W126 Restoration to like new, the finest, turn-key, no expense spared.

Description

1986 Mercedes W126 S-Class 420 SEL

Restored to perfection over a three year period (mechanically, body & paint, electrical, climate system, upholstery). Car looks and drives like showroom new.

I bought this Mercedes back in 2013, it was unrestored and all original with no accidents and no dents in very good condition. It had the best color for a Mercedes: Astral Silver (code735) paint with medium grey leather interior.At that time it had over 130,000 miles and was in need of minor mechanical repairs. Itook the car to several highly specialized independent Mercedes repair shops for the mechanical work which I will list that occurred over the last 5 years. Here is what was done:

Suspension: Front torsion strut bushings, rear sway bar link bushings (this made a huge change in the ride and handling, over rough roads the ride is rock solid with no vibration, no shaking, no rattle).

Replaced both front wheel bearings.

Michelin Premier tires (4) P205/65R 15 (very smooth and quiet ride quality), mounted on Mercedes type wheels that were sent out for triple chrome plating with Mercedes center caps.

Engine: Replaced both timing chains, three rail guides, all 16 valve lifters, 3 rocker arms, replaced engine electrical wiring harness, valve cover gaskets, engine idle speed control solenoid, power steering pump. Replaced all belts, hoses are all good. Replaced original engine starter with remanufactured Bosch unit (starts immediately). Original hood liner was replaced with new insulation pad.

Fuel system: Replaced both fuel pumps (tank) and (rail), rebuilt fuel distributor, genuine Bosch fuel injectors 8.

Cooling System: Drained, flushed, with new Prestone coolant. Engine always runs cool, even on a hot day with the air conditioning system on it never goes past 80 Centigrade.

Oil System: Oil and filter always changed with partial synthetic 20W 50 every 3,000 miles. Oil gauge needle always shows steady on number 3 with hardly any gauge flicker. Mechanic that did the work on the lifters and timing chain told me the engine internals are very clean with no sludge, it was always maintained properly.

Transmission: Overhauled includingall seals, gaskets,new fluid pump, fluid and filter. Mechanic properly set the kickdown linkage for downshift to second gear properly. When you accelerate heavily (passing, going up a hill, it properly downshifts, engine revs up and it moves with major amounts of power).

Brakes: New pads, replaced rear rotors, brake fluid was flushed, replaced and bled. Brakes are excellent with quick stopping power.

Exhaust System: Prior owner had exhaust pipe from the catalytic converter to the muffler replaced, it looks recent and excellent. Catalytic converter is original and excellent working order, oxygen sensor was recently replaced, and it did pass smog inspection for California registration renewal. I had all the rubber exhaust hangers replace (5) as the originals were cracked. It is solidly mounted.

Instrument Gauges: All working, recently had Mercedes shop send out the cluster for rebuild and calibration of speedometer gauge, odometer and clock.

Climate Control System: Complete overhaul at a cost over $3,000. Replaced a/c compressor with remanufactured unit, replaced all vacuum elements in dash (9), drain tubes and wiring. Replaced a/c push button control unit with new unit, replaced a/c dryer, replaced both pressure switches, replaced coolant sensor, charged system with R134 (yes it was converted before I bought the car). Heat and a/c work perfectly. When you turn on the a/c it starts right away and blows ice cold, adjusting the temperature wheel accurately adjusts the temperature. Adjusting the switches for fan speed works properly in accordance with temperature, when a/c temperature is reached fan automatically reduces speed. Mercedes climate control systems are all vacuum operated with solenoids and lever arms that open an closed internal duct vent doors. These are complex systems that are not easy to diagnose and repair unless you go to Mercedes specialist that worked on my car. Very expensive to fix ! You will notice people driving older Mercedes on hot days with the windows open because their climate control system no longer works, after 30+ years all the rubber gaskets and hoses crack and leak, without vacuum the system in non-operational.

Power Sunroof: Completely rebuilt at cost over $2,000. Unfortunately when I bough the car, on day I drove it tried opening the sunroof, moved 1/2 way then froze. Cable broke! Mechanic winched it shut. Then last winter I decided to have it repaired. Required removal of the headliner, interior side panels, back seat, and trunk liner. New drive cable, new guide tubes, replaced drive motor and regulator. Mercedes shop had to bring in another expert to fine tune and adjust mechanism, it works perfectly. Slides back and forth, and also tilts up and down. Most old Mercedes unless they are properly maintained will end up with sunroofs that break.

Body and Paint: In 2018 spent close to $3,000 for a two-stage urethane enamel complete paint job (Astral Silver code 735) (base coat and clear coat). Color sanded and polished to a glass smooth mirror finish just like the factory original. Pinstripes were applied in the same layout as the original factory design. Also had repainted the lower body panels and mirrors with the correct light metallic grey. Replaced the wornoriginal work stainless steel fender trim with new replacements. Replaced original pitted front windshield with new PGW tempered glass.

Headlight System: Mercedes shop replaced the original headlamp assemblies with Mercedes type European glass headlights that are Bi-Xenon high intensity discharge. Kit came complete with plug and play wiring harness and ballasts. Produced a bright white with slight blue tint at night that is identical to the new Mercedes and BMW headlight systems on new models. Compared to the original halogen lamps, there is no comparison to the night driving visibility with these Xenon lamps.

Interior Upholstery: Spent over $2,000 reconditioning. Both front driver and passenger seats had leather replaced with genuine Mercedes type leather (including the perforated leather pleats), all new firm foam filling, drivers seat replaced the springs. All seats front and back were professionally re-dyed with the correct medium grey factory color. The front seats are very supportive and comfortable and better condition than new. The 6 way power seat controls all work. The only item not working is the power headrest switch.

Window System: Replaced drivers door power window motor and regulator. Same for front passenger door. Rear windows (left and right) and regulator plastic guides replaced as both broke (this is common with age). All windows work perfectly.

Sound System: When I bought the vehicle, it already had a Pioneer stereo system with CD player. There is also a remote control in the glove box. It has the original factory speakers and the balance control know on the central console work perfectly. The stereo had numerous setting for bass, treble, volume, etc. that is superior to the original (Becker).

Vehicle has original spare tire, factory tool kit, jack, owners manual and first aid kit. Will include car cover and touch up paints.

Original California car it's whole life from a dry climate with no rust !

Receipts and invoices for all repairs were saved and will be provided to the winning buyer confirming the work that I have outlined.

If you never owner a vintage Mercedes they are expensive to repair and maintain. This had been a labor of love and hobby for me in my spare time over the years. If you had the time and money to bring a vintage Mercedes to the condition I have here, I spent over $13,000 and much time taking to shops and detailing and making small adjustments. My interest is now on buying a vintage sports car as my next project, so I have decided the time has come to let my favorite Mercedes go to a new home and hopefully the new owner will take great care and appreciate her. These S-Class Mercedes were undervalued for years and have recently started appreciating in value as people finally recognize what these really are, the last of the hand built Mercedes from another era (quality, craftsmanship, and dependability). All the Mechanics I have taken this car for service tell me the new Mercedes will never last like the old ones, W126's have been known to go 500,000 miles if maintained.

NADA value for a 420SEL in this condition is $10,000. I spend over $13,000 on restoration.My reserve in nowhere near any of these figures and I am taking a loss that will be your gain.

Please keep in mind this Mercedes is 33 years old, it is not brand new. It does look and drive like a new car. Therefore it is being auctioned with no warranty (written, express or implied). Vehicle is in excellent working condition with the exception of the cruise control and power seat headrests which do not work. I tried to properly describe the vehicle to the best of my ability. I have been an eBay member since 2002 with 1,187 transactions 100% positive feedback, that means something.

I welcome your bids.

Winning bidder: $500 non-refundable deposit due 48 hours from auction close with balance paid within 7 days.

Shipping: Buyer responsible for arrangement and payment of transportation company. I will assist in meeting carrier and facilitating availability of vehicle.

On May-05-19 at 13:28:34 PDT, seller added the following information:

Clear California DMV vehicle title in hand.
I am a private seller and not a dealer.

On May-05-19 at 22:16:37 PDT, seller added the following information:

Vehicle is equipped with Viper alarm system including key-less remote.