FOR SALE 1991 300E AMG 3.4L 5-Speed, Pearl Black/Black Fabric, 112kkm, BaT auction (Newbury Park, CA)

[TerryA]

BaT / WOB CARS has a new listing for a 91 300E AMG 3.4 5-Speed with 70K miles in Black Pearl/ Black Leather & Karo interior.

VIN# WDB1240311B545995

WOB usually has high end cars for sale. This appears to be no exception. Bid is already up to $20K! Bid closed in 6 days on June 21st

I can’t figure out how to copy the add from my I-Phone 13 to the 500Eboard. CAN someone please do this.

 

[weide1]

1991 Mercedes-Benz 300E 3.4 AMG 5-Speed

Bid for the chance to own a 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300E 3.4 AMG 5-Speed at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #227,301.

bringatrailer.com

 

[puchak]

Lovely car, a quentessential looking pre-merger AMG with what I find to be a very desireable 3.4-liter early M104.

Will the manual gearbox affect the price? Part of me thinks that an automatic gearbox would be nicer, especially for a cruiser, but I am sure the manual is fun to bang gears in. Are these Mercedes manual gearboxes fun to drive? Would love to hear thoughts.

What do we think this car will go for? With it hitting the US market and having dealt with all import fees, I'm guessing at least $60k.

Edit: Car sold for $78k at Broad Arrow in 2024.

 

[dondraperdfw]

Hello...where does it show that the car was ordered with the 5 speed?
How many 5 Speed 300E AMG 3.4 exist out there?

 

[Otrebla49]

Datacard of this 300E-24 3.4 is attached - there's a code on it for transmission from the factory (717.450 is ZF 5-sp manual with dog-leg pattern).

Most, if not all, of 3.4 AMG (based on M104.980/1 engines) '990-code' cars were actually '5-speed' (either manual like the one above, or automatic / code 722.501 for the latter).

As for an important difference - (almost!) all of 3.6 AMG (based on M104.990/1/2 engines) '957-code' cars are 4-speed automatic - with transmission codes 722.3xx on the W124 chassis (or 722.4xx for W202 C36 AMG before mid-1996).

Alberto

 

[puchak]

How many 5 Speed 300E AMG 3.4 exist out there?

Here are two off the top of my head that I know of:

• 1990 Mercedes-Benz 300E 3.4 AMG 5-Speed For Sale | The MB Market
• 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300E-24v 3.4 AMG w/5-speed Manual For Sale | The MB Market

I wouldn't be surprised if there are also some coupes with the same configuration (3.4 + 5-speed manual gearbox).

 

[dondraperdfw]

Great info folks!! Thx

 

[dmundy]

Anyone have comments on this specific car? I’m fairly ignorant about them.

 

[gsxr]

Kinda depends if you want to drive & enjoy it, or have it sit around as an investment.

In general the CIS-injected M104 needs to be revved to the moon to find the powerband. The 5-speed manual may help with that. 3.4's are rare enough there may not be a lot of forum members (if any?) who have actually driven one.

 

[dmundy]

Kinda depends if you want to drive & enjoy it, or have it sit around as an investment.

In general the CIS-injected M104 needs to be revved to the moon to find the powerband. The 5-speed manual may help with that. 3.4's are rare enough there may not be a lot of forum members (if any?) who have actually driven one.

I try to only buy cars I want to drive. Sometimes I like them better in concept than execution though.

I live in houston which makes it tougher. Flat but bumpy. At least there is a lot of traffic.

 

[ArauzMotoring]

Sounds quite good rowing thru the gears

 

[puchak]

I’m sure it’s a riot (for it’s time) in 3rd and 4th.

 

[ArauzMotoring]

Driving video

 

[weide1]

In general the CIS-injected M104 needs to be revved to the moon to find the powerband. The 5-speed manual may help with that. 3.4's are rare enough there may not be a lot of forum members (if any?) who have actually driven one.

I have testdriven this 2/1991 with 990 code and 722.5xx in 5/2012.
Best description, all show, no go.
But since being rare and AMG heritage it's worthwhile.

Besides that.
Is this grille original delivered by AMG?
I've seen more 124 with more or less such a grille. Even Hammer.

 

[dmundy]

Thank you all. Especially GSXR and weide1.

I think that was the information I was looking for.

 

[dondraperdfw]

I have a Evo 1 and a E60 limited. Would this be a good addition to the collection? Kinda like 4, 6 and 8 cylinder from the era?
Or should I save the $$ and get an Evo 2?

 

[puchak]

Honestly the driving video felt a little underwhelming, at least it sounded kind of decent. All show, no go sounds accurate…

Don, I’d go for the Evo 2. Would you sell the Evo 1 for it? Not sure you want the two unless you’re going for “investments”.

 

[dmundy]

Thank you all. Especially GSXR and weide1.

I think that was the information I was looking for

Honestly the driving video felt a little underwhelming, at least it sounded kind of decent. All show, no go sounds accurate…

Don, I’d go for the Evo 2. Would you sell the Evo 1 for it? Not sure you want the two unless you’re going for “investments”.

i know what you mean. That said: I actually like good chassis/lower power cars in the right place. I just don’t live in that place.

I’m supposed to be reducing my total # of cars anyway….

For Don - these are neat problems to have

 

[dondraperdfw]

Honestly the driving video felt a little underwhelming, at least it sounded kind of decent. All show, no go sounds accurate…

Don, I’d go for the Evo 2. Would you sell the Evo 1 for it? Not sure you want the two unless you’re going for “investments”.

Hi... I always wanted to own both the 1 and the 2. The Evo 2's kinda got expensive atleast the good ones.

 

[Bogeyman]

Sold for $115.5K - $120.5K all in.

 

[dondraperdfw]

I was watching it and interested till about 100K but it went a little crazy after that and I let it go. I like this car but I thought this was way too much money.

 

[puchak]

A couple things:
1. Overpaid to the moon.
2. I am extremely doubtful the car will be driven nor enjoyed the way it should be, just calling it now given the buyer's history.
3. Who the f**k is this Matchbox guy?

This isn't the first time I've seen an AMG car have a shill-looking bidder who sends the price to the moon then leaves.

Freudian slip of sorts? Isn't that what the seller is supposed to say?



(Yes, I am an conspiracist. Lol.)

 

[gsxr]

Yeah - this went for silly money. People are praying it will be worth even more in the future. Which it might, unless the economy tanks, and it's worth half.


I was about to reach through the internet and strangle Wob for nonstop cheerleading posts. Dude! STHU already! Let the car talk. Also, the "Baby Hammer" comments were bordering on ridiculous. As a recent peanut gallerist noted, a 300E with a bodykit is not a Hammer.

 

[dondraperdfw]

Omg the cheerleading from Wob was annoying as hell! Glad someone else noticed it too.
I get it that only 30 manuals were made but the automatics have been going for way cheaper and the manual can't be that much more special.

 

[puchak]

Hell, if you have to get a 6 cylinder, out of investment or out of love… give me a 300TE in AMG dress any day!

 

[TerryA]

Whatever you think of WoB’s approach to this auction shouldn’t really matter. The results is what matters. The winner adamyed place at least 5 bids on the car. If it was your car that was being auctioned wouldn’t you want someone just like WoB selling it for you? He got an additional &37.5K to 42.5K over Broad Arrow’s price of $78K approximately one year ago.

WoB,s presentation of the car was superb. Compare the photos his photographer took to the ones not taken under his lighting platform. He made the car look like a fresh cut diamond. This car was spotless and shined like a new penny the detailing was excellent inside outside and undercarriage.

In addition to his invoices for prepping the car for auction plus Bat’s commission I’d be curious as to how much commission/profit he made on the sale.

 

[gsxr]

Omg the cheerleading from Wob was annoying as hell! Glad someone else noticed it too.
I get it that only 30 manuals were made but the automatics have been going for way cheaper and the manual can't be that much more special.

Wob isn't the only one. There are a number of sellers who post endless cheerleading crap, usually during the last 20-30 mins of an auction. It just clutters up the comment section unnecessarily. Super annoying!

 

[gsxr]

WoB,s presentation of the car was superb. Compare the photos his photographer took to the ones not taken under his lighting platform. He made the car look like a fresh cut diamond. This car was spotless and shined like a new penny the detailing was excellent inside outside and undercarriage.

In addition to his invoices for prepping the car for auction plus Bat’s commission I’d be curious as to how much commission/profit he made on the sale.

Yep - Wob, and Dean, specialize in presentation and marketing. In Wob's case this also includes over-the-top superlatives, waxing ecstatic about how this particular car for sale is the best one on the planet and you will never in your lifetime find another. (At least until the next one they sell weeks later.) This gets old, and builds distrust in everything they say.

Profit margin was likely FAT on this. Wob started posting "And make NO MISTAKE…. we are SELLING THIS CAR TODAY! Do not miss out!" when bidding hit $66k.


Some sample Wob comments on the 3.4 AMG for sale:

• The Mini HAMMER!! What a car! And BOY is it fun to drive! Also almost all of the very few 3.4 AMG cars were automatic. This is the extremely rare factory 5 speed! Incredible and completely changes this pre merger AMG experience for sure! I have NEVER seen a 5 speed 3.4 AMG, ever. Happy bidding – condition, rarity and drive and pre-merger – doesn’t get much better. Oh and was part of a very special private collection.
  
  
• Let’s walk around this pre merger ROCKSTAR! (with video posted)
  
  
• ULTRA rare dog leg Mini Hammer in stunning condition!
  
  
• Don’t miss out on this one folks! “waiting for the next one” could take a LONG time! Especially in this condition and THIS documented!
• There is no reason this is not a 6 figure car. Pre merger, baby Hammer and only a handful with a dogleg manual. And this is exquisite in condition and drive. But alas we are selling no matter what!
  
  
• Virtually no wear and stunning presentation
  
  
• Shall we just get it to $90k so we can tell your friends you paid $90k, not $87,034?
  
  
• I will include a framed print of the buyers choice if it hits $100k!
  
  
• Maybe a big hammer swing of a bid will lock it in…
  
  
• Listen what’s a few grand amongst friends. 6 digits feels very calming
  
  
• the best German tuning, from the best tuner, pre MB buy out that still drives like a dream today with an ultra rare 5 speed and in unapproachably great condition…
  
  
• This car was part of a very special collection. It’s peer that sat beside it was an F40… thats how special these cars are…
  
  
• And our 19k km (11k mile) AMG E50 will be coming up soon too for any pre-merger fans. [GSXR comment - The E50 IS NOT PRE-MERGER!!! ]

 

[puchak]

I think Wob did a great job selling the car, as enthusiasts - fair to be annoyed or even upset. It drives prices up.

The only thing I won't stand for is the mini hammer bullshit. Really, the 300E is a baby version of the 500E with that logic, right? Dog... nobody says that...

 

[Bogeyman]

I think this shows that no matter how much they try to act like they're 100% above board "legit", it's still the used car business and the players use basically the same tactics as if you just walked onto their lot with good credit...

 

[alibo70]

The hype certainly helps but does this really do anything for the true bidders that come in at the tail end regardless? What does the seller net after Wob's commission. Hell the 6.0 560 SEL currently on there (M119-powered, link) is a much more special car.

 

[puchak]

I was looking at that car, I can't believe someone repainted it from Blue Black to Astral Silver. The car was pimpin' before.

 

[alibo70]

I was looking at that car, I can't believe someone repainted it from Blue Black to Astral Silver. The car was pimpin' before.

Diamond in the rough but staring in front of you. Somebody needs it to paint it back to 199, wait 10 years and take their money to the bank.

 

[dondraperdfw]

What about the 4 piston caliper swap out and the SLS delete? Aren't they a big deal to the originality? Also zero documentation on the AMG provenance??

 

[gsxr]

What about the 4 piston caliper swap out and the SLS delete? Aren't they a big deal to the originality? Also zero documentation on the AMG provenance??

Did you mean to post this about the 1991 560SEL with M119 6.0L engine? That forum th read is located here (on 126board).