Find or Sell Used Cars, Trucks, and SUVs in USA

Classic Diplomate on 2040-cars

US $6,500.00
Year:1985 Mileage:158000
Location:

North Liberty, Iowa, United States

North Liberty, Iowa, United States

Never actually intended for the American market and imported on a very limited basis, the Mercedes-Benz 500 SEL is rare and collectible in its own right. This Mercedes-Benz W126
is one of a series of flagship vehicles manufactured by German automotive Mercedes-Benz
. The line premiered in September 1979. The W126 had a twelve-year production run
between 1979 and 1991, the longest of any S-Class generation since the flagship models were first built in the mid-1950s. The W126 was the second generation of the Mercedes- Benz flagship to officially bear the S-Class name referring to Sonderklasse or "special class." This gold Mercedes W126 features a powerful, fuel injected 5-litre, 303 cubic inch
V-S engine with 302hp and 4-speed automatic transmission. Compared to its predecessor, the W116, the W126 is more aerodynamic, fuel efficient, capacious, and powerful. The W126 S-Class unveiled a new Mercedes-Benz design style which was
subsequently used on other veh
icles in the company's lineup. The W126 line also introduced many Mercedes-Benz safety innovations, including the first airbag supplemental restraint system, seatbelt pretensioners, and traction ccntrol.'" 

The SEL refers to the Special Class- Long. The long wheelbase adds to the comfort and luxury of the ride that only Mercedes-Benz can provide. The standard features included:
anti
-theft alarm, outside temperature sensor, automatic temperature control, heated outside mirrors, front and back heated seats, electronically adjustable headrests with memory
recline, premium sound system, burred walnut interior with leather and anti-lock braking system. 


A black 500 SEL Mercedes was originally purchased by Michael Jackson for his
Neverland Ranch. He later gifted it to his Aunt
. These 500 SELs were often used for
diplomatic transports. With the ownership of this vehicle lies the ability to own a piece of
automotive history.

"Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz. My friends all have Porches, I must make
amends
. Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends. Oh Lord, won't you buy me
a Mercedes Benz." -Janis Joplin
.

Our research indicates that this Gold Mercedes might have been brought in from Canada to Traverse City, Michigan. Its original price in 1985 was over $60,000. Today the S class vehicles are selling for over $100,000 new! We think, from information from a prior owner, that it was owned by the dealer for his personal car and then stored for a while and passed on to a friend. It may have had an engine fire or significant manifold problems but all has been replaced. We have had substantial work done including the replacement of:

·         Engine, including all transfers and engine mounts

·         Head, intake and exhaust gaskets,

·         timing chain, guide rails and tensioner

·         distributor cap/rotor and spark plugs

·         front and rear crank seals

·         air injection check valve, solenoid valve and seals/orings

·         oil pressure and temp sender and oil filter stand with orings and gaskets

·         manifold, catalytic converter and muffler (by Boubin)

·         rewired front wiring harness (not replaced)

This work was done at European Motors Limited in Cedar Rapids, IA We have the documentation.

The interior is in excellent shape for a 28 year old vintage car

There are some concerns that still need addressing. 
Wiring for the rear compartment needs work. It may need replacement of the rear wiring harness. 
The rear window controls and reclining and heated seat features are not operative.
The rear windows can be operated from the front compartment. The HVAC is not working properly.
The cruise control is not functioning. There is a slight leak
in the fuel pump case seam. It may need
some new shocks.

Auto Services in Iowa

Sternquist Garage INC ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Parts & Supplies, Auto Transmission
Address: 1823 W 3rd Extension St, Luther
Phone: (515) 432-4175

Ryan Collision Ctr ★★★★★

Automobile Body Repairing & Painting, Automobile Restoration-Antique & Classic, Dent Removal
Address: 8901 F St, Carter-Lake
Phone: (402) 592-3344

Ron & Rob`s Auto Repair & Customs ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service
Address: Honey-Creek
Phone: (402) 885-3737

Pierce Brothers Repair ★★★★★

Automobile Parts & Supplies, Welders, Automobile Accessories
Address: 110 E Boston Ave, Spring-Hill
Phone: (515) 961-4924

Pepper`s Auto Body & More ★★★★★

Automobile Body Repairing & Painting
Address: 13033 S 13th St, Carter-Lake
Phone: (402) 502-5220

Midas Auto Service Experts ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Parts & Supplies, Brake Repair
Address: 1111 E Army Post Rd, Norwalk
Phone: (515) 285-4905

Auto blog

Race recap: 2015 British Grand Prix is a testament to timing

Mon, Jul 6 2015

In front of his home crowd, Lewis Hamilton actually had to work for pole position at the British Formula One Grand Prix. The World Champion couldn't get on top of the setup for his Mercedes-AMG Petronas on Friday, lapping behind teammate Nico Rosberg and the two Ferraris. Come Saturday, after a few alterations and a whole lot of wing to clamp down on understeer, Hamilton returned to his regular program at the front, taking pole position by just over a tenth of a second from his teammate. Williams, thought to be headed for another stretch in the weeds a few races ago, showed its best strength all year. The Grove team got both cars on the second row and in front of the Ferraris, Felipe Massa qualifying ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas, but they were eight and nine tenths behind the Mercedes'. Kimi Raikkonen out-qualified Ferrari teammate Sebastian Vettel for the second time this year, and only the first time in a straight-up battle with two healthy cars. But more than a second behind the two cars at the front, and with two nearly-impossible-to-pass Williams' in front, neither the Finn nor the German is happy with where they are. Daniil Kvyat claimed seventh, his side of the garage at Infiniti Red Bull Racing having got through the weekend to that point without a single complaint about their Renault power unit. Carlos Sainz, Jr. put a single Toro Rosso inside the top ten in eighth position, ahead of Nico Hulkenberg who did the same for Sahara Force India by slotting in ninth. The second Infiniti Red Bull driven by Daniel Ricciardo did have an unspecified engine complaint – his car kept "bleeding power" on the straights – but even so he managed to qualify tenth with his second-fastest lap. The stewards deleted his best lap because he ran three centimeters outside the track limits at Copse, an infraction that stung a few other drivers as well. Up in front, what would sting the Mercedes-AMG Petronas drivers the most was the start. That's when a dearth of grip struck both Hamilton and Rosberg, allowing Massa and Bottas to slide right up the middle between them and take the first two places. The leapfrogging was so surprising that it looked like the Mercedes drivers were giving the Williams drivers a head start. They diced through the first corners, Hamilton sliding past Bottas into second place halfway through the lap. And then the safety car reported for duty.

Aston Martin and Mercedes-AMG formalize technical partnership

Thu, 19 Dec 2013

The development of a partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Aston Martin has been a long time coming. The news dates back to 2008, and over the five years since was supposed to lead to a rejuvenation of both the Maybach and Lagonda brands. That program ultimately fell apart, but the tie-in was forged afresh in July when the two automakers signed a letter of intent over a renewed partnership. And now that partnership has been formalized.
In a deal just announced, Mercedes-AMG will build a new V8 engine for Aston Martin that will power a new generation of luxury GTs for the British marque, presumably to replace the 4.7-liter V8 in the Vantage. The relationship appears to be similar to the one already in place between AMG and Pagani, only in this case, will involve Daimler taking as much as a five-percent stake in Aston Martin and an observer seat on Aston's board.
The technical partnership is also set to lead to the supply of electric and electronic systems, and could incorporate "additional areas of cooperation in the future." Whether that will include a fresh attempt at reviving Lagonda remains to be seen, as does the future of Aston's long-serving, Ford-based 6.0-liter V12 engine. But for now you can read the full announcement below.

Comparison test: 2019 Acura RDX vs. compact luxury SUV competitors

Fri, Jun 1 2018

Truth be told, if we were to compare the all-new 2019 Acura RDX with those compact luxury crossover SUVs it would most likely be cross-shopped against, you'd be looking at a different list. Even Acura admits that Lexus and Infiniti are the most likely bogies, but with the 2019 RDX, Honda's luxury brand is attempting to attract those customers who think as much with their hearts as with their heads. And for the most part, those folks have been buying from German brands: the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. So, to show how the new RDX compares to them, Acura actually provided examples of each during the recent press drive along with a Volvo XC60. All were determined to have greater emotional appeal than the last RDX, and we would certainly agree. For, as much as the previous-generation RDX made sense on paper, it was really hard to get excited about it. And when you're paying extra for a luxury vehicle, shouldn't you get a little excited? Well, as luck would have it, Consumer Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski and I were on hand in Whistler, British Columbia, for the press launch. We didn't have an abundance of time in each RDX competitor, but in conjunction with our usual comparison chart, our impressions should provide a good first taste of how the new RDX compares. Performance and fuel economy Contributing Editor James Riswick: On paper at least, the RDX is gutsier than its comparably powered European rivals. It also weighs the same or less, which logically should mean it'll be the quickest in a straight line. During my brief drives, though, I'm not sure it really stood taller than the three Germans. It at least matches them for smoothness, which is something that can't be said about the Volvo. Fuel economy is lower than them all when you consider all but the Mercedes come standard with all-wheel drive. It's also worth noting that all the competitors are available with engine upgrades, and unless Acura's forthcoming resurrection of Type S models includes the RDX, it should stay that way. Consumer Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski: Line 'em all up in a drag race, and I have a feeling the Acura would squirt away to victory. A good bit of that, though, would be due to its 10-speed automatic transmission, which offers a huge spread of ratios and fires off extremely quick shifts. In the real world, I'd guess fuel economy will be similar across the board, so I'm willing to call that category a draw.