560SEL - 40k Actual Miles

1991 Mercedes-Benz 500-Series Description

1991 Mercedes Benz 560SEL with extremely low miles.
The BAD: I have had this car for 3 years (since May 20, 2013 - title shows it had 22,705 miles when it was issued to me). Before I got it, it was in a front end accident at about 17k miles. The wreck was about 5 years ago. Prior owner purchased it after the wreck and did an "okay" repair job. It is not great; and they sanded the paint on the back 2/3 of the car but only painted the front clip for some reason. SRS light is on; and, one or both front airbags may not have been replaced. So, could use a repaint. But from 15' away it looks pretty dang good.
Until very recently (last 3-4 weeks), the entire time I had it, the front end was fine - drove straight and had only an occasional vibration at about 55 but not above or below that. I have put 4+ thousand miles on it in the last 3 months or so doing long distance drives, because my daily is a Jeep Rubicon and they're not so comfy on the highway. On the last two trips, the vibration began to worsen and is now noticeable from about 45-50 on up. I have not had it looked at; I think it may need ball joints or bushings. Something has worn out, because it was fine for almost three years and now is annoying.
Cruise control is sometimes wonky and won't turn on, but seems to work 80-90% of of the time.
Stereo sounds great -- like new (esp compared to my 1989). Tape deck works fine. But the actual "radio" does not play. It comes on, shows it is tuning in but no sound comes out when it is set to radio. I think something got jarred in the wreck, but it never bothered me because I use my iPhone and a tape deck adapter, anyway (adapter included) to play through the tape deck.
The GOOD. The good about this car is very good. It is what you'd expect in a garaged example. Other than I'm sure some surface corrosion on underside components (see pics), it's clean and not rusted. None of the areas that can go bad on these cars (e.g., around rear windshield) has rust.
It has just over 40k miles (I have driven it back and forth from Maryland to western S.C. several times in the last 3 months, so photo of odometer is out of date). Almost new tires; recent brakes.
Interior is "time warp" mint - I've looked at two dozen of these considering buying and I've owned two of these cars (other one had 50k miles and was a never even dented well kept example). I have NEVER seen an interior even close to this nice, not since the 90s, anyway. Car was garaged before it was wrecked; I had it tinted and have kept it garaged probably 80% of the time to keep the interior mint.
Drivetrain is low mile and it runs and pulls hard (it was definitely more powerful than my other, which was an '89). It accelerates almost as powerfully as my friend's 450 SEL 6.9. Apart from the wobble, the car runs, shifts, stops etc. like you'd expect a 560SEL with 40k miles to run.
Hydropneumatic rear suspension holds and operates properly. Holds its level etc. (Does not sag if not driven.) Comfort was fantastic in the city and unmatched on the highway, before the front suspension began to wear out.
Air conditioning, heated seats (front and back), sunroof, windows etc. all work fine.
This generation is the last of the "forever cars" that were still hand built by Benz. Car would be easy to restore to showroom. Or, it could be used to make a top notch resto out of another one. The drivetrain and interior and wood bits alone are worth $6-7k if someone wanted to part it out.
You are invited to test drive it and bring a mechanic if you like (I have a lift at my house -- it's in the pics, so it's easy to look it over). Car is sold AS IS / Where Is. I will cooperate with your shipper to pick it up after payment in full in cash or equivalent is in my hands and has been confirmed to have cleared.
I've enjoyed owning and driving this car. The only reason I'm selling is I need to get different a car for my teenage son, who has epilepsy. It's controlled and he will be cleared to drive soon; but, to be safe his mom and I are going to lease a new car that has active sensors and braking tech / accident avoidance options, for him.
Email any questions.
Car is for sale locally.
I reserve the right to end this auction at any time; for any reason.