1993 300CE Cabriolet -- low miles -- California car

Description

Beautiful 1993 300CE Cabriolet
New paint (2018)
Zero rust
All maintenance and repair records
Convertible hydraulics replaced in 2015
I bought this car from a southern California owner on eBay in 2016 and had it shipped to me in enclosed transport. It has been a second (sometimes third) car for me. It is a 3-season cruiser, kept in a garage throughout the snow season. I’m selling because I now have a W123 Coupe to take the place of this W124 convertible, and it's time to let her go. (Sooner than later -- which is why I'm going to bite the bullet and sell with a $0 starting price and no reserve.)
Listed for $79,000 new ($139,710 adjusted for inflation).
I paid $12,000 two years ago.
I’ve invested over $6000 into repairs and maintenance since then.
I am hopeful that I’ll get half of my investment back — but that’s up to the bidders.
Why so inexpensive?
Because the car has a few remaining needs. Because buying a classic Mercedes is a crap shoot, and and I’m a weak better. I console myself that it’s a common story: I don’t have the patience to chase down new fixes; I’ve already bought this car’s replacement; I don’t have the patience to list it on Bring a Trailer; I’m ready to move on. I’ve spent $18K on a car that is worth $13K fixed up —and it’s not even all fixed up. So I will sell it at a substantial loss to a new owner who will spend a little time and money and get a great car at a discount.
To be as up-front as possible, I’ll list the needs first.
Electrical
There is a short somewhere, such that fuses C and 9 blow or drain the battery. I haven’t diagnosed the source. I just had my mechanic pull the fuses for now, when he replaced the battery two weeks ago. It doesn’t affect driving, power accessories, or anything I’ve noticed except the stereo and interior light.
Leak
The convertible top is a recent replacement and still looks like brand new, but in a heavy downpour it leaks. I can’t see the water coming in, but the rear passenger right side footwell can become damp in a heavy rain. Undiagnosed. I’ve just kept her garaged or under a car cover in weather.
Interior
One of the rear belt buckles (receiver) needs replacing.
The right rear window is inoperative.
It’s not a show car. A few pieces of interior plastic are cracked. The leather upholstery is buttery smooth and in terrific shape overall, but the passenger side has a 1-inch tear in the perforated leather seat material.
And the positives:
Restore and repaint (2018)
When rust appeared on the top of the rear quarters, near the convertible top opening, I took it in for extensive body work and a complete paint job in the original Spruce Green Glasurit paint. (Only the A-pillars still show original paint. You have to look really hard to notice.)
See receipt for this $4900 piece of work, and photo in the gallery.
Front-end work (May 2019)
right side control arm, tie rod, center link
New battery (May 2019)
Driving experience
Drives like an absolute dream.Plenty of smooth power from the 24-valve DOHC inline-6 cylinder engine. No noises. Everything feels right.
“It’s no secret that the W124 is among the last of the traditionally overbuilt and over-engineered Mercedes-Benz road cars, a result of what had been decades of an engineering-first, marketing-second approach in which new modelswere built to a standard rather than a cost.”
https://bringatrailer.com/2017/11/25/why-we-love-them-mercedes-benz-w124/
I not only recommend, but I request that serious bidders arrange a pre-purchase inspection, or even better, see the car in person. I believe that I've listed it accurately and I think once you drive it you'll bid more!
If winning bidder chooses to have the car shipped, I can assist with pickup by your carrier.