
corners, and power disc brakes are also showing up on all 4's. All
nicely preserved with some slight corrosion on aluminum parts
beneath.
Drive-Ability
The 6 candles came right to life upon the turn of the key, and I
settled into the leather seats, tuned the Becker and off to the
test track I went. Here the car accelerated nicely for a big car
and handled as expected. Bias free braking on the panic stop test,
and performance was cogged considering the mileage. The power seat
was not working, the HVAC blower would not work, and only the
passenger power window worked.
A clean well cared for well used MB 300SEL long wheelbase cruiser.
Paint is good, and the interior is sparkling clean. Oh lord, won't
you buy me a Mercedes Benz...!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
