Mercedes-Benz 300SE

Mercedes-Benz knew they couldn’t be too radical with their replacement for the stupendous W116 “S” class. The car had already established itself as the world’s best selling luxury saloon, however its prodigious weight and thirst were starting to be noticed and it was deemed necessary for a thorough ‘makeover’.

Enter the W126, destined to remain in production for over 12 years and a model which kept the German giant at the top of the luxury tree – certainly as far as volume (and quality) was concerned. The body was smoothed off in the wind tunnel and thanks to an extensive weight reduction programme through the use of alloys, fuel consumption was reduced by at least 10% on all models with the added benefit of an increased top speed.

This 300SE is fitted with the 188bhp 3-litre straight-six engine and has covered 154,000 miles from new. Supplied new through an Essex dealer it was ordered in Impala Brown with cream leather and received no fewer than 19 services to 108,000 miles which came up in 2004. According to the duplicate service book this had risen to 115,000 by 2006, with servicing carried out by local Hereford specialist Gerry Doverman.

Taxed until June 2013 and MOTd until January 2014, the file includes 12 old MOT certificates and various bills and invoices. These cars deserve the reputation they have for good reason and this remarkably fresh example looks like top class executive motoring at a budget price.