Mercedes-Benz 300TE Estate

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Launched in 1987 and remaining in production until 1995, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W124) is widely recognised as the last of the 'over-engineered' Mercedes models before cost-cutting began to erode the marque's once impregnable reputation for money-no-object design.

It was available in saloon, estate, coupe and convertible guises with a bewildering array of petrol and diesel engine options. Beautifully balanced and equipped with Mercedes' superlatively sure-footed multi-link rear suspension, all had nicely weighted power-assisted steering and excellent disc brakes. Very expensive when new, the handsome estate version, in particular, has long been a favourite with Britain’s middle classes, owners tending to hang onto them for years, rather like the family labrador.

As if to prove the point, this August 1990 registered 300TE had just one owner from new until June 2012 when the current keeper acquired the car. With some 95,000 miles on the clock, it has a partial service history with 12 service stamps from the supplying dealer, Westwood Mercedes-Benz, up to 64,000 miles in 2000 and two services since, the last around 1,500 miles ago. It has the creamy smooth 3-litre straight-six petrol engine which was rated at 180bhp and gives the car a top speed of 140mph.

Looking most attractive in newly fashionable white with a blue cloth interior, it also benefits from an electric sunroof, electric windows, headlamp wash/wipe and the original Blaupunkt radio and electric aerial. It also retains all its original handbooks and rides on a matching set of quality Michelin tyres, all in good condition. A new part-exhaust and radiator have also been recently fitted.

Due to have a fresh MOT and 6 months' tax in time for the sale (the tester commenting on how good it was underneath at the last MOT in May 2013), the car is said to drive beautifully and will be driven over 150 miles to the sale. These distinguished estates ooze good breeding and are built to last. This cherished two keeper example should have years of useful life ahead of it and is being offered here with no reserve so someone could get a bargain!