AT A GLANCE

ENGINE:  2.8L type m104 Mercedes-Benz inline 6-cylinder petrol
TRANSMISSION:  Five speed manual
MILEAGE:  295.360 km (183,341 miles)
EXTERIOR:  “Nautical Blue” over "Andor Blue"
INTERIOR:  Nappa leather, navy with gray perforated centers
PRICE:  19.000€

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

Stylish and slightly aggressive. These "facelift" s124's have always been my favorites, with the sculpted in front grille and subtle two-tone lower body cladding. This one, in "Nautical Blue" over "Andor Blue," is set off by an AMG style front spoiler, has been lowered 30mm with H&R springs, and is sitting on 17'x8" eight hole replicas wearing 215/45-17 Continentals. The stance is slightly menacing, but perfectly usable daily, even over speed bumps and broken pavement in a modern world. Car junkies give it a thumbs up, and it draws crowds at car shows, but it slips past non-car-people without feeling... "shouty."

Inside, this sought-after seven-seat configuration is fully freshened. The all-new leather upholstery features a two-tone palette as an homage to the AMG designs of the period. The wood is excellent, the headliner is excellent, and it all looks and feels very properly 1990's Mercedes-Benz. The rear-facing "tail gunner" seat folds into the cargo floor, and the factory roll-up cargo cover and pet screen work perfectly. A rare find.

Tunes come in the form of a vintage-inspired Blaupunkt Frankfurt head unit, which conceals its Bluetooth and mechless modern capabilities behind a false cassette door to better sell the 1990's vibe, a microphone for hands-free telephony, four Focal speakers discreetly hidden behind the factory grilles, and a powered Blaupunkt subwoofer under the driver's seat. In other words the sound system, which is so discreet as to be almost invisible, is sufficient.

Details abound. Phillips LED headlamp and fog lamp bulbs. A zebrano gear knob, and even a Mercedes-Benz branded umbrella, tucked away in the seatback pocket.

WHAT'S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

Every s124 has style. Every s124 is useable, built like a bank vault, and performs admirably. But an m104-powered s124 with a five speed manual, air condition, sunroof and seven seats? That's the most desirable spec.

There is too much new to list here. The wiring harness is brand new and from Kurth Classics, renowned as the leaders in Mercedes-Benz wiring harnesses. The aforementioned H&R springs are new, as are Sachs dampers, all new Febi/Bilstein control arms, suspension bushings, tie rod ends, and more. All fluids are fresh, the ignition is redone with new plugs, coils, and leads, the blower motor and resistor are fresh, and all filters have been changed, including the cabin air. The rear self leveling system has new spheres and works as intended. Even the rear hatch struts has been replaced with Stabilus UE units (which, if you've ever replaced them, you will appreciate.)

The brakes are all new, including flexi lines and the parking brake. The thermostat is new, the radiator has been flushed and pressure tested, as has the air conditioning, which blows extremely cold.

It's fast, balanced, smooth and efficient. It's everything an s124 should be.