Most auto enthusiasts yearn for a time and place where we can properly stretch the legs of our vehicles. For sports or muscle cars, that usually means a trip to the track or strip. And for off-road rigs, you probably want to find a trail where you can wheel safely. But for a vehicle like the 1989 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC, recently offered on eBay, its natural habitat is the wide-open highway.
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The '89 560SEC Has the Right Stance
The big Benz coupe has something most modern cars lack: presence. It commands attention without being flashy or pretentious.
The huge opening for the side windows afforded by the ’89 560SEC’s pillarless doors is a cool styling feature. Between that big aperture and the sunroof, there’s no need to drive cocooned within a sealed air-conditioned chamber. Just let the fresh air flow.
The 560SEC on eBay sits closer to the ground than normal, thanks to its lowering springs - opens in new window or tab.. Fortunately, the original springs are included with the car. From our perspective, this cruising sedan looks best when positioned at its original ride height. Ride quality also might be compromised with the shorter springs.
This W126/C126 chassis was a long-lived hit for Mercedes-Benz, lasting for 12 years of production around the globe. That makes finding replacement parts on eBay Motors relatively simple.
This Mercedes-Benz coupe has a few blemishes from its 30-plus years on the road. Repairing the bumper rash shouldn’t be too difficult, and the dings in the metal might be easy work for a dent-removal specialist. The seller notes that this 1989 560SE spent most of its life in California before migrating to Connecticut. The rust-free condition car shows why California cars command a premium.
Creature Comfort
The Mercedes interior looks inviting. The wide, supportive seats are covered in either leather or perhaps it’s MB-Tex vinyl - opens in new window or tab.. The proprietary material is often even nicer than real leather.
The only interior change we might make is adding a vintage (or vintage-looking) Blaupunkt head unit in place of the too-modern stereo currently in place.
Crank up the tunes and aim this autobahn Benz for a distant location—no matter how far. We can’t think of a more comfortable and capable car to cruise the broad expanse of American highways and byways.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.