1988 Mercedes-Benz 420SEL

Description

The Mercedes-Benz S-class has always been the flagship of the company, and cars like this 1988 420 SEL were the ultimate status symbols in the go-go '80s. Coming from single-family ownership, this extremely clean grosser Benz still has a lot of heavy-duty presence, performance, and luxury, all for pennies on the dollar.

There's an immense dignity in this car, a formal 4-door that everyone recognizes still has some pretty serious blasting powder under the hood. Having spent almost the entirety of its life in sunny California, this beautifully maintained S-class looks spectacular in bright Arctic White with gray accents. There's no hiding the fact that it's a big car (the "L" in SEL denotes the long-wheelbase version), but the white paint keeps it looking fit and trim overall. There's no sign of major accident damage or other hidden issues, and the paint has a great shine that proves that you really did get more car for your money with a Mercedes. All four doors open and close with that remarkable precision that only the Germans seem able to deliver, and once you're inside it seals up like a tomb. The big grille is imposing even 25 years later, and coming up behind slower traffic in this heavy Panzerwagon clears traffic as effectively as a battering ram. There's not a lot of chrome, but the details remain in excellent shape with unmarked bumpers and crisply rendered letters on the trunk lid.

The gray leather interior is so elegant and understated that it's impossible to tell if it's 1988 or 2008. The upholstery is in excellent condition with minimal wear, a tribute to the quality of the materials and the care it's received. There's real wood on the dash and the familiar instrument panel shows big, bold gauges and intuitive controls throughout. Everything you could imagine in 1988 was standard equipment, from automatic climate control to power windows and locks to Mercedes' industry-defining power seat controls. The original Becker Grand Prix AM/FM/cassette radio still lives in the dash and sounds remarkably good due to the amazing silence inside this car, even at speed. Thick, plus carpets with matching floor mats have a sinfully decadent feel and rear seat passengers will feel like they're riding in a mini-limousine with enough legroom for the front line of the LA Lakers. There's also a massive trunk that looks virtually unused and includes the original jack and tool kit.

Mercedes 4.2-liter OHC V8 is a direct descendant of the superlative engines used throughout the '70s and '80s, with unbeatable reliability and plenty of torque. The California lifestyle seems to agree with this big sedan, because the engine bay is crisply detailed and even the raw metal parts are still shiny. Complete maintenance has kept it in top condition and turning the key is met with a reassuring smooth start every single time. Pull the familiar shifter into Drive and the car oozes away from a stop in second gear for ultimate smoothness, but booting the throttle will give you a first-gear downshift and acceleration you wouldn't expect from something this big. The suspension is competent yet comfortable and the 4-wheel discs are powerful, as you'd expect from a 4000-pound cruiser with a 130 MPH top speed. Classic Mercedes alloys are fitted with 205/65/15 Dunlop radials with a lot of life left in them.

Complete with the original purchase documents, this big sedan still reeks of money and good taste, all for the price of a used Hyundai. How awesome is that? Call today!