Lot details
Registration No: P319LEY
Chassis No: WDB1400262A345717
Mot Expiry: Nov 2011

Mercedes-Benz's W140 Series was unveiled at the 1991 Geneva motorshow as a replacement for the long running and incredibly successful W126 range. At launch the Saloon was available in short (SE) and long (SEL) wheelbase form, with the Coupe (SEC) coming on stream some eighteen months later. To confuse the issue, the company realigned the nomenclature towards the end of 1993 meaning, for example, that what had been a 300SE now became an S280. What was never in doubt, however, was the research and development that went into the newcomer - a process that had begun a full ten years before its unveiling at a reported cost in excess of $1 billion. Sometimes referred to as 'the last Mercedes to be over-engineered' the W140, like its predecessor, was bristling with technology, eg: double-pane window glazing, power-assisted closing for doors and boot lid, electric windows that reversed if they encountered an obstruction, parking markers that rose from the rear wings (later replaced with a sonar system) etc. Available from 1993 to 1998, the 300SE/S280 variant was powered by a 190bhp 2.8-litre six-cylinder engine producing some 190bhp and 199lbft of torque. Of the 432,732 W140 Saloons and Coupes manufactured, 22,784 were fitted with the 2.8-litre engine option.

The right-hand drive S280 Saloon on offer dates from 1997 and sports Metallic Silver coachwork complemented by a Black leather interior. Its very considerable specification includes: four-speed automatic gearbox with sports/economy modes; ASR (Acceleration Slip Regulation) and ABS (Anti-lock Braking System); six spoke Mercedes-Benz alloy wheels with what the vendor describes as "excellent 235/60x16 tyres"; driver/passenger front and side air bags; climate control; cruise control; electrically folding door mirrors; adjustable headlamps; quality Alpine CD/radio with six-stack autochanger; full size spare wheel and attendant jack, tools and warning triangle; Mercedes mud flaps on all corners. The car reportedly comes complete with fully stamped-up service book (Mercedes main dealers and independent specialists) and is MOT'd into November this year. According to the vendor, this example of one of the finest engineered cars ever made is "in very good condition inside and out and drives very well indeed".