Mercedes-Benz 300TE-24 (W124) 3.6 Brabus

Highlights

• Cool, rare and exciting BRABUS-tuned example
• Tuned and bored out 3.6-litre in-line six-cylinder engine
• Approximately 280bhp
• Highly specified
• Fully documented £22,000 mechanical overhaul
• In excellent condition throughout
• Long, advisory-free MOT

Overview

The Mercedes-Benz W124 is a great car. That's a fact. The S124 estate version is not only a great car but it's also a cool car. This is also a fact. The trouble is, a standard S124 can be a little lacking in the performance department so what do you do if you're looking for some extra oomph and a touch more pizazz from your '90s long boy Benz? Well, you hand it over to renowned German high performance tuners BRABUS of course.

When AMG isn't enough, the folk at BRABUS can deliver the goods and they certainly went to town with this 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300TE. Originally supplied with a 3.0-litre, 24-valve six-pot under the bonnet the car has since been transformed into the utterly menacing and supremely capable machine you now see before you. Expertly tuned and bored-out to 3.6-litres the car is now believed to be delivering somewhere around 280bhp, a healthy increase to stock power levels whilst retaining the car's superb drive-ability.

Along with the engine upgrade the car also features numerous cosmetic and mechanical improvements, too, including a full BRABUS body kit, Bilstein shocks with BRABUS springs, and Monoblock V wheels, along with an especially rare BRABUS buffalo hide interior with BRABUS steering wheel, floor mats, sill plates, and 300kph instrument cluster. Possessing the show to match its go then this masterfully modified Merc is a definite conversation starter. Not only that, but since being imported to the UK from Japan in 2015 the car has undergone a documented £22,000 mechanical overhaul courtesy of revered independent Mercedes-Benz specialists John Haynes in West Sussex and has reportedly only covered around 500 miles since being in the country.

The full list of features and modifications can be found below (including the typically trick period-correct Japanese in-car entertainment system) but suffice to say this is one incredibly rare and seriously sorted Mercedes. Presenting beautifully throughout and complete with UK history this is absolutely not one to be missed.

History and documentation

• 1992 model year
• BRABUS tuned
• V5C present and correct in the vendor's name
• Two keys
• Imported to the UK from Japan in 2015
• Import documentation present
• First registered in the UK 01 Aug 2015
• John Haynes mechanical overhaul (fully documented)
• Some previous MOT certificates
• HPI clear
• Advisory-free MOT until 12 Jan 2027
• 136,718 indicated kilometres (approximately 85K miles)

Interior

• Well-presented throughout
• Rare BRABUS brown buffalo leather upholstery is in good condition with a characterful patina
• BRABUS steering wheel and instrument cluster (with period BRABUS Autosport branding)
• BRABUS floor mats and sill plates
• Panasonic Strada stereo system (in Japanese) with custom speakers and subwoofer, radar detector and smart card reader
• Electric sunroof
• Heat-insulating glass
• Automatic climate control
• Cruise control
• Factory folding third row bench seat is in excellent condition
• With the exception of the BRABUS Tempamatic system (button to display oil temp), everything is reportedly fully functional
• No signs of any major damage
• Wooden trim remains intact but the lacquer has cracked on the gear knob
• Boot space is clean and tidy and a retractable load cover is present

Exterior

• Exterior condition is excellent
• The Black Pearl Metallic paint looks to be in fine shape but the vendor reports that a full detail would make it really gleam
• There are no signs of any damage
• Only a few very minor blemishes here and there commensurate with age and mileage
• No evidence of any major corrosion (this car lived in Japan until 2015 and has been professionally stored in the UK since)
• Shut lines appear to be uniform across the board
• All glasswork looks to be in good order
• BRABUS bumper-integrated fog lamps
• Tinted rear windows
• BRABUS badging to the rear deck
• We note that the front towing eye cover is missing
• Front bumper has been resprayed to a high standard in Feb 2025 (receipt included)
• The 17” BRABUS Monoblock V wheels with polished centre caps are in superb shape with no kerb rash and only a few light marks to the lacquer to speak of
• The vendor reports that all four Michelin Primacy 4 tyres were new in 2024
• Underneath appears clean and tidy with no sign of any damage or repair work

Mechanical

• BRABUS-tuned 3.6-litre M104 in-line six-cylinder engine
• The engine bay presents well and the engine is fitted with a BRABUS 3.6-24 valve cover
• Four-speed automatic gearbox
• Limited slip differential
• Rear-wheel drive
• Fully mechanically overhauled
• No mechanical issues to report
• The vendor informs us that the car starts fine, the acceleration and brakes are great and that it drives basically like a new W124 without suspension or driveline clunks nor untoward vibrations, owing to the work carried out (new rear dampers, engine and gearbox mounts etc.) and everything feels very tight

Summary

Somewhat more exclusive than the excellent E36 AMGs and 3.4 AMGs in terms of how special it is, this super cool BRABUS-fettled wagon is a unique, inherently practical and usable sporting estate that has been expertly modified to provide a more focussed driving experience without detracting from what made it so good to begin with. With presence and performance aplenty it's an incredibly authentic and attractive proposition that is sure to turn heads and elicit understanding nods of approval wherever it goes.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Hove, East Sussex.