1994 Mercedes-Benz E320 Coupe

‘L320 HHV’ is a genuine one-owner-from-new Mercedes-Benz E320 Coupé  that’s covered only 1,462 miles from new and is still in a time-warp condition. 

Finished in Blue with a beige leather interior, the seller’s kept it in a heated garage for the past 31 years.

The result is very possibly the best example of its type on sale anywhere in the world today.

No matter how meticulous the restoration, a car is only original once; you get one bite at the factory finish, and every repair, refresh, and restoration takes you one step further away.

Which, with some marques, can be an improvement.

Not here though, not with the legendary W124, a car famed for being so ridiculously over-engineered that modern car makers still shake their heads and run a sweepstake on how much Mercedes lost on each car.

So, the fact this one still sports razor-sharp shutlines, Very strong panel alignment, and the lack of any visible repairs repairs whatsoever is a cause for celebration. 

Revel too in the way the doors click shut with a precision you won’t find on any new car today, no matter what the price. And rear lights whose design helps improve visibility from the sides. Plus, dealer-fit numberplates front and rear that are held on by no fewer than four screws apiece. Unfaded plastics too, which is almost unheard of.

The 15-inch alloy wheels look small in comparison to those you’d find on the modern equivalent, but they suit the car’s gentle, period looks. They also allow for the installation of higher-profile tyres than you’d see nowadays, which help give progressive handling, a plush ride, and protect the alloy rims from the sort of kerbing damage that is now almost unavoidable. . 

Of course, the combination of meticulous curation and fat sidewalls mean the rims are undamaged, and the only blemishes are a marks around the wheelnuts. As for those tyres, they’re still the 205/60ZR15 Michelin Pilot HX that were made in 1993 and fitted from new. They’ve still got plenty of tread on them of course, and we can’t see much in the way of age-induced perishing, either. 

Badges, glazing, and lamp lenses are all practically flawless, with the only items of note being the windscreen and rear screen, both of which have started to delaminate. Given how limited this is, we’d be tempted to embrace the slowly developing patina and leave the car original.

There are a few cosmetic blemishes to note which include a few small scratches to the front o/s wing, an area of light scratching to the n/s rear quarter behind the passenger door, a few light marks to the lower portion of the rear bumper and perhaps more noticeable is a few marks and a small area of paint damage to the rear o/s corner. 

Which leaves nothing for the winning bidder to do other than to bask in the glory of owning what must be the best and most original W124 Coupé in the United Kingdon, if not Europe.

The beige leather interior is every bit as good as the coachwork, and if it lacks the showroom appeal of modern cars, content yourself that it dates from a period when luxury was engineered in rather than bolted on.

But you’ll still find soft leather on the seats, doors, and dashboard. High-gloss walnut veneer too, as well as plush carpets and the sort of precision in the way the switchgear operates that’s normally the preserve of a rifle bolt.

The instruments are simple, elegant, and untroubled by the passage of time, as are the switches, steering wheel, pedals, handbrake, and door handles.

All electrics appear to behave and the A/C blows nice and cold.

The headlining is both clean and taut, and the metal sunroof opens and closes as it should, sealing tightly against the elements when it isn’t needed.

The ruched leather on the door cards is still soft and free of wear, and the heavily sculpted front seats shield you from both the road surface and cornering forces with their gentle embrace. All-day comfortable, they haven’t even started to develop even the lightest of creases.

The rear seats are every bit as good, and their headrests fold down to increase rearwards vision, popping back up when they’re needed at the touch of a button.

The headunit is the Blaupunkt Montreal radio-cassette player it was fitted with when it was new, and the handbook for that is in the history file.

Oh, and the first aid kit isn’t just unused, it’s still in its protective plastic wrapper.

The boot is a good size and every bit as well trimmed and preserved as the cabin. The lid still holds the warning triangle, visible from the moment the boot is opened. There’s an indoor car cover in there too, plus a full-size spare wheel that’s still fitted with the same Michelin Pilot HX tyre as the road wheels.

Of course, lifting this out shows the same well-painted and rust-free finish to the floorpan as you’ll find in the footwells.

As for work to do, simply maintain the current standard of presentation. If you’re looking for a project, this ain’t it.

The E320 bursts into life almost imperceptibly, it does run somewhat lumpy indicating a misfire no doubt from a long period of little use. But once running sweetly again the combination of a perfectly-balanced straight-six engine and impressive soundproofing conspiring to insulate you from noise and vibration – there is no harshness; the W124 doesn’t do harshness – in an uncanny way; this sporting coupé doesn’t feel the need to raise its voice.

It shows good oil pressure on the dashboard gauge, and there are no untoward noises under the bonnet.

The stamps in the service history booklet reveal the following:

· 04.05.1994 – pre-delivery inspection by Normand Mayfair

· 10.05.1995 and 555 miles – service by Normand Mayfair

That’s your lot though and given the last time it was serviced was in 1995, it would be reasonable to assume it will need a degree of recommissioning should you want to use it on a regular basis.

It isn’t going to need valeting or detailing though because the engine and engine bay are both immaculate. Free of oil stains and even dust, the lettering on the components is still as bright and legible as it’s ever been.

The underside is every bit as impressive, something you’ll understand when we tell you that the biggest problem is some cobwebs.

Again – and we are sorry to keep saying the same thing – the finish is pretty much as it was when it left Germany and, just like the engine bay, even the steel fasteners are free of rust.

The E320 doesn’t have a current MoT certificate.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the history file includes the stamped service history booklet, the V5 registration document showing zero previous keepers, the build sheet showing the options the factory fitted, its first and only tax disc, four keys, two alarm fobs, and the Mercedes wallet and book pack.

The W124 is renowned for its longevity and reliability and has developed something of a cult following among enthusiasts who prize its engineering – and almost total absence of unnecessary electronic gizmos to go wrong.

Of course, they don’t make ‘em anymore much to the disappointment of a legion of drivers who would willingly sacrifice a touchscreen for proper switches, an electronic handbrake for something with a lever and a rachet, and NASA-level electronics for something with the complexity of an axe.

So, while you can’t buy a new one you could buy this one, a car that is pretty much as good as new.

As for what it’ll cost you, we think the hammer will fall somewhere between £25,000 and £35,000.

Add in the cost of recommissioning it and you’ll still be quids in compared to buying the modern equivalent; service it every year, and you’ll probably still be driving it when it celebrates its 60th birthday in 2054.

Or you could buy it and leave it exactly as it is, trailering it to shows and spending your days explaining that no, it hasn’t been restored...

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.