Mercedes-Benz 500 SEC
163,000miles.
The best and most desirable colour combination: 040 Black with 265 Cream/Beige leather upholstery.
Extraordinary service history, complete from the order form to the most recent service.
Mechanically A1 with all equipment fully operational.
Cosmetically very good exterior with very minor blemishes consistent with a younger and less-travelled vehicle.
Interior in superb condition which belies age and mileage. No wear to driver's seat bolster. No cracks or chips in the glossy walnut. No sagging headlining.
Mechanical work carried out since my acquisition (from a fellow club member) in 2008, mostly since 2010:
* new exhaust (MB)
* new rear subframe bushes (MB)
* new differential mounts (MB)
* new shock absorbers all round (Sachs/Boge)
* new injectors, valve stem oil seals, vacuum tubes (MB)
* new timing chain and tensioner (MB)
* new HT leads, distributor cap and rotor (Beru)
* new fuel and brake lines
* new discs and pads all round (2011)
* new grille (2010)
* new engine and transmission mounts (MB) (2012)
* serviced in August 2012 with no outstanding service items at all
* new rear tyres September 2012, fronts have 5mm, Bridgestone ER 300 all round
The car is taxed to 30 September 2013 and MOT'd to March 2013. The car will be serviced and MOT'd on sale at my expense.
I do not exaggerate when I state that you will struggle to find a car in better mechanical condition. There is no backlog of outstanding maintenance. I have had the car serviced ahead of schedule and without much regard to cost. All work I have had done is either by Mercedes-Benz of Newcastle upon Tyne or the legendary Phil Baister at Staithes Garage Mercedes Specialists in Gateshead, Dunston. I have done a few things myself but I am a barrister not a mechanic.
Equipment of note (all fully functioning):
* air conditioning
* heated seats
* electric seats (memory on driver's side)
* electric windows
* functioning seat belt presenters
* central locking
* cruise control
* Becker Indianapolis 7920 CD headunit with iPod remote kit to the glove compartment and satellite navigation
* Discretely installed Nokia CK-100 Bluetooth handsfree kit
* OEM "ripped" mats in Cream/Beige (for summer) and Black (for winter)
As well as the comprehensive service history, I have every MOT. I also have the original order form, brochure, specification sheet and price list. The original book pack is with the car, including the operating manual, the guarantee, a directory of dealers and the cruise control operating instructions card. All of the tools, spare and jack also are present.
The car drives really well, as you'd expect given the undercarriage is all new. I use it extensively and without hesitation for occasional commuting (if the weather is nice and I feel like it), for long distance work, and for family touring. The engine fires within four seconds (as specified in the handbook) and idles smoothly without misfire (very common fault, very hard to pin down), the transmission engages drive or reverse without hesitation or clonking and changes gear smoothly on the move. It goes very fast, spinning the tyres in second in the wet. It cruises comfortably at 90 to 110mph; I lost my bottle at 150mph but the needle was still rising slowly (the speedo is exactly accurate); it will surprise Audi TDIs!
I drive fast (90 to 100 on the open road) and I often drive in rush hour. The worst mpg I have seen is 18mpg; the best was 24mpg. I calculate the mpg everytime I fill up and I am happy if it is above 20mpg, disappointed if less. You don't buy one of these for the fuel economy and anyone who claims they can get 30 on a run is lying.
If I were keeping it I would attend to these defects:
* there is a crack in the paint in the roof, about 2 inches long;
* the wheels were refurbished in 2009 but I have curbed them in various places since and I would do them again;
* there is a bleb on the bootlid and one on the n/s front wing that I would attend to (paint not broken);
* I'd replace the springs albeit there is nothing wrong with them.
Reason for sale: tax bill larger than expected and HMRC are not in the mood for jokes.
Price: £6,250.
The car is located in Northumberland. I am happy to drive it to Newcastle railway station or airport for serious viewers.
Some photographs below. When the weather improves, I will post better pictures including the interior. I will also post the service history when I have to time to write it up.
Do not hesitate to ask for more information.
163,000miles.
The best and most desirable colour combination: 040 Black with 265 Cream/Beige leather upholstery.
Extraordinary service history, complete from the order form to the most recent service.
Mechanically A1 with all equipment fully operational.
Cosmetically very good exterior with very minor blemishes consistent with a younger and less-travelled vehicle.
Interior in superb condition which belies age and mileage. No wear to driver's seat bolster. No cracks or chips in the glossy walnut. No sagging headlining.
Mechanical work carried out since my acquisition (from a fellow club member) in 2008, mostly since 2010:
* new exhaust (MB)
* new rear subframe bushes (MB)
* new differential mounts (MB)
* new shock absorbers all round (Sachs/Boge)
* new injectors, valve stem oil seals, vacuum tubes (MB)
* new timing chain and tensioner (MB)
* new HT leads, distributor cap and rotor (Beru)
* new fuel and brake lines
* new discs and pads all round (2011)
* new grille (2010)
* new engine and transmission mounts (MB) (2012)
* serviced in August 2012 with no outstanding service items at all
* new rear tyres September 2012, fronts have 5mm, Bridgestone ER 300 all round
The car is taxed to 30 September 2013 and MOT'd to March 2013. The car will be serviced and MOT'd on sale at my expense.
I do not exaggerate when I state that you will struggle to find a car in better mechanical condition. There is no backlog of outstanding maintenance. I have had the car serviced ahead of schedule and without much regard to cost. All work I have had done is either by Mercedes-Benz of Newcastle upon Tyne or the legendary Phil Baister at Staithes Garage Mercedes Specialists in Gateshead, Dunston. I have done a few things myself but I am a barrister not a mechanic.
Equipment of note (all fully functioning):
* air conditioning
* heated seats
* electric seats (memory on driver's side)
* electric windows
* functioning seat belt presenters
* central locking
* cruise control
* Becker Indianapolis 7920 CD headunit with iPod remote kit to the glove compartment and satellite navigation
* Discretely installed Nokia CK-100 Bluetooth handsfree kit
* OEM "ripped" mats in Cream/Beige (for summer) and Black (for winter)
As well as the comprehensive service history, I have every MOT. I also have the original order form, brochure, specification sheet and price list. The original book pack is with the car, including the operating manual, the guarantee, a directory of dealers and the cruise control operating instructions card. All of the tools, spare and jack also are present.
The car drives really well, as you'd expect given the undercarriage is all new. I use it extensively and without hesitation for occasional commuting (if the weather is nice and I feel like it), for long distance work, and for family touring. The engine fires within four seconds (as specified in the handbook) and idles smoothly without misfire (very common fault, very hard to pin down), the transmission engages drive or reverse without hesitation or clonking and changes gear smoothly on the move. It goes very fast, spinning the tyres in second in the wet. It cruises comfortably at 90 to 110mph; I lost my bottle at 150mph but the needle was still rising slowly (the speedo is exactly accurate); it will surprise Audi TDIs!
I drive fast (90 to 100 on the open road) and I often drive in rush hour. The worst mpg I have seen is 18mpg; the best was 24mpg. I calculate the mpg everytime I fill up and I am happy if it is above 20mpg, disappointed if less. You don't buy one of these for the fuel economy and anyone who claims they can get 30 on a run is lying.
If I were keeping it I would attend to these defects:
* there is a crack in the paint in the roof, about 2 inches long;
* the wheels were refurbished in 2009 but I have curbed them in various places since and I would do them again;
* there is a bleb on the bootlid and one on the n/s front wing that I would attend to (paint not broken);
* I'd replace the springs albeit there is nothing wrong with them.
Reason for sale: tax bill larger than expected and HMRC are not in the mood for jokes.
Price: £6,250.
The car is located in Northumberland. I am happy to drive it to Newcastle railway station or airport for serious viewers.
Some photographs below. When the weather improves, I will post better pictures including the interior. I will also post the service history when I have to time to write it up.
Do not hesitate to ask for more information.
