Finished in the stunning colour combination of Azurite Blue with Mushroom Beige Leather, this stunning one previous owner E280 T has all the desired specification of a six-cylinder W124. Leather, Power Driver’s seat, third row seats, Air Conditioning and alloy wheels. 

 

Supplied new by Tony Purslow Mercedes Benz Basingstoke, it was serviced with them throughout the first owner’s tenure and still wears its original dealer number plates. 

 

The second owner, who lived locally to me in Chesterfield, purchased it in 2009 from well-regarded W124 specialist Nick Froome of W124.co.uk and at the time the car had covered 129,000. Serviced annually in recent years by Noble Motorsport Chesterfield, the estate car is in fine mechanical fettle and drives faultlessly. I will be clear in outlining, this engine has NO WIRING LOOM ISSUES, running issues, rich emissions issues or signs of head gasket failure. For those that aren’t familiar with LH fuel injection – those are all the pointers to look for with these cars.

 

The M104 is one of Mercedes Benz’s finest engines: smooth, refined, powerful and when maintained correctly; infinitely reliable. This car is one of the quietest driving older Mercedes I have come across, with just a slight 6-cylinder hum as revs build. The 15-hole alloy wheels are fitted with 4 almost new Continental Premium Contact tyres (and a Michelin on the spare), the ride and handling are excellent, and the self-levelling suspension works as it should. 

 

The bodywork is unmarked, no rust to any of the wheel arches, and no rot inside the rear side windows – this is clearly and estate car that has been looked after. It also has to be said that Azurite Blue has to be one of the classiest colours offered by MB in this mid 90s period. 

 

Inside, the 280 is highly specced for an estate car, with Mushroom Leather upholstery, Power adjustable driver’s seat, folding third row seats, Air conditioning, passenger airbag, walnut dash trim with locking centre storage box quality radio and working Hirschmann power antenna. 

 

Showing very minimal wear, the interior is the high point of this car. All of the seats are in excellent condition, as is the leather on the steering wheel, the headlining is fresh, the wood still has a nice deep shine and no cracks and the door kick plates are still in good condition – unusual in a W124. The perfect place to sit for a trip to the south of France! Unlike most estate cars, the carpet in the boot isn’t stained and generally horrible. 

 

Prior to sale, the car has had a full mechanical service including oil and filter, transmission fluid and filter, self-levelling fluid, air filter, fuel filter, power steering fluid and filter and coolant flush. With MOT until May 2019, it is ready to use and enjoy. There are not many W124 estates for sale in this kind of condition and with such good provenance. The current mileage of 177,000 has clearly been covered on long motorway trips, with single occupancy. This car has not been a typical, used and abused, family wagon and will struggle to be faulted. I have also fitted an original Mercedes Oris tow bar - which has not been used, but is a nice accessory.