Hi guys,
I've got a 24-valve 300CE coupe for sale. This is the most desirable version: it's got the upgraded twin-cam M104 engine and 4-piston Ate brakes, but it was built before the notorious "biodegradable wiring harness" fiasco. The 300CE was a pillarless coupe, like the BMW E24, but much more modern in terms of design and execution.
The car was in perfect condition, with gleaming paint and a spotless interior. Not a speck of rust anywhere. Over $2500 in recent maintenance at a respected independent Benz specialist, including new smog pump, transmission fluid/filter/seals, and LSD service. The only mods are NOS springs from Eibach (impossible to find...sourced these from Japan) and a set of KYB dampers to match.
Now, the bad news. I say the car was in perfect condition ... because it no longer is in perfect condition following a relatively minor low-speed fender-bender. The passenger side front fender and hood were damaged and it looks like the rad support also moved back a bit. The car is still fully functional and runs/drives without issues, but it needs bodywork to return to it's former glory.
Here are pics from all angles taken yesterday...
This shot most clearly shows the damage...
Interior...
Alpine headunit with 6-disc changer in trunk...
Reasonable mileage for year...
Before the accident, this car easily would have sold for $7500-8000. I was on the search of a 300CE-24 for about 6 months and I bought this one because it was the cleanest and best-maintained example I could find. I've seen 12-valve versions in very rough condition changing hands for $4000. It's rare to find a 24-valver for under $6000. Due to the accident damage, I'm asking just $2200. For that price, I'll include a set of brand-new Euro headlights in unopened boxes. I will entertain reasonable offers in the GRM Challenge-friendly range for quick sale. We're buying a new car next week and I need this one gone ASAP!
DrBoost
UltimaDork
9/15/14 6:26 a.m.
Holy clean Benz Batman! Man, that fender- (and hood, and core-support) bender must have hurt your soul. What a nice car.
It broke my heart. One owner car with full service history at a Benz dealer. Garaged. Never winter driven. All the little stickers were on all the body panels. It was perfect ... and I had to go and berkeley it up 
slow
Reader
9/15/14 9:06 p.m.
Sorry. I couldn't fond the location of the car. Is it close to Austin, tx?
slow wrote:
Sorry. I couldn't fond the location of the car. Is it close to Austin, tx?
There are some location clues in the pictures.
Same clues will help you figure the owners profession.
I live in Manhattan and work in Queens NY.
Duke
UltimaDork
9/16/14 7:20 a.m.
Out of curiousity, why not invest the $4 large bath you're about to take into getting it fixed...?
Duke wrote:
Out of curiousity, why not invest the $4 large bath you're about to take into getting it fixed...?
x2 parts don't look all that horrible to buy.
Message sent with my contact info. Love some older mercs...
I love that body style but I would feel awful subjecting that car to my commute.
Duke wrote:
Out of curiousity, why not invest the $4 large bath you're about to take into getting it fixed...?
A couple of reasons. We just bought a new car. We need a 4-door for the upcoming baby and we really can't afford to keep more than one car in Manhattan (I pay $550 per month for parking!). So, I was going to have to sell this one whether I liked it or not.
More important, this is my first real accident in some 25 years of driving. I don't have a relationship with any body shop I trust. I found a few shops in Queens, but they seemed to fall into one of two categories: (1) sleazy chop shops; (2) generic slap-it-together-with-Chinese-knockoff-parts insurance jobbers. I wouldn't trust any of these guys to do a good job. I'm afraid they'd ruin the car.
berkeley. I hate this :(
Car may be sold. Deal is pending.
Sold locally. Thanks for the interest, guys. I'm going to miss her :(
