1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC AMG 123225 Miles White Coupe V8 Automatic

1985 Mercedes-Benz 500-Series AMG Description

Real AMG conversion. Extensive maintenance receipts, including timing chain service. Never rusty or wrecked. Desirable Euro-spec 500 SEC, everything works, drives superbly. Tools, manuals, first aid kit all included. Spectacular!
This is unquestionably a real AMG product, not a conversion, and the AMG serial numbers on the various body parts, wheels, and other components confirm this. The Euro bumpers that tuck in tightly to the bodywork, the moderately aggressive chin spoiler with fog lights, and an equally subtle spoiler on the trunk lid all add to the aggressive look, but not at the expense of Mercedes-Benz’s built-in elegance. Finish quality is exemplary, as you’d expect, and it has been expertly maintained for the past 35 years. Most of the paint is original, but the bumpers, grille, and right rear quarter panel have been professionally refinished to address chips and marks that inevitably come from use. Today it looks fantastic with a uniform look, zero evidence of rust or accident repairs, and an aggressive demeanor that will stand out without making a lot of noise.
The Anthracite Nappa leather interior is likewise largely original and in remarkable condition. A new headliner was installed in 2018 and the driver’s seat insert was replaced in 2019, but the work blends in so seamlessly as to be unnoticeable. The seats are supportive but not constricting, and yes, the mechanical arms that hand you the seat belts are still fully operational. In fact, everything works: clock, A/C, windows, gauges, mirrors, and sunroof. The burled walnut you see on the dash and center console is real burled walnut, not a plastic facsimile. There’s a newer AM/FM/CD stereo head unit in the center of the dash, which includes an iPod interface. That trunk is beautifully finished with plush black carpets, and yes, you’ll find the original tool roll and unused Pirelli spare tire and “bundt” alloy wheel that have never been used.
The 5.0 liter SOHC M117 V8 wasn’t available in the US, but in Europe it was rated at 228 horsepower and 299 pounds of torque—modest by today’s standards, maybe, but it’s anything but sedate on the road. At anything but full-bore, it’s unobtrusive, pulling the big coupe along like an electric motor that you can hear but can’t feel. But put your foot into it and this big German luxury coupe acts like a genuine muscle car, dropping down a gear or two and throwing all that torque at the rear wheels. Something this big shouldn’t really be this fast and in 1985, it was probably one of the meanest machines on the street. Of course, it cruises effortlessly at supra-legal speeds and the insulation is so good that you barely hear anything going on except the sounds the engineers wanted you to hear. It’s thrilling yet relaxing at the same time.
And don’t worry, this car has been properly and extensively serviced with receipts to back it up. Work in 2017-2018 includes a new timing chain, camshaft gears, oiler tube bushings, fuel injectors, seals and holders, new Bosch spark plugs, idle control unit, voltage regulator, starter, overload protection relay, new air filter, new ceramic/copper fuses, and a new hood pad. In addition, the power steering pump was serviced and new hoses installed. In short, all the things that worry potential new owners have been addressed and there are receipts for the work to back it up. This is one vintage Mercedes you can buy with confidence.
Underneath, you’ll see no evidence that this car was ever used in winter weather. It has been thoroughly cleaned and pressure washed to show the immaculate original floors. The transmission wears a tag that it is a factory rebuilt unit and it, too, has been recently serviced including a new pan, filter, and gaskets. The suspension features new front guide rod mounts, new left bushings and control arm, tie rods steering box, and a drag link steering shock, and everything was aligned so it tracks straight. The shocks are correct vintage Bilsteins and the exhaust has new stainless pipes and a fresh muffler that sounds just about right—a little aggressive but not too much. Ride quality is still excellent despite the lowered ride height and improved performance, and you could drive this car every day in 2020 and not feel like you are driving a 35-year-old machine. In back, there’s a set of 2.65 gears on a limited slip differential, in place of the original S-Class 2.24s, and the federalized speedometer reads correctly. And yes, those are correct AMG “Penta” wheels with all the right markings and they now wear recent Continental radials.
Documentation and extras include the complete tool roll, both original (German) and US owner’s manuals, original, unopened first-aid kit, and extensive service receipts adding up to tens of thousands of dollars.
Make all the “Miami Vice” jokes you want, but this car gets everything right: it’s unusual, it was astoundingly expensive when it was new, it’s delightful to drive, and it has been recently and comprehensively serviced so that it’s 100% ready to enjoy. Few cars come with this much paperwork and given the trepidation many people have over buying a car like this, it’s confidence-inspiring to see that a known expert went through every inch of this car and made it right. Call today!
Harwood Motors recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any car in our inventory prior to sale.