1991 Mercedes 560 SEL V8 Leather MOT Oct 2022. The Flagship of the Fleet.

The curse of e bay..............a "buyer" who knocked 7 other bidders out and said "I'll be there tomorrow" etc and never showed up. 

Classified this time to hopefully filter the auction issues out. I have not gone back to near bidders as i was messed about nigh on a week and thought let's re-list  

The mighty top of the range 560 SEL. If the Merc 126 is your thing this is the only model to have        

A great solid base to work upon this car and so much more desirable than all the 300's 420's and yes even 500's out there

Why are they scarce? Only about 75K were made worldwide and people hold onto them; values rise so don't miss out and regret it. Values are increasing now and only continue to go one way….

Only 56 or so 560 SEL's are currently licensed in the UK however many 126 parts are interchangeable from more lowly models which are readily available so longevity is assured

You paid a fortune for that SEL status back in the day, “the best car in the world” and the extra 14cm that allowed your passengers made up of dictators, diplomats, popstars and the like to recline in the rear heated seats electronically, feet on footrests (yes still there) as you wafted them along with well - nigh 300bhp. Beverley Hills Cop II Villain 560 SEL style….

MOT Oct 2022 with no advisories and receipts for over £6.5k. 15 MOT's and 2 Keys with working central locking. The car has averaged circa 6k a year and only 15k or so in the last 10 years.Check out the Gov MOT history site to see all earlier work carried out over the years

Great colour combination of deep blue with beige leather (many are velour) electric heated seats with front memory, even electric headrests.                         Good internally really (wear largely limited to driver's seat and headlining sagging nr rear window) for 30 years of usage and wood veneer in place pretty well, Merc over mats protecting carpets. Panasonic ‘phone that is for show only to set the 90's interior off

Drives well with no clunks, stops and starts well and pulls strongly in economy or sport modes.                                                                                                 These big 5.5 litre V8's are world renowned; read up on them with 100k classed as run in…                                                                                                        Well shod with matching tyres all around and correct period alloys. She has 178k on her which will shift slightly, especially if the sun ever shines.                            Newish strong named battery (no imported rubbish) that really turns her over; disconnect fitted if you want to immobilize the car fully. 2 min job and stops any possibility of battery drain on a lengthy lay up 

Background

I bought the car some 5 years or so ago and drove it 150 miles following purchase with no overheating or other issues and the cruise control worked fine too, still does

I was going to sell to fund another classic purchase so didn't bother putting another owner on the V5 but then I couldn't bear to part with it so just took it out on a weekend and MOT'd it, garaged it and then 5 years went by!! I have had a few 126's as a sucker for 'em but never a 560 SEL and kept talking myself out of selling it....

Don't forget the car is 30 years old and I have priced the reserve realistically, the usual 126 model niggles are present listed here as don't want folks expecting this is concourse…..rely on your own inspection to rate out of 10. 

Roof lining sag at rear, Rear sun blind doesn't lift (motor runs) Water ingress and rusting under rear window. Intermittent high idling/slight unevenness (probably injectors require cleaning as history shows as sometime since done and idle control valve) Slight scrape on nearside rear bumper as picture Nearside headlight wiper missing (cheap on e bay) medical kit (still there) cover a bit curled (needs gentle heat gun application and flattening as they go brittle on past experience)

Classics will always benefit from some tlc and condition is always very subjective so rely on pics and a viewing.

These 560 SEL's are climbing rapidly in price. A Cat C went north of £5k just recently on E Bay…….  

Bodywork, rubbers and paint are generally good for the age of the car and especially the front wings (126's notorious for going there) Usual rust bubbling around rear screen and a little at nearside rear nr scrape but no rear screen delamination

Electrics work well (126's usually have electric window issues but all operate here) even the pop-up electric aerial when the face off Blaupunkt is switched on, sunroof is slightly sticky but operates not that you need it much in the UK!

2 Tone horn and electric telescoping steering wheel work well, these cars really were well equipped…Air con not ice cold and probably benefit from a re-gas...I've never bothered as i put the windows down, shove a 90's cassette in and open the sunroof if and when the sun ever shines

You may find one elsewhere that is a “rolling project” (garage speak for no MOT, up on the miles and laid up for years at upwards of £8k on E bay) or tidied up well at near £19k…………….

The car presents a few options being a great MOT'd base, depending on your circumstances…

1.)    Enjoy it, as is, on classic car insurance (£128 for me) on daily drive or high days and holidays, tidy if you want when you see the part appear at a sensible price on E bay or when you have the time/funds. It still turns heads due to its presence believe me.

2.)    Lock it away, start periodically, MOT and sell it when you are ready to reap the rewards. 162 on SORN currently so some folks doing just that.

3.)    Lower it, put 18/20's on it and a custom exhaust (well that's more of me wanting to keep it!) and play at weekend gangsters all day long…..

4.)    Miss it and accumulate the pitiful 0.1% the bank will give you on your hard earned…

I'm a private individual and with a 30-year-old car clearly no warranty can be given, express or implied.

Why am I selling? Sadly too many things going on at my age and need the space and I really do not want the car to go but my loss, is your gain…...Viewing not a problem. 

Walk and talk you around the car or leave you to look at it. Any inspection before bidding. Car is advertised elsewhere so could be removed.

Do not miss out, next time you want to buy one (if you can find one) they will have shifted significantly in price and you will really kick yourself….                    

No what is the reserve, what will you takeor what is your best price, no px your Yugo Zastava, no export to a Nigerian Prince eh…I won't reply

Arrange a viewing via E bay by all means 

I'll do the driving on a decent test drive, dual carriageway and usual roads back……as ever, bidding to bu not mess about

Payment

Bank Transfer preferred. Cash and we are off to the Bank.

Thank you for taking the time to read my ad and good luck

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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