1988 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL Sedan

1988 Mercedes-Benz 300SELWhat is the difference between S, SE and SEL on the older S Classes? S stands for S Class, (obviously), the E is the SE stands for the German word for...

1988 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL

What is the difference between S, SE and SEL on the older S Classes? S stands for S Class, (obviously), the E is the SE stands for the German word for Fuel Injection which is Einspritzung in German and finally SEL stands for the Long Wheelbase version of the S Class.

For consignment a 1 family owned car long wheelbase saloon sedan in the form of a 1988 300SEL 4-door. A collectors dream with this always garaged “10” condition wonderful example. Nary a crack in the leather, and exterior is nice and pristine.

Exterior
An all original car with that thick German steel and innovative construction we have what was the ultimate sedan of the time. All bathed in Smoke Silver with no rust, nicely minded gaps, and straight steel, a shiny grille and surround, wipers for the head lighting, and a second darker gray tone for the bumpers and rockers along with the lower parts of the car. This paint on the bumpers is showing some age and encounters with other obstacles with scratches and smudges but remains nice. On top is a sunroof, which leads rearward to a long trunk deck and room for all the passenger's belongings. On back are the ribbed tail lighting and MB has a method to their madness with this design- it's self-cleaning! Glass and trimmings surrounding it are all very good and nice and shiny. From the tri-pointed star atop the front cowl to the large badge on the center of the trunk, this is truly a beautifully preserved original example.

Interior
Molded gray plastic and vinyl combines with some MB tex inserts with a vented dimpled design within. A German walnut burl veneer is nicely lacquered and houses the seat adjuster, and door handle. Moving to the passenger compartment, we see 2 pristine camel buckets with smooth bolsters and stitched tuck and roll inserts, along with a convenient headrest. This is all original leather and has no folds or cracks. In back is a passenger bench stretching from side to side, and a thickly padded armrest can be folded down between the buckets. The center console presents in camel and has a burl insert for the shifter lever housing surround. Various control toggles are located here and within the riser also in burl, that houses the Becker stereo and climate control buttons and wheels. Above and below on the dash are gray vinyl panels and in-between is a burl accenting strip running from door to door. The instrument cluster is nice and clean, and mileage shows as 197,886 original documented miles. Above the headliner is a nice tight tan and wonderful thick pile carpeting that makes me want to take off my shoes and socks and rub my tootsies into it, all very clean and well cared for.

Drivetrain
Under the hood stuffed into the clean and slightly patina engine bay is a 3.0- liter SOHC I-6. It is fed by EFI and produces a nice 177hp. A W4A028 4-speed automatic transmission is on back, and the rear axle weighs in at a gas saving 3.46 ratio.

Undercarriage
Some road dirt on top of formerly undercoated stamped steel is noted underneath. All structurally solid with slight surface rust, a solid exhaust and mufflers, and plenty of ground effects smooth panels. Independent coil springs provide the suspension for all 4 corners, and power disc brakes are also showing up on all 4's. All nicely preserved with some slight corrosion on aluminum parts beneath.

Drive-Ability
The 6 candles came right to life upon the turn of the key, and I settled into the leather seats, tuned the Becker and off to the test track I went. Here the car accelerated nicely for a big car and handled as expected. Bias free braking on the panic stop test, and performance was cogged considering the mileage. The speedometer, odometer and trip meter did not track numbers, the power mirrors would not work, and only the passenger power window moved up and down.

A clean well cared for well used MB 300SEL long wheelbase cruiser. Paint is good, and the interior is sparkling clean. Oh lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz…!