1988 Mercedes-Benz 300 SE W126 Automatic. Smoke Silver with Brazil Velour Upholstery.
This is a Mercedes-Benz from the period when the company set out to build the best car in the world, regardless of cost, marketing trends or production targets. The W126 S-Class is now universally regarded as the high-water mark of Mercedes-Benz engineering and design, a car created to endure decades of use while retaining dignity, comfort and mechanical integrity.
The 300 SE sits at the very centre of the W126 range and is widely considered the connoisseur’s choice. Its M103 straight-six engine is famed for its smoothness, balance and longevity, delivering effortless performance and near-silent cruising. Paired with the four-speed automatic transmission, the driving experience is calm, refined and unhurried, exactly as an S-Class should be.
This particular example was supplied new in 1988 and remains in beautiful original condition throughout. Finished in Smoke Silver, a subtle and elegant colour that suits the W126 perfectly, it is complemented by Brazil velour upholstery and classic walnut trim. This is a wonderfully period specification and one that immediately evokes the quiet luxury of late 1980s Mercedes-Benz. The velour interior is especially noteworthy, offering exceptional comfort that modern interiors struggle to replicate.
The car has covered just 85,000 miles in 38 years and has had only three former owners, with the previous custodian caring for it for an impressive 17 years. That long-term ownership is clearly reflected in the way the car presents today. It has not been restored or over prepared, but carefully preserved, retaining the feel, materials and character that make these cars so special.
Inside, the cabin remains an object lesson in Mercedes-Benz quality. The switchgear operates with the precise, damped action for which the marque became famous, the walnut trim retains its depth and finish, and even the original Blaupunkt radio cassette remains fitted, a rare and increasingly desirable detail that underscores the car’s authenticity.
The history file is equally reassuring, containing the original dealer wallet, handbooks and a stamped service book covering the early years, all confirming a life of careful maintenance and conscientious ownership. Details like these are becoming ever harder to find on W126 cars and are a significant part of their growing appeal.
On the road, the 300 SE drives exactly as it should. The engine is smooth and quiet, the gearbox changes seamlessly, and the ride quality is supple yet controlled. It feels composed, substantial and deeply reassuring, offering a sense of mechanical integrity that modern luxury cars often lack. This is a car designed to cover vast distances in comfort, and it still does so with remarkable ease.
The W126 S-Class remains one of the great values in the classic car world. Few cars offer this level of engineering, comfort and prestige at such accessible prices. Built to standards that are no longer economically viable, these cars represent a final chapter in Mercedes-Benz history, before cost constraints and complexity began to dilute the brand’s engineering purity. As collectors increasingly recognise this, the very best original examples are quietly being absorbed into long-term ownership.
This 1988 Mercedes-Benz 300 SE is not a project, nor a nostalgic curiosity. It is a properly engineered luxury car in original condition, with low mileage, excellent provenance and a specification that perfectly suits the model. It is a car that rewards appreciation, understanding and use, and it now awaits a new custodian who recognises just how special a truly great S-Class can be.
Come and see for yourself, any inspection welcome! We take all major cards, consider part exchange, and can even deliver to your door.
For further details, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Additional high-quality photos and an exclusive video are available on our website and Facebook page.