1989 MERCEDES-BENZ (W124) 300TE-24

This Mercedes-Benz (W124) 300TE-24 is a handsome and highly practical modern classic estate car, presented in a desirable colour scheme and featuring fully restored bodywork. It is powered by a 3.0-litre, 24-valve straight-six, which drives the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission. The odometer displays 97,396 miles.

First registered on 22 January 1990, this original right-hand drive UK-Market 300TE-24 was specified in Smoke Silver with a rich Brazil brown leather interior, and is fitted with a number of desirable factory options, including an automatic climate control system, orthopaedic seats, a sunroof and a folding bench seat in its load bay, allowing up to seven people to ride in style.

While this is an original UK specification right-hand-drive car, it was in fact ordered and delivered through a Mercedes-Benz dealer in Lebanon on 3 January 1990 – possibly to gain an advantage on import tax or duty. It was evidently transported back to the UK almost immediately after this, where it was re-registered on 22 January 1990.

The car was acquired by the seller four years ago, and was subject to a full body restoration at that time (at a cost of £4,900). The current owner has used it as a daily driver ever since purchasing it.

Today, the car’s restored bodywork and Smoke Silver finish are described by the vendor as being excellent with just a small number of minor blemishes, including minor scuffs on the front and rear bumpers. The light lenses present well, and the exterior brightwork and trim are in good order; however, the driver’s side mirror mount is cracking, which is a common issue in W124-generation cars. It rides on the slightly larger-than-standard 16-inch alloy wheels, to make room for the larger brakes (its wheels and brakes all reportedly coming from a Mercedes-Benz SL500, giving the car ample grip and stopping power for the higher powered nature of the 24-valve engine). The wheels themselves are in great shape overall, with just a few minor marks to their silver paintwork and plastic centre caps.

In the cabin, sumptuous Brazil dark brown leather covers the door cards and seats, which feature perforated centre sections and are in good order, though the seller notes that there are some slight signs of wear on the driver’s bolster. While the 300TE is already known for its practicality, this example is further enhanced by a factory-fitted rear bench, which folds up from the load space and makes this handsome estate a usable seven-seater.

The upholstery covering the second and third rows of seats is in generally very good order, though there is a small tear in the upholstery of the third row seats. Elsewhere, the car features matching brown carpeting and plastics, with wood veneers on the centre console, and a black leather steering wheel. Overall, the interior presents very well with just a small number of minor cracks and marks.

In-cabin entertainment is provided by a modern Blaupunkt Orlando CD/MP3 player, and while the vendor states that the sunroof does not always slide fully open, it does tilt up and down. The electrically operated tailgate also exhibits an intermittent fault. Otherwise, all of the interior buttons, switches and electrical items work as they should, and there are no warning lights displayed on the dashboard.

Described by the vendor as being in excellent mechanical order, this estate’s most recent routine maintenance was carried out in January 2021 at 97,375 miles by German car specialist Bristol and Bath Car Services, which performed a comprehensive service and replaced the heater blower. One year prior to this, a minor service was carried out and the distributor cap was replaced, and a major service was carried out in early 2019.

The car’s last MOT test was conducted on 6 January 2021 at 97,375 miles, resulting in a first-time pass with one advisory, noting a light misting of oil on the offside rear shock absorber. All four wheels are fitted with Avon ZV7 tyres in size 205/55 R16, which have all been replaced in the last 12 months and are less than 20% worn.

The car will be accompanied by limited documentation of its service history, which largely covers the last five years.

This Mercedes-Benz (W124) 300TE-24 is a supremely well-engineered estate car, which can transport up to seven occupants. Well-maintained by its current owner and benefitting from restored bodywork, this rare modern classic could continue to be a reliable and characterful daily driver, and should provide its next owner with many years of happy motoring.

Please note: the car was previously registered as a Category C insurance write-off in 2007; however its bodywork was subsequently fully repaired and restored.

Factory specification:

• 221 LEFT FRONT SEAT, ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE
• 240 OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
• 242 FRONT SEAT RH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY
• 280 LEATHER STEERING WHEEL AND LEATHER GEAR SHIFT KNOB
• 300 STORAGE BOX IN FRONT TRAY
• 341 ADDITIONAL BLINKER LAMPS
• 362 RHD VEHICLES AS PER EC REGULATIONS (CONTROL CODE)
• 406 SINGLE SEAT WITH ORTHOPAEDIC FRONT SEAT BACKREST, LEFT AND RIGHT
• 412 ELECTRIC SLIDING ROOF WITH TILTING DEVICE
• 420 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 4-GEAR
• 446 TEMPOMAT (CRUISE CONTROL), STEERING COLUMN, ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE, AND AIRBAG
• 461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
• 481 UNDERSHIELDS
• 532 AUTOMATIC ANTENNA WITHOUT RADIO SET
• 547 DOUBLE ROLLER BLIND AND SUN VISORS WITH VANITY MIRRORS ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT, ILLUMINATED
• 570 FOLDING ARMREST, FRONT
• 588 AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL AND ELECTRIC WINDOW LIFTERS (FRONT AND REAR DOORS)
• 593 HEAT-INSULATING GLASS, ALL-AROUND, HEATED REAR WINDOW PANE (SINGLE-SHEET SAFETY GLASS), BAND FILTER
• 600 HEADLAMP WIPER/WASHER
• 615 LAMP UNIT, ASYMMETRICAL L.H. TRAFFIC, AND FRONT AND REAR DOOR COURTESY LAMPS
• 682 FIRE EXTINGUISHER
• 722 BAGGAGE RACK, INTEGRATED
• 724 CARGO ANCHORAGE
• 731 WOOD TRIM, BURRED WALNUT ROOT
• 812 REAR-MOUNTED LOUDSPEAKERS
• 844 FOLDING SEAT BENCH IN LOADING COMPARTMENT, REVERSE TO DIRECTION OF TRAVEL

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for theft, and has no finance owing. The car was recorded as a Category C insurance write-off in 2007, but additional notes show it was repaired and identity checked by VOSA in October 2014 with a ‘VIC PASS’ marker.