Private Owner/Seller
136k Miles (219k KM)
3.2L - 24V/Inline 6 - 217hp with 4 Speed Automatic Transmission
Seller's Ask: $13,500 USD - Current Canadian Equivalent $17,000 CAD
Mercedes Benz from it's origins in 1886 until this day has been regarded as an industry leader. They have been at the forefront right from the start of the Automotive Era, with Benz building what is considered to be the first true automobile. They have through the decades built an enviable reputation for their renown engineering prowess and the world class motor vehicles they produced, and the E320 Cabriolet we have on offer today is a wonderful example of just why Mercedes Benz has remained near the pinnacle, as a manufacture of renown for well over 100 years.
Offered by it's loving second owners, a retired California based couple who purchased the car way back in 2001, some 20 years ago from it's first owner. The car was originally delivered in the State of California to it's first owner and it has remained in that state's dry, clean, car friendly climate since new. In fact both owners of this beautiful E320 lived within 20 odd miles of each other, with the car living out it's long life under the glow of the southern California sun.
Now I have to tell you that I have developed a special affinity for ‘Cars Out Of California’ and it is not just because of the wonderful climate they have live in, as this being the Car Capital of the World, it's residents (not unlike myself) more often than not, tend to be card carrying Automotive Nut-Jobs (Enthusiasts) who not simply own and drive what they like, as these folks actually love the cars that they own. As you can imagine these are my kind of people!
All that said, this in fact is much of the story of this car and it's long loving owners, these people are not the norm, not your run of the mill E320 owners, as the vast majority of these cars especially now at 25 years of age, have fallen long ago onto hard times at the hands multiple owners each successively less able than the last to keep these drop top treasures in the manner in which these cars were accustomed too.
Fran & Roger didn't buy this car because it was cheap, as trust me 20 years ago at 5 years of age this E320 Cabriolet did not come cheap. They didn't buy it as a simple means of transportation either, as they bought it because they fell hard in love and better yet, unlike many, they have never stopped showing this car the love and respect it deserves.
This very lucky W124/E320 has lived out it's life as a garage kept, sparingly driven, object of desire and as such it is a car that has been regularly treated to virtually whatever it needed at the local Mercedes Dealer. All a very rare thing for this model at this age!
By now you may well be wondering just how and why we at SportsCarLocate have taken this really ‘not quite a sports car' under our wing and are now offering it’s owners our marketing assistance. Well much like Fran & Roger we too have fallen for this sweet piece of automotive brilliance, but more than that we have fallen for the good folks that own the car. These people are true enthusiasts, although they may not have ever thought themselves to be such a thing, and I have a world of respect for good people with a taste for fine automobiles. Those that not simply own them, but also possess that unrelenting drive to treat their automotive love interest's right.
Fran reached out to us across the miles, right out of the blue, after a friend of theirs made the recommendation to give SportsCarLocate a call. Their good friend turned out to be a fine gentleman named Stephen that we had worked with back in 2010 on a 87 Porsche 911 that we sourced from him for a local Toronto area client. Great car loving people, beautiful highly desirable car... how could we say no!
The car itself remains in Southern California in the hands of it's loving owners, hidden away as it has always been in the garage, awaiting it next lover! The car is available for your personal or professional inspection!
Near every Mercedes model starts out life as something a little more special than the rest, but the E320 Cabriolet like all of the Mercedes Cabriolets that came before it were and are far more special than the rest.
Known as the builders of some of the very best cars in the world, Mercedes has had a long history of constructing many of the finest Cabriolets to ever leave a factory floor. From before the age of the Roaring Twenty's Mercedes has offered the world an opportunity to drive not just top down, but with the comfort and style only a Cabriolet can provide. A true Cabriolet like this E320 is not simply a cloth top convertible as a Cabriolet has a drop top that is designed to provide near Hard Top Coupe like comfort, and quiet with it's roof up.
The Cabriolet models through history have been very successful for Mercedes and almost more successful again for the very fortunate individuals who have secured and retained the Mercedes Cabriolets from earlier eras. A quick look back in time at the auction sales records and classified listing will surely tell you that the lust for the Mercedes Cabriolet has never wavered and has not waned.
Surprisingly prior to the introduction of this model in the early 90s Mercedes had abandoned this market segment, with this being the first Mercedes Cabriolet model offered in 20 years, with the last model being the now highly prized, highly valued Mercedes SE 280s from the 60s & 70s.
Mercedes went well above and beyond the norm when developing their new Cabriolet, which was derived from their very successful 300CE Coupe. Mercedes being Mercedes spent massively on reengineering the model, in fact some would say over engineering the redesign of the Coupe into a Cabriolet. Many years and untold dollars were invested with reportedly over 1000 unique components being designed and produced to complete the Cabriolet conversion.
These cars were largely built by hand and were as such one of the last models from Mercedes that could make that claim, as automated assembly lines were swiftly taking over production. Given the cost of development and the expense of production it was not surprising that the E320 Cabriolet when new had a MSRP of $79,000. USD without options. Back then it cost $16k more than the Coupe and very near double the price of the E Class Sedans, which was the base origin of both these cars.
Now $79,000. USD back in 1995 with inflation equates to $140,000 USD today, so when I say these cars were special, this data may help you to better understanding why!
The 1995 model year brought to the market the final iteration of this now long storied model, now known as the Facelift E320. The traditional design was ever so gently updated cosmetically and under the skin some significant enhancement were added with a redesigned engine making use of stronger internal components along with modernized Fuel Injection systems etc. All of which provided more torque at a lower RPM, which enhanced the drive throughout the rev range. This was the final year of production for this model and the last of the only 3 short years that this model was made available in the North American market.
Personally I have long admired these cars, yet sadly from a distance, as when introduced I was not in, or anywhere close to, a financial position to allow me to seriously consider the model as a prospect for ownership. These cars have stood the test of time and to my eye look just as good as they did back at the time of their introduction,. For me I still get a thrill seeing one of these, now rare Cabriolet's gracefully motor by. Unlike many makes and models from this era, time has been a friend to the W124/E320 Cabs and their God Given Air (well the MB Gods) of exclusivity and majesty remain fully intact.
This Mercedes was not, and it was never intended to be, a sports car, but yet this model has always whispered to me. A complete package that was less about the rush of speed and clearly more about the full & glorious automotive experience. For me the E320 Cabriolet remains a near unmatched blend of classical styling, with a magical twist that allows it to remain near timeless. It’s uniquely Teutonic design sensibilities continue to offer a level of comfort and usable performance not often found in a burgeoning classic.
In Triple Black as seen here it is like driving that never out of style Tuxedo or Little Black Dress... just right for near any true occasion. And every drive in this Tux lookalike is an occasion to be remembered. This car simply exudes quality and class, and whether you like it or not, you will be noticed! You will be seen, and no doubt you will be the recipient of those low key nods and more boisterous thumbs up, from the enthusiast admirers as you drive by.
Unlike so many, this unique model has never lost it's way, it has always been an object of desire for a broad swath of enthusiasts across the globe, and it is our belief that the story on this model will continue to brighten in the years to come, with a strong prospect of continued interest and growing valuations. Please review Hagerty's Current Valuation for the E320 Cabriolet below, as if you haven't been watching the market you may well be surprised!
As this car is currently available at virtually 10 cents on the dollar, if kept and coddled there is nowhere for this car to go, but up, in market value, in the years to come!
As stated earlier this car is on offer from it's private long-term owners, long time enthusiasts that have not only loved this car for two decades, but have never failed to show it love, treat it with respect, and drive it with care. This car is currently with it's owners, garaged and cloistered away from the elements. This is an original California delivered example with minimal ownership turnover, zero evidence of corrosion and virtually all original throughout, clearly a car that was always garaged and kept out of the scrooching California sun.
A now quite rare example in Triple Black with near all original factory paintwork, and original Black Leather, all of which remains in overall very presentable condition, as the rear seats were rarely if ever sat in, and the front seat have always been protected by Sheepskin Seat Covers. The gorgeous 'Real Wood' interior trim remains in amazing condition with none of the normally seen flaws found on so many of these cars. and there are no cracks in the dash.
Everything on the car works as Mercedes designed it to; including the soft top mechanism, A/C, Engine & Transmission with the car currently having no known mechanical or electrical flaws.
Virtually unblemished throughout it's life you'll note a 'minor damage' entry on the Carfax Report, which was a result of a light bump at the golf course when another vehicle backed into it in 2021. The light repair was professionally carried out and no evidence of the minor damage now exists... and we do have the invoice for the repairs available for your review. A Fresh CarFax Report is available to share please reach out and we will send you a copy.
Maintenance on the car has been non-stop throughout it's life with the vast majority of the work being carried out by the Professional Techs at the local authorized Mercedes Dealerships.
Although the car has travelled a total of 136,000 miles over it's 25 years on the road, a quick calculation tells you that that number equates to just over 5k miles per year and you must remember that these are Dry Climate California Miles, not those down and dirty miles that cars out of the North East experience. And the difference is very telling.
Further the car has been Garage Kept and hidden away from the damaging southern sun, but most importantly the car has been maintained religiously and within the large file of service invoices you’ll find the details that show that all of the known faults with this model, as it ages, have been already experienced and effectively corrected. Virtually all service invoices are with the car, those noted on CarFax are just some but certainly no all of the service records with near all work being completed at Authorized Mercedes Dealers from new. Note: a Fresh California Smog Check was recentily completed and of course the vehicle was given a Pass!
Although a truly nice example throughout I would grade this as a High Level 'Driver', not an 'unusable' show piece. A car ready to be loved, driven and fully enjoyed, secure in the knowledge that you'll be driving a near classic that has been treated right since birth.
Transmission Rebuild, Engine Head Gasket, Water Pump, Value Cover Gasket, Cloth Soft Top Replaced, Hydraulic Top Pump and Hydraulic Top Cylinders, Brakes F&R, Battery, Tires and even the Steering Wheel Leather was redone... all this has been replaced/serviced in just the past few years, all within 10k miles of the current recorded mileage.
Build Sheet Details
GA Automatic Transmission
222 RIGHT FRONT SEAT, ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE
241 FRONT SEAT LH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY240OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
251 RADIO MB - EXQUISIT - USA
291 AIRBAG FOR FRONT PASSENGER
300 STORAGE BOX IN FRONT TRAY
340 ADDITIONAL 3RD STOP LAMP
405 MULTI-CONTOUR SEAT, FRONT RIGHT404MULTI-CONTOUR SEAT, FRONT LEFT
420 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 4-GEAR
441 ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN
440 TEMPOMAT (CRUISE CONTROL)
46 1INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
494 VERSION FOR USA
524 PAINTWORK - PRESERVATION
551 ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM
581 AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONER
600 HEADLAMPS - CLEANING EQUIPMENT
636 DELETION - WARNING TRIANGLE
634 DELETION - FIRST AID KIT
6528-HOLE LIGHT ALLOY RIMS
668PACKAGING FOR SHIPPING VEHICLES WITH TIE-DOWN HOOK
740 BLACK SOFT TOP FABRIC 9001
805AEJ 06/1/M/X
873 SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS
916 VEHICLES FOR HOT COUNTRIES-ADDITIONAL PARTS
040C 220 CANADA SPECIAL EDITION
261A LEATHER BLACK
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Enjoy a cruise in the E320 Cabriolet!
Is it perfect? Clearly the answer would have to be no, as any knowledgeable enthusiast would expect of any 25 year old example, that has accumulated this type of mileage. That said having reviewed the market in detail, I would suggest that this is likely one of the best all round examples that you are likely to ever find, now or in the nearby future, down at this very digestible price point.
Although you may find a few of these available elsewhere, when you start to drill down deeper on these cars you begin to understand how different they are from this offering. When you talk classic cars from any era, Provenance, Originality & Actual Condition are the hallmarks of quality and this E320 is a wonderful example of just why this is so!
Opportunities like this come along rarely in the world of aging cars so this is not the time to sit back and hesitate to make the call. The current caretakers of this lovely Cabriolet are now retired and subsequently they are finding fewer and fewer opportunities to enjoy the car, hence the decision has been made to part with their automotive love. Understandably, as would be the case for any of us with 20 years of ownership and untold quantities of time and cash invested in a car,... they really hope to find someone that will continue to care for this E320 Cabriolet just as they have.
I would highly recommend that you take the time to look at the various imaging provided by the seller on this very nice E320. Inside, outside, the engine bay of this example, as simply not the norm that you'll find, when you start seriously chasing one of these very special cars in this price category. Yes we too recognize that with a little more elbow grease and maybe a professional detail here and there this car's intrinsic quality would shine through brighter and that we will leave for it's next lover to uncover. A little dust and buff will work miracles here!
My personal view is that this car is actually under valued as priced at just $13,500 USD (approx. $17,000. CAD with today's exchange)... this I think is a 'Sweet Spot' offering for this unique model in this condition, and as such a true opportunity for buyers on either side of the border. Please take the time to compare the others those sometimes cheaper along with the often times significantly more expensive E320 Cabriolets around the marketplace, as unlike those cars this beauty presents itself to the world as one of the higher valued cars while unlike those cars found at the lower price points this one is not suffering from the normally found extended neglect, and deferred maintenance. Trust me when I say that taking those lesser cars up to the standard set by this one, will prove to be a very painful and shockingly costly process.
So no matter where you are in Canada the U.S. or elsewhere on the globe we suggest that you don't hold back,. Give us a call or connect by phone or email to discuss this opportunity further.
Fly in and drive it home, or shipping anywhere world wide can be easily arranged.
The vehicles on offer through SportsCarSellers are for sale direct to you from their registered private owners. SportsCarLocate/SportsCarSellers is not vehicle dealer and we do not buy or sell vehicles, we instead provide our private clients location and marketing support services.
A life well lived on the California Coast
Sportscarlocate
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