Lot number | 128 |
---|---|
Hammer value | £1,800 |
Description | Mercedes-Benz 300CE Coupe |
Registration | H81 PHK |
Year | 1990 |
Colour | Signal Red |
Engine size | 2,962 cc |
Chassis No. | WDB1240502B332452 |
Engine No. | 10398322220938 |
Documents | V5; MOT August 2016; service history |
Mercedes launched its redoubtable W124 E-Class series in 1985, a thoroughly engineered platform that was designed to cover star-ship mileages without drama and was available in four-door saloon and estate versions as well as more glamorous two-door coupe and convertible models.
The design was both over-engineered and forward thinking, incorporating such features as the multi-link rear axle which would be integrated into many car designs in the coming years and plastic mouldings to streamline airflow beneath the car, reducing fuel consumption and wind noise – and incidentally creating one of the lowest drag coefficients of any vehicle of the time (0.28). Such aerodynamic efficiency helped the 188bhp 3-litre straight-six Coupe version to hit 60mph in 8.5 seconds and push on to a top speed of 137mph.
Beautifully balanced and superlatively sure-footed, it had nicely weighted power-assisted steering and excellent disc brakes. Throw in a cosseting leather-clad interior and you have all the car you could ever need. Remaining in production until 1996 when it was replaced by the much less impressive W210 series, the W124 series has achieved something of a cult following thanks to its tremendous high mileage capability and general resilience.
First registered in October 1990, this particular Coupe has had just four owners from new and has spent the last four years on the island of Jersey. It has covered some 159,600 miles and comes with a comprehensive service history comprising 23 stamps up to 137,886 miles in July 2009 (all by the supplying dealer, Waterhouse Ltd of Chelmsford, Essex) plus evidence of two further services since, the last only a handful of miles ago.
Presented in unusual Signal Red with a Biscuit leather interior and some AMG trimmings, it was recently treated to a new battery, distributor cap and servo. The vendor advises that although all the electric windows function, the fuse has been removed as a precautionary measure because the driver’s door window was operating erratically from time to time and he was worried that it might stick open at an inopportune moment. He also advises that fresh antifreeze would be a good idea before winter sets in.
Said to drive well with an MOT until August 2016 with no advisories recorded, it comes with the aforementioned service history, the last eight old MOTs, a Thatcham-approved security system and a remote control Pioneer face-off stereo system with instruction manual. Being offered here at very modest cost, this striking and well-built Coupe no doubt has years of useful life ahead of it.