About this Collectable

The W126 was introduced at the IAA in 1979 and succeeded the 116 series as the S-Class. The S-Class 126 series was produced for over twelve years and was continuously developed. The facelift was presented in 1985 with different bumpers, side skirts, and alloy wheels, and new engines were introduced. In the 1980s, the W126 was "the car" for German politicians and executives, often equipped with extra special security features. Chancellor Helmut Kohl used a W126 and only retired the S-Class when the odometer had exceeded 500,000 km. Talk about sustainability! A nice detail is that the S-Class was developed with the oil crisis still in mind. This resulted in a low drag coefficient of 0.36 for that time and a relatively low weight of only 1510 kg (the current MB A250E already weighs more...). As a result, the 6- and 8-cylinder engines had fuel consumption between 10% and 30% lower than their predecessors. The double-wishbone suspension was not only comfortable but also provided seriously good roadholding. It's no wonder Niki Lauda, ​​Mansell, Piquet, and Rosberg chose an S-Class as their daily driver!

The example offered here is a beautiful example with, for an S-Class, almost pristine mileage. It also features the right engine, which is both efficient and reliable. 180 hp is more than enough to give the almost 1600 kg S-Class decent performance with acceptable fuel consumption. The car was first registered in Japan in 1988 and, as usual, was primarily used there as a status symbol. In 2014, the S-Class arrived in the Netherlands with less than 30,000 km on the odometer, as evidenced by the various Japanese inspection and maintenance documents (Thanks, Google Lens / Translate). In the Netherlands, the necessary maintenance was carried out to get the car running perfectly. The engine runs smoothly, delivers its power, and the automatic transmission shifts as it should. An added benefit of this S-Class is that it will likely be tax-exempt in two years, since the chassis number indicates it was manufactured in 1987. However, the biggest advantage is the possibility of using this S-Class for business purposes after January 1, 2027. Very attractive in terms of tax benefits!

Our opinion

Das beste oder nichts, an S-Class is not only an icon, but also still a fully-fledged road user in today's traffic. Few limos transport you in such comfort through daily traffic. You rarely see an unmolested and very clean example like this, and everything about it shows that the car has suffered little wear and tear. It's also an attractive option for business drivers!

About the seller

The current owner has several cars. He's a stickler for detail and spends a lot of money on (preventative) maintenance. He bought the car from youngtimer specialist Marco Hof (who only sells top-quality examples) and recently had the S fully inspected and serviced. Due to a change in his inventory, the S is now available for sale to a new enthusiast.

Technical details

The specifications, upgrades, and maintenance history below provide a complete overview of the condition and features of this S-Class.

Equipment

This S-Class is factory-equipped with, among other things:

  • Illuminated rear ashtray (left and right)
  • Outside temperature gauge
  • Luggage nets
  • Automatic transmission
  • Rear headrests
  • Cruise control
  • Heated exterior mirrors, electrically adjustable on the right
  • Illuminated sun visors
  • Folding armrest
  • Automatic climate control
  • Power windows front and rear
  • Heat-insulating glass
  • 15-hole alloy wheels
  • Rear speakers
  • Rear reading light

Modifications

Blaupunkt Madrid 200ST radio with Bluetooth

Comments

This S-Class still looks very neat considering its age and mileage. Only minor signs of wear and tear in the interior indicate that the car has been used. The car was supplied by Marco Hof, a well-known figure in the youngtimer scene who sells only quality cars.

Recent maintenance history

The maintenance history is partly Japanese and has been carried out in the Netherlands by (Mercedes) specialists since 2014. NAP (Dutch Roadworthiness Certificate) history is available.

  • March 28, 2024 – Minor service, shock absorbers replaced
  • A few months ago, the car underwent a service, which included replacing the valve cover gasket and crankshaft seal.
  • The Michelin tires are like new with a DOT of 2024.

Included in the sale:

  • Books, invoices
  • 1 key

Summary

Seller - Paul
Seller type - Business
Location - South Holland (car is in Heteren)
Chassis number - WDB1260241A384874
License plate - 31-KDT-1
First registration - June 30, 1988
Mileage - 70,663 km
Demonstrable - Yes, via Booklets, invoices
Warranty - No
VAT/Margin Car - Margin
Body - Sedan
Engine - 3-liter inline-6 ​​with 179 hp
Drive - Rear-wheel drive
Transmission - Automatic
Exterior - Arctic White
Interior

The description of this Collectable has been compiled with the utmost care, based on information provided by and validated by the seller. The Collectables performs a (pre)selection based on the information provided and consults public sources for any irregularities. The vehicles are sold "as is" without any warranty unless otherwise stated. Bidders are responsible for verifying the accuracy of the description and may, if desired, conduct a personal inspection. All collectables on our platform may be subject to any inspection, investigation, or appraisal by buyers in advance, in consultation with the seller. Please consult our Terms and Conditions for more details. 

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