For Sale: 1985 Mercedes-Benz 500 in Costa Mesa, California

1985 Mercedes-Benz 500 SEC AMG 5.4 "Wide-Body"

This 1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC 5.4 AMG Wide-Body was built at the Kassel Branch in Germany before it was modified by the independent tuner, AMG Germany. In addition to living in Europe when new, this AMG has spent time in Japan, New Zealand, and USA. The exterior paintwork is Black Pearl Metallic (199) over Grey (278) leather and features an authentic first-generation AMG Wide-Body kit that replaces the original fenders, bumpers, skirts, body molding, and spoiler. Original 16" AMG Penta wheels are 9 inches wide in the front and 10 in the rear. Original AMG badging is on the trunk lid and wheel center caps. Power is delivered by an AMG modified 5.4L M117 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission with a Limited-Slip-Differential. Additional equipment includes automatic climate control, power adjustable heated seats, fog lights, a sunroof, and requisite Alpine head unit.

While the Wide-Body styling and blackout trim make for a menacing presence, it's the engine work that made AMG the tuning company that it is today. The "turners" tore down the factory-installed SOHC 5.0L engine, which already produced an impressive for the time 231 horsepower, bored it to 5.4L modified the head, camshafts, extractors and installed dual air inlets. The work achieved an advertised 310 bhp, which could carry the coupe to sixty in 6.7 seconds and had a top speed of 155 mph. While records were sparse in the day, authenticity is without question thanks to numerous engravings on the engine block and camshafts. The 5.4L M117 engine was the largest offered by AMG until 1986 when the 6.0 version became available.

The odometer currently reads 91,565 kilometers (56,895 miles). Recent serve work completed in November and December 2024 includes replacement of the spark plugs and air filter, replacement of the transmission module, replacement of the valve cover gaskets, replacement of the fuel filter, replacement of several exhaust O-rings, power steering flush, installation of new front brake pads, and an oil and filter change. Later in the month a new battery was installed, and an aftermarket alarm was removed because it was causing an issue. With all services up to date, the 5.4L AMG engine pulls hard, makes great sound, and is great fun from stoplight to stoplight.

We are pleased to offer this exciting piece of Pre-Merger AMG history at a time when values are starting to skyrocket.