A few weeks ago I did my little sister a favor and helped her sell my mother’s Mercedes-Benz E350 wagon. It is a 2012 car, and my father bought it for her new. He kept every single record, including the Munroney window sticker, maintenance records, and even his notes from when he called the dealer to research the model. My mom drove the car until 2019 or so. I even drove it when I visited her in the assisted living facility she spent her last years in. My other sister lives about 40 minutes away so my driving of that wagon was limited to a shuttle trip on Houston freeways between those two spots. It sat for a few years while mom rarely drove it. In fact on one of my visits I bought a trickle charger for the car’s battery because it wasn’t getting enough use.
My little sister bought the car from mom a few years before mom died and she used it for commuting in Seattle until very recently. She asked me about selling it. I even considered buying it as my ski car (the Brown Subaru Outback that at one time belonged to Nick) was reaching its EoL with close to 300k miles. But I ended up buying that Blue Subaru you see in other posts. I’m glad I didn’t because this Merc is WAY too nice to suffer being my ski car and dog hauler!
It has very low miles and has been meticulously maintained by my father and my sister. I suggested to her that we sell it on BringATrailer, because I know these E-class wagons have a cult following and that platform would be the best place to have them find it.
Boy was I right.
The auction was a best possible result, in much the same way as when I auctioned my Dad’s 280se 3.5 almost a decade ago. Multiple bidders interested in the car and a result that beat our expectations.
Caught up in the enthusiasm of the auction I offered to drive the car to the auction winner, no matter where in North America they happened to be. At that moment the two highest bidders were in Washington and Colorado, so not really a big deal for me. A one or two day drive respectively. Well, of course the winner is on the east coast. So this week, I’m driving mom’s Mercedes almost coast to coast.
I’m planning to leave at dawn Wednesday. The plan is to drive only during daylight, and only have two planned stops: one in Chicago to see my son Chris, the other at the destination when I deliver the car to its new owner. I have a ticket to fly home early Monday, which is refundable/flexible should I have any issues.
But feel free to follow along. If I can find all the components I will set up the Timelapse rig. I will also post pics and stories on Instagram @chuckgoolsbee. Join me!